Mtel possibilities

Carlsen and Nakamura in the proposed list for Mtel Masters 2010
Financial crisis might reduce the prize fund
Report by Chessdom.com

The economic crisis might hit the Mtel Masters 2010, reports by Zhivko Ginchev for Dnevnik.bg. “It is inevitable,” commented Ginchev, “For us the most important is to preserve the tournament and not to interrupt it. Now we will have negotiations with the companies and we expect the sponsors to be the same.”

Until now the prize fund of the Mtel Masters was 300 000 eur. Ginchev shared that the event will once again be played in front of the National Theatre, but this time side events might be canceled.

We remind you that two more events from the Grand Slam experienced difficulties with the financial crisis. The Final Masters of Bilbao reduced the prize fund from 400 000 to 100 000 eur, while the Corus Chess 2010 secured the C group finances at the last moment.

Participants

The full list of participants is not yet finalized. The most desired players by the organizers at this moment are Magnus Carlsen and last year’s champion Alexei Shirov. The organizers want to include in the participants list Hikaru Nakamura and Bu Xiangzhi. After the signing of the contract for the tournament later this month, the participants list will be finalized.

Topalov preparing for the WCC

Ginchev reported Topalov is currently in Salamanca and is preparing for the World Chess Championship with Anand. He will not play at Corus Wijk Aan Zee, but is top seeded at Linares 2010.