Veselin Topalov vs Vladimir
Kramnik
Twelve games, played from September 23 to October 12 in Elista, Kalmikia.
The games start at 15:00h (3:00 p.m.) local Elista time, which translates
to 11:00h GMT, 13:00h CEST, 12:00h London, 7 a.m. New York. |
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| Live coverage is available on the official
FIDE site and on Playchess.com
(with live audio commentary by GM Yasser Seirawan for ten Ducats
per day). You can buy them in the ChessBase
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Latest developments
Final entry is here
14:15h Elista time
There has been no official announcement yet, but our sources in Elista tell
us that there will be no game played today. After the announcement
by FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov (below) that the toilet issue has been
decided in Kramnik's favour, and that the Appeals Committee has resigned, the
issue remains how to resume the match.
As negotiations continue the problem remains: will the fifth game be played
or will Kramnik be forfeited. The latter option has become unlikely with the
concessions made to Kramnik's demands, and especially with the resignation
of the Appeals Committee, which is a tacit admission of having taken a false
decision. On the other hand Kramnik's failure to appeare at the board when
the game was started on Friday at 15:22h constitutes a technical breach that
can be penalised.
It is unlikely that Kramnik will agree to forfeit a game after the organisers
have admitted that his demands, presented before game five, were correct, and
have taken measures to fulfil them. Kramnik also has the full backing
of his federation. The same applies to Veselin Topalov: the Bulgarian Chess
Federation has formally backed his position, and
from outside sources we hear that the Bulgarian President has personally urged
Topalov's manager Silvio Danailov to stick by his guns.
On the other hand Veselin Topalov has
stated that he wants the match to continue: “At the moment I only
know that there won’t be a game today. All the negotiations on my part
are being led by my personal manager Silvio Danailov,” he said. Asked
about his mood Topalov replied: “Absolutely normal. I am preparing for
the next game. I strongly hope the match would continue. There won’t
be any hindrances on my part”.
So there is still hope...
16:00h Elista time
We have been reading the inofficial Veselin
Topalov web site and their description of "Toiletgate",
a moniker for which we failed to register a copyright. There we learn that
on the day before game one shower cabins had been removed from the bathrooms
of the players, at the request of the Topalov team. During the second game
apparently two strangers had access to Veselin's rest room. After a protest
FIDE immediately restricted access. Then the Bulgarian team discovered that
the video records from the rooms were missing. "With open access to the
rooms and no official records anything could have happened in the rooms."
Then came the well-known protest that Kramnik was visiting the bathroom too
often and the decision by the Appeals Committee to seal the private toilets
of the players.
In spite of the fact that all their requests had not been met – the
rest room tapes had not been made available to the mass media, assistant arbiters
had not been assigned to the bathroom areas – Topalov had appeared for
the fifth game in time. Kramnik didn't, and was defaulted. "Kramnik stated
that he is deeply disturbed by the accusations of Veselin Topalov and Silvio
Danailov," says the article. "However, no accusations were made.
The declarations simply expressed concern for Mr. Kramnik’s behavior
as sportsman and minor concerns for facilities. The refusal of Vladimir Kramnik
to sit and play a game is a clear breaking of rules and a direct offence to
Veselin Topalov. Will he continue to play or abandon the match? Is this just
a psycological game? How will this affect future chess events??"
We have also spoken to Bessel Kok, who ran for FIDE President at the Chess
Olympiad in Turin. We will be publishing his views shortly.
17:00h: Restroom issue resolved
The World Championship organisation has found the right term for the delay
in the match, announcing a "technical time-out" for today's game.
FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov announced that negotiations between the teams
of Topalov and Kramnik were porceeding, but "with greate difficulties...
Both Veselin Topalov and Vladimir Kramnik are expressing their readiness to
continue the match. There have been several points to be solved, and we are
solving them, step by step."
Ilyumzhinov elaborated on the earlier press release:
"We reached an agreement regarding the restrooms (and bathrooms). A permanent
restroom will be assigned to each player for the whole duration of the match.
The representatives of each team will be provided with a possibility of a thorough
check of these rooms. Right now we are heading to the Conference Hall of the
Government of Kalmykia, to undertake the respective inspection. From now on
the issue regarding the restrooms has been taken off our list and we are going
to move forward."
Dansilov, Ilyumzhinov, Hensel meet the press
Still some critical issues to be resolved
With regard to the sticking point, which is the score at which the match will
be resumed, Ilyumzhinov said that there were some proposals, which were still
being negotiated. "We do not stand still." The managers of both players,
Sylvio Danailov (Topalov) and Carsten Hensel (Kramnik) declined to comment.
Danailov and Ilyumzhinov conferring...
...and reaching agreement on at least one point
Afterwards the FIDE President together with the representatives of the teams
started inspecting the restrooms. The press was not allowed to enter the rooms,
but could watch on CCT screens.
Inspection of the players' rest rooms (on CCT screen)
A view of a player's' resting room – are they allowed to move pieces
on the demo board?
18:30h Elista time
Negotiations continue, but things are looking far from settled. Veselin Topalov
will apparently abandon the event if he cannot retain the default point he
got from game five, which was according to normal chess rules (non-appearance
of the opponent); and Vladimir Kramnik is insisting on playing the game, especially
since his demands (no unilateral change in the conditions, removal of the Appeals
Committee) have been met and his complaints post factum justified. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov
is battling to save the world chess federation from its biggest debacle. We
currently estimate the likelihood of the match continuing at 40% and the chances
of one of the players boarding a plane back home on Monday at 50% (there is
a 10% chance that something completely different will happen).
19:00h Elista time
Mig Greengard of Chess Ninja has posted the following
appeal:
Hello Veselin. Long time no see. We hope you are well. Things here in the
chess fan world have been very busy lately. We were all enjoying your chess
and your first world championship match in Elista. You and Vladimir have fought
like champions. Many of us were expecting another of your famous comebacks.
Now it appears the match may not continue because of the forfeit of Kramnik
in game five.
We realize we may not understand everything that has gone on in Elista. Despite
all that has happened, we believe you want to win this match and become the
unified world chess champion and that you want to do this at the board. You
have the respect of the fans of the chess world as a player, fighter, and sportsman.
Accepting a point you did not win over the board is beneath your position and
reputation.
We understand that the forfeit was not your fault. But you can still save
the match by doing the right thing. We ask you to give back the point and show
your abilities and character at the board. We want this match and we need this
match to continue. The world is watching chess in Elista and you are the game's
representative.
Saludos, Mig and those signed below.
[200 signatures follow]
19:30h Elista time
The FIDE office has issued a press release entitled: "The issue of the
bathrooms" has been finally resolved: "Representatives of the two
teams agreed on the allocation of the restrooms between the players. The rooms
will be assigned to each player on a permanent basis until the end of the match.
After this, the representatives of Topalov’s team made a thorough inspection
of the room allocated to Mr. Kramnik. A detailed report of the inspection was
prepared. It was signed by the Bulgarian side and the representatives of the
Organising Committee. The parties remained satisfied with the inspection."
21:00h: Elista time
ITAR-TASS is reporting that the
Tolapov team has issued a threat to abandon the World Champship match if the
forfeit of Kramnik in game five is repealed. This is according to an announcement
by Topalov's manager, Silvio Danailov. According to Danailov the 3:2 result
has already been fixed by judges and cannot be changed. "If the result
of the fifth game is cancelled we are leaving the match. It is unacceptable
Kramnik to play games with everyone and most of all with FIDE and the organizers,”
Danailov said.
23:00h Elista time
Save the World Chess Championship 2006 – Hero wanted!!!
Somebody has started a campaign
on eBay, offering to sell his (or her?) World Championship 2004 memorabilia
– "Ultra-Rare WCC 2004 Kramnik vs Leko package" –
and donate the returns to Veselin Topalov "if he agrees to continue
the match with the 3-1 result as it was after the 4th game". This
is in the spirit of the 1972 donation by James Slater to the Fischer-Spassky
match. "1972 the HERO was Mr.James Slater – 2006 the HERO
will be: YOUR NAME," writes the eBay vendor.
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24:00h: FIDE Press Release 7 – Tomorrow 6th Game
of the Match
After the numerous rounds of the negotiations with the teams of Veselin Topalov
and Vladimir Kramnik, FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov managed to reach the
considerable progress.
As it was informed before, the question on the bathrooms was solved positively
by mutual agreement of both teams. After the voluntary resignation of the members
of the 2006 World Chess Championship Appeals Committee, the new members of
the Committee, who have already arrived to Elista, were assigned.
The FIDE President has made several proposals for further continuation of
the match, which unfortunately were not accepted. After the detailed study
of the current situation and the consultation with the FIDE Legal Advisor,
the FIDE President decided:
Tomorrow, 2 October 2006, at 15.00, the 6th Game of the World Chess Championship
Match Topalov-Kramnik with the score 3:2 in favour of Kramnik, will take place.
Press release
Elista, 1 October 2006
On 29-30 September 2006, in City Chess the FIDE President has held several
rounds of negotiations with the representatives of the World Chess Championship
match participants. Despite existing deep contradictions in the approaches
for the settlement of the conflict situation, the parties have succeeded in
reaching considerable progress.
Firstly, the issue of the bathrooms for the players has been solved. The team
of V. Topalov has agreed for opening the bathrooms in the restrooms of the
players. Also, an agreement has been reached that the players will be using
the restrooms permanently assigned to each of them during the whole duration
of the match. The both teams will be provided with a possibility of thorough
inspection of the respective opponent’s bathroom.
Secondly, the members of the Match Appeals Committee with the aim of assisting
to the FIDE President in finding a solution in this conflict situation and
fully realizing the necessity to continue the match, have submitted a letter
with their voluntary resignation to the FIDE President. The petition has been
satisfied. Until the appointment of the new members and their arrival in Elista,
the functions of the Appeals Committee will be performed by the FIDE President.
At the same time there is a continuation of the negotiations in respect of
the issues, which have remained unsettled. The FIDE President once again addresses
both parties with an appeal to meet each other halfway in order to continue
the match for the sake of the millions of chess fans who are impatiently waiting
for the peaceful outcome of the conflict.
29 September 2006
To the President of FIDE
Mr K Illumzhinov
To the Organisation Committee of the match for the world chess championship
V Kramnik – V Topalov,
Elista
Declaration of the Russian Chess Federation
The Russian Chess Federation expresses its regret that Grandmaster Topalov
(Bulgaria), in his match for the world championship against Vladimir Kramnik
(Russia), should have resorted to incorrect methods of behaviour. Such events
should be decided in an honest struggle at the chessboard, and not by poring
over video footage of Kramnik in his rest room, and counting how many times
he visits the toilet. The protest by the Topalov team reflects the weakness
of their playing position in the match.
The Russian Chess Federations demands:
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The cancellation, as being unethical, of the decision of the Appeals
Committee to allow the video footage of the players’ rest rooms,
taken by the judges, to be made available to the members of the two players
teams. This is because we believe such action is a breach of the privacy
of the players, and also allows the opposing team to see how the player
thinks and reacts to his opponent’s moves.
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The cancellation of the decision of the Appeals Committee to close the
individual toilets attached to the players’ rest rooms.
-
The replacement of the members of the Appeals Committee.
That the match Kramnik-Topalov be continued, with the score 3-1 in favour
of Kramnik, under the exact conditions in which the match was started. The
Russian Chess Federation hopes that the President of FIDE and the Organisation
Committee will act wisely and not allow the Topalov team to terminate a match,
which has begun badly for them.
The Russian Chess Federation
Translation: Steve Giddins
Bulgarian Chess Federation Supports Veselin Topalov
30 September 2006
We have learnt that the Bulgarian Chess Federation is firmly supporting the
demands of the FIDE world champion Veselin Topalov, "so the fight for
the title could continue in normal conditions that exclude all doubts for getting
additional help during the games.” This is part of the declaration published
in the official website of the Bulgarian
Chess Federation.
“We support the decisions of the Appeal Committee of the match and
insist all parties to abide to them. All demands for change of members of the
committee are an attempt to discredit the International Chess Federation and
its president. The chess should be played on the stage, at the TV cameras and
in front of the spectators," the declaration says.
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