Post-match interview with Kirsan Ilyumzhinov
By Misha Savinov
Kirsan Nikolayevich, did the unification of the chess world actually take place?
The chess crown has returned home. Strictly speaking, it has never left FIDE, but still, the world of chess was split since Kasparov broke out 13 years ago, and now it’s over. The crown is on a shelf of our safe, well-locked, and we will never give it away to any person. It is the property of FIDE, a public property.
So, you consider this match as concluding stage of the Prague Agreements?
Yes, the Prague Agreements are fulfilled. We also fulfilled the directive of IOC General Assembly of July 1999, which stated that chess is a sport, and FIDE is the only international federation responsible for chess, organizing chess championships and awarding the championship title.
You had a long meeting with Kramnik on the next day after the match ended. Could you disclose what a subject of discussion was?
We talked about many things. His match against the computer, for instance. I will very likely attend its opening ceremony on November 24. Also, as a world champion, Vladimir became a member of the Presidential Board, and he plans being quite active in this role. Next the Presidential Board meets in Amsterdam in December, and he will receive all the documents – the technical work has started. It is too early to talk about the future: the situation has not settled yet, and Volodya should settle to his new position. There is an international organization behind his shoulders now, and one has to weight one’s actions with the interests of chess.
Can one say that Kramnik will accept an active role within FIDE?
Of course. He will be engaged in chess promotion and PR… We are creating a company, Global Chess Corporation, with authorized capital of $10 million, and will probably register it in Amsterdam. This company should work with our major partners, such as Credit Suisse, Intel, Microsoft, etc. A 10-year development plan will be discussed at the Presidential Board. We are expecting receiving about $100 million of investments during that period. This is a major program that will involve everyone.
Have you discussed with Kramnik his claims towards FIDE and possibility of a legal action?
I see no reason for a legal action from both players’ sides. All the decisions taken during the match are legally proper, which is confirmed by the firm of attorneys cooperating with FIDE for more than ten years since I became a president. They are lawyers of International Sports Arbitration Court. This is why FIDE always wins in courts – all our decisions are based on juridical documents, and not emotional statements.
Are you happy with the way the match was played and covered in the media?
Of course I am happy that the match attracted a lot of attention, and everybody realized it was the unification match. Everybody understood it was organized by FIDE, and the crown returned to FIDE. People ask me whom did I support. I supported chess, and one can say the match was won by FIDE. Millions of players being part of FIDE returned the crown.
We looked how many hits there were on the official site of the match – more than 450 million! This is great. More than 200 major periodicals wrote about the match, not mentioning local ones…
Don’t you think that match is the most attractive form for a world championship competition? Apart from other things, it is easier to present and advertise a clash of antagonists…
And chess is also black and white, a struggle of individuals. Brilliant and tense struggle always attracts attention. And attention brings sponsors.
Do you consider the idea to return to a match system? Maybe matches will be alternated with match-tournaments?
We must think this over well. I cannot answer this question right now. The decision has to be taken at the Presidential Board, Executive Committee, and then approved by the General Assembly. Right now there is no need to haste.
But the tournament in Mexico will definitely be played?
Of course! This is not a subject of discussion. And the candidates matches will take place in Elista in April, too. Everything goes as planned.
The rest of the interview can be read here.
Good words to hear from FIDE. As the only backed Chess entity by the IOC, FIDE is on stable ground with the only crown.
Now Kramnik has a chance to be within the inner circle and help make needed changes.
Like a return to match play for the crown!
What a politician. haha.
One problem is that Kirsan has a habit of not telling the truth. But in this case who knows.
Is IBM and Intel putting millions into chess at this time. I dont think so.
Topalov has been dropped like a hot potato by Kirsan. Poor guy is struggling in Essent as well which adds insult to injury!
“One problem is that Kirsan has a habit of not telling the truth.”
Haha, that’s an understatement!
As it seems it is too late for a proper format for Mexico City, my only hope is that Kramnik and Zhukov can put pressure on Kirsan to return to the match format that true chess fans want for the next WCC (after Mexico).
Prague Agreement:
The two match winners [update Oct-2006: Kramnik as winner of match against Leko) and for FIDE Topalov ( San Luis 2005 winner]will play a reunification Classical Chess World Championship match in October/November 2003 [update: done Sep/Oct-2006].
The unity plan brings about a single unified Classical World Chess Champion within a one and a half year period. [update today: Thus no match or other activities for UWCH before 2008 requested] That opens the doors to a new World Chess Championship cycle inclusive of all the top chess players in the world. We realize that cooperation and support of all parties is necessary and that by setting aside personal interests we can achieve this goal.
As FIDE confirms the interpretation/statement above mentioned AFTER Kramnik has won the match, there is no single room for discussing whether there will be a
classical chess world championship in 2007 – esspecially that FIDE event in Mexico.
The wch cycle has to be planned starting with October 2006 – and be finished e.g. end of 2007 in order to prepare the FIRST title bout of the “only one undisputed World Champion recognized by FIDE [press release Prague Agreement]”.
Susan, any comment?
thx
Question 5 (whether he’s worked the legal mess out with Kramnik) is interesting. He doesn’t answer the question at all. Instead he sidesteps it by giving us his personal conviction that FIDE is innocent, and bases his conviction on a known falsehood (that FIDE always wins in court anyway, so why would this be any different?).
Funny, I thought FIDE had lost at least 4 big cases in the same International Arbitration Court that he names. According to Wikipedia, Susan herself got $25,000 in damages from FIDE there.
I’m just glad that we have a unified world champion once again. It’s a shame that it took 13 years for this too happen. Hopefully, this will not occur again.
I did notice that Microsoft was listed as a sponsor for FIDE. If this is the case, then the world’s wealthiest man, Bill Gates, ought to have an opinion on chess and maybe put up some funds to help our sport.
His name recognition along with his company, Microsoft, could certainly do much more to sponsor chess.
But, I’m not picking on Gates or Microsoft. There are so many individuals, government bodies, and companies that could add more to enhance our sports financial situation.
However, there are many GM’s that have long standing issues with FIDE. Now, in the USCF, a felon was elected to the board. Not a good precedent at all.
Interesting interview.
“The chess crown has returned home. Strictly speaking, it has never left FIDE, but still, the world of chess was split since Kasparov broke out 13 years ago, and now it’s over. The crown is on a shelf of our safe, well-locked, and we will never give it away to any person. It is the property of FIDE, a public property………….. And the candidates matches will take place in Elista in April, too. Everything goes as planned.”
As if the chess world champion’s crown was a question of a physical object.
Ilyumzhinov speaks, as if the entire FIDE would his property and as if Kalmykia, Elista somehow became the official place for the chess world. I can foresee a totally different type of problem brewing out of his personal cult (I mean “személyi kultusz” in hungarian) style approach to FIDE.
——————–
In the entire interview one question remains both un-asked and of course un-answered:
Who will be the world champion after Mexico, if Kramnik would not win there?
Or did I miss something?
Gabor
—Now, in the USCF, a felon was elected to the board—
Please elaborate & substantiate.
Thank you!
http://www.samsloan.com/
wow – lawsuits, how to talk dirty in japanese, sex marching…
this guy is on the exec board overseeing things like chess for kids?
ugh
Mr. Sloan is whom I’m talking about. He insulted GM Polgar and the entire tragic episode can be reviewed if one looks in the past months links on this site.
The substantiation and clarification is all there. There was much discussion. In fact, if you haven’t read about it yet, you ought to.
It really gives the USCF a bad image.
I wish it were not so.
Yes. I checked. Just click on “July 2006” and review the election of Sloan to the USCF board.
A real tragedy it was.
Anyway, it’s all there for anyone to review.
The way this guy talks realyl makes me dislike him:
Strictly speaking, it has never left FIDE,
Total bullshit. “strictly” speaking? What does that mean. FIDE has no more rights to the world champion title than anyone else does. Its legitimacey is based on reputation and quality. As such, the crown most definitly DID leave FIDE as Kapsorov was quite clearly the best player going when he broke off and the chess world was definitly on the side of Kasporov as champ, not the winner of the year at FIDE.
The fact that Kramnik won just confirms the fact that the classical title was held by superior players to the FIDE title.
The crown is on a shelf of our safe, well-locked, and we will never give it away to any person. It is the property of FIDE, a public property.
a) you don’t get to decide if the crown stays with you or not. If Kramnik splits off again and brings Anand, Leko and other top players with him, then the crown will go with him.
b) it is NOT the “property” of FIDE in any sense
c) something can’t be both FIDE property AND public property.
“The crown is on a shelf of our safe, well-locked, and we will never give it away to any person. It is the property of FIDE, a public property.”
This statement by FIDE’s president is rather odd. As another mentioned in a previous post, Kirsan talks as though the “crown” (i.e. the World Title) is a physical object and, as he states, is the “property of FIDE.”
The “extraterrestrials” must have really damaged him.
The World Championship and the title is not the “property” of FIDE. It cannot be kept in a vault.
The title of “World Champion” transcends a physical object. It is recognition by your peers that you have defeated the best of the best.
Kirsan is a politician, indeed. But not a very good one.
Charlemagne
>>
Total bullshit. “strictly” speaking? What does that mean. FIDE has no more rights to the world champion title than anyone else does.
>>
The claim of both Topalov and FIDE for a long time now has been that FIDE has some kind of legal ownership of the World Championship title. You could read several old interview with Danailov, describing Topalov as “the only legal World Champion”. They’ve never actually cited the law in question that gives them this ownership, and we know they didn’t invent the title, nevertheless, that’s what they’re referring to. B.S.? Well, yes, but that’s not the point.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Kramnik refuses to play in Mexico. It’s too early for Kramnik to say anything at this point. However, if Kramnik decides not to play in Mexico he can always insist he is the best and give as his proof that he did not play in the FIDE World Championship for years and when he finally played the FIDE World Champion he was able to beat him despite the fact that he was cheated out of a game on forfeit. There are many out there who would support Kramnik’s refusal to play in Mexico 2007.
Kirsan thinks FIDE will make 100 million dollars in sponsorship money during the next 10 years. hahahahahhahahahahahha hahahah you couldn’t invent that!
Sung to the tune of Sacha Baron Cohen’s song as Borat:
In Chess there is problem
That problem is called Kirsan
Kirsan sits with criminal Campomanes
And signs Mexico Tournament
Throw Kirsan down the well!
So Chess can be free!
You must grab him by his antenna (he got from UFO)
Then we have a big party!
In past he gives us champions
not in top ten
Kirsan thinks he owns FIDE
And he may be right
He says FIDE own title
And he want to put Kramnik under foot
Throw Kirsan down the well!
So Chess can be free!
You must grab him by his antenna (he got from UFO)
Then we have a big party!
Throw Kirsan down the well!
So Chess can be free!
You must grab him by his antenna (he got from UFO)
Then we have a Big Party!!!!
Kramniks contract requires him to play or he has violated the contract and probably the 500 grand along with it! It was, and still is, part of the WCC 2006 contract.
As for the crown everyone is bemoaning, the IOC recognizes only FIDE.
You don’t have to like it but you do have to deal with it.
>>Kramniks contract requires him to play or he has violated the contract and probably the 500 grand along with it! It was, and still is, part of the WCC 2006 contract.>>
You mean the contract FIDE apparently breached? They might find it harder than they think to enforce that.
>>As for the crown everyone is bemoaning, the IOC recognizes only FIDE.>>
Who cares about the IOC? Chess is not now and never will be an Olympic sport.
>>You don’t have to like it but you do have to deal with it.
>>
And if the chess world splits again over this needless controversy, you will have to deal with that. You’re so anxious to stick it to one guy you hate you may not be properly mindful of the possible consequences. Large numbers of people who know anything about chess history simply turn their nose up at the idea of a tournament champion. Susan’s story tells us nothing about the motivations of the Mexico organizers. Whether they really love this format, or whether they’re just anxious to stick to a deal for fear of losing outr what. No indication about how they feel about the unpopularity of this format, or if they’re even aware of it. Do they really want to run a tournament that will have half the chess world saying it’s not really a world championship?
Of course a simple solution would be to go ahead and have the tournament, and have Kramnik play, under the understanding that no matter what, there would be a match 6 months later between Kramnik and the highest finisher other than himself. If he wins, he plays the second place finisher. The match purists could stand to hold their noses for a few months.
in case that there would be a contract clause, you could be damned sure, FIDE would have published it by posting a press releaase earlier this year.
Did we all miss that?!?
Additionally, no official would even discuss or think about the participation of Kramnik, no.
finish with that never ending thread pls. it’s wasting time and energy
“As for the crown everyone is bemoaning, the IOC recognizes only FIDE.”
What the IOC recognizes is irrelevant as well.
The fact of the matter is that FIDE cand whine all they want, but the end of the day Kapsorov and Kramnik will go down as true world champions while the likes of Kasimdzhanov and Ponomoriav will not.
In 50 years when they write the chess books those 2, and the others will be footnoes, while the chess world champion liniage will be recognized as staying with Kasporov and Kramnik.
In that regard I’m even more glad Kramnik won since it’s keeps things neat.
One thing I’ve noticed however is there is an unspoken assumption that Kramnik will be ousted as champion by the Mexico 2007 tournament. It seems everyone has brought into the propaganda (which originated mostly from the FIDE site of the Kramnik-Topalov match) that Kramnik is a ‘match player’ and is somehow at a disadvantage in a tournament. The reality however can be expressed with one word: Olympiad.
It’s still possible for him to fail to come first in the tournament but if Kirsan is true to his word then he’ll be able to come back and win back the title. The winner of Mexico 2007 might turn out to be a funny story in chess history like Max Euwe being ‘champion for a day’ after Alekhine died. Or more likely, may get the same treatment as the various ‘FIDE champions’ of the previous decade.
Is there anybody at all who actually likes the tournament format? I know there are lots of people who have an irrational hatred of kramnik and regard that format as their best chance of getting the title away from him. But is there anyone who actually likes that format for its own sake? Everyone who has a strong opinion on championship formats themselves, one way or the other, seems to prefer a match.
Seems like the only ones who m ight like that format for its own sake would be players near the top, but not so near that they actually had a chance of winning a match title. They might appreciate the more random nature of a tournament. But are there any fans who feel that way? If they exist, they’re sure quiet about it. The only support we’ve heard for a tournament has been from people who specifically named it as an anti-Kramnik measure.
It is quite apparent that there exists extremely bitter feelings between Topalov fans and Kramnik fans. It is really beginning to get old.
Everything right now as to whether or not GM Kramnik will play in Mexico is mere speculation. He is the undisputed world champion. I don’t know him personally. However, I believe that he will act like a world champion should.
A lot can happen in a year. Fritz will most likely defeat him. Topalov will have a losing streak and then start winning again. They may or may not play for the title again but, if so, it should be the result of wins at qualifying tournaments/matches and not politics.
Any in the top 10-15 players deserve a chance to qualify for a world title shot.
Chess used to be a “gentleman’s sport.” I do not know if this means anything, any longer.
I don’t see the FIDE champs of the 90’s-present (post Kasparov) beeing seen by history as the “World Champion”…only the FIDE champion.
Maybe Kasparov can write some books one day called “My unworthy FIDE successor.”
That would be interesting.
Dear Chess fans,
I am new to chess and would appreciate it if someone could explain to me why some female players have the title “WGM” and some do not. For example, GM’s Judit and Susan Polgar.
Maybe it’s a silly question to many of you who really know a lot about chess but: What does it take to become a “WGM” as compared to a “GM?”
Again, excuse my ignorance.
Wow Sam Sloan seems criminally insane. How could you americans elect him onto the USCF board? Are you nuts? And how come, with his mental state, and below average looks he has been able to impregnate so many much younger women? Money? Is he rich? Can’t think of any other explanation. But man does he seem insane.
>>I am new to chess and would appreciate it if someone could explain to me why some female players have the title “WGM” and some do not. For example, GM’s Judit and Susan Polgar.>>
Not that it has anything to do with this subject, but they’re two entirely different titles, with similar names. The norm requirements for a WGM title are significantly lower than those for a GM Title. Not sure exactly, but I believe WGM norm requirements are lower than those for IM.
Dear Anon,
Well, I don’t know the behind-the-scenes reason(s) for Sloanes election. However, “you Americans?”
I guess wherever you’re from (presumably Europe) doesn’t have it’s fair share of criminals and nuts? I always get a laught out of how Europeans “hate” the U.S. but, while in Europe, one cannot walk two miles without a McDonalds and a hundred different examples of American culture.
You love us…but are jealous. Envious. Shouldn’t be that way.
The U.S. saved Europe from Nazism, communism, and fascism. And, some of our best GM’s are from Europe and, guess what…became U.S. citizens!
Wow! “you Europeans” just can’t wait to escape to our borders.
Please…grow up and stop being so Eurocentric. Europe ins’t a superpower and not a single country there has been in centuries.
Ooops, I forgot. Mainland Europeans don’t like the Brits because they are too “pro-American.”
Hmmm, “you mainland Europeans…”
how could you produce a hitler, a moussiline, a Napolean, a holocaust?
Leave your anti-American remarks inside your mouth. We protected you during the Cold War. “you Americans….” Yes…we allowed you to mature to what you are now…
a culture of decadence and lost glory.
Take that and cry one it.
The U.S. saved Europe from Nazism, communism, and fascism. And, some of our best GM’s are from Europe and, guess what..
I like politics too, but this is the wrong place for that. This place is about chess. Period.
Gabor
It is odd that Kirsan would seem to claim ownership of the world title on behalf of FIDE.
What was FIDE like before Kirsan?
Better? Worse? The same?
I agree. If we’re going to speak of politics, at least let it be of chess politics.
No continent should insult another. This is a very diverse site. Let’s keep our jokes, our comments with chess.
But…all people, Americans, Europeans, Asians, Africans, should not put down another nation on GM Polgars site. It’s rude and disrespectful to her.
Remember that we are her guests. Period. I don’t care where you’re from. Leave nationality out of this forum unless it directly pertains to the country that a player is from.
For some reason, though, we’ll always be cursed by a silly “anon”.
Charlemagne
This sit is becoming haven for morons. There should be some type of censorship.
I want to talk about chess and when I come here what do I see:
“Nazi,” “anit-American,” etc…
I do not want my child reading this.
I wonder if certain blogs shouldn’t be rated “R” (“restricted”) for a mature audience only!
Hello everyone! I don’t care where you are from. I know there are children that come to this site.
They shouldn’t have to read what some are posting. It’s becoming bad.
Other sites aren’t like this.
It will be a long time before I visit this one again. A chess blog should not be a free forum to insult anyone.
Susan,
Is there anything you can do to stop the bad, insultive, posts? I really believe that one should be able to express their opinion. But I really wonder when the one has crossed the line from opinion to insult.
It’s not good. I hope you will consider answering the following question:
What is your advice to those that love and visit your site and feel insulted by so many “anonymous” posts?
Some are so bad, in my opinion, that I hesitate to read the comments posted.
What, if you were me, would you do?
I hope you take a brief moment and respond.
Yours in Chess,
Mark
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
>>Well, I don’t know the behind-the-scenes reason(s) for Sloanes election.
>>
Oh, they’re easy to explain. Name recognition. Rule of politics. People who don’t follow Usenet feuds or read Sloan’s website, or the like, don’t know what he’s like. All they know about him is his Candidate Statement in Chess Life. Many voters know nothing about the candidates except what’s in those statements. Sloan’s candidate statement is not particularly unreasonable, and after he’s been on the ballot enough times, even in losing efforts, he becomes a familiar name. People don’t know anything about him, just that they recognize him.
“I am new to chess and would appreciate it if someone could explain to me why some female players have the title “WGM” and some do not. For example, GM’s Judit and Susan Polgar.”
WGM is rank between GM and IM that only women can get. Basically created becuase relatively few women have been able to get the GM status (due to rankings and play, not sexism within the FIDE). As more and more top women hav become GMs though the title is starting to be kind of piontless.
“It is odd that Kirsan would seem to claim ownership of the world title on behalf of FIDE.
What was FIDE like before Kirsan?
Better? Worse? The same?”
I would say it was worse. The former FIDE president, Florencio Campomanes, imo, caused Kasparov to leave FIDE in the first place. Kasparov may not be a nice guy (e.g. touch move against Judit in Linares) but at least he was never sentenced to jail for misappropriating FIDE funds like Campomanes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florencio_Campomanes
I think he was able to get out of the full sentence by paying up the money plus penalties and interest.
I found it amazing that Campomanes still has the title, Honorary FIDE President for Life, and was present at the signing of the contract for the Mexico tournament. Hence, the line in my song (take on Borat) in the middle of all these posts.
Janus,
Let me remind you that the people who started the slave trade in North America during the 1500
s WERE the European! In particular the Potuguese and the Spanish…with the English not far behind.
If you dare open a non-European history textbook then you might actually read that the Native Americans (i.e. the Aztecs, Incas, Pueblos) were CONQUERED BY THE SPANISH…which, when I last looked at a map, was in EUROPE!!!
Let’s see.. Christopher Columbus was Genoese…which is in modern Italy, which is EUROPE.
No, European brought a holocaust to the Aztecs and Inca Empires long, long, long before a “United States” ever exited! So, don’t go there. Europe does have blood on their hand.
You’d love nothing other than that little shit president in IRan threaten Israel.
The Moslems purchased favor with Europe.
…and you say WE have blood on our hand.
I want to hear how you can defend the names of:
Cortez, Columbus, Hitler, Stalin, Lenin, Mussolini, Ivan the Terrible, etc.
No U.S. president, no matter how “bad,” can compare with the aformentioned mass murdereres… and guess what…
THOSE MURDERERS WERE ALL ‘EUROPEAN.”
And to think that American soldiers are, this moment, buried in Normandy France….a county that hates us, wants our destruction by allying itself with Iran and, formerly, Hussein of Iraq…
the bodies of our great soldiers deserve to come HOME. Their memory has been beguiled and disgusted and insulted enough by the European.
What ,I might ask, did you do to promote progess in the 20th centry…oh, dont forget that YOU had HITLER, YOU had STALIN, YOU had “Purges,” YOU, the Europeans,
redefined what “human brutality” could mean.
If you question this, then speak to a holocaust survivor living in New York City whose parents were BURNT ALIVE in a NAZI, concentration camp oven!
You know freedom only because the U.S.A gave it to you by sacrificing OUR soldiers.
And what do we have to gain from it?
A generation of Europeans that hate us, though we saved you…twice, and all you have to say is “Well, the U.S. did this “bad event” too”. as this supposed to excuse your immoral inetptitude.
May God bless you because America will not!
Chess…to Nazis?
This is a tragedy.
What on Earth has this site come to?
I might be a stupid American but this is crazy talk. Stop it!
Go somewhere else to carry on your historical arguments and silly rants!
I don’t care if your European or American! If you want to come to GM Polger’s site, then you should speak chess.
Ms. Polgar….can’t you stop these freaks?????
I visit many chess web sites but have never, ever witnessed one sink into such negative, hateful, spiteful, language.
This will lose readers. I’d bet my life on it….And my life is worth a LOT.
I’m even afraid to say my name…there might be some “aononymous” person come after me!
I’ll go somewhere else.
You speak of Kasparov’s “touch and move” rule. Can you tell the history behind this.
The record states clearly that Polgar won. To me…you either win, lose, or draw. Polgar won. That is that. That is the past.
Did Kasparov touch Chess piece and then say that it was being only adjusted?
Please, inform me, because I don’t know.
I thank you in advance for your help…please explain this mess to me. Thank you.
Kirsan DON’T TRUST HIM EVER
YET ALONE ANYTHING HE DOES OR SAYS
Man the history lesson guy is mad. Mad I tell you. “How could americans vote Sloan onto the USCF board”? and this guy goes into an overdrive with his lessons about Mussolini and who not in this chess blog. Mad I tell ya.
This posting tells shows us one thing…nobody likes a manipulating FIDE and it’s
political cronies and for sure hardly anyone likes
KIRAN
These history posts are meaningless (as well as out of place). There’s good and bad everywhere.
Those who know tell us more about this Sloan please. In addition to being paranoid, crazy (etc.) he seems to be obsessed with “Lolitas”. He even has what looks clearly a picture of a topless underage girl from some Tropical Island on his homepage. And all these sick, twisted writings. And the mystery how he can attract decent-enough-looking women 20-30 years his younger? Money?
This guy makes Kirsan look sane and moral. How could you vote him onto the USCF board, americans? Madness.
“The translation “the chess crown has returned home” is not correct. I read the interview in Russian. The correct translation is “the chess crown has returned to its homeland”.”
You must have read it wrong. If he said that, then the bit about “strictly speaking, it never left” would make no sense. Remember, Kirsan always claimed that the FIDE title, not the Classical one, was the real title. And the FIDE title left Russia when Anand and Topalov held it.
“Yet another media manipulation. In the ChessBase, of course.”
LOL, now I see why you read it wrong. Just another lame attack on Chessbase. So nebulous, it’s hard to even see what you’re acusing them of.
The idea that Kirsan was biased against his own champion is going to be a hard sell. If he were, why did he break the rules for him?
Kirsan should resign, it is ridiculous that a world chess organisation is run like an Asian autocracy by a man who promises to give a mobile phone to every shephard in Kalmikia and claims to have been abducted by aliens.
@Anonymous,
I read again the interview of Kirsan. “Шахматная корона возвратилась на отчества”. Отчества in Russian means homeland. Kirsan didn’t say домой which means home.
Just because the truth is not convenient for you, it doesn’t make it a lie.