After the end of the first round of negotiations with the teams of Kramnik and Topalov, the FIDE President provided us with his comments on the current events.
–The first round of negotiations has just finished. What is the outcome?
–The process of the negotiations started last night at midnight, immediately after I arrived in Elista. The first meeting was held with Vladimir Kramnik (our conversation lasted for about an hour), and today I spoke with Silvio Danailov. The first point, which we agreed on, is the postponement of today’s game, in order not to be under time pressure. Second and the most important point – both parties are ready to continue the match, they are ready to play. The stumbling block is the score, from which the match will be continued, 3:2 or 3:1. Also, the issue regarding the toilets has not yet been solved.
–In his letter, apart from other things, Kramnik is demanding official apologies from Danailov and the change of the members of the Appeals Committee.
–The priorities in our discussions are the following: first – the score, second – the toilets and then all the other things.
–What arguments are brought forward by the parties?
–Each of the parties is bringing forward their own reasons and is trying to prove that they are the ones who are right. The team of Topalov keeps insisting that the too frequent visits of Kramnik to the toilet are suspicious; Kramnik is referring to the clauses in the contract, describing the rights of the participants, in particular, the issue regarding the toilets. And it is a private issue, whoever goes wherever how many times.
–Danailov is his accusations is not giving any concrete examples, such as a series of strong moves, following the visits of Kramnik to the said room.
–Danailov said that he could present a report, which decisions were taken during respective moments. I responded with pointing out the exact mistakes, especially in the first two games, made by both Kramnik and Topalov. Thus, for example, both participants missed the simplest mate in the 2nd game, which I told both of them immediately after the game. As a chess fan I did not restrain myself from coming to the stage and asking, “Volodia, didn’t you see the mate?” “Which mate?” – he did not understand. It became clear during the press conference that also Topalov did not see the mate. If they had used the computer prompts, they would have never missed such a possibility.
–Please, comment the legal status of the 5th game: the clock was started, the delay was registered, Topalov signed the score sheet…. By the way, did Kramnik sign the score sheet?
–Kramnik did not sign the score sheet. If a political decision from both sides is going to be taken, then the technical loss of Kramnik can be cancelled.
–What is the technical procedure in reaching this?
–If there is a principal possibility of solving the issue, we will find a legal form for this. The issue has become political.
–Are there any levers of influencing Kramnik and Topalov in the current situation?
–There is only one lever, which I mentioned to both Kramnik and Topalov – millions of chess fans all over the world, who are looking forward to beautiful games and not for legal disputes. This is the most important issue! I told them: break away from your disputes, look around, you are not playing only for yourselves, you are playing for the entire chess world. You are the ones who say that chess is in lack of investors, and now you are doing everything in order to even decrease their number. Yesterday and today I keep receiving telephone calls from the representatives of those companies, which I attract for sponsoring of the chess competitions. They are asking me: “How come, the two most intelligent chess players cannot share a toilet with each other? So no sense for us to interfere, with our millions….”
–Is there any deadline for taking final decisions?
–Today. In the worst case, tomorrow before noon.
–What will happen in the hypothetical case if the parties do not find any compromise?
–There will be no continuation of the match.
–The match will be stopped… And what will happen then?
–Mr. Campomanes called me yesterday (laughing), he is ready to come here!
–Could you express your personal opinion, from which score should the match continue?
–I want the parties to come to a compromise. Let’s wait… 
Three outcomes are plausible:
1) Score reset to 3-1 and a common bathroom is shared (with some sort of non-intrusive supervision, preferably). This is the best choice IMO.
2) Score remains 3-2, and private bathrooms are opened again (with some sort of non-intrusive supervision, preferably).
3) The match is cancelled. This is the worst case.
This gives some hope, and the man making the statements is, if nothing else, an adroit politician. The statement that the “technical win” for Topalov in game 5 could be reversed is a crucial point — I cannot see Kramnik agreeing to continue unless the score is restored to 3-1. Fingers are crossed!
— Mike D.
4) Danailov is banned out of the country so his friends Makro and Azmai, and the commitee is renewed by two neutrals ones.
What a dream!
I prefer 3 to both 2 and 1. I offer instead a 4th outcome:
1) Score reset to 3-1, and they play on under the conditions agreed to prior to the match.
This would be the most reasonable outcome.
Don’t boxer’s managers use similar techniques?
If Topalov has any notion of what has happened to his reputation in the chess world over the last 48 hours, I think he might agree to restore the score to 3-1 and get back to the board. I hope so.
— Mike D.
I prefer both of the 4th options to any of the first threee
Banning DAnmilov and the Appeals commitee. and restarting the match under the terms that Kramnik signed originally
AS I read his statement he takes Kramnik’s side 3 times
Lists the score as #1 priority
Calls the score technical which can be changed.
Points out the missed checkmate to prove there is no cheating
He takes Danilov’s side once when he intimates that every single sponsor wants them to share a bathroom.
I do not think Kramnik will agree to anything else but 3-1 and open bathroom.
Topalov presumably knows he’s in the wrong – but also knows he will probably lose this match.
Therefore, what would Topalov gain by continuing?
So I think he will refuse to back down and the match will end tomorrow and be awarded to Kramnik.
HOWEVER, Kirsan may offer an ultimatum to Kramnik on the basis of play at 3-2 with no bathroom or forfit. Kramnik would not accept that, so Topalov would be awarded another meaningless FIDE paper title.
Either way, I do not see the match continuing.
It’s all really up to Topalov now. Either to start playing at the board from 3-1 score or to destroy the whole unification scheme by refusing to give up the point. It’s totally unconceivable for Kramnik to continue from 3-2 score. Topalov has a choice. Kramnik in reality doesn’t.
In fact, I think Kirsan is right now telling Team Topalov in no uncertain terms that there’s no way the match will continue at 3-2. The only thing left to discuss is the bathroom issue, and maybe they can find a compromise.
Clearly the crooks in the Appeals Committee and Damailov went to far in all this while daddy was away on a business trip. I’m sure Kirsan is quite angry about it all and will go as far as he can to meet the fair demands of Team Kramnik and save the match while not hurting the honor of his friends any more than their own actions have already done.
Under circumstances, perhaps Kramnik could live with option #4.
As I see it, the circumstances are, that
1) the accusations of cheating are withdrawn (it makes no sense playing an adversary who says you’re cheating; you can only lose; if you lose, but also if you win, because then you would have won because of the cheating);
2) Topalov makes excuses for the very improper wording of the complaint (not Danailov; whatever the relations are in reality, technically speaking he’s but a footman);
3) Topalov will make a pledge of good will and promise to behave in a civil way for the rest of the match.
And, last not least, you SHOULD all check ChessBase or the official WCC site now and then. All this was already public for hours and hours.
Topalov doesn’t care about the “chess world”. He cares about his one million dollars of azeri oil money. Topalov is possibly behind all this, and Danailov is but a tool, like agents usually are.
Given the current situation, I think a compromise is required. Compromise means that Topalov gets some and Kramnik gets some; it does not mean that one gets all and the other gets none.
Issue #1 – Score
Issue #2 – Bath
A compromise would decide one issue in favor of one and the other issue in favor of the other. Thus,
Option 1) Score is reset (Kramnik gets this) and bathroom is common (Topalov gets this).
Or
Option 2) Score is not reset (against Kramnik) and private bathrooms are reopened (against Topalov).
Or
Option 3) Everything is lost. The match is abandoned, for nobody wanted to give up anything.
This crisis is now too messy, with too many woulds and tempers too heated. There is no time to sort through all the mud to see who threw dirt at whom first.
From the political point of view you’re right, Roper.
But I’m very much afraid Kramnik will take the moral standpoint. From there HE is right, and why on earth should he let anyone detract from it?
Well, being right and getting your right are two different things.
We’ll just have to wait and see.
@Ben van Vlierden
I agree with you in your opinion that this “compromise” that I describe would be a political decision. I think that this sort of decision is what the President is aiming, because of the way he disected the issue in two main points (score, bathroom) and his assertion that this topic is political.
Of course, and you certainly already know this, I differ with you as to which is the moral solution. Because our appreciation of the moral virtues of each one of the players differ. Kramnik, and all those who share his point of view, will consider that giving into the political “compromise” that I present would be sacrificing moral ground. Yet, moral seems to be less than universal in this issue. The same can be said of Topalov, because if he accepts this “compromise” he would be – in his perspective and mine – sacrificing also moral ground. It is a matter of how one understands the situation.
Given that we are reasonable people, and that we have come to the conclusion that we disagree in our understanding of this situation, I would recommend the compromise, because there is little chance of one party convincing the other, and both parties share – at least in principle – a sincere interest in there being a unification.
Whether the compromise is achieved through option 1 or option 2 has to be decided by the players. Both imply a sacrifice of each from their own perspectives, and none satisfies both parties completely. But there is no hope of achieving complete satisfaction of both parties at this time, or of reconciling their points of view, and the fans, which are the constituents and – I would say – the only real justification for there being a unification, demand that the games start again.
I think both parties are tired of this by now. Let’s cut our loses, let’s compromise, and let’s move on. Arguing who’s right after so many hours and so little advancement doesn’t seem productive. Let’s play ball.
I hope so, Roper. The match has been very exciting so far. I’d like to see the rest of it.
Topalov accuses Kramnik, but if i remember right, Topalov at San Luis and i think a couple other events, was accused of cheating, they never did say who had accused him. Kramnik wasnt there so it wasnt him. Perhaps another case of the cheat is accusing the other because of their own guilt?
BTW, I hope Kramnik wins. I am not rooting for Topalov. But at the end I don’t really care who is the new champion, as long as it is only one.
I don’t care a hoot who wins. As long as it has been a fair contest and the issue was decided on the board!
I don’t think the match can go on whith a forfeit, and Topalov will refuse to replay it. So, I see a possibility to save the match: to take the unprededent desicion that game 5 is 1/2 – 1/2. Kramnik had white, so it’s a disadvantage – on the other and, he has an enormous advance of two points, so a draw is an advantage. In very special conditions (here everything was wrong, the complaint not made in time, and…not refused), the FIDE President can take special decisions (remember the cancelling of the too long first match Karpov – Kasparov)
re compromise.
The compromise I believe Kramnik will offer is that the Appeals Committe can remain the same. If the match continues and they are the same, they will be crippled.
This is also an interesting test of Kirsan’s negotiating skills. He I think cerainly loves chess, in spite of his commonly-perceived incompetence and corruption. He presumably knows the chess world is not just watching Kramnik and Topalov, but him also. I hope he makes the obviously correct decision.
I see a higher probability of having game 5 reversed than of having it declared a draw.
@Ben van Vlierden, I agree with you: the champion should win at the board.
KEEP THE SCORE AT 3/1 AND PLAY 24 GAMES ..ITS BECAUSE THE GAMES ARE ARE SET TO ONLY 12 THATS WHY WE HAVE A BIG PROBLEM……. YOU CANT GET TO 6 AN HALF POINTS AND BECOME CHAMPION OF THE WORLD…EVEN MY GRANDMOM CAN DO THAT
Topalov’s team is accusing Kramnik of cheating. If making trips to bathroom (FIDE already corrected that the number was exaggerated by Topalov’s team) is unusual and questionable, then being seated in one place during San Luis World Cup when all other players including Vishy Anand were rotated, is also equally suspicious. In fact, there were cheating allegations on Topalov that were buried under the surface. Topalov’s sudden rise to an abnormally high level of chess at the age of 30 should also be questioned, although this is possible at least on paper. Ref: Article by Goichberg dated around August 8th in Chessbase.
The Bulgarian team is quite cunning. After the World Cup in San Luis, they talked so big about Topalov and didn’t say a word about Anand. Not just after the match, but in general, not even once has Topalov or Kramnik openly said how good and consistent Anad has been at the top for years! Even Roger Federer appreciates his opponents after winning. The facts of the matter are both Topalov and Kramnik lack spine and are opportunists. FIDE is corrupt too. It’s so funny that FIDE arranged for these two to play the World Championship leaving Vishy Anand completely out of the loop. Kramnik agreed to play a title match against Leko. Would he or Topalov do that against Anand? No they won’t because of a real fear for the outcome. Will FIDE arrange for a round robin just between the three and select the winners to play for the title? That would then be the real title. Chess title matches are so full of crap. Who knows what the team of Kasparov, which included Kramnik, did against the good guy Anand in 1995? Kasparov needed Kramnik’s help to beat the then young Anand. Ever since that loss, Anand who became the FIDE World cup winner in 2000 just like Topalov in 2005, was never given a chance to play for a 1-1 title match. That too, Anand peaked up and improved significantly after the 1995 match and was consistently number 2 for years. Visit Jeff Sonas’s Chessmetrics to know what a legend Anand is!
Shame on FIDE, and chess community for not speaking up. Garry Kasparov was the only guy who acknowledged this fact that a real title match should include Anand in it (in an interview given to Chessbase a few months ago)! A 1-1 champiosnhip match between either Anand-Topalov or Anand-Kramnik to decide the challenger for Topalov would be a hell of a match! I don’t know why Susan doesn’t mention of such a possibility at all.
Vishy Anand would neither make so many trips to bathroom (anyone must be crazy to make so many trips unless they have IBS :-)) nor accuse someone for doing so (like Topa baby). Learn to play chess like Anand leaving poli’tricks’ aside!
Anand had his chance to be here in stead of Topalov. If he had just won the FIDE WC tournament ….
Anyone who’s not a chesslover may have a great day. They can laugh their bums off.
Unfortunately, I love chess.
About Topalov’s not wanting to shake hands, why was that? Even boxers “shake” hands and hug.
Hey, Ben van Vlierden, I do see the interview with Kirsan in the WC website, but I cannot see it in ChessBase. I think you mentioned they have it there. Where do they have it?
I’m but an ignorant foreigner, so please excuse the question: what does IMHO stands for?
I’m sorry. They don’t. But they have a link to the official site.
@Ben van Vlierden,
It means “in my humble opinion”.
Ben van Vlierden said…
Anand had his chance to be here in stead of Topalov. If he had just won the FIDE WC tournament ….
You are still missing the point. A true chess lover must know that San Luis is only another Tournament! Topalov has won that. Accepted and my hearty congrats! Look how many tournaments Anand has won including 3 chess oscars! If Leko gets to play a 1-1 title match against Kramnik and Kramnik gets to play one against Topalov even though he was away from the scene and his ranking had fallen quite badly, don’t you think Anand must be invited for such a 1-1 title match.
Again, I am not talking about rules here, but speaking as a true chess lover. Don’t you think, a 1-1 between Topalov-Vishy OR Vishy-Kramnik would be a hell of a match?
Honestly, I have never seen Anand complaining about anything. These two, so called champions are making such a mess out of chess.
When Garry believes Anand should be invited for a title match, why don’t you think it’s a good idea?
Thanks for your response though.
– Gans
I am no great fan of Ilyumzhinov, but I must say his comments in the press conference are very statesmanlike, under the circumstances.
I’m sorry, but I don’t like to be discredited as a “true chesslover”.
No, San Luis was NOT just another tournament! It was the official tournament for the FIDE worldchampionship, with all inherent rights for the winner made clear in advance.
Of course I would like to see either of the contests you mention (or both of them).
But as the matter stands, no one can uphold that Anand has been wronged. He won many tournaments over the last decade, but failed to take the one that really mattered.
But, being the great player that he is, I have not the least bit doubt that he will make his presence felt in the coming cycle of the WC (provided that the FIDE don’t mess that up too!)
I agree… I think Anand is a class act, and would really like to see him get the chance to shine…
As far as Kramnik goes, I think he is 100percent to blame here, and should not be given the chance to play again, he chose to forfeit and now must live with that choice.
Kramnik should have played the 5th match under protest. Even if you don’t like the outcome of the appeal you simply still have to play. There are many sports in the world where teams or individuals get penalized (by mistake) but they will still continue and play their game/match.
One can always fight the green table fights after the game/match.
If Kramnik would have played, it would not have been such a hot issue anymore.
Don’t forget, Topalov was not happy either with the ruling, but still he came to the board to play. It was Kramnik’s own choice not to play with all the risks and concequences. Therefore, imho, 3-2 and the private toilet should be available again, as contractually agreed before the match, but maybe with the possibilty to inspect it during the match as well (so not only before and after the match)
Ok, now the news of Kirzam’s comments is in ChessBase.
Whatever happens Kramnik should be prevented from using the infamous portable chess set. This can be accomplished by assigning an inspector capable of discerning the use of said chess set even in the toilet booth. Once again, Kramnik did not walk in and out of the bathroom continually, he walked in, stayed for a minute then walked out, then walked in, stayed for 2 minutes then walked out. This is perfectly consistent with him playing with the position inside the bathroom (with the chess set) then going out to meditate on it, then going in to set up another position (the one he is calculating) and so on. In the match with Kasparov (in which he did not have his famous disease, by the way) he had to hide inside the toilet booth to do the cheating after Kasparov complained about his multiple visits to the bathroom and someone had to accompany him to monitor his activity at said location. Unfortunately, no one thought at the time (not even Kasparov) that Kramnik was cheating in such a way, thus the inspection did nothing to prevent his cheating. Kramnik’s excuses for his excessive trips to the bathroom are thus refuted (bad health –he was not sick in Kasparovs match yet he behaved the same way– inordinate thirst, need to walk and frequent need to urinate –all proven false by his 82 minute stand in front of the closed bathroom door during the forfeited match–. I do hope the match continues and both get to play fairly.
How the d-vil can you know that GM Kramnik is using a portable chess set? Did you see it happen?????
I can only say this: I have insider information that I cannot disclose due to legal ramifications. I did not want to say this because it is not an argument and it sounds really suspicious. But yes, you are right, I DO know something concrete.
Ok! I get it. You are GOD!!!
COMPROMISE: Replay game 5, but give Topalov 1/2 point for so agreeing.
Thus at the re-start of game 5, the point score would be 3.0-1.5 (instead of the original 3.0-1.0).
It was an unfortunate decision to start the game 5 clock.
FIDE Rule 13.2: “The arbiter shall act in the best interest of the competition”.
Gene_M
oh yeah? I have an inside source that tells me that topa is scared of losing. Somebody on his team told me that this whole thing was a big scheme of the bulgarian team to terminate the match since he was losing. I can’t tell you who though, because of legal reasons. Cheers
the last post was a joke in response to the guy that pretended to have inside information, not in response to you calling him GOD. Now you misunderstood. Eitherway, this is silly.
humbug..all these bizarre pocket chess set phantasies
I did not mean to be offensive, but i really must meet the “inside information” crap with a bit of irony. To avoid misunderstandings, please invent a name to go with Your post.
Exactly to the point! The theory about the pocket chess set is pure humbug!!!
Are you the person who designed the chess set that Kramnik is using? Please at least answer yes or no.
When was it proven that GM V. Kramnik was using a pocket chess set??? I think the pocket “chess theory” is completly neanderthal!!!
Please give us more information on the design of the chess set. How can he set it up in mere seconds?
Hi there anonymous! Are You suffering from a pocketchessetpsycosis?
No, but chess is suffering from a “PocketKramnik” scandal.
Hmmmm…every problem, no matter how difficult has a solution.
I’m sure that Kramnik will agree with this.
I propose that the new Miss World, Tatana Kucharova, an 18-year-old student from the Czech Republic, accompany Kramnik to his private bathroom.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060930/ap_en_ot/miss_world
On the other hand, he may not do very well playing chess…
Danailov is slapped on his face
nice site
http://www.printingworld.org/