Picture and full story on chessbase.com
Bulgarian journalist Zhivko Ginchec just came out with 20,000 copies of the book about the Elista match between Kramnik and Topalov. The title of the book is “Toilet War”.
In the mean time, Topalov’s manager Silvio Danailov would not stay quiet about the accusations by the German. It is obviously not his style to hold back. He blasted ChessBase and the German News Source: “It is a shameful act by Chessbase and German media against Veselin Topalov. The text inside is not even worth commenting. But it brings high suspicions that somebody is not comfortable that the N1 player keeps on proving that he is the best.”
Don’t expect this ugly mess to end anytime soon! As I said many times before, it would take a gigantic gesture by one side to let the other side have the last words to end this mess. But do we really expect that will happen?
I have little doubt that this book and article were perfectly timed to come out. I find it hard to believe that it is just a coincidence during the final two rounds of the first big tournament of the year where both Kramnik and Topalov participate in. I also find it hard to believe that it is not timed to be at the same time as their first game since Elista.
I personally have no intention to read this book or the full German article. I think both are in poor taste. But obviously dirt sells so how do you suggest both sides to zip it up and move on?
Both Kramnik and Topalov are great players. I for one would like to see a match between them in a NEUTRAL COUNTRY with no comments from either manager.
By the way, I would like to defend ChessBase. ChessBase.com is a valuable and well known chess website. Their job is to bring you interesting chess stories, just as countless other chess websites. I may or may not agree with their opinions from time to time but so what? No one can agree on all issues. However, let’s appreciate all the good things that ChessBase has to offer. It is time we look for positive things instead of negative. Would chess be better off without ChessBase? The answer is definitely no. Therefore, let’s enjoy the best of what they have to offer.
I do not understand your reference to the two sides.
It sounds like you mean that the two parts in this are the same as the two in the Elisa affair.
It is well known that Susan is a Topalov supporter and does not like Kramnik. One reason is that she feels Kramnik should have rematched with Kasparov. Her early posts on this web talk about why she does not support Kramnik. Go back to the time of the San Luis match and after that when Topalov won San Luis.
I do not think it is fair to attack ChessBase over this article. The article was published elsewhere and Chessbase simply reported on it with translation.
I think the article was obvious news and deserved to be reported. How else can the chess fans know what is going on.
I do not see any evidence that Chessbase had anything to do with the article. I do not see any evidence that Kramnik had anything to do with the article.
If the article is true then we have very serious alligations against Topalov or more directly Danailov. I do not simply dismiss these accusations as part of an argument.
Part of our problem here is Fide not calling Danailov onto the carpet over their breaking the ethics of Fide. Fide just allows all this to continue and to get worse.
Wars esculate they dont wind down.
These computer cheating allegations are about as credible as Danailov’s in Elista. Van Wely himself dismissed them as ridiculous. While Topalov deserve censure for his behaviour, his enemies have just demonstrated that they are no better by descending to the same level.
One way or another FIDE needs to stop this nonsense, or do they really believe that all publicity is good publicity?
Anon, well known to who? I have never supported Kramnik or Topalov.
I blasted Danailov and Topalov for their behavior in Elista and after. I reported what took place and I have no contact or interest in either party. I have never asked either side for any interview. I have repeatedly asked both sides to zip it up and move on because their actions are not good for chess.
It is not a coincidence that a German newspaper come out with an attack against Topalov and it is also not a surprised that a Bulgarian came out with a book against Kramnik.
Post like yours is only meant to flame things further because it is absolutely a lie.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
The German news source is the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”, a highly respected newspaper here in Germany (probably comparable to the “New York Times”).
This newspaper has investigated several sport scandals in the past, for example the ongoing doping scandal at the “Tour de France”. I just wanted to mention this, to let people know that they’re usually not accusing people without some serious reason.
It is not a coincidence that a German newspaper came up with the article. The tournament is in the Netherlands, and Germany, their neighbor, is a very big country with many journalists. Anyone count the journalists ?
Kramnik has no luck: his agent, it seems, is german.
What if the article had been printed by a french newspaper ? Kramnik lives in France. No luck.
I don’t see an obvious link between the article, Chessbase, and Kramnik. Is every article written by the German press linked to Chessbase and Kramnik ?? Sounds like a weak argument.
On another issue, *what* could FIDE actually do about this ? I mean something that would be legal.
The journalist who wrote this article is a close friend of Carsten Hensel for many years and was given exclusive coverage of the Kramnik – Leko match. He even wrote a book praising Kramnik. This smells bad.
Susan,
are you saying you are not a Topalov supporter ?
Yes, however the author of this piece is not a standard Reporter of the Süddeutsche, but rather Martin Breutigam, reportedly a friend of Kramnik’s manager Hensel. I think the editors of the SZ trusted their resident chess expert.
Shame on Süddeutsche Zeitung. It just reminds me KGB and Dr Gobbels times.
Susan, I think I disagree with you a bit about not reading this book, no matter how distasteful it may be. Not for the titilation, but to be better informed of the arguments. Presumably they must have one or two arguments, otherwise the Topalov camp’s stance would soon be exposed as completely phoney.
I think it is good that this issue is aired as much as possible as it is more likely that the definite truth will be established.
I agree with you entirely about chessbase. I think they are one of the best chess sites on the Net and do indeed appreciate all the good things they offer.
It is sad to see political factions and not logical reasoning dominating the chess world. Who would have though people known for their intellect and logical smartness on the board could stoop to such behaviour!
Rgds M.
Is there any proof Kramnik had anything to do with the German article? It would be a great idea to sift insinuations from facts. True, Kramnik fan may have written it, but it does not implicate Kramnik. I would suggest to all the fans to sift the information carefully – who said what and to whom. The picture we get may get a bit different from the emotinal mess it is now.
Both Topa and Kramnik play ‘poli’tricks, not chess. It is possible that Topa might have been cheating over the last couple of years. He and his manager probably found a way to do it and that is to cheat, which seem to be the only way to reach the #1 spot.
Susan: Please don’t brush the accusations under the carpet because that’s too bad for the sport. Find out the culprits and strip them off the titles if they are found guilty whether it’s #1 or #500. After all, how bad it is for the sport if it’s true?!
The same chessbase reported an article sometime last year. “Goichberg said the older methods of cheating were easier to spot, but there are signs to indicate when someone may be using a computer program………….”Another signal is if a player shows a significant improvement over a short period of time, something that is rare among adult players”.
It is indeed unfair for gifted and clean players like Anand who has been such a gentleman and model sportsman all these years. It is a shame if a title match is not played against him! Also, Rapids should be taken more seriously because there is no time for managers or toilets to ‘play’ a role. No wonder Kramnik or Topalov are not good at that!
Being non-controversial is one thing, doing the right thing is another.
– Gans
The “Süddeutsche Zeitung” is indeed
a respected newspaper, but usually
the chess columnist can more or less
write what they like, because nobody
doublechecks this.
The article itself is ridiculous, I
guess the guy just wants to promote
himself (he also writes books and
DVDs).
Susan said:
As I said many times before, it would take a gigantic gesture by one side to let the other side have the last words to end this mess. >>
And we’ve already seen that giant gesture, but it didn’t help. When’s the last time the Kramnik side commented on this at all? That Hensel interview several months ago, was it? Topalov is keeping this going, solo. And why shouldn’t he, after FIDE announced that they wouldn’t even consider enforcing the ethics rules against him? Rank Hath Its Priviliges.
>>I do not think it is fair to attack ChessBase over this article. The article was published elsewhere and Chessbase simply reported on it with translation.>>
Especially since they’ve also immediately published every one of Topalov’s attacks, however specious.
But Susan hasn’t been one-sidedly in favor of Topalov. She did write that open letter of encouragement to him during the match. She wouldn’t have done that if she were against him.
Damn!
In the lasts news it seems that danailov said he will sue fide for refusing the rematch again, because of planning excuse this time…
When will danailov stop this nonsense?
Or does he all this mess to sold out his book?
For the first time in a long time i do agree fide in one point: organising a WC match so quickly will not be good: both players must have some time to rest and to prepare for such a match!
This has to be schedule seriously, nothing good can be done so fastly except a mess…
Where will danailov do next time to make more money?
All in all, eyewitness have more value to my mind than free accusations…
Fide’s bad decisions have led to this mess to become possible…
I quite agree with Chesss44 about reading the book.
We will not find the truth if we choose what to read
based on our likings.
My original post about the chessbase article is here.
… and yes, there was a LAN cable in the toilet. confirmed!
Susan said: “Anon, well known to who? I have never supported Kramnik or Topalov.”
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Topalov´s area will be remembered as the “dark age of chess” hope last less than the other one…
First of all, the quote didn’t came from Danailov but from Topalov fan site. Don’t write without doublechecking.
Second, it would be fair and polite to link to the source http://www.veselintopalov.net/article/media-attacks-continue
Third, if ChessBase made the mistake by mispelling Ginchev into Ginchec, simple careful reading of ChessBase article would give you opportunity to correctly write his last name. Slow down with copy/paste….
>
I kind of think things get to a point where there is no going back. Would you (Susan) let Sam Sloan have the last word to settle
the ugly USCF problems? I am not being a wise guy here – just pointing out that human nature is the same everywhere. Kramnik – Topolov and Polgar-Sloan won’t be
settled by a good gesture from either side.
Just my 2 cents…
Thanks…
От Топспорт.бг
Размер на шрифта: a a a
От ФИДЕ тайно са организирали на Крамник мач-реванш независимо от изхода на първенството в Мексико
От щаба на Веселин Топалов ще подадат съдебен иск срещу ФИДЕ във връзка с отказа на Международната федерация за организиране на мач-реванш за световната титла между Веселин Топалов и Владимир Крамник. Това обяви пред БТА мениджъра на Топалов Силвио Данаилов.
В интервю за радио “Маяк” президентът на Международната федерация по шахмат Кирсан Илюмжинов заяви, че “е изключено да има мач-реванш за световната титла между Топалов и Крамник”.
“Категоричен съм, че ще отнесем случая до Международния арбитражен съд в Лозана. Това ще стане веднага, след като се запознаем с официалното решение на президентския съвет на ФИДЕ и мотивите за него.
Нямаме опасения защото всички права са на наша страна”, коментира изказването на Илюмжинов Силвио Данаилов.
Мениджърът на Топалов заяви още, че е получил неофициална информация, че от ФИДЕ вече са осигурили тайно мач-реванш на Крамник в Мексико, като той ще се проведе независимо от изхода на започващото на 11 септември в Мексико Световно първенство.
“Това е безобразие. От ФИДЕ се държат така, сякаш не сме в 21-ви век. Поведението на Кирсан Илюмжинов е връщане към сталинизма!
На нас не ни дават мач-реванш, не ни допускат до участие и на Световното първенство в Мексико, докато на Крамник му осигуряват и мач-реванш както и да завърши шампионата на планетата”, заяви Данаилов.
I wonder what language the above long posting is written in. Boggles the mind.
Susan,
After San Luis did you or did you not say that you thought that Topalov is the World Champion and that you did not consider Kramnik as the World Champion because he did not give Kasparov a rematch and other reasons ……… ?????
At that time you came down very hard in favor of Topalov.
Then when Topalov behavior in Elista was terrible. You claimed he was half correct. You supported his right to attack Kramnik. ?????
When the letter came out signed by all the Grandmasters saying they did not like what Topalov did in Elista. You did NOT sign the letter. You wrote your own watered down version of the letter. You were basically the only GM in the world to write your own watered down letter and refuse to sign the letter along with all the other GM’s.
Susan most people who follow you on this blog believe that you have supported Topalov and not Kramnik. I only give the group consensus opinion.
You hide behind a word game play of being neutral. But being neutral is not supporting abusive behavior. That is not neutral.
Suppose someone beat up your kid at school. would you say that well I will be neutral. He probably was half correct in beating up my kid. of course not. Then why do you support Topalov beating up Kramnik. ???
When you claim that Topalov had half the right to beat up Kramnik you are supporting abuse. You are not being neutral.
Anyway I dont want to argue with you on this point. I want you to get elected to the EB. Any of your fighting with the obvious truth is only going to cost you votes.
Maybe you should say I am half correct instead of trying to claim I am lieing. I am not lieing. Why do you give Topalov 50% but you give me nothing.
Susan, You really need to work on your social value judgments and skills. That means you must learn to stop picking fights. I am your friend, not your enemy. I do not lie. I tell the truth as I see the truth. I say what I believe and I believe what I say.
And I will state it clearly. From all that I have read of your postings, Susan, my impression is that you support Topalov and do not support Kramnik. My impression is that you are not appropriately neutral. You are biased toward supporting Topalov. And I think I speak for the majority of people who read your blog for sometime.
Thank You for allowing me to respond.
Now lets work together to get you and your team elected.
Sorry but you are incorrect with your assessment. I state things as they are. That does not mean that I support either player.
The fans like the style of Topalov. He plays to win in almost every game. He wins many exciting games and he also loses many crazy games.
Kramnik is great in match play. His understanding of chess is incredible. But I along with many felt that he was wrong for not giving Kasparov a rematch. He did not have to legally. But he has to live with the image of ducking Kasparov for the rest of his life.
I did not like how both sides handled Elista. I am not giving either any excuses. They could have behave better. End of story. If you feel that you know me better than me then so be it.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
I think Susan is correct in her assesment. I also like some of the intelligent responses made. In summation, I have to place the majority of blame on the cry baby sore loser Topalov. FIDE has to castigate Topalov/Danialov for smearing the good/marketable/World Championship Name of Chess. Otherwise, how will chess find corporate sponsors? Same thing with USCF, it lost it’s one sponsor who saved USCF Chess Championship tournament. Now there is no sponsor. Why, what company would want to be associated with characters with outlandish points of view such Sloan has demonstated. This is just plain bad business for Chess sponsorship by Corporations who need good clean publicity. That is why Tiger Woods is such a good sponsorable personality. Chess should learn from this also.
Anon @ 1:02,
I have done what I preached. I have not responded to Mr. Sloan’s outrageous lies and vicious attacks. I should never stoop so low as to respond to people like that. That is exactly what I said about Kramnik and Topalov. The more your respond, the more charges will come. Somebody should give the other side the last word. Let them prove over the board.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
Topalov must be banned from chess… what he is doing es equal to the famous bite of a world champ in boxing…
Oh yes. Ban Topalov! Why not?
What better way to get him stopped from winning tournaments and threatening Kramnik’s title?
I can see that after this tournament the anti-Topalov sentiment on this blog is again strongly represented. But it is understandable – it must be really disappointing for those Kramnik supporters to see Topa prove his class again.
And you are claiming that you are on the morally right side…?
How pathetic!
The Süddeutsche Zeitung is one of the most respected newspapers in the world.
Also, please bear in mind that the Topalov controversy predates the Kramnik match. I am inclined to give Topalov the benefit of the doubt, but it is Danailov’s behavior, not Kramnik’s, that I find bizarre.
For those concerned about the
“good/marketable/World Championship Name of Chess”
– please don’t make me believe Kramnik’s style of play is anywhere close to “good and marketable”. For the time being Topalov’s games are suitable to show to people and to make chess more popular – Kramnik’s games are not.
To anonymous at Sunday, January 28, 2007 1:40:00 PM
Whoever you are – you are just one arrogant, manipulative liar! Coming strongly with your pathetically narrow-minded and one-sided opinion to judge Susan Polgar for her stance in this matter, lecturing her on her ‘social value judgments and skills’ and offering her to ‘work together to get her elected’? As whom? – Anonymous?
And on top of all claiming that you ‘only give the group consensus opinion’?
You are Disgusting!
You do not represent the majority of people who read her blog. That is for sure!
She supports Topalov? In What?
She likes his playing style? Well, if you don’t like it, or at least appreciate it – what would you be doing on a Chess blog, and what would you have to do with chess anyway?
In his v. Kramnik’s position and behaviour during the Elista mach? She never did! What she wrote was always more leaning towards Kramnik than Topalov in that particular matter. You don’t agree with it? Well, nobody’s forcing you to come here. I don’t entirely agree with her too – nothing wrong with that. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
May be she did stay a bit more neutral because she had the guts (and the open mind) to do it in a situation with a strong smell of one-sided misinformation, manipulation and fact misrepresentation. After all – there was (and still is) quite a bit of money, as well as Russian ‘pride’ involved in this.
And at a time when so many tend to give her advises, I can only add:
Susan,
May be you should indeed read the book and that article, and any future similar sources of information on the matter. One can only hope that the truth (whatever it is) will one day come out. That is if you don’t want your expressed position of neutrality in this quarrel to be treated one day as just spineless political correctness.
Best wishes
Anyone who doubts Susan’s partiality towards Topalov should read her blog on the Radjabov-Topalov game, and then reflect on the fact that the game ended while still in published theory. Then consider how Susan would have presented the game if Kramnik in a similar situation had played such a perfunctory draw. Of course you can present anything to an audience of such fools as most posters here, so long as it’s what they want to hear.
Gans, you are wrong about being Kramnik being weak in rapid. In the rapid circuit of the mid-90s he, Kasparov and Anand were the perennial finalists (and occasionally Ivanchuk). The top player who is notably weaker in rapids is Topalov – make of that what you will.
Percy
Finally we’ve got one clever person in this blog (or may be even genius…) Thanks god.
I pretty sure Krammik can live with his WC title, a couple of million, and “ducking” kasparov. He beat him in match play, what more does he have to do. Rematch? We don’t need a rematch with some many other compelling contenders to the title out there. Let Topa wait a couple of years as he is sure to mentally crack even more. He is like Tyson with Don King. Once great with potential to be the greatest, now broke and alone – just like chokalov / cryalov / cheatalov will be
>>Oh yes. Ban Topalov! Why not?
What better way to get him stopped from winning tournaments and threatening Kramnik’s title?>>
I’m curious to see how far you take this. How many other players are “too good” to have to follow the rules? Is Topalov the only one, or are there others?
>>But it is understandable – it must be really disappointing for those Kramnik supporters to see Topa prove his class again.>>
Obviously he hasn’t proved his class. You admit it yourself. If he had any class, you wouldn’t have to stoop to arguing that he was too good to have to obey the Ethics Rules.
i think some of you just make things up to start fights. you need to have something better to do than fabricate complete lies to make yourselfs feel important. as far as the rematch with kasparov i think kramnik knows thats three years is the right time to give a rematch as has been done in the past. thats standard in chess. the world title holder gives a rematch three years after he wins the title. as far as im concerned there should be a world title match every year because someone should have to continually prove there worth as a player. as far as either kramnik or topalov cheating i dont think so. how are they going to cheat and not get caught?. i have to side with topalov on the toilet issue because 50 times a hour is an excessive amount to go to the bathroom. its similar to playing someone who constantly giggles or squeels everytime they think they make a good move. i mean thats annoying and can throw off concentration. however i dont agree with topalov accusing kramnik of cheating. as far as newspapers siding with one player or another thats obviously biased.
wolverine
wolverine