Sports: 17 October 2006, Tuesday.
Russian Vladimir Kramnik, who snatched the World Chess title away from Bulgaria’s Vesselin Topalov in Elista, has firmly waved off the challenge for a return game, Russian media have informed.Kramnik said he wouldn’t even consider a rematch, and explained that he didn’t want more “soap operas that could go on forever”.
There are others, willing to challenge the title Topalov has already lost, the Russian explained.
World chess federation (FIDE) rules state that every former world champion is allowed to challenge his opponent should he secure the prize of EUR 1.5 M. Topalov’s manager Silvio Danailov said that Kramnik would not accept the offer, which would force FIDE to strip him of the world’s only chess king title last Friday, when he announced of the challenge.
The rest can be read here.
Topalov at Risk to be Abandoned in Elista
Sports: 12 October 2006, Thursday.
Russian authorities refused to grant permission to the Bulgarian governmental aircraft Falkon to land in Elista in order to transport world chess champion Vesselin Topalov’s team back home. Vladimir Kramnik will not have any problems departing, Topalov’s press attaché announced.
The 9-seat Falkon was to be sent to the Kalmik Republic to fetch Bulgaria’s chess master, as Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov announced Wednesday.
“This outruns all scandals, nobody cares to explain why the permission for landing was refused”, Vesselin Topalov’s manager Silvio Danailov said.
“Apparently, the pressure on the Bulgarian group will continue to the last minute”, he added.
The rest can be read here.
Kramnik has no choice provided Topalov maintains a 2700+ rating and comes up with the 1.5 million euro purse. It is a rule. Kramnik is not above the rules.
He can accept and play or forfeit the crown. His choice.
Lighten up. Kramnik is just posturing — a sensible strategy for now. Remember, Topalov initially turned down a match with Kramnik, and he did not forfeit the crown.
Topalov has yet to find a sponsor for the rematch, and perhaps other players will find sponsors too. If there are multiple challengers, Kramnik doesn’t have to play them all at once. If the money is equal, I’m sure he’d prefer to give someone else a shot, which would mean not having to deal with Danailov again.
If Topalov really comes up with $1.5 million, and there are no other challengers, then I’m sure Kramnik will play Topalov — not just because the rules say so, but because $1.5 million is a lot of money. Kramnik has beaten Topalov consistently in the past, and I’m sure he has no doubts of his ability to do so again.
If Danilov wanted to insure a rematch for his client he should behaved like a manager during the past month.
Kramnik is being very nice. Other people might string Topalov along, teasing him about the possibility of a match and then play Anand anyhow.
Or the winner of Mexico
Or maybe GATA(RUSSIA VS usa AGAIN!)
@marc
Kramnik has zero discretion even if other challengers also come up with the $.
Topalov has 1st shot at it if he has the $. Its black and white.
For what its worth the automatic right to have a grudge match is ridiculous. What if there is a player 2x as good as kramnik and topalov next year? They have to not play in the WC because of a grudge match?
That’s ridiculous!
Kramnik has zero discretion even if other challengers also come up with the $.
Topalov has 1st shot at it if he has the $. Its black and white.
Where did you read that?
This is such nonsense about pressuring the Bulgarian team. Elista airport has been closed for a while now, nobody lands there. Svidler and Bareyev, as well as Kramnik’s mother, they all arrived to neighbouring towns and drove to Elista. Read the Russian news around the chess match.
As for rematch – I read a few different recountings of the rematch offer. It seems that currently there is no such rule in FIDE, whatever Danailov may be saying. Topalov himself said he thought the rule was in the making. Of course, I don’t read Bulgarian, so I can’t be sure, but according to a couple of translations I read, Danailov is talking of a not-yet-in-existence rule.
ahhh – come on – nobody wanted Botvinnik to be champion again, but an idiotic – nowadays overcame FIDE rule: the REMATCHING right for the dethroned champ – made him to overthrow Smyslov and Tal to become the most hated “sputnik” the chess world has ever seen …
They’ll never come back … (exepting Botvinnik and Alekhine – of course … yes – he is the one with the cat … ^^)
If really the rules state that every former world champion is allowed to challenge his opponent should he secure the prize of EUR 1.5 M, then Topalov can not force Kramnik to face him since he was never world champion. On the other hand, does this rule mean that if Mr. Spassy (a former champion) comes up with EUR 1.5M, then Kramnik has no choice but to face him?
@anonymouse from 9:28:22 AM
“Topalov can not force Kramnik to face him since he was never world champion”
According to FIDE and Kramnik he certainly was. I guess everyone but you?!
“On the other hand, does this rule mean that if Mr. Spassy (a former champion) comes up with EUR 1.5M, then Kramnik has no choice but to face him?”
Spassky didn’t lose to Kramnik, Spassky would’ve had the right to challenge Fischer.
Additionally the new rule states the ex champion must maintain a rating of 2700+.
[The FIDE president has said that Topalov has the right of a rematch according to the official regulations and that the main conditions are that the player has 2700+ rating and a total prize fund of not less than 1,5 million euros.]
Rematch rules are baloney. This gives us back karpov v kasparov for a decade.
Say topalov wins the rematch, then what? Kramnik demands a rematch? Then what? Ad infinitum?
There should be no right to a rematch. There should be no choice from the Champion to decide who they will play. It should be whomsoever earns the right in zonals, interzonals and candidates matches.
I told you that Danailov would use Kramnik’s rejection of a rematch to accuse him of being scared and wanting to hang onto the title!
What a pig Danailov is… It’s pretty funny that their aircraft can’t come get them. They can just drive home like the losers they are.
Would not let his plane land to take him home
Potty kramnik and his Gronies..what next
after this I now belive that kramnik and his gronies cheated in the bath room and Topalov may have been in danger
The only ones in danger were Kramnik and his team from psycho Danailov. Who knows what kind of stunt he would pull if there were a rematch!
Who can trust the russians ever? Only another russian. They will stop at nothing. Even high ranking gov’t officials involved and saying kramnik saved the russian title. pathetic. but what do you expect from them? Even Kasparov loathes the Putin gov’t as stalinist throwbacks!
Danailov was (and still is) the source of all the tournament troubles, not the Russian government.
The airport in Elista has been closed soon after the beginning of the match (before all scandals):
http://www.fide.com/news.asp?id=1118 “The Organizing Committee of the World Chess Championship Match Topalov-Kramnik 2006 is informing all the guests that are intending to visit Elista for the Match that the Elista Airport has cancelled the Moscow-Elista-Moscow flights from 25 SEPTEMBER due to the technical problems. We are advising you to take Moscow-Volgograd flights. Orgainizers will try to assist you with the transportation from Volgograd to Elista.
The reason for that is published below: http://news.rin.ru/eng/news///9429/
“September 8 2006, inspection has revealed that 3 airport services – of emergency-rescue works, of aviation security, of electric light technical maintenance – have no necessary compliance certificates. “Therefore, the airport has no complex certificate and license for aviation activity”
Mr. Danailov just keeps lying. It looks like the rules say that Kramink must accept the challenge if they get the money – I just wonder is there any rule that prohibits such consistent unethical behavior? I mean, if such tactics of small lies and insults succeeds, this will be a disaster, everybody will start doing it.
I am surprised to see how each Danailov’s new lie makes some people so happy.
Welcome to the Kremlin blog, home of russian cronies! Even Fischer rightly didn’t trust ’em.
“September 8 2006, inspection has revealed that 3 airport services – of emergency-rescue works, of aviation security, of electric light technical maintenance – have no necessary compliance certificates. “Therefore, the airport has no complex certificate and license for aviation activity”
Ah, magnificent Kirsan! He can spend millions of his people’s money to build “Chess City” in the middle of nowhere, he can bribe his way to the FIDE presidency, but he can’t spare the change to keep his backwater fiefdom’s airport running.
What an apparatchik.
I still don’t see an authoritative source that says Kramnik must give the former champion priority for a rematch, assuming the former champ can round up a $1.5mm purse.
I agree that the automatic rematch is a relic of history — no other sport has such a requirement. Having said that, I still think that Kramnik would accept the match, rule or no rule, if Toppy really comes up with the cash.
>>Kramnik has no choice provided Topalov maintains a 2700+ rating and comes up with the 1.5 million euro purse. It is a rule. Kramnik is not above the rules.
>>
You’re forgetting one thing. Radjabov was in line first. He’s already signed for a championship match in April.
As for “rules”, you ought to read them more carefully. The 2700 Rule gives a player the right to challenge, but not the right to be accepted. And it certainly doesn’t say anything about a time frame. If Topalov wants a rematch, 6 months or so after Mexico City would be a better time.
It certainly makes no sense to give him another match before the lawsuits from this one are settled.
If worse comes to worse, though, if you want FIDE to crown another Loser Champion like in 1993, and have the real world title walk out again… well, if you want that, you must not think very much of your chances any other way.
Might I remind you of what Susan herself has posted:
World chess federation (FIDE) rules state that every former world champion is allowed to challenge his opponent should he secure the prize of EUR 1.5 M. Topalov’s manager Silvio Danailov said that Kramnik would not accept the offer, which would force FIDE to strip him of the world’s only chess king title last Friday, when he announced of the challenge.
Again, Kramnik has ZERO discretion here. If he wants to give up the title he can freely do so, there is no other organization to fund another PCA or braingames. He’ll have a self created title with nothing else.
That’s exactly why kramnik came to this match (besides the obvious 500 grand) there is no other organization any longer. He’s no kasparov with the backing to create one or he would have!
>>
World chess federation (FIDE) rules state that every former world champion is allowed to challenge his opponent should he secure the prize of EUR 1.5 M. Topalov’s manager Silvio Danailov said that Kramnik would not accept the offer, which would force FIDE to strip him of the world’s only chess king title last Friday, when he announced of the challenge.
Again, Kramnik has ZERO discretion here. If he wants to give up the title he can freely do so, there is no other organization to fund another PCA or braingames. He’ll have a self created title with nothing else.
>>
You may be reading between the lines a bit here. There is a “2700 Rule”, which allows anyone over 2700 to issue a title challenge.
But your bit about “Zero discretion” is either bluff or guesswork. There is no guarantee a challenge will be accepted, and no rule that says that Topalov’s challenge automatically has priority over Radjabov’s pre-existing challenge.
Kirsan could order a match tomorrow, of course, but there’s no rule saying that Topalov is automatically entitled to a rematch in 6 months even without Kirsan’s direct intervention.
Sounds like you have very little faith in Topalov to win a rematch and just want a title to be handed to him. You seem willing, almost eager, to have him declared champion without winning another game.
Consider the damage you might do to the game of chess if you get your way. Up till last week, the title has been split for the last 13 years. FIDE tried their very best to pretend they had the only title, but were unable to do so, and finally had to play a unification match. Your faith that things will be different if the title splits again is touchingly naive. If they couldn’t get Topalov accepted as World Champion before, it makes no sense to think they’d be able to do it now that he’s been beaten (twice).
It’s time to put selfish interests behind us and think more about the good of the game, than about just getting the title into the hands of one unworthy challenger, by hook or crook.
To: Anonymous @ Tuesday, October 17, 2006 11:16:35 AM
You should forward your message to Kramnik and see if chess means more to him unified or splitting the title off again to get his way at any and every cost!
>>
Again, Kramnik has ZERO discretion here. If he wants to give up the title he can freely do so, there is no other organization to fund another PCA or braingames. He’ll have a self created title with nothing else.
>>
You guys really are hilarious. If you could hear yourself, you’d laugh too. Just listen to what you’re saying.
You don’t see any credibility problems that might result from FIDE simply handing it to a loser without play. But you see or pretend to see huge problems that might result from a champion walking out of FIDE and defending his title somewhere else.
This *despite* the fact that that exact same thing happened for the last 13 years. Too funny! Some people just can’t see past their own selfish interests.
and for the last time:
THERE WAS NO MATE IN THREE IN GAME 2!!!!
“You don’t see any credibility problems that might result from FIDE simply handing it to a loser without play.”
Karpov and Russia don’t seem to have any problem with it.
” But you see or pretend to see huge problems that might result from a champion walking out of FIDE and defending his title somewhere else.”
Where else? Your basement? His living room? There is nowhere else or he wouldn’t have come to FIDE!
“This *despite* the fact that that exact same thing happened for the last 13 years. Too funny! Some people just can’t see past their own selfish interests. “
Maybe you should let kramnik know that he should get past his selfish interests and not split the title again 😉
>>
Karpov and Russia don’t seem to have any problem with it.
>>
We’re talking about you. Are you saying that you recognize Karpov as champion from 1993-1999? Even if you do, it can’t have escaped your attention that most of the chess world didn’t.
>>
Where else? Your basement? His living room? There is nowhere else or he wouldn’t have come to FIDE!
>>
LOL. No other sponsors for chess anywhere except Kirsan’s own private pockets. If that’s true, fuhgeddaboutit, because the game’s dead anyway. Kirsan won’t last forever.
But you’re forgetting recent history. Kramnik had his own sponsor for this match a year ago with a purse twice as large as what they eventually played for. Topalov turned it down. I guess in your mind Topalov lost his title then.
>>
Maybe you should let kramnik know that he should get past his selfish interests and not split the title again 😉
>>
C’mon, you’ve already discredited yourself here. You admit you don’t care about who the best player is, you just want the title in the hands of your favorite player whether he earns it or not. I haven’t discredited myself in the same way, I haven’t tried to hand free points and titles to undeserving players, I’ve just pointed out that the zero discretion rule you’ve talked about doesn’t exist. So turning around and saying “I know you are but what am I?” is just kindergarten stuff.
Not surprising, though.
What cracks me up the most about your posts is I didn’t recognize the karpov of 75 but had no choice as bobby quit. Thus karpov was the best who kept playing, rather than best in the world.
Same would apply to topalov if kramnik pussed out.
For chess to be popular and live on in the world, especially olympics, there has to be a structured organization. Not just sponsors.
Otherwise the Steelers can quit the NFL, declare themselves world champs, play who they want, when they want and consider it official (nobody else alive would tho).
That’s what Kramnik realized and why he came to FIDE.
I love how you are the authority on who has discredit themselves and who hasn’t lol a legend in your own mind (and mom’s basement).
Anyway I always go for the strongest even if its not who I prefer. Quite honestly it seems if you prefer kramnik to hold a title, any title, even if he quits, runs away and creates a new fictitious title.
The rest of the world from sponsors to the olympics demand a sports structure and that structure is FIDE.
deal with it
Personally I prefer to see Anand as champ. He’s not only a good player but probably the best possible spokesman for the sport and generally controversy free.
Now we know what Kramnik was doing in the toilet, anyhow. Air Traffic Control.
After looking through Bulgarian news sources (in translation), I find that there doesn’t appear to much credibility there, only yellow journalism. Can you believe that they even report on Topalov’s herpes as to why his performance was bad?
As for the rematch, this is more posturing by Danailov. He has yet to show he has the money required for a rematch. He is also a comedian in that he stated that Sofia should be the site of the rematch.
Kramnik’s conduct makes me like him more and more. He said at his press conference that he believes that Topalov should be admitted to the Mexico tournament.
Topalov, on the other hand, keeps saying that he trusts and supports his manager Danailov and his actions.
Anonymous said…
Kramnik has no choice provided Topalov maintains a 2700+ rating and comes up with the 1.5 million euro purse. It is a rule. Kramnik is not above the rules.
He can accept and play or forfeit the crown. His choice.
I don’t know the related FIDE rule in details, but I am just about sure that it isn’t that simple, and no other conditions attached that the 1.5 million Euro.
Also, the next step is Mexico. It is still a bit of a confusion, since it is not clear to me that the winner of Mexico would be the next official world champion or not. But either way, even if the winner of Mexico would only have the right to challenge Kramnik, surely nobody can expect Kramnik to defend more than once, within a year or so the currently clearly obtained title.
I assume that this FIDE rule is from the past and probably legally it is not cleared. FIDE should make a statement as for how this is layed out. Kramnik definitely should have at least the moral right to enjoy his title until Mexico.
———————-
Initially I was a bit on Topalov’s side, because I found it unusual that Kramnik “vanished” so many times from the playing field. But than Topalov got a free point (rightly so under the circumstances), still lost the match convincingly. For Danailov already talking about stripping Kramnik from the crown, is silly. FIDE should step in and announce an iron clad system from here on, how the world championship will be. Anyone who accepts can participate, anyone who doesn’t can go and do weightlifting or ping-pong. The every chess player insisting on his or her own method must end once and for all.
Gabor
Even if there should be a rematch with Topalov, six months is far too soon, and doesn’t feel right.
It would be good if FIDE rules were followed, but FIDE should seek consensus also.
This was a match between two champions. As a casual fan, the line from Kasparov means more to me. It doesn’t matter who is the number 1 player in a sport. The world championship has its own prestige and is very difficult to attain.
>>
What cracks me up the most about your posts is I didn’t recognize the karpov of 75 but had no choice as bobby quit. Thus karpov was the best who kept playing, rather than best in the world.
>>
Since my posts haven’t mentioned Karpov of 75, you’re losing it (which cracks me up). The reason I haven’t mentioned Karpov 75 is because it has no relevance to this situation. Fischer resigned his title in writing. If Kramnik does the same, then of course any “official challenger” would become champion automatically.
You say you didn’t recognize Karpov but you had no choice? That sounds like when you say you didn’t that it means you really did but didn’t want to. Could you be a bit clearer about that?
>>Same would apply to topalov if kramnik pussed out.
That’s assuming Topalov has a right to an automatic rematch (which is the question you keep begging). There isn’t one. The match rules are available online. Read them yourself instead of just guessing. All that does exist is a right for a 2700 player to issue a challenge, which the champion and Kirsan may or may not accept if it’s got enough money behind it. If it comes down to Kramnik vs. Kirsan, then Kirsan will win, of course, but that’s a different matter entirely. There is no automatic rematch rule and no rule that says Topalov gets a rematch in 6 months. For all your bluster, surely you know that by now, or else you would have found it and quoted it to shut me up.
>>For chess to be popular and live on in the world, especially olympics, there has to be a structured organization. Not just sponsors.
Otherwise the Steelers can quit the NFL, declare themselves world champs, play who they want, when they want and consider it official (nobody else alive would tho).
>>
Uh no, they can’t. False analogy. The NFL owns the Steelers name and franchise. The *players* can quit and sign with another league, but the Steelers can’t. They’re the property of the NFL. FIDE, on the other hand, owns no chessplayers. They only own their own title, which they can give to anyone at any time, even Kirsan himself, apparently with your complete approval, judging by what you’ve said so far. The naive part is assuming that they could get away with it now when they couldn’t before. I assume that’s a wish rather than a belief on your part.
>>I love how you are the authority on who has discredit themselves and who hasn’t lol a legend in your own mind (and mom’s basement).
I simply read your posts and apply logic to them (which you should have done yourself, I’m doing your job for you). When you contradict yourself, I don’t need to be any special authority to call you on it. You know, you’ve really got a fixation on authoritarianism. The champion isn’t the best player, or who wins, it’s who FIDE says, even if it’s a loser. I’m not qualified to point out simple contradictions in your arguments because I’m lacking some kind of iron hand of authority that I need to do that.
I love the hypocrisy. You think I’m overstepping my “power” (?) by pointing out contradictions in your arguments, and then think it’s your job to make decrees about the living arrangements of someone you’ve never even met. Whatever this power is, you sure think you’ve got it. The funniest thing is you seem to expect me to get mad about that! Why would I get mad at you for discrediting yourself?
>>
Anyway I always go for the strongest even if its not who I prefer.
>>
LOL. No, you don’t. You’ve already admitted that. Remember? According to you, the champion is whoever Kirsan says it is, even if he loses, and you seemed quite okay with that because it represented “structure”. Read your own post again.
>>Quite honestly it seems if you prefer kramnik to hold a title, any title, even if he quits, runs away and creates a new fictitious title.
Your use of the word “honestly” is a bit inappropriate. Like the automatic rematch rule, you’re making this up and stating it as fact (maybe it has something to do with that authority you were talking about). I don’t care if Kramnik keeps the title or loses it as long as it’s fair and as long as the title changes hands in a chess match rather than a bureaucratic one. But if FIDE is going to break their own rules, or enforce them capriciously, then of course few people are going to respect that. You do, but you haven’t really given your reasons.
>>
The rest of the world from sponsors to the olympics demand a sports structure and that structure is FIDE.
deal with it
>>
The FIDE structure is dictatorship. They make rules one day, change them the next, announce Candidates Matches, cancel them, change plans, and change rules on a dime, all by executive authority, rather than by direct vote from the member nations.
If you’re fine with dictatorship, if that represents structure to you, then peachy. But don’t turn around and whine about it if the situation changes, and you think Putin or the Russian Chess Federation or somebody somewhere applied some under-the-table pressure. You can’t applaud dictatorship when it suits you and cry when it doesn’t.
Deal with it. You’re wrong and you know it. Either quote the automatic rematch rule you keep claiming exists, or get off the pot. I’m looking at the rule now, and it doesn’t say what you want it to. Read the rules yourself and think for yourself.
“Even if there should be a rematch with Topalov, six months is far too soon, and doesn’t feel right.”
Actually, not only is Topalov not entitled to this match, the match he’s proposed is explicitly illegal under the rules currently found in the FIDE Handbook.
In discussing possible extra-curricular title defenses under the 2700 Rule, Rule 2.3 in the FIDE Handbook clearly says:
“2.3 The match should be terminated at least six (6) months before the start of the World Championship Tournament, due to
be held in September/October 2007.”
That would not be possible if the match started in march 2007, as they’ve proposed.
Actual
It would be good if FIDE rules were followed, but FIDE should seek consensus also.
I bet we could get a consensus on the idea of letting Topalov have Kramnik’s place in Mexico and having the winner of Mexico challenge in the next title match.
This is interesting. Mexico starts September 11. If the rules forbid a title match from ending after March 11, then scheduling Radjabov’s match in April was illegal too. What becomes of that match? Did they reschedule it to some time after the Mexico tournament?
the crown should not be subject to challenges by high elo’s. It should be earned through the zonals, interzonals and candidates matches.
I understand that FIDE has the rule that anyone over 2700 can challenge the champion, if they provide the cash for it. But who determines the timetable? Danailov wants March, and Kramnik may not agree to March. Is there anything in the regulations both have to adhere to? Or is the whole rule just another FIDE mess?
Cut out the anti-Russian rants. They don’t belong in a chess site. If you can’t trust them, don’t play with them, but don’t accuse them of cheating after you lose.
Danailov’s words about the pressures of enemy territory are in direct contrast to Topalov’s words in a couple interviews I read. Given the FIDE pro-Topalov climate, seems like both players were under equal pressure.
“I understand that FIDE has the rule that anyone over 2700 can challenge the champion, if they provide the cash for it. But who determines the timetable?”
The rules don’t cover that.
Here are the current rules, straight from the FIDE Handbook. These rules have been changed recently. The old version didn’t say the champion had to accept a challenge, the new ones do. But they don’t say anything about when he has to accept, apart from the fact that he can’t legally accept Danailov’s offer, which would place the end of the match after the March 11 deadline.
It doesn’t give any automatic rematch rights to a defeated champion. Also doesn’t say anything about Radjabov’s challenge which was accepted months ago, and is first in line. Doesn’t say anything about which bid has to be accepted if there are more than one. It’s the usual FIDE muddle, but presumably Radjabov has priority here.
~~~~~
Rules & regulations for a World Chess Championship Match
within the cycle 2005-2007
1. Organisation
1. 1 A World Chess Championship Match between the World Champion and a challenger who was either an ex-World champion or has a minimum FIDE rating of 2700, can be organized under specific conditions as described in articles 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 of these regulations. This World Chess Championship match shall be organised in 2006/07 and represent an integral part of the World Chess Championship regulations for the cycle 2005-2007.
1. 2 Governing Body: the World Chess Federation (FIDE). For the purpose of creating the regulations, communicating with the players and negotiating with the organisers, the FIDE President has nominated a committee, hereby called the World Chess Championship Committee (WCCC).
1. 3 FIDE retains all commercial and media rights of the World Chess Championship match, including internet rights. These rights can be granted by FIDE to the organizer(s) of the event.
2. Qualification for the World Chess Championship Match
2. 1 A player with a current FIDE rating of 2700 and above, as well as an ex-World Champion, can issue a challenge for a match of 12 games for the World Championship title against the incumbent World Champion on the following conditions:
a. The challenger’s side shall provide an amount of 1,000,000 (one million) USD as guaranteed prize money for the incumbent World Champion, net and not subject to any further deductions such as tax. The challenger’s side should also provide the exact total prize fund of the event (World Champion and challenger), net and not subject to any further deductions such as tax.
b. At the same time, the challenger’s side shall guarantee the organisational budget of the match, including a contribution fee to FIDE in the amount of 20% above and over of the total prize fund, net and not subject to any further deductions such as tax.
c. If the challenger wins the World Championship Match and becomes the new World Champion, then his previous status in the World Championship Cycle 2005-2007 (World Cup or Candidates or World Championship Tournament qualifier, etc.) passes to the loser of the World Championship Match. This would not be a replacement but a switch of status between the challenger and the World Champion. The winner of the World Championship Match shall be obliged to defend his title in the World Chess Championship Tournament 2007.
d. Should the above-mentioned provisions be fulfilled, the World Champion is obliged to play the match.
2.2 In case the challenger’s side provides, as guaranteed prize money for the incumbent World Champion, an amount less than 1,000,000 (one million) USD but more than 500,000 (five hundred thousand) USD, the World Champion has the right to negotiate the proposal with the challenger and FIDE in order to decide whether to accept the challenge or refuse it. If the World Champion agrees to play the match, the challenger’s side shall be responsible for covering the organisational costs as well as a contribution fee to FIDE in the amount of 20% above and over of the total prize fund.
2.3 The match should be terminated at least six (6) months before the start of the World Championship Tournament, due to be held in September/October 2007.
2.4 The challenger’s side should present the bank guarantees, for the whole sums described in articles 2.1.a, 2.1.b and 2.2, at the same time as his proposal, after which FIDE shall organise the match within a 5-month period.
Usual FIDE muddle is right. These rules say that **a** championship match can be organized before Mexico (which has already happened), but they don’t say whether there can be 2 or 3 or if the champion can have to accept a challenge every month if FIDE whims it. All they say is that the match has to end before March 11.
A strict reading of these rules says that Topalov has no case. The rules provide for one single match, which has already happened, and state explicitly that the winner of that match defends his title in Mexico. It doesn’t say he defends in Mexico if he still has the title after another half dozen matches that may take place in the meantime. It says he defends in the 9/07 tournament. Period.
“The winner of the World Championship Match shall be obliged to defend his title in the
World Chess Championship Tournament 2007.”
As the winner of THE match, Kramnik has to defend in Mexico. Not against Topalov. Unless they reach some new agreement.
Its no surprise. Kramnik dodge playing a rematch with Kasparov & he is going to do the same now.
I bet we could get a consensus on the idea of letting Topalov have Kramnik’s place in Mexico and having the winner of Mexico challenge in the next title match.
The fans would love that, but I suspect there would be legal problems. The Mexico organizers have a contract to sponsor a World Championship Tournament, not a qualifying tournament for a W.C. match to be held later.
I suspect this change would also violate the player contracts that have already been signed.
“Its no surprise. Kramnik dodge playing a rematch with Kasparov & he is going to do the same now.”
Exactly
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Its no surprise. Kramnik dodge playing a rematch with Kasparov & he is going to do the same now.
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Hey, the rules are the rules. The winner of the match defends his title in the Mexico Tournament. Not in another match.
This seems very clear. It’s the same reason Lasker-Janowski 1909 was a non-title match. Lasker was already contracted to play Schlechter . Kramnik is now committed to playing in Mexico unless they make a new agreement. Legally, he can’t accept another challenge.
Interestingly, these rules have changed so much that even Kirsan can’t keep them straight. The current rules say the challenger has to put up a million dollars for the champ, but in the interview the other day, Kirsan quoted the old number (1.5 million Euros).
Kramnik is an arrogant bafoon that is horrible for chess… Right now he has garnered support, but watch what happens in the not so distant future… he will again refuse to give topalov a rematch, will not abide by any of the fide rules… won’t participate in any tournaments… stay as inactive as possible… and then in 2 or 3 years he’ll defend against whoever he decides, a much weaker opponent of course….
Topalov would have been a much better representative of the crown, for he is much more active, abides by Fide rules, is personable, fan friendly, and plays in all the tournamnets… not to mention his chess style is dynamic and innovative, as opposed to kramnik who is stale and boring.
ANyone know what is the rating of Topalov now ?? Is he still the leader or is Anand ??
Topalov is still #1 by far.
Topa will play a few more tournaments and steamroll to make sure his rating doesn’t go down…
This is my wife’s summary of the match. Topalov vs. Kramnik
Good for Kramnik. Such a challenge so soon is utter crap. Topalov should learn to live with the loss and until he has keep his gigantic mouth (=Danailov) shut. Mexico 2007 should be a candidates’ tournament to find out who has the right to challenge Kramnik. Anything else for now would be stupid. But then again the past years the chess world has proved its ability to be exactly that: stupid. So nothing amazes me anymore. If Kramnik is forced by FIDE to participate in either of these events that no World Champion should be forced into, I hope he just takes his World Champion Title and walks away…FIDE can have its devalued nonsense-title. C’mon everyone – get real!
correction: ….and until then he should keep his gigantic…
Hello Everyone,
I do not understand the discussions.
Are there any doubts ?
If we would have played the tournament game and our partner would go before (pretty) every move to the toilette the judge should have disqualify him. It is obvious why. If someone does not know why I suggest him to play with such a partner.
There were disqualifications for having big hat.
Regards
Chessplayer
It is quite clear that many people are simply too stupid (how they have learned the rules of chess is beyond me!) to comment on the whole Topalov-Kramnik fiasco, as is evident from their shallow remarks and ovbious lack of
impartial judgment. What is also easy to see is that most people are completely ignorant of the many events that have preceded the match in Elista. Of note is Kramnik’s very non sportsman-like behavior!
Anyway, the only thing that remains certain now is that both players are (along with Anand) by far the strongest active players in the world. That arguably is the case even despite the relatively low quality of the games in their match (compared to other championship matches).
Topalov has lost his title to an unimpressive Kramnik, one who behaved unethically. Yes, it wasn’t the other way around! Many things can clearly prove this point to any impartial observer of the recent events: Kramnik forced Topalov to play rapidly in order to keep the former on the board (and out of the rest room), which has contributed to blunders on Toppy’s side; Kramnik withdrew from tournaments before the match to remain rested and focus on his preparation (something which Topalov did not do, which says a lot about him as a man) – in this connection, Kramnik (unlike Topalov) had time to prepare for rapid play, which eventually ‘won’ him the title in the tie break; the match was played on the Russian’s ‘home’ soil (yes, Topalov agreed to this, which was a mistake – it is sure that Kramnik pushed for this as well); etc. etc.
Now, Kramnik refuses a rematch, which is pretty pathetic of him to do. If a rematch does materialize, it is sure that under normal (fair, that is) circumstances that the Bulgarian will win.
To end here, Kramnik is a faker and an asshole. Justice will triumph soon, however, have no doubts! Can’t wait for Corus and the M-tel Masters in Sofia in 2007. Let’s just hope Vladimir won’t pussy out and will be there to meet the challenge!
P.S. Politics played a role in this match as well. Please, make an inquiry about Putin’s call to FIDE’s President before the closing rounds of the match in which he stressed that the match was of ‘national importance’ for Russia. Translate: Kramnik must win, says Putin! I’m sure you’ll eventually figure it out – how does the other Vladimir feel after both Stefanova and Topalov became world champions, not bad for a small country like Bulgaria, and surely an embarassment for ‘mighty’ mother Russia!