This was just reported by our friends at Chessdom. The information came directly from the Bulgarian Chess Federation.
Declaration:
On 25th of June 2007 on the presidential board meeting in Tallinn, FIDE decided that the semi final match of the world championship cycle (2008-2009) between Gata Kamsky and Veselin Topalov will take place inthe second half of 2008 in Bulgaria. The same decision was confirmed at the 78th FIDE congress in Antalya in November 2007. The Bulgarian Chess Federation expressed it’s readiness to provide the necessary prize fund of 150,000 USD and to cover all additional taxes and expenses around its organization.
The contract for the match had to be signed in Singapour. But that did not happen. At this meeting, which took place without the presence of a Bulgarian delegate, FIDE (unknown under whose pressure and in whose interest) changed the decision from the congress and decided to seek another candidate for the organization of the match, offering a bid for increasing the prize fund. To the possible candidates was given a deadline 11th of April 2008. The term is over. There are no offers for organizing the match in the FIDE office. The information that has been published in certain media for possibilities the match to take place in USA, Lvov (Ukraine), or Elista (Russia) have nothing to do with the reality.
Instead of following the decisions taken at the 78th congress, the FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov has extended the bidding period until April 23rd. With this act he one more time shows that is serves certain circles and that he is under enormous pressure which does not help chess.
All the declaration of the Bulgarian Chess Federation can be found at http://www.chessdom.com/countries/chess-bulgaria/federation-protest-kamsky-topalov
What do we expect when Rustam Kamsky and Danailov are involved? Good luck to these guys. Let their managers settle this in the boxing ring.
If the Bulgarian Chess Federation expressed it’s readiness to provide the necessary prize fund of 150,000 USD and to cover all additional taxes and expenses around its organization, and the deadline has passed and nobody else has offered a proposal, then I do not see a problem. The Bulgarian Chess Federation should now get to host it – end of story.
There’s nothing wrong with Kamsky asking to have the match played in a neutral country. Topalov was defeated by Kramnik in his own country….why should he get “home court advantage” once again?
Let it be played in New York City.
Or, on an boat in the middle of the Antarctic Ocean. It doesn’t matter. Just let the match be played and the best player will get the title shot.
Stop the arguing and play chess. If it’s money, then just let neither play and neither will make a dime. Even the loser of this match will get a hefty payday.
I’m for neither player…but I want it to be played and I think Topalov has met his match and if the match isn’t played, then neither will play the winner of the upcoming Anand-Kramnik WCC match.
Such ego on both sides. This is precisely why I care far more about who my state champion is than the ever more political WCC candidates.
If Kamsky will not sign, then forget him. If Topalov will not sign, then forget him…
It’s nothing more than a clash of egos and politics.
Such is life.
How could FIDE always screw up?
They fix conditions and they break them themselves.
If the energy being put into this battle by Rustam Kamsky and Silvio Danailov were tapped, we could probably power a small city. Maybe this renewable energy source is the solution to the world’s environmental woes.
Brad Hoehne
If the energy put into this battle by Rustam Kamsky and Silvio Danailov were tapped, one could power a small city. If things get more heated, we could probably solve many world’s energy woes.
Brad Hoehne
I see that some people are extremely fond of geography…BULGARIA and ELISTA may be about 2000 km. apart, but that remains “Topalov’s own country,” although it actually happens to be WITHIN Russia. So, one small correction–when Topalov lost the game, it was Kramnik who enjoyed “home court advantage” all the time, since Kalmikya is a part of the Russian Federation and has NOTHING to do with the European Union, of which Bulgaria is a member.
Here is a paragraph from the original FIDE’s document
Update on the Topalov – Kamsky match:
“c) if by 11 April 2008 no such bids arrive, the match will be organized in Bulgaria with a net prize fund of 150,000 USD.”
Isn’t it crystal clear?
Is FIDE again disrespecting what they want us all to blindly respect?
It is unfair to criticize Rustam and Danailov here as both have valid issues. Rustam wants a neutral country and more money for Geta while Danailov wants certainty. If you were an organizer would you want to be left hanging as to when you will know you will get to organize the match? You have contracts, leases, expenses, and money already spent to worry about.
FIDE is definitely to blame here, though I understand Kirsan’s position of trying to placate Rustam with a short extension.
The real tragedy is the lack of sponsorship (other than the traditional few, Russians, Bulgarians, Corus, Amber, etc). 150 grand is not generous when you consider the loser’s share will be divvied up with the second(s) and expenses. Win or lose, Topalov doesn’t have to worry about money as he is well supported by the Bulgarians. Geta has to fight for economic survival. It’s easy to see Rustam’s concerns.
In short, both sides have valid concerns. Save your vitriol for real injustices.
Topa has a sausage nose.
OK…Topalov played Kramnik in Europe…this is more general than just saying Bulgaria…
Why not in the USA?
Why not Canada?
Or…generally, North America?
Fact is, geography does matter. Topalov wants it as close to home as he can get (and I don’t blame him)….but when did Topalov last play in the U.S.?
A neutral country is certainly not too much to ask for. Not at all.
We’re talking about Kamsky…and American citizen and Topalov from Bulgraria. There are plenty of nations (why not…say…South Korea?) that are neutral.
Why does Topalov have to have it in Bulgaria?
Doesn’t matter. I hope Kamsky signs because he will defeat Topalov whether they play in Bulgaria or in the Antarctica.
And both deserve more money. Topalov was never the world chamption..merely, the FIDE champion. Kamsky never was even the FIDE champion.
but, they both deserve more money.
These matches are quite difficult….each game is, as GM Christianson (I think he said this)…”like taking the Bar exam.”
Can you imagine taking such an exam several days in a row?
These players deserve more money and FIDE has it…and it should be played in a neutral country.
That’s not too much to ask for and not unfair for either player. Not at all.
“OK…Topalov played Kramnik in Europe…this is more general than just saying Bulgaria…”
no he didnt, you dummy. topalov played kramnik in Russia. In the asian part of russia. get it? russia? Kramnik = Russian. Elista = in Russia.
“wait, but russia is kinda in europe, and bulgaria is in europe, so therefore kramnik played topalov in bulgaria??”
no, usa owns the world, except maybe russia, and bulgaria is in the world so it must be in usa, so therefore kamsky has a homecourt advantage. there
I don’t think it can happen….but I really wish that Gata beats Topalov so he and his manager can a shot at humility for once. When will Topalov learn that all what the chess fans care about is his ability to play….not his ability to loudmouth other players in the press.
“I don’t think it can happen….but I really wish that Gata beats Topalov so he and his manager can a shot at humility for once. When will Topalov learn that all what the chess fans care about is his ability to play….not his ability to loudmouth other players in the press.”
of course that statement is entirely self-contradictory in nature. good job. if chess fans only cared about topa’s ability to play, then hoping for him to lose at all cost as a form of punishment that has nothing to do with game skill is nonsensical.
Yes, FIDE have broken their own undertakings yet again. Big news. It would probably be big news if they didn’t.
How utterly hypocritical of the Topalov camp to complain of this given that Topalov getting this match in the first place was a huge scam.
In signing up for the Elista match in 2006, both Topalov and Kramnik clearly agreed that they would have NO CLAIM to special World Championship privileges in the event that they
(a) were the loser of the match
(b) won the match and didn’t win Mexico
The only mitigating factor for the Topalov camp is that Kramnik scammed his match first, barring which Topalov could hardly have got his.
As for FIDE, it must be the lousiest, most corrupt world sports body of any sport.
Absolutely nothing it says can be trusted.
I disagree. Gata Kamsky has the ability to defeat Topalov! Just ask Kramnik/Anand! Because of their playing styles, Kamsky is a slight favourite to win this match especially seeing Topalov’s last 50 games. Kamsky is getting better but Topalov is not.
“A neutral country is certainly not too much to ask for. Not at all.”
No, is not much to ask for. But, there isn’t any neutral country that wishes to stage the match. Not a single offer besides Bulgaria’s.
As much as I would like Kamsky to play on homeland or neutral country, I have to agree with Topa’s team on this one. Deadline is over, let’s move on.
I said this somewhere else. Kamsky has to be grateful that Bulgaria is willing to put money and organize the match. Is not much? According to whom? Obviously every other federation thinks is more than what is worth.. otherwise they would have counter offered.
I have never figured out home court advantage! What advantage is there for a hometown boy to play in his town? Does he get extra chocolates or maybe a back rub? What is it?
I am terribly confused here!
Sorry, guys, Kamsky is no match for Topalov. He’s gonna lose heavily, be it in Lvov, Sofia or wherever else.
Topalov is two classes above!
Up to now they have played 8 games, 4 wins for Topalov and 4 draws: http://www.greekchess.com/viewer/deluxe/topa-kam.html
Up to now they have played 8 games, 4 wins for Topalov and 4 draws: http://www.greekchess.com/viewer/deluxe/topa-kam.html
I can’t see how anyone can say that out of two GM’s that are in between 2700 and 2799 rated, one can be “two classes ahead of the other.”
Any chess professional that is 2700+ playing against another 2700-2799 rated player isn’t that far apart in talent. Playing styles are much different…but “two classes above”…Well, you have the ambiguous “Super-GM” that would be one class above…so are you saying Topalov is a “Super-Duper” GM?
Statistically, it could go either way due to the ratings. Otherwise, you’re just stating your opinion…which is fine…but it is not supported by statistical/mathematical evidence.
I think (my opinion) is that Kamsky will win due the the style of his play. When Topalov blunders…it’s usually a losing blunder. When he wins…he wins well. I’m not saying anything negative about Topalov. I just think that Topalov often goes for an all out win in positions that warrant accepting a draw. Unless, you are in a “must win” situation.
Kasmky can hold him…defeat him…but I’m sure it’ll be close. It’s not going to be, I think, one player completely dominating the match. I think it’ll be quite interesting so I hope their differences will soon be worked out.
I can see that some of you continue still to demonstrate “amazing” knowledge of European political history, which is very typical of those born beyond “the great water” as the native Americans used to say once. Only an ignoramus would disregard the negative recent history between Bulgaria and Russia and call them at par with each other.
The game will be held in Ukraine and the money will be 750 grand. That’s the latest decision
“Only an ignoramus would disregard the negative recent history between Bulgaria and Russia and call them at par with each other.”
Actually, Bulagris doen’t even show up on most peoples minds these days. What does it export? Cuckoo clocks? We aren’t ignorant. Bulgaria is just insignificant.
To Anon 10:19am:
Your words are those of an obvious anti-American. I am an American with a Ph.D. in History. I specialized in Early Modern europan political history. I am a professor of European history. I have lived in Russia, Ukraine, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic in my career as a history. Also, I have a wife that is a Slovak.
But, I’m first above all, an American. I know your continents political history probably far better than yourself. I would love, oh, so love to meet you in person and have a public debate on European political history and how it relates to current events, and we could include chess in this.
If your dare refer to the idea that Europeans are somehow superior to Americans in knowledge…well, when did Europe land a man on the moon? When did Europe produce anything great in the 2oth century but Stalins, Hitlers, Mussulini’s, and various Eastern European dictators?
Don’t act as though you “know” so much about your own history. You are probably about as knowledgeable of European history as a rotten potato.
You just hate America. And that’s fine. I’ve live in Europe and find many aspects of it disgusting…not cultural but the Nevil Chamberlain “appeasement” approach the EU has for terrorist nations such as Iran (and I DO EXCLUDE ENGLAND…they are far more practical when it comes to european “politics” than ANY other European nation.
Insult America!?? The nation that saved you in two World Wars! Your very words drip of jealosy of America and any retort (oh, just grab your English dictionary and you’ll see what this word means) and despite the heavy dose of “Cold War History” that you were given while growing up…
The U.S.A. is still, like it or not, the most powerful and free nation on Earth. We are, as President Abraham Lincoln said, “The last BEST HOPE for the EARTH.”
You are just an “american-hater.”
And, Considering my academic credentials, I would love to drop this “Anon” garbage and debate you in public and prove that you are nothing but an anti-American fool fueled by jealosy, hatred toward the very nation that liberated your parents and grandparents, and I would take a test against you on any day to prove that I know far more than you of “European Politics” and European political history than you.
Keep your emotional irrational drivel (again, grab that English language dictionary) to yourself.
I am here in Europe, walk the streets of this ungrateful place each day…and, I can thank God..if there is one…that I’ll soon be away from “Old Europe” and back to the USA…
You want to reveal your name…andn I will mine. And we can find a forum other than Susan’s web site to debate topics so I can prove the fool you are and that your arrogance is misguided and, if you think all Americans are “stupid,”…well, Europe is nothing….
reveal yourself….I challenge you. You arrogant fool. THIS AMERICAN with Ph.D. in European history in hand will show you how truly ignorant you are.
But, let me guess…you will not.
Idiot.
Put up or shut up…and if you don’t know what that phrase means…then, once again…find a book to look it up and grasp the meaning.
Are you a “Dr.?” Do you have a Ph.D.? Tell me your name and I can look up your dissertation to prove it. I’m happy to share mine.
Your just jealous….of the USA.
It’s rather funny…in fact, it’s really funny because you’re jealous and can’t do anything about it.
So, “Mr. Expert on European political history,”….debate me on a web site other than this….
and I’ll show you that we Americans are more than you ever imaganined.
Idiot.
Are you sure Anonymous that you hold a Ph.D. in History?
Why should anyone be jealous of the USA today? Because of its dollar, a banana-republic sliding currency? Or its record home foreclosures? Or because 15% of the US population is living under the official poverty line?
The US indeed helped in winning World War II (mostly with Japan, in Europe the Russians did the dirty work to the Germans). But today, the military force of the US is under question as failures in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan are more than obvious.
Land to earth and forget the fairy tales about US superiority and other jokes…
To Anon April 11, 2008 @ 1:24 pm.
Simple. I can prove my academic credentials. Don’t distract from my comment: You reveal your name and I’ll reveal mine. Then, you can go to your local library and have the librarian look up my Ph.D. dissertation and read it. I’ve got proof. I needn’t prove anything to you but your arrogance is sickening.
You stated: “I can see that some of you continue still to demonstrate “amazing” knowledge of European political history, which is very typical of those born beyond “the great water” as the native Americans used to say once.”
Well, I say I do have “amazing” knowledge compared to you. NOTHING in your previous post addressed anything in mine. You simply continued to make fun of the U.S. by using such Dysphemisms (again, grab that dictionary) as “Banana Republic.”
You did not counter any statement I said. You did not use any logical arguments to counter anything I said. Well, Sir, I am in Europe. I live here for now. I know. And, you can call the USA all the silly childish names you want…but if you cannot produce a logical argument in an intellectual manner, in scholarly discourse, then you are a troll that just wants to stir up trouble.
I have NO PROBLEM proving my credentials. I’ve done my work and am quite secure in my self-esteem. And, with all due respect to Russia which did so much to help in WWII…it was JUNE 6, 1944, D-Day as it’s known, that was the real beginning of the end of WWII and Russia played NO part it it. WHile Stalin was murdering his own people, the allies stormed the beaches of Normandy, France to liberate a now ungrateful nation that, just pulled its pants down and allowed Hitler and the Nazis to come right in and rape it…and that is “EUROPE.”
Churchill…he had the willpower to fight! DeGualle…oh please.
This asise, you post completely emotional and irrational remarks about the U.S.A. on Susan’s blog and I will rise to the occassion and challenge you!
You, Mr. Know-it-all about European politica…prove it….I’ve invited you to go to another venue (check your dictionar for the meaning of this word) and we can debate these topics. I’ll reveal my name, where I teach, and you can look up my dissertation and this proves my credentials.
What do you have? A biased opinion against the U.S.A.? Your response in and of itself indicates that you have little if any scholarly knowledge of the very topic you say Americans do not have!
You respond with adjectives that are negative and rude.
So be it.
You choose the blog,listserv, or any other arena than Susan’s blog because this is not an appropriate topic here, and I will show you and any of your friends, and all who want to enter the fray (again…grab your english language dictionary) and we shall have a debate on European politics and I will reveal my name, and whatever else.
It is you, sir, that should control your emotions.
You respond to my post by further negative comments againt the USA. OK…fine. You have the right to your opinion. However, if you want to debate….I think it fair since I have challenged YOU…that you pick the listserv, blog or whatever public discourse you wish and I’ll run every anti-American argument you have into the abyss.
Do NOT use this blog to insult America. Take your emotional, irrational, uneducated feelings to another site and there exists plenty of scholars that will prove how ignorant you truly are.
YOu can call me all the names you want, doubt my credentials…and that’s fine. But I AM THE ONE that asks YOU to carry this conversation to another site that is more appropriate.
I’m not going to use Susan’s blog to talk this. You want “proof?” I have it, though, I have nothing to prove to an obvious loser that allows emotions to dictate his responses and posts anti-American messages with NO logical argument to back it up.
So, you say the U.S. is a “Banana Republic?” Well, maybe…and I’ll admit my lack of objectivity in the following statement:
This “Banana Republic” (the USA) is more powerful, free, and could defeat all the EU’s military forces combined….if ever necessary.]
We saved you.
and the older generation knows it.
Americans liberated the first Nazi Concentration camps. We, the USA, kept the Soviets out of Europe….
but, you, “brave man” so knowledgeble, respond with facts and logic…and take to the site of YOUR choice and we shall continue this discussion…if you are a true scholar.
Otherwise, you’re a troll just regurgitating anti-American Adjectives to make yourself feel better.
Name the listserve or blog other than this, and I’ll reveal myself….I have nothing to hide.
But, I think you’ll never rise to the challenge. You’re a mere troll….but, if there be a God…then I sure pray you will choose another site to debate me.
Let me guess.. your response, if you have one…will be full of adjectives that are negative against the USA and not a logical argument.
And, please read again my entire message to get it clear.
No more on Susan’s blog. Let’s take it to the many scholarly sites available (and you can choose) and we’ll continue. I’m not wasting space here on her site with an idiot of your illogical stature.
Just as I thought….you turned down my challenge.
You’re an idiot posting foolish anti-American posts on this blog. Well, the offer still stands..
But, other than an emotional irrationa outburst to “get back” at me, I doubt you’ll ever answer….
What a loser.
Go to a university and earn a Ph.D. in European history as I did and you’ll have the right to post your trash. Otherwise, be a man (or an adult, if you are a female) and back your insulting, anti-American propoganda up with logical arguments.
You can’t. You don’t have the intellectual capacity to debate a scholar.
I offer again…choose the forum, whatever listserve or blog (other than this one) and we’ll have a fine debate.
Not answering just proves your a loser that knows nothing…probably an obese bald man living in L.A. writing “your” posts.
What a fool.
Put up…or shut up.
Dear Mr fake professor,
You are right in that Europe is incredibly ungrateful to America. They bite the hand that provides their ultimate security. What fools!
But you are just as big an idiot as your opponent in trying to claim that America played the major part in winning the war in Europe.
Even after D-day (to say nothing of the nearly 100% for THREE years before), Russia was still engaging two-thirds of the German army.
As Churchill said, it was the Russians who tore the guts out of the German army.
In WW2, Russia lost something like 10 million military casualties (plus another 10 million civilian). The USA lost only 300,000 – and these included the fighting against Japan.
That’s a ratio of about 33 to 1 military casualties!! So who did the real fighting?
The fact that you don’t know these basic facts refutes your juvenile lie that you have a PhD or any other qualification in European History. Really, you do not seem to know very much at all.
Why do you bother posting such tripe in the first place?
Tripe is good in soup. Not blogs.
Pass it on.