To the Organizing Committee of the match Topalov vs Kramnik
To the Appeals Committee
Mr. Makropoulos
Mr. Azmaiparashvili
Mr. Vega
To all mass media
Ladies and Gentlemen,
After we got acquainted with the ruling of the Appeals Committee of the Topalov vs. Kramnik world championship match we deem it necessary to point out the following:
1. The ruling in its present form is not satisfactory to us since it practically does not result in any change. Mr. Kramnik will be able to visit the new bathroom an unlimited number of times without being subject to further control.
2. We would accept the current relaxation rooms to continue to be used provided that the presence of controllers in both rooms is ensured.
3. When the two players need to go to the bathroom, they should be accompanied by an assistant arbiter.
4. The checks carried out in the relaxation rooms were made only by experts of the Organizing Committee, whereas our experts were present as observers and only after the second game.
5. We find it difficult to understand why is it that the accredited journalists are denied access to the video tapes from the relaxation rooms.
The World Champion Veselin Topalov is outraged by the suspicious behavior of his opponent Mr. Vladimir Kramnik who in actual fact takes his most significant decisions in the bathroom.
Despite the above, in the name of the chess game and out of respect to FIDE, to Kalmikia and the millions of chess lovers, Veselin Topalov is willing to continue his participation in the match provided that measures to guarantee fair play are taken.
If the match were to continue, the World Champion would refrain from shaking hands with Mr. Kramnik before the games and would not take part in joint press conferences with him. Veselin Topalov will make statements for the media separately.
We look forward to receiving your response by 14.30 h hoping that it will give concrete answers to the questions that we pose.
28.09.2006
Elista
Sincerely: Silvio Danailov Manager of the Bulgarian team
Well well……..even at the top levels there is the accusation of cheating going on. How convenient. Even though i personally think the accuasations of cheating on kramnik’s part are very ill-supported, this brings me back to my recent memories of cheating at the world open in philadelphia. I won 2nd place in the under 1800 category. I had told a friend of mine (whom was also playing in a different section) that if he finished earlier to watch my opponent as the game progressed, only because of other accusations that had been made in various sections (ex. Steve Rosenberg). My game ended in a 13 move draw so no problem was personally encountered but from the looks of it almost every section had some sort of scandalous activity in the money rounds (rounds 8-9). What has chess become?? Personally i see no reason why each player needs a private room of any sort (including a bathroom). And as far as walks, tea, water, or whatever stupid excuse can come about im sure it wouldnt be difficult to meet those needs of the players without requiring a private restroom. Give me a break this is ridiculous and I think i speak for everyone when I say quit whining and play some chess!!