In a few hours, the players will hit the stage to compete for the last time in this World Championship. Mathematically speaking, Gelfand still has a chance to tie for first and Kramnik still has a chance to finish second. There have been so much going in Mexico City. Due to the layout, it is impossible for me to do live commentary on this blog.
However, when I come back to Texas, I will write at length about the entire experience, my contacts and dealings with the players, organizers, FIDE, officials, Zappa, Rybka, countless dignitaries and VIPs. It is absolutely fascinating being on the other side. It is a new experience for me.
What have been the biggest surprises in this World Championship? What have been some of the highlights and low lights? What is your take?
Sorry Susan, you’re wrong with your mathematics. Kramnik is maximum third. But if Gelfand wins and Anand looses, Gelfand has the better evaluation. There’s no chance for Anand.
But when my my memories in this case are right, there are some tie-break-games, which will be won by Anand.
Greatings
Wolfgang
The big surprise was Anand not losing his R.14 game. He leads a charmed life.
Anand will (likely) be world champ until 2008.
—–
“If Kramnik does not win the Mexico City world championship tournament he gets to play a match against the winner of Mexico, as a one-time right to challenge the new world champion. This match, staged by UEP (Universal Event Promotion) in 2008, is an official world championship match, regulated by existing contracts with FIDE. The winner of this match will play against the winner of the “Challenger’s Match” (Topalov Vs the winner of the upcoming 2007 world cup tournament in Khanty-Mansiysk). “
http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=3948
http://www.fide.com/news.asp?id=1277
—
Who is eligible for Khanty-Mansiysk?
Not Topalov or Kramnik (they are already qualified), but all other players from Mexico (the other 7 finalists – Kramnik), including Anand, according to Fide’s site.
So Anand could play in Khanty-Mansiysk in 2007, and win it. He could play his UEP match against Kramnik and win it, in 2008. He could then play Topalov in his challenger match. If he wins the Topalov challenge, according to Fide, would he then have to play himself :p ? Or would that match be dropped? That detail isn’t mentioned.
Perhaps Fide means for the winner of Mexico to not be a part of Khanty-Mansiysk, in order to avoid the odd possibility described above. But that is not stated, nor can it even be read into, the regulations in their “actual handbook”. Also, I do think it is unfair if Anand were not allowed to play in Khanty-Mansiysk. Because he might lose his UEP match with Kramnik, he then would not be able to rechallenge him by winning Khanty-Mansiysk and winning the subsequent match with Topalov. All other players, except Anand, would get the privilege.
http://www.fide.com/official/handbook.asp?level=DD106
—
Susan, do you know which event will be held first: The Challenger Match: Topalov vs Khanty-Mansiysk 2007 world cup winner, or the UEP Match Kramnik vs Anand?
Susan, do you know if Anand (assuming he wins mexico) is allowed to take part in the World Cup 2007 in Khanty-Mansiysk? If he can’t, could you cite the Fide regulation that says this?
What have been the biggest surprises in this World Championship?
1. Many pre-arranged draws.
2. Poor interviews to the press.
3. Anand winning easily in front of much better Kramnik.
4. Gelfand scoring too many points.
5. Poor english spoken by many players.
anonymous 5:45: PM said “Anand winning easily in front of much better Kramnik.”
—> Anand is better than Kramnik. His score against the sore loser Kramnik is +4.
“Gelfand scoring too many points.”
—> Gelfand is a very good player. He has beaten Kramnik in a WCC Semifinal Match in 1994.
I agree with most of leroidavid, except I would never call Kramnik a loser. He, like Anand, seems quite destructive with white (far too destructive and efficient to call him a boring player).
Mind you: in the end the difference is a close non-win of Kramnik against Grishuk and a close non-defeat of Anand against the same player.