Press Release
The World Chess Champion Veselin Topalov will defend his title under the auspices of FIDE only
We regard Mr. Kramnik as a challenger, and nothing more.
In regard to the UEP press release, we would like shed clarity on several points:
We shall not accept the offer for a match against Mr. Kramnik due to several reasons:
1. We do not recognise Mr. Kramnik as a champion. The World Champion’s title belongs by law to FIDE and, after his refusal to participate in the official World Championship in San Luis, Mr. Kramnik automatically lost his right to be designated the World Champion. However, by the looks of it, he has decided to seize the title for the rest of his life. Let us remember that he’s only 7th in the World Ranking list, scoring quite mediocre results recently. At the same time, in addition to being the official World Champion, Veselin Topalov is Number 1 in the World Ranking List of 1 January 2006.
2. We proposed to UEP the match to be an official one under the auspices of FIDE. According to the new rules of FIDE, due to be published very soon, each grandmaster with Elo of over 2700 can officially invite the World Champion to a match for the title if he provides an appropriate prize fund and pays a 20% charge to FIDE as designated by law. Of course, our proposal to the organizer UEP was rejected.
3. We have never made any preliminary arrangements with UEP. Agreement exists only when there are signed papers; everything else is just words.
In conclusion, we would like to stress once again that the World Champion Veselin Topalov is ready to play the challenger Mr. Kramnik, as well as any other grandmaster with a rating of over 2700 in an official match for the title under the auspices of FIDE.
Silvio Danailov
Manager of the World Champion Vesellin Topalov
Sorry Mr. Kramnik! You’re stalemated!
In 2000, Kramnik broke from FIDE for a shot at Kasparov and money. Now, he wants a shot at unification. Pardon me! What unification? FIDE is the official governing body of chess worldwide. You broke away from FIDE. If you want to unify your title with the FIDE World Champion, don’t you have to recognize FIDE and follow FIDE rules?
Silly me! The answer is of course not, not according to Kramnik and his people. Most professional players no longer care about the title that Mr. Kramnik has. I am sure somebody will agree to play him for the next title defense if the price is right. But his title is worth less and less each day (I did consider him a legit World Champion but his reign ended when he refused to take part in San Luis).
Mr. Kramnik, you had your shot in San Luis. You chose not to play. If you want this unification match to work, you need to get down from your own pedestal. 
Susan, I agree with your post. However, I think Mr. Topalov’s press release should have been more tactfully written and presented.
Believe me, I am no Kramnik sympathsizer, and I believe that Topalov is the true classical World Chess Champion. However, I believe Mr. Topalov only lowers himself, and by extension, the championship, by putting down his potential opponents. How does it benefit anyone by denigrating Mr. Kramnik’s remarkable achievements by stating that “…he’s only 7th in the World Ranking list, scoring quite mediocre results recently.” First of all, when one looks at that comment, it strikes the average player as being quite silly. (“only 7th”!!). Secondly, such comments seem to violate your own standard, (i.e., “win with dignity, lose with grace”)(I love that motto, by the way). I believe that Mr. Topalov should take the high road, and instruct his “press agents” to do the same. Topalov’s Press Release would have been perfect without putting down or otherwise “making fun” of Mr. Kramink’s achievements.
I agree. I am not condoning the letter from Topalov’s camp. It is in poor taste. Topalov is a nice guy. But his manager is a tough guy.
My point is simple. The fans want to see the match. I want to see the match but I also want to see Topalov – Kasparov or Topalov – Anand more. However, the bottom line is Kramnik will lose the most. FIDE is in no hurry to make this match happen. Why should they? After all, it was Kramnik who bolted for the shot at the Garry and the money when he did not earn the right to challenge Garry. He lost to Kamsky and Shirov.
Therefore, if Kramnik and his people want to see the match happen, they have to understand their position. They should negotiate professionally and quietly behind closed doors. Publishing a press release bashing FIDE, Topalov and his team won’t do the trick.
They tried to get the sympathy from the fans. It is not working and it is not good for chess. I have no interest in either party or the management of FIDE. I speak as a fan and a business person.
I don’t appreciate Kramnik’s attitude after he beat Garry. I was very disappointed in him. The chess world cannot afford to have more champions like this.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
http://www.SusanPolgar.com
To state the ranking and results of Kramnik is not a good thing either. I agree with that. Either stand on your principle or play. Don’t play this macho egotistical game and that goes for both sides.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
http://www.SusanPolgar.com
I agree with you Susan. Both sides need to grow up. Perhaps you should help settle this matter.
Matt
These players’ behavior is just childish.
Maybe you should lend Topalov Paul Troung for a while, on the condition that Topalov comes over to your Club in Forest Hills and gives some lectures or simuls? It looks like Topa could use a good man like Paul to help him out, although Topa probably won’t ever admit it.
Paul probably won’t do it. He does not like chess politics and chess politicians.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
http://www.SusanPolgar.com
Regarding World Championship, it seems you support a match. I think the match tradition for this title is extremely important. I don’t understand how you can recognize Topalov as World champion because he won a tournament. Can we be certain he would fare as well in one to one match with Kramnik or even Anand?
I don’t understand how one could support the match tradition yet give all power to Topalov. FIDE wants to keep the title to continue to dilute it with an inferior method for determining who, between 2 players, is strong.
Susan,
Ok, this time I’ll get it right, is the position on the board mate in 4?
Just kidding. 🙂
I prefer to see high level chess played regardless of who the players are and regardless of what they claim their title to be.
The one thing I can positively say is the truth is that Kasparov Kramnik 2000 was a cheap attempt at retirement by Garry and he should have had enough courage to resign instead of passing what he believed to be the title to someone from his country. If you dont believe this I’ll reference their 11 move draw game that Garry offered while Kramnik was up 1 point. That type of cowardly behavior does not deserve the title grandmaster.
YAY!!! FINALLY! SOMEONE WITH SOME PULL TO SAY WHAT WE ALL THINK OUT LOUD. GOOD FOR YOU SUSAN.
I THINK THE REST OF THE WORLD THINKS THIS WAY TOO AND ITS GREAT AND REFRESHING TO SEE A SITE PUBLISH THIS STUFF. TOO MUCH ..HOW DO YOU CALL IT..POLITICAL CORRECTNESS….GARBAGE.
PERHAPS MR KRAMNIK WILL DEFEND HIS TITLE IN 06 TO SAY…..MECKING?? IN BRAZIL?
I wouldn’t make light of the Mecking match. I heard there’s a Swiss rubber nipple company willing to sponsor a Kramnik Korchnoi match!!!
Serious!!
Can you imagine?
It can be said that Chess Title corrupts absolutely. At first Topalov seems like a breath of fresh air. But as soon the economic reality of being World Champion sets in, he quickly changed course. No chess fan likes a Dodger. Topalov’s rethoric is not warranted in view of his minus record against Kramnik.
Just a note that many GMs still shares opinion that we have two world champions now. (It would be nice to conduct an ACP poll with a guestion on this matter.)
I certainly consider Kramnik, as well as Topalov, to be a world champion.
With best regards,
M.Golubev
Odessa, Ukraine
Tommy says:
I wanna world chess championship match between Kramnik and Topalov right now. then a good match with kasparov and anand. lets see out of the 4 players who is the best.
I wanna cry and be angry and frustrated and emotional.
I am tired of these baby games. it reminds me of bobby fischer. these guys are terrible.
I am tired of all the words and baloney. the only thing that matters is to sit down at the chess board and play chess and lets see some great exciting games and a solid winner. no tie match. let the best chess player win.
tommy
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