Today is the cut off date for the extended and extended again deadline for bids for the Topalov – Kamsky match. So far, there is exactly one actual real bid for this match which came from the Bulgarians. There were / are some rumors floating around that are interests from the U.S. and Ukraine. But so far they are just rumors. Three things can happen:
1. Kamsky signs contract today.
2. Kamsky does not sign contract and Shirov will replace him. Then Kamsky sues FIDE.
3. FIDE extends the deadline again until … Elista the “neutral” site makes a bid.
What do you think will happen?
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
It is hard to believe they cannot find a chess sponsor outside of Bulgaria to host this great match.
I’m for the third option:
3. FIDE extends the deadline again until … Elista makes a bid. 🙂
I guess people don’t want to bid for this match because of Rustam Kamsky and Dainalov.
I bid for a boxing match between Rustam and Danialov!!!
Obviously due to the vast mismanagement of the USCF the past several years, we, as a membership, do not have the funds to put up such a match.
Thanks for that, Bill G. But hey, we got some meaningless US championship in Podunk, Okla. to replace it, eh?
Hard to believe some sponsor cannot be fleeced for this in the USA.
I think the match should be held elsewhere, but if not, Kamsky should sign. He’s only hurting himself if he doesn’t. And, it is sad that the USCF has to beg for contributions to support Kamsky because they have been mismanaged for so long, they can’t be repaired.
Bottom line, though…Kamsky has everything to lose by not signing and everything to gain. Even if he loses the match, he will get a decent payday.
But, if the deadline can be extended, then I think it should, just to see if there’s any truth to the rumors about it being hosted in the USA or another country.
We’ll see.
Let’s face it:
This is exactly what happens when you run Championships on a yearly basis with “selected” or “invited” participants…nobody really cares about such a title and in consequence nobody (in the US or elsewhere) will put up money for this.
Concerning Topalov that’s o.k. Why should anybody be interested in sponsoring a match with a participant that had not qualified for anything?
Concerning Kamsky it’s a tragedy: He won the World Cup and should be the Challenger for the Title or even be awarded the title right away…but nothing of that. He suffers now from this incompetent FIDE Organization and has the choice to bury his claims for the chess crown (by not signing up for Bulgaria) or to play the match in Bulgaria on “enemy” territory and hereby giving his opponent a huge advantage right from the start.
What a mess…
Are we to understand that the Lviv bid is a rumor?
I’m all for this match being played in a neutral country. However, Kamsky will only hurt himself financially (not personally as I think most people understand the silliness of FIDE) if he doesn’t sign.
He earned the right to be a WCC candidate by winning the World Cup. Period. No one can take this away from him. He won fair and square. Yet, if he doesn’t sign and someone takes his place, it only hurts Kamsky, both financially and that he’ll have to wait through another “cycle” to get another shot at the title.
If there are productive negotiations going on that FIDE knows about regarding holding the match in a neutral country, then they should extend the deadline. If, however, they don’t, then I think Kamsky should sign, play the match, and just do the best he can do. He can beat Topalov.
Maybe I’m saying Kamsky should sign for the wrong reason, but not many GM’s can actually make a good living and earn good money from playing chess. So, even if Kamsky loses, he still will make a few hundred thousand dollars and it’s no embarrassment to lose.
If he wins, then he’ll get more money and be playing for the WCC! I really think he should sign. If he is the better chess player, then he will beat Topalov in his native land or anywhere else.
Kamsky is only hurting himself by not signing.
Here is a question for our Bulgarian friends:
Is the Bulgarian chess-community really happy about Topalov playing for the Championship this way without qualifying?
How is the (possibly) upcoming match Kamsky-Topalov “sold” to the Bulgarian public? Kamsky is the winner of the World Cup, but how really is Topalov’s part in the match justified?
Can you really imagine Toplaov being recognized as a true Champion even if he wins the two matches?
Wouldn’t it be better for Topalov to drop this morally dubious case, give Kamsky way and instead join the next qualifying cycle and try to become Champion with chessplaying only?
I would be curious to know that…
Hmmm, I can offer five bucks as the prize and they can have the tournament in my backyard. Really, that is how much I would pay to see Topalov beat Kamsky. Now, after Kramnik beats Anand…..I would pay anything to see him beat Topa AGAIN. And of course, I will enjoy seeing Topalov and Danailov blowing a gasket since they under no circumstances will accept defeat.
I think Kamsky should refuse to play in Bulgaria. Topalov may be a perfectly good person, but Danailov is simply dangerous. I hope another sponsor materializes.
I don’t know who’s more dangerous? Danailov or Rustam Kamsky?
I heard that Goichberg put in a bid for the Topalov – Kamsky match during the next World Open. Unfortunately, the sticking point was he insisted that they bring their own clock, set, board and MonRoi units.
He should agree with Bulgaria as the country to play in, but then demand to play at the site of the American Embassy.
i think better yet they should bid for a box round between the players or even the 4 put toghether, i bet they would definetely find more than one sponsor!!!
jb.
its sad all this mess really!