Etienne Bacrot, Romain Edouard et Maxime-Vachier Lagrave, tous 3 qualifiés pour les matchs de départage du championnat de France, ont finalement indiqué à la Fédération Française des Echecs, qu’ils ne se sentaient pas, compte tenu des circonstances exceptionnelles, en mesure d’y participer. Sensible à ces arguments et partageant l’émotion des joueurs, la Fédération a donc décidé d’attribuer collectivement le titre de champion de France 2012 aux 4 joueurs arrivés en tête à l’issue de la 10e ronde du National.
According to my poor French understanding, I believe that the players have decided NOT to proceed with the playoff due to the death of GM C. Bauer’s son. The four players who tied for 1st, Bacrot, Edouard, Vachier-Lagrave, and Bauer will be declared co-champions. For those of you who understand French better than I do, please feel free to fill in.
Once again, our condolences to the family of GM C. Bauer.
Official website: http://www.echecs.asso.fr/
It’s the right thing to do.
You’ve perfectly understood the article.
I think Edouard Romain should be glad to get the title, because he was likely to loose in the playoff.
More info in English here: http://chess-news.ru/en/node/9111
Your translation is very good.
This is a very good decision, I really admire the fair play and decency of the three other players.
I can translate exactly:
“Etienne Bacrot, Romain Edouard and Maxime-Vachier Lagrave, all three of those qualified to hold a playoff for the title of French Champion, have indicated formally [conclusively or definitely] to the French Chess Federation that they do not feel able to participate, owing to the exceptional circumstances. Empathetic with this reasoning, and sharing the emotions of the players, the Federation has therefore decided to confer the title of French Champion 2012 collectively to the four players who were in first place at the conclusion of the 10th round of the National.”
Christian Bauer was the fourth in the tie with one round to go, so he shares the title.