A few days after Topalov was interviewed by Gert Ligterink, Kramnik’s manager Carsten Hensel issues his own press release. The war of words and insults both both sides just does not end. No one will allow the other side to have the last words. What ever happened to “Win with grace, lose with dignity”? I wish someone would be big enough to allow the other side to have the last words. Just let it go.
Press Release by Carsten Hensel, Manager of Vladimir Kramnik
The ChessBase report of 27.10.2006 [Gert Ligterink’s interview with Veselin Topalov) contains a number of quotes and statements by Grandmaster Veselin Topalov which are not in accordance with the facts.
Topalov: “I underestimated the reaction of my body. It’s not so strange that it relaxed after the intense concentration of the match in Elista. Should I not have come here to play? That did not occur to me for one moment. I have never ever breached a signed contract. I am not Kramnik. How often has he withdrawn with vague complaints of fatigue? This spring he withdrew from the tournament in Monaco immediately after he had signed the contract for the match against me.”
Vladimir Kramnik has never, in the course of his career, broken a contract. The reason for his not participating in the tournaments in Corus 2006 and Monaco 2006 were medical. Everything was done in close contact and agreement with the organisers, who were presented with the relevant medical certificates at early dates. The contracts were dissolved in amicable agreement by both parties. It is furthermore wrong to claim that Kramnik cancelled his participation in the Monaco tournament after signing the world championship contract. The world championship contract was signed in April 2006, while the release from the Monaco contract came in February 2006.
Topalov: “After the fourth game my manager asked to see the surveillance tapes in order to find out exactly how my opponent was spending his time in the restroom. He saw that Kramnik visited the toilet very frequently, and so we became suspicious. Naturally this is suspicious behaviour. The toilet was the only area that was not covered by the surveillance cameras.”
Because of this remark we are now publishing a report by Mr Valery Bovaev, Chairman of the Executive Committee in Elista. From this report it is possible to tell exactly who played what role in the release and viewing of the video recordings, which infringe on the personal rights of Vladimir Kramnik. It becomes clear that the video recordings were not requested only after the fourth game, but already some days before.
Topalov: “The Appeals Committee agreed to lock up the toilets in the restrooms. Kramnik reacted like an injured innocent. Contract this and contract that, how dare they insult me. It is always the same with him. He breaks the rules continuously, but heaven forbid his own rights should be touched. That Kramnik did not show up for the fifth game was his own fault. He thought he could get away with anything. I would have preferred to play the game and see our protest comprehensively addressed. Instead I got one free point. But Kramnik got his way in all the other points. He could do anything he wanted in his restroom, and the Appeals Committee was dismissed.
The consequence was that starting from the sixth game I no longer knew whom I was playing against. Kramnik had been quite vulnerable in the past year, but in this match he hardly made any tactical mistakes. I began to have doubts. Was Kramnik my opponent or was it Kramnik assisted by a computer? In order to keep him at the board as much as possible I started playing very quickly. Too quickly sometimes. The blunder which caused me lose the ninth game was the result of a decision I had taken too quickly.”
Mr Topalov still owes us an answer with regard to precisely which rules Vladimir Kramnik is supposed to have broken. What occurred was quite the opposite. Incidentally, because of the breach of contract by the Appeals Committee of FIDE, game five, in a judicial sense, was never played. So the result of the classical chess match is 6:5 in favour of Vladimir Kramnik.
The doubts expressed by Mr. Topalov are nothing but a pitiful excuse in connection with a major sporting defeat. It is especially inconsistent when you consider that all the measures taken to prevent possible manipulations (the glass wall and light curtain, the prevention of any kind of electronic signals in the playing zone, the resting rooms and the toilets, the physical search and examination of the players and all the rooms before the start of each game) were initiated by the Kramnik team. Before the start of game one Topalov’s team did practically nothing to ensure this kind of security. It is a fact that the organisation took all necessary measures to prevent any kind of manipulation from the outset. The further intensification of the controls during the match were welcomed by Kramnik and in some cases demanded by him. In Elista new standards were set which can be regarded as an example for professional chess in the future.
The rest can be read on chessbase.
Kramnik is an arrogant SOB and Topalov is a sore loser.
I was actually at the Elista match, so I’m qualified to comment just as little as everyone else.
I went in Kramnik’s bathroom and found no pocket set, and no computer. Bobby Fischer was in there, and I asked him if Kramnik ever used a computer or pocket set while he was in there. Fischer said Kramnik did not use either.
I agree. Kramnik should have just shut up. So does Topalov
Susan says: “The war of words and insults just does not end, both for the winner or loser”
I think Hensel has the right to give an answer to Topalov’s comments. Compare Topalov/Danailov statements versus Kramnik/Hensel’s and you’ll clearly see what side refuses to stop the insults and war of words.
Kramnik won. He should just keep his mouth shut. Drawnik just can’t help himself. Now he’ll hide from Mexico City like a coward.
Kramnik cheated. So did Polgar in Essent. Otherwise there is no way they can beat the world No.1 player, one and the only one true fighting chess player. FIDE and now the Essent organizers were behind the cheatings. They tried every thing to humiliate the best chess player in the world. Look at the homepage of Essent event. They list Topa as the 4th place, behind Sokolov. Come on! Who is Sokolov? He is nobody. Topa behind “nobody”? That’s not funny. That’s an insult!
I believe that Kramnik and his manager have the right to defend themselves from the baseless accusations made by Topalov and his manager.
Try and imagine it in a personal ligh susan. Imagine it to be you or Judit who has been accused of cheating, without any foundation. what would you do?
If someone slanders you, it’s reasonable to correct them. There is nothing arrogant, wrong, bitchy or cowardly in this, in spite of some of the early and insane comments on this post.
Btw, to all his Bulgarian fans who’ve posted so far in this thread: Topalov achieved >2800 Elo perforamance twice, then got accused of cheating, after which his actions were scrutinized a lot more. Since that, has he actually achieved a result >2700?
Also, Susan. Have you ever seen sites that promise freedom of speech, no matter what? Well . . . Right-wing lunatics take them over at the drop of a hat. By which I mean, your so-called neutral stance has a lot to answer for.
I do not understand why Kramnik’s manager should keep his mouth shut. Their mouths were shut till Topalov published his interview where he has wet dreams about Kramnik.
They had to answer to his allegations which have no basis whatsoever. They have examined the tapes and continue to bark and raise totally baseless allegations. All Kramnik’s manager is doing is making his side clear.
It is funny when Topalov says something noone complains and the guy can bloody get away with murder. However, everyone else is arrogant.
Bullshit. I would ban Topalov for at least 6 months after what he pulled at Elista, unless he offered a public apology to Kramnik and the chess community.
Kramnik looks bad for attacking Topalov now. Bad move. I’ve had enough of both these whiners.
Nice little Blue going on here…release a FIDE committee statement hahahahahahaaaaaaahaaaaha Oh I got to stop reading this
If the quotes attributed to Topalov are accurate then I do not see any problem at all with Carsten Hensel comments in the interview. Please remember, Kramnik and Mr. Hensel never accused Topolav of cheating. Topalov: “but in this match he hardly made any tactical mistakes. I began to have doubts. Was Kramnik my opponent or was it Kramnik assisted by a computer?” There must be a response to this implicit accusation.
To me it seems that Topalov bases his accusation of cheating on Kramnik playing better then anticipated. The fact is that Topalov had a better position in several games that he ended up losing. He ended up making more mistakes in the match and a few of the mistakes were outright blunders.
It is very hard to win with grace when the loser accuses you with outright cheating.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said…
“Imagine it to be you or Judit who has been accused of cheating”
Wake up, dude. You have no clue. You don’t need to imagine. It’s a fact.
It’s a fact that Kramnik cheated. And it’s a fact that Judit Polgar cheated.
There is absolutely no possiblity in the world for cowards like them to beat the world’s highest rated player without cheating.
Everything was set up. Look at the Essent homepage, please. A clear proof that the organizers are on the backstage helping Polgar win.
Polagr is such a coward who hid from the chess world for a few months. She must have spent her time to have prepared all this.
The interviews days ago were a part of the plot too. They made sure Topa be reminded of the WCC nightmare. They made sure to add a few more jabs on his psychological pains. This clearly affected his last game vs Polgar. You go investigate deeper. I bet you’ll be surprised to find who have paid the interviewers.
I applaude Carsten Hensel for giving a clear and intelligent response to the false allegations , lies and unfair cheating accusations of Topalov in his last interview tainted by aggressiveness and frustration .
Kramnik , on the other hand , has been very fair-play by pubicly asking for Topalov to play in Mexico at his place , and i’m very grateful of Vladimir to have went on playing after the dirty tricks after game 5 , not many GM would have dared to continue , he did so , and won convincingly , thus avoiding a major crisis , for the good of the Chess community
Anon, you are nothing but a troll. I don’t believe that you are capable of engineering a cogent thought on the matter as you obviously have no idea what you are talking about.
Mendrys,
No personal attack please. Show your respect.
Hey hoddy,
I like your chess king icon. I bet I know where you got it
🙂
“Win” with Grace is what i think you meant to title this Susan.
Susan you insite people to attack when you claim that Carsten Hensel is being unfair.
I read everything that Carsten Hensel wrote and it all seems to me to be a clear clean explanation of what happened as viewed from their side. he does not attack topalov at all.
this web page is going to extreme Right Wing ( not Left Wing ) extremists. and the problem here is you.
You Susan have no right to attack Carsten Hensel when he is trying to be fair and objective. all that you have succeeded in doing is bringing on the extremists who are now attacking your sister.
Youre entire blog is being hijacked by the extremist because of your inappropriate support for Topalov’s very bad behavior in Elista. If you keep supporting these extremist it will keep getting much worse here. I dont know why you antagonized your previous good supporters to gain the support of these extremists.
Mr. Hensel has every right to respond to Topalov’s interview. I just wish he didn’t. Sometimes, it is better to let the wrong party has the last words. If neither side stops, this war of words will continue.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
Hensel and Danailov are a disgrace to chess. No one wants to hear either one of them.
topalov’s tournament performace rating was 2702 in Match and now at Essent was 2645.
topalov has lost an estimated 30 points over these 17 games. his rating is now 2813 – 30 = 2783.
He has continued to play a few weak or blundered moves. he has not eliminated blunders from his games. Regardless if his opponents are cheating or not. He himself must stop his own blunders.
Why did Hensel have to put out a press release? Was someone talking to him? Is Kramnik paranoid or something?
Since does an innocent party have no right to rebuttal?
The vast body of the release was Hensel discussing factual inaccuracies in Topalov’s accusations. He did so by bringing forth EVIDENCE, such as the letter from the Chairman of the executive committee. He also explained that Kramnik’s withdrawal from Monaco was for medical reasons.
These are all very valid things to have a press release, especially considering that there has been a large (and growing) volume of cheating accusations in various interviews with Danailov and Topalov. I think we can recall that Danailov said they even going to publish a book!
Why shouldn’t an innocent party take an opportunity to present their case based on evidence?
Susan:
As a Christian I agree very much with what you just said, yet I think we can also show some grace to Kramnik, even the world champion is still a human and he must feel a lot of indignation.
Yes Susan don’t you just love that part of the world
..no sensorship on your blog
a war minute,that’s why they always have wars over there..they need to spend some time with stupid people
to lighten up and become normal
to edtrice..shush haha
Sore winner? What the hell is wrong with Hensel? His team cheated and won. He should keep his mouth zipped.
So Hensel will respond to every interview by Topalov now? I pity Hensel.
PS, AND REMEMBER AND DO WHAT SUSAN DID “LET SOMEONE HAVE HAVE A LOOK INTO YOUR LEFT SIDE OF YOUR BRAIN”
YOU MAY EVEN SEE YOUR OWN
…. KNOTTLE PETER….
I no longer have any respect for Kramnik. His arrogance is beyond belief.
It is rediculous to say Judit cheated. her move Qe7 was a real bad move. There is no computer was going to make that move.
she made a lot of not too good moves in this last game. topalov could have taken a draw. but he continued to play on making less than best moves until he was lost. the result of the game was topalov’s own making.
Plain and simple Topalov is not playing world champion chess. He is playing below 2700 for the last 17 games as stated above.
Topalov gave Sokolov a draw. what about that. Topalov had a huge rating advantage over Sokolov and should have won both games easily if he was playing well.
Plain and simple. Topalov is not playing well.
Vadim said…
I no longer have any respect for Kramnik. His arrogance is beyond belief.
Sunday, October 29, 2006 12:22:11 AM
Some people have high self esteem which is good. unfortunately you do not have good self esteem or you would recognize it as self esteem. you must have arrogance. that is why you see self esteem as arrogance.
There is something to be said for “Win with grace, Lose with dignity.”
However, the problem is Topalov’s and Danailov’s absurd and hurtful accusations.
Kramnik an Hensel have a right to defend themselves against such ludicrous accusations.
I don’t think Hensel’s response was without grace. It seemed to simply be a needed response to the underhanded tactics of Topalov and Danailov.
I’m a Topalov fan. It is really luducrous at this point to bring up any more cheating accusations.
As much as I have wished Topalov to win his last game of the year, I’m equally happy that J. Polgar won because she is a classy lady.
D.
Carsten Hensel and Kramnik are boneheads. I’m disgusted with them. Shut the hell up already. I hope FIDE will strip Kramnik of his title next year. What an arrogant coward.
This is clearly all Danailov’s fault. Topalov is a great sport, just Danailov and dirty mouth ruining Topalov’s reputation that’s all. Seriously Topalov should get rid of him.
Germany invades Poland. England and France declares war on Germany. Susan Polgar comments:
“England and France have every right to respond to Germany’s action. I just wish they didn’t. Sometimes, it is better to let the wrong party has the last words. If neither side stops, this war of words will continue. What happened to “Win with grace, Lose with dignity” ?
Hensel has a job, as manager, to protect the person he manages from allegations of cheating. Which is what he’s doing here. His comments seem quite restrained, in large part simply clarifying events.
Kramnik has not attacked Topalov for his unsporting behaviour nor engaged in ceaseless and petty impugning his character.
This is a difference between Vladimir and Veselin – because Topalov continues to have a go at Kramnik in the media in a very undignified and unsporting way.
It’s quite simple:
[1] If Danailov decides to keep attacking Kramnik, then Hensel is obliged to respond, and Topalov should consider sacking his manager for bringing down his own reputation.
[2] But if Topalov himself continues attacking Kramnik, claiming he’s ‘suspicious’ or making up stories about him breaking contracts, then this simply reflects badly on him as a sportsman, and prevents people from defending him with the line that all this scheming and undermining of chess is simply Danailov’s doing.
Trolls, trolls, and yet more trolls.
And of course C.Hensel should reply with facts to untruths, otherwise people will start to believe the untruths.
Throw enough dirt at someone, and some of it will stick.
Lars Pedersen, Denmark
“The war of words and insults both both sides just does not end. No one will allow the other side to have the last words. What ever happened to “Win with grace, lose with dignity”? I wish someone would be big enough to allow the other side to have the last words. Just let it go.”
WHAT????!!!! NOT when the other side is totally right here and only defending himself (Kramnik) and the other side continues with the insults (Topalov).
The important point to notice here is Mr. Valery Bovaev statement, which CLEARLY proves that members of the appeals committee were DIRECTLY involved in the shenanigans! Namely Mr. Azmaiparashvili and Mr. Makropoulos. It is important here to underline these key issues. Kramnik was wronged. He is totally entitled to defend himself. For you to call Kramnik defending himself “insulting the other side” is just morally reprehensible. This is the letter from Mr. Bovaev:
Statement
In my capacity as the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the World Chess Championship Match Topalov-Kramnik that is taking place in Elista from 21 September to 13 October 2006, and in connection with the events around the Game 5 of the match and before it, I would like to state herewith the following.
As per the oral demand of the then Appeals Committee of the Match (in person Messrs. Makropoulos, Azmaiparashvili), the examination of the video recordings of the rest rooms during the first two games in the cottage of Veselin Topalov was carried out on 25 September 2006. In the examination of the video recordings the following persons took part: the representatives of the Executive Committee: Gennady Namsinov (Head of the Informational Resources Department), Mingian Bazyrov (Vice of the Informational Resources Department); experts of the Bulgarian delegations headed by the manager of Topalov Mr. Silvio Danailov. The Appeals Committee members did not participate in the video recordings examination.
Messrs. Makropoulos, Azmaiparashvili and Vega initiated a second examination as well and it took place on 27 September 2006. The three members of the Appeals Committee together with the Chief Arbiter of the Match Mr. Gijssen and the Deputy Arbiter Mr. Nikolopoulos, who were also invited, watched the recordings. On behalf of the Executive Committee there were Messrs Namsinov and Bazyrov.
The third examination of the video recordings, which took place on 28 September 2006, with the Chief Arbiter Mr. Gijssen and his Deputy Mr. Nikolopoulos and also with the participation of the Bulgarian experts and the representatives from the Executive Committee Messrs. Namsinov and Bazyrov was carried out. The Appeals Committee did not take part in the examination of the video recordings.
Two last (second and third) examinations of the video recordings took place in the Office of the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Match.
After the resignation of the Appeals Committee I took the decision to stop providing the Bulgarian Team representatives with any further video.
Elista, 9 October 2006
[Signature]
Bovaev Valery
Executive Committee
World Chess Championship Match Topalov-Kramnik
Chairman
“Mr. Hensel has every right to respond to Topalov’s interview. I just wish he didn’t. Sometimes, it is better to let the wrong party has the last words. If neither side stops, this war of words will continue.”
Kramnik’s name was smeared in the mainstream media. Mr. Hensel is totally entitled and required to answer those unfair accusations against his client.
Well, Susan, I guess if there are new but incorrect public accusations, they need to be corrected. Kramnik has a good manager.
Kramnik lost with as much grace as one could possibly ask for considering the way he was treated in Kirsan’s cuckoo wonderland. The question that is more obvious is why don’t you just admit that you either hate Kramnik or love Topalov or both.This pretending that you are not taking sides is too obvious too ignore.
When somebody accuses a chess player of cheating, it’s not only reasonable, but obligatory to defend oneself. Silence can be perceived as confirmation. This is not a war of words, these are serious accusations of cheating. They need to be addressed. When rumors of Topalov’s cheating circulated, Danailov claimed that this damages chess, but now Topalov and Danailov dispense accusations freely, and not in the form of rumors, but in press releases. They need to stop. Whatever one thinks of Kramnik, he cannot really afford to take it silently.
“After the resignation of the Appeals Committee I took the decision to stop providing the Bulgarian Team representatives with any further video.”
Wonderful! Long live transparency!!
Before or after a WCC match, privacy is a fundamental right. Not during the match! Except for brief periods due to physiological requirements. It is either a medical emergency or a gross abuse if one party goes 35 times to the toilet during a match of this magnitude. Every game. Now, if that doesn’t alert the Scandinavian sensibility, I do not know what will.
Enough of this nerdish topic. It should never happen again in Chess to have such strange sircumstances. Cheating or no cheating, it’s a disgrace to “every” sport.
Only the geeks of the World seem not to get it — perhaps they’ve spent too much time in their lifetime hiding in the restroom from the bullies.
Well as Susan sleeps some of these postings need attention…
Just because someone releases a statement it not means that it is the truth ….please don’t believe any of it.
If any of it was really true we could understand you comments and possibly agree with them…
AS IT IS ALL MANIPULATED WAFFLE AND MOST LIKELY POLITICALLY MOTIVATED… HAVE AN OPEN MIND ABOUT IT
Both sides have their favourite best and fairest players
We know what Susan is like
We know what Topalov is like…
they both love and help to promote chess to a very high standard..with fairness and honesty..
If you don’t believe that you are only fooling yourself..and we feel sad for you.. like it or not
Topalov is the most constant winning chess player in the word today..he is exciding player and plays to win he doesn’t seem to mind if he loses as long as he tried to win….(even when he can draw he often plays on so the only result is a win)
Topalov has a huge following and attracts record crowds.
The only reason he is getting such a hard time is that the FIDE and their political connections can’t control him or his support team.. (The political side want to monopolise the game) (The FIDE want to control the players) (Then there’s the controllers who want to gain financially with their commercial connections)
AS FOR SUSAN SHE HAS ALWAYS MADE IT VERY CLEAR AND ALLOWS BOTH SIDES TO SAY WHAT THEY LIKE..BEING 100% NEUTRAL IN ALL OF HER GREAT AWARD RECORD SUPPORTED BLOGS…
Ps Her Award is… the record of around 200.00 of chess lovers… that log on to her chess Blog…
… Fair Dinkum….. Fair Suck of the Sav
The bias is unbelievable!
The Topalov interview is posted on your site with no commentary (an interview tantamount to slander).
Just:-
“Interview with Topalov by Gert Ligterink
This morning the Dutch newspaper “De Volkskrant” published a noteworthy interview with Topalov.” Noteworthy, huh?
Kramnik’s manager responds to the accusations and, in posting the latter’s comments, you put in your comments about “I wish someone would be big enough to allow the other side to have the last words. Just let it go.”
Kramnik’s manager seems to do a quite good job of rebutting the points that Topalov raises. (About Kramnik breaking contracts, about when the Topalov’s side actually started asking about videos, etc.)
We’ve seen no PROOF of anything underhand in Elista. There’s supposition but no proof.
In San Luis, there was no PRROF of anything by Topalov either – and the whole thing was dropped. So, what’s the difference?
If Kramnik had lost and accused Topalov of cheating, would your position be as sympathetic to Kramnik – as it now seems to be to Topalov? If one side is wrong, trying for a fake position of being unbiased, does no good. Either Toplaov is right or he is wrong. Decide. But don’t keep up this charade of both are equally wrong.
Most GMs, most people, most sites seem to have a refreshing take on the whacky stuff coming out of Topalov’s manager’s mouth…not this all-sides-are-equqlly-wrong fixation.
Is this a hungarian-russian thing, or what? What is it, really?
“Kramnik cheated. So did Polgar in Essent. Otherwise there is no way they can beat the world No.1 player, one and the only one true fighting chess player. FIDE and now the Essent organizers were behind the cheatings. They tried every thing to humiliate the best chess player in the world.”
Is this a joke? I hope it is. With this logic anybody who won in a game with a fighting player is automatically a cheater.
“Polgar is such a coward who hid from the chess world for a few months. She must have spent her time to have prepared all this.”
Hiding? She had a child.
———————–
There is no point arguing with people who are convinced that everything they state is the ultimate truth. But would such god-like being please stop being so rude at forum?
People, leave Susan alone. Yes, she prefers Topalov to Kramnik, and yes, her attempts to be neutral don’t quite work. The intention is good, however, and the reality of having a personal preference shouldn’t surprise anybody else here. Most other posters have such strong opinions that they should not begrudge her hers. Especially, since she seems to be more interested in the promotion of chess than in the personal careers of two elite players.
My only complaint is the fact that this blog is unmoderated. Totally unsubstantiated accusations and rudeness should be deleted automatically. Unfortuately, this might require a full-time attention.
I can only say if I won a match through honest play I should never ever care for what the other side say or do…
Arlauk
I think Susan is right here. I think it’s time for dignified silence from both sides. And for the record I strongly support Kramnik in all of this.
There’s an old saying (Hoddy, it might be scottish, but not all wisdom comes from here) that it takes two to have an argument. Whether you’re in the right or in the wrong if you just refuse to argue the other side eventually has to shut up. People have mostly drawn their own conclusions anyway and nothing either side says is likely to influence anyone now. The argument is also academic now as the match is over, won and lost.
I also think posts overtly accusing players of cheating should be deleted. Things posted on sites such as this are legally deemed (certainly in the uk) to have been published and the posters could be sued if they post libellous comments, so could the site owner if they leave libellous posts up. I think a neutral stance is fine and encouraging freedom of speech (even to Hoddy and me) is fine too, but some things have to be deemed unacceptable. Offensive posts need to be deleted, or this site is likely to become dominated by extreme postings and conspiracy theorists rather than debate.
And for what it’s worth I don’t think Susan has shown bias towards either side. People taking a neutral stance invariably get accused of bias by both sides!
G. Lehany
What a childish press release by Hensel. His last sentence is: “The acceptance of defeat in by Mr. Topalov is, from my point of view, the only reasonable sentence in his interview.” This press release is pure hate from Hensel.
I wondered why Kramnik could be so childish under game 5. A childish manager could be part of the explanation.
It is totally OK to react to all those lies by the Cheatalov camp!
Ban topalov from chess events for 5 years, please! Thank you!
I already don’t want to see his games anymore! It’s a shame Kasparov left. He was a worthy +2800 player!
“Let she who is without sin cast the first stone.”
I really wish someone would look up all the postings and ranting and raving that Susan Polgar has done on this blog over her arguments with USCF and Beatrice Marinello. And her rantings and ravings against Kasparov Chess who received a contract to assist our chess team. a uscf contract lost by Susan Polgar.
Years after the occurance of her arguments with the USCF she has still continued to rail and scream injustice done by the USCF to her. and by particular members of the uscf like Beatrice Marinello when she was President even though Beatrice is no longer president of USCF.
Susan has also complained about Fide taking her title away from her when she had a baby.
Susan, your stand that Kramnik should not even put forth evidence that has not previously been put forth seems hypocritical when seen in the light of your own actions, your continuing rehash of the same old stuff that is years old and long since should have been forgotten if you are truely interested in only helping children’s chess.
What we see is more a reflection of your own hidden guilt which you refuse to look at. Why else do you call for the innocent Kramnik to shut up. it must be that his words bring up your own hidden guilt which you refuse to look at and heal.
“Let she who is without sin cast the first stone.” and they all went away.
anonymous said…let she who is without sin etc…
you seem to be twisting all the real relevant points to suit your vindictive untruthful rubbishy run of hog wash here in your posting …we all know what Susan does for Children and world chess ..as she makes headline news wherever she goes..loved by millions
if you really knew that… you would see how you self degrading your post is..you would not be so blind..and bitter.
Helo,
it discussionis going to fair concerning personal attacks to Miss S.Polgar.
It is just impolite to say such things (to the host), I am sorry. Mentioned themes are not themes of the thread.
Returning to CH interview, what could he do other. He can base only on the words not facts.
Open letters and interviews are words, visiting toilete is the fact, which is telling much for itself.
There are other facts that have to be considered:
a) Appeals Comitte agreed the protest of T team.
b) Kramnik did not arrive for the game, games are suspended
c) Kirsan is speaking with vice premier of Russia,(Kalmykia is the part of Russia) and the Appeals Comitee is removed
vice premier is interested in the result of the match and he is superior to Kirsan
d) match is restarted on Kramnik conditions
That facts could give much matters to consider.
The attacks in media to the Topalov team reminds me old bad times of cold war when R.J. Fischer an V.L. Korchnoi had been attacked by Soviet Press when they have approching the chess crown which had been belongin to soviet players for abot 30 years.
I hope it is not repeating…
Regards
Chessreader
I will not comment the Kramnik-Topalov match, it is the past and there is nothing can be changed about it. However, we can draw some long term conclusions.
We arrived to the hightech “brave new world”. Whether we like it or not, we did. Technology changed, human nature didn’t. For me it is unimaginable why woud anyone cheat in chess, but I guess when millions of dollars at stake, when fame is at stake, it is possible. Famous cheating scandals are known in the world of bridge (game), which is not less pure and intellectual than chess.
And as we all know, there are areas of life, where absolutely nobody is trusted. See, getting on an airplane these days. Anyone claiming that he or she should be above suspicion, would be laughed at (and searched of course). Try getting out of a doping test, claiming that you should be above suspicion. Nobody is above suspicion.
Thus the only remaining question: is it possible to cheat in chess? Because if it is, than checking should be no less natural than taking a doping test. It is sad that there is nobody out there who is above suspicion, but unfortunately this is due to the human nature.
The solution is very simple. In major chess tournaments the players should go through a metal detector, and should account for all high tech objects. No computer product (that includes PDAs, cellphones, any device which potentially contain a communication device, etc.) should be allowed.
In a high class chess meeting like the Kramnik-Topalov match was, yes, the organizers, or even the people of the opposition should be allowed to check special places like a rest room. If both the person and the place is checked, no sane accusation can happen later.
And the same as with the doping test, if someone refuses to abide the rules, the person is not accepted in the competition.
Gabor
Looks to me like Kramnik’s manager is defending Kramnik against the false statements made by Topalov –I can’t see what’s wrong with that, all things considered, and it certainly doesnt read as one-upmanship or an attempt to have the last word.
Besides the fact that there are too many immature comments posted (regardless of age) I give two bog thumbs up to Susan Polgar who allows any view to be presented. Susan and I have agreed to disagree and I was treated with total respect by her. The suggestion otherwise is both baseless and absurd –this blog is a model !
Billy-Jack
Who of you knows Mr. Hensel?
In the 90s I got to know him, at least a little (but still enough).
Just to make clear:
already in this time he was a gangster
with fine mafia methods; great friends specially in east european capitals; you know… connection is protection.
It’s a known fact in law enforcement that there is little that separates a cheater from a liar — they are often one and the same person.
Topalov made remarks concerning dates and supposed facts that he must have known were blatently incorrect, he was simply being intellectually dishonest. Topalov blundered with his original remarks, this is well known, but he is now , sadly, continually digging himself in deeper. This in some ways reminds me of Rush Limbaugh’s recent public mocking of MJ Fox–his closest supporters have scolded Rush and asked for an apology–his arrogance doesnt allow him to…we see the same thing here with Topalov. All I can say is GO Judit GO!!!!!
“Who of you knows Mr. Hensel?
In the 90s I got to know him, at least a little (but still enough).
Just to make clear:
already in this time he was a gangster
with fine mafia methods; great friends specially in east european capitals; you know… connection is protection.”
And this is somehow relavent because …?
Susan Polgar said:
“Mr. Hensel has every right to respond to Topalov’s interview. I just wish he didn’t. Sometimes, it is better to let the wrong party has the last words. If neither side stops, this war of words will continue.”
Susan,
Although you had every right to answer the above accusations to you, I think you should not have answered. It seems to me that the war of words and insults both both sides just does not end. No one will allow the other side to have the last words. What ever happened to “Win with grace, lose with dignity”? I wish someone would be big enough to allow the other side to have the last words. Just let it go.
After reading Topalov’s post match comments I can’t imagine anyone ever accepting an invitation to play him, not anyone. Very disturbing individual, and very VERY bad for chess.
Tor
LOL! Topalov claims Kramnik uses the excuse of vague physical complainsts only to launch his own vague physical complaint as an excuse for being thoroughly outplayed by Judit.
This clown needs to just go away
I enjoy Topalov’s games very much. Perhaps more than most other GMs. I simply wish he would not open his mouth.
Mark W.
“It is rediculous to say Judit cheated.”
You don’t get it. What is ridiculous is that Polgar actually did it.
“her move Qe7 was a real bad move. There is no computer was going to make that move.”
You got it. Without computer assistance, that’s the kind of moves she’s capable of making.
“topalov could have taken a draw. but he continued to play on”
That’s called fighting spirit.
“Topalov gave Sokolov a draw. what about that.”
That’s called sportmanship.
“Plain and simple. Topalov is not playing well.”
Plain and simple. Topalov is the strongest player. Polgar is a coward. She refused to play chess for long time, keeping hiding with all kinds of excuses. When she comes out finally, she only cheated. What a loser!
Template for trolling on this blog:
#1 Start your post with expressing some sort of gratitude or agreement with Susan Polgar, or even just some nice words about her little sister.
#2 Continue your post with some baseless attacks on either Kramnik or Hensel. You can parrot some of the criticism Mig writes on his blog(people should be visible on the stage for the live-audience), or you can parrot some of Topalov/Danialovs slander.
The reason you should attack those people is that most people think they are absolutely right in this dispute, so you’ll get the greatest amount of feedback by attacking those.
#3 Remember to include at least one well known falsehood, like “he went to the toilet 50 times in one game” or “he always breaks contracts”.
The reason for this step is to provoke further feedback. People want to refute lies.
#4 Some weird reasoning, perhaps even circular reasoning, has the same effect as including a falsehood. If you can make up a good one, people will also reply to that.
#5 Conclude your post with a personal attack on someone else, and then praise the fact that this blog is unmoderated.
There you go. Happy trolling.
Kramnik belongs in the sewer.
Anand won 2 games against Jussupow and Marcieja. As of right now UNofficially.
Anand 2784.6
Topalov 2783
Anand is now in first place. of course nothing is official until fide posts them. the next posting will be on Jan 1.
Unfortunately Anand’s Bundesliga wins will not be posted until after the entire season is complete and thus will not be included in the Jan 1 rating list.
The bias is unbelievable!
The Topalov interview is posted on your site with no commentary (an interview tantamount to slander).
QFT.
Regarding this issue, Susan should really just shut up. Her bias makes this blog unreadable.
Given Topalov’s statements and accusations in the interview, I think Hensel had no choice but to defend his client. That said, neither side impresses me.
@Anon: Dude, lay off the beer so early in the morning!
Who is the sponsor of the championship match ? Kalmykia->Russia so the winner has to be Kramnik. It is easy.
The best player is Topalov, Anand, anyone but the champion has to be Russian. Obvious, who is paying shall receive.
Gretings
… to read or not to read – what a question …
i’ve read the Topalov interview – wow – i thought to myself – this man is no.1 on the chess players list todays – but he is a complete moron, too … (thx god – i’m not a chess pro!)
– i refused to comment his “free speech”
i’ve read the Hensel letter (in english first, then in german – i admit – and my translation would have been different at some points – but this is a matter of taste..) – but with some background information – e.g. given by lantonov on this site here –
i refused to comment Hensel’s “open letter”
i wondered about our hostess – she gave here trademarked motto, a bare comment – and then went out for her daily matters.
i’ve read the blog comments once, twice and a third time … my conclusion goes with the ecclesiasts
“As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words.[…] Much dreaming and many words are meaningless.”
no doubt about – Topalov is no.1 in chess, Kramnik is a sore loser, but World Chess Champion, and Ms. GM Susan Polgar is a (i admit good looking) chess alarmist …^^
so – keep it clean guys and gals – PLEASE!
sincerly, yours Vohaul
http://members.aol.com/intwg/trolls.htm
Siron, then why do you read it? Get lost, troll.
Kramnik has no comprehension of grace. I bet he’ll chicken out and won’t play in Mexico. He ducked Kasparov for a rematch. He played a fixed match against Leko. He cheated against Topalov. Coward!
Okay, here is the very last word in the whole mess!
http://www.Danailov-before-and-after.com
Dear anonym.
I couldnt imagine to read such biased statement by her. You get it? And when you are going to use a more imaginative nick, I ll take you seriously.
I agree with Susan completely. There was no need for Mr. Hensel to respond. Getting into a verbal insulting war will make him look just as bad.
Who is Hensel insulting you retards (that’s an insult see?)? Hensel is defending Kramnik. There is a huge difference.
Anon said: The bias is unbelievable!
The Topalov interview is posted on your site with no commentary (an interview tantamount to slander).
Sadly enough, I agree.
– Vinay
Read it and Weep.
Here is printed the unabiguous Truth of the situation Today.
Anand 2784.6
Topalov 2783
Kramnik 2766
Topalov is NO LONGER AT THE TOP.
Anand is #1 as of today.
Read it and Weep. that means all you Topalov fans can cry like a baby. but it will do you no good. Ha Ha Ha.
Go Vishy
Go Kramnik
Bury Topalov the Has Been. soon to be nobody just like he said about Leko.
It brings me great pleasure to see Topalov drop out of the top. Keep Losing.
There are no Topalov fans. You guys are simply TROLLS.
Kramnik is full of crap. No one visits the toilet 50 times per game and get away with it. I can’t support Kramnik anymore. Long live Carlsen!
I was never a Kramnik fan. But I started to have some respect for him after the match against Topalov. But his behavior and attitude is less than desirable. There was no need for the press release by Carsten Hensel.
Susan, I have to respectfully disagree with you. It is Topolov who attacked Kramnik. If someone attacks and insults someone else, that person (Kramnik) has a perfect right to defend himself. To me it’s that simple. It is Topolov who has been the attacker throughout Elista and beyond; why shouldn’t Kramnik be able to defend himself? How is defending yourself an “insult” and a “war of words”?
How about a compromise? Let Topalov have the last word so long as it isn’t a lie?
Nah, he’d never go for it.
Why people are attacking Susan Polgar in her own blog?
I hope that this page will be cleaned a bit.
Susan… I would not even report this stuff on your blog. Let them blow their hot air to the wind… and maybe if they finally realize that nobody is listening anymore, they will stop.
Dr. Rene Carlos Ochoa
This sound like palestine-israel conflict.
@Hoddy,
Hoddy, I appreciate your unreserved support of Topalov, but for your own sake, don’t make my mistake to answer anonymous posters. I am sure that most of those people will turn against Kramnik with the same zeal immediately after he loses his title. Anonymously, of course.
“Why people are attacking Susan Polgar in her own blog?”
They are criticizing her for posting Topalov’s lies without comment (i.e. Kramnik breaks rules, Kramnik breaches contracts) but criticizing Hensel for rebutting them.
I don’t know how you could have seen and read the criticisms without being aware of their content. That seems totally bizarre to me. How could you have known that they were criticisms without knowing what they said?
xargone said…
“Kramnik looks bad for attacking Topalov now.”
You, Xargone, are a chess cheat.
If you dispute it, you look bad, so don’t bother.
That should give you a little empathy.
Kramnik is a jerk. He’s involved in more controversy than any other modern chess player. His arrogance is unbearable. I’ve no respect for Kramnik and Hensel anymore.
Susan runs a very good website and but has badly missed the issues here.
Topalov’s camp are making CONTINUED PUBLIC ALLEGATIONS against Kramnik which are appearing in sites such as this and chessbase. Kramnik’s manager is quite rightly setting the record straight.
If Susan was less obviously biased against Kramnik I think she should be saying that “I wish Topalov would quit slandering Kramnik” .
It is just ridiculous of Susan to look at Kramnik defending himself against these lias and bitter accusations and sa that they are each as bad as the other.
If a man walking down a street is attacked by a thug and defends himself do we say that they are equally guilty of braeching the peace and throw them both in jail? Bravo Susan!
A bit off topic, but who was the manager of Kramnik for the 2004 Kramnik-Leko match – Hensel. Who was the manager of Leko for that match – the same Hensel.
And why Hensel did not lodge a protest before game 5 and left Kramnik to do a great deal of his job during the scandal in Elista? Maybe Hensel is now eager to show that he is a good manager and cares about his client but he isnt – most probably he is the same greedy parasite like Danailov but with more refined family educatiion.
anon, they listed the names alphabetically, not by order of finish…please attend grammar school, it will do you good
” anon said…
Kramnik cheated. So did Polgar in Essent. Otherwise there is no way they can beat the world No.1 player, one and the only one true fighting chess player. FIDE and now the Essent organizers were behind the cheatings. They tried every thing to humiliate the best chess player in the world. Look at the homepage of Essent event. They list Topa as the 4th place, behind Sokolov. Come on! Who is Sokolov? He is nobody. Topa behind “nobody”? That’s not funny. That’s an insult! “
OK, I’ll admit it, it’s all my fault…I take the blame for everything…the national debt (EVERY national debt), the human vices (all the human vices), misery, hunger, winning, losing…it’s all my fault.
As I’ve taken responsibility for Kramnik, Topalov, Susan, and everyone else (including you!) I now command you to CEASE POSTING articles about this topic and move on with your lives!