Silvio Danailov: "I have been very lucky in life!"
Interview with Yuri Vasiliev, Chesspro
Yuri Vasiliev: Silvio, the first question is
obvious: why are the participants of the third M-Tel Masters not as brilliant
as those in the previous two tournaments.
Chess organizer and Topalov manager Silvio Danailov
Silvio Danailov: First of all a category 20 tournament cannot
by definition be a weak one. Topalov, Mamedyarov and Adams are part of the top
ten in the world, Kamsky is the strongest player in America. He was a world
championship challenger and a legendary player who has returned to chess, which
makes him interesting for everybody. Sasikiran is an extraordinarily strong and
talented grandmaster, the second in India after Anand. Until now he has not
really had the opportunity to show his potential. Now we have given him this
chance. Nisipeanu was the European Champion in 2005 and represents Romania,
which like us has recently become part of the European Union. This was a gesture
of friendship to our neighbors.
Vasiliev: But you got us used to elite players taking
part in the M-Tel Masters...
Danailov: I invited all the strongest players. It is not my
fault that Ivanchuk, who told me that he wanted to play in Sofia, had prior
commitments with his club in the Russian league. For the same reason we could
not invite some other Russian GMs. Aronian, whom we would have liked to see
in Sofia, could not come because of his participation in the Candidates. The
same applies to Judit Polgar who, after thinking hard, said "Sorry but
I have to prepare for the Candidates." For the same reason I did not invite
Leko, because I knew he would refuse. He has to concentrate on the qualification
for the World Championship in Mexico. I do not understand why FIDE refused to
consider the traditional schedule of the tournament in Sofia when it arranged
the Candidates matches. They could have easily moved the dates for Elista slightly,
but they didn't want to do so.
What about Anand? He has been to Sofia and was very enthusiastic about
his reception there.
Anand has played here three times, in two tournaments and a match against Topalov.
Each time he was well received. He was always satisfied. I invited him this
time again, but he said that he has some kind of engagement in India at the
same time. It was his decision.
But you know I am happy that this year's M-Tel Masters does not have the usual
collection of elite players. When the same players are present, year after year,
as in Linares, it becomes boring. We have to give young players a chance to
show what they are able to do. Like Sasikiran, who is India's number two and
who has only played once against Anand (a game which he won). I am sure he will
be amongst the top ten in the world very soon. I do not share the opinion that
it is the "stars" who give a tournament its reputation. The opposite
is true: the tournament creates the stars. It is not important who is playing
in Wimbledon. The top players can all refuse to play, and still Wimbledon will
be Wimbledon. Everyone knows that the M-Tel Masters is the most professional
tournament, where the GMs must play their games until a decision is reached. It is a category
20 tournament. And everyone is excited to see new names, players who can develop
into stars.
Did you also invite Kramnik?
Kramnik lives in an unreal world. He refused to play a return match against
Topalov in Sofia, although he was guaranteed a million Dollars tax free for
it. He belongs where he now is. Everybody saw where he was when he started hiding
from Kasparov. He was Mr. Nobody. And he would have remained a Mr. Nobody if
we hadn't agreed to play the match in Elista, which made him the World Champion.
There was an incredible amount of interest for chess after the match in Elista.
But Kramnik once again went into hiding. This refusal shows once again that
the man does not understand the world in which he lives. It was a unique chance
that was lost for chess. The interest in a match in Sofia would have far exceeded
Elista. It was a golden chance for chess. But he missed it, just as he missed
the chance to face Kasparov in a revenge match. Now we will see how he handles
his title. In October he will of course lose it in Mexico. And then he will
expect the revenge match that the FIDE president has promised him. But the question
of getting this revenge match is still open. It is entirely possible that he
will not get it. In one year, when Kramnik has lost his title, anything is possible...
Danailov with Veselin Topalov (middle) and FIDE Deputy President Georgios
Makropoulos (left)
Why are you so sure that Kramnik will lose his title in Mexico?
Such a tournament can be won only by players who are used to playing in strong
tournaments. That could be Anand or Aronian, if the latter succeeds in qualifying.
It could be Topalov, who is used to playing in strong tournaments, and who won
many of them. But it is quite clear to me that Kramnik is not capable of winning
such a tournament. He may score plus two or plus three, but that is not enough
to win the World Championship.
What about Svidler, Morozevich?
How many big tournaments did Svidler win in his life?
Svidler won four Russian Championships
When was this? And what kind of championships were they? Did Kasparov and
Kramnik participate? Those were Swiss tournaments, not even round robins. Already
in the Russian Superfinals, which were round robins, his performances was quite
modest. And Morozevich? Only once in his life he scored plus one in Linares,
and got very noisy about this "triumph". Of course plus one is a great
achievement. But before this he only achieved last places in strong tournaments.
The best that Morozevich can expect in Mexico is his 50%, which is what he collected
in San Luis. If Aronian qualifies in Elista there will be two favorites in Mexico.
If he doesn't than there only be one – Anand.
In what shape is Topalov right now? Can one expect a second Olympus ascent?
We are currently witnessing a Euphoria because Anand is leading the FIDE rating
list. He just managed to became first, and there is so much noise about it,
as if he had won some incredible competition. Veselin was number one for practically
two years. During this time he won most strong tournaments, or came in second.
He tried to behave like a true Champion, he played all games until the end,
and played beautifully, he spoke to the press and generally moved chess forward.
His toughest match was in Elista. The continuous stress has begun to leave
its mark. Already in Morelia-Linares we realized that he had no energy left.
We understood that he needed a rest. This is why we declined to play in Monaco,
where Veselin played for ten years in a row. Now he is number two in the world.
Naturally we want to get back to where we were, but we will not try to force
events.
At this event we once again see the "Sofia Rules" in their full
beauty. But these rules are liked only by the organizers, not the professionals,
who are less enthusiastic about them.
That is quite natural, since they have to work harder for the same amount of
money. But at some stage one has to become a real professional. You have to
play to the end of the game, you must wear a decent suit. You must appear for
your games wearing clean shoes, and not in sneakers and a T-shirt. After the
game you must talk to the press. You must do all these things. In former times
you didn't have to do anything. Take your money, play fifteen or twenty moves,
and you can go and rest. But that could not go on forever. Either you become
a professional or you can play in amateur tournaments.
Do you feel the after-effects of "Toiletgate"?
Kamsky said very well in his interview to the "Trud" newspaper. In
America there is no such thing as "bad publicity". There is just publicity.
Unfortunately, in the world in which we live (the chess world) there are too
many amateurs. They have never heard about advertising, they don't know what
marketing means, what real professionalism is. Because they are amateurs. During
"toiletgate" everybody was talking about chess. The New York Times
had an article about in on the front page. That was real publicity. Not "bad"
or "good" publicity, just publicity. Everybody was interested in what
is happening in the match with the two strongest chess players participating.
Everyone was electrified by the events.
I am disliked not because of the scandal. People envy me because I took Topalov
to the top, because I created the most professional chess tournament, because
I am creating the Grand Slam, because I introduced the Sofia Rules. For fifty
years people have been racking their brains on how to combat short draws. And
it was so easy: just don't allow the players to discuss it over the board. People
are envious, they are jealous. But these are not my problems. Chess must renew
itself or die. There are no other options.
You mentioned Grand Slam. Are there any new developments in this project?
We are working on it. We already have 400,000 Euros in a bank in Bilbao for
the Masters Final. As you saw in Linares, the organizers of three tournament
organizers have already signed the agreement: Wijk aan Zee, Linares and Sofia.
At the end of the year there will be a Masters, based on the results. We have
the money for it. I think the forth Grand Slam tournament will be Mexico, where
the mayor has shown great interest. We are working on it. Who found sponsors
for Mexico Championship? Yours truly. Has anybody said thanks? Of course not.
People just say "what an evil person this Danialov is!"
Is the attitude towards you in Bulgaria different?
We are well supported in Bulgaria. The President of the country, Georgi Parvanov,
opens the tournament. That says a lot. We have reliable sponsors. Everything
is OK here. In Bulgaria there is a second exceptional GM in the making, Ivan
Cheparinov. He is already 2680. He has a huge potential, he is only 20. In few
years he will fight for the World Championship crown. M-Tel Masters is definitely
the best organized tournament. This is what the participants say, this is what
the organizers of other tournaments and journalists admit. It is a very important
sporting and social event in Bulgaria. We'll do our best to make the tournament
an exemplary and traditional one for many years.
Young talent Ivan Cheparinov with mentor Silvio Danailov
I saw your small son and daughter, who are already arranging their little
childish scandals... Nice lovely children. They have grown so fast!
Yes, I can consider myself a happy man. I have a great family, I have two great
kids, and my work is my hobby. I have achieved everything I wanted to achieve
in my professional life. Fifteen years ago I said Topalov will become world
champion, and they all laughed in my face. Now they are not laughing any more.
I said chess players must become true professionals, like the ones we see in
tennis. And I was able to create a tournament in which the players abide by
truly professional rules, and talk to the press, as tennis players and other
professionals in sport do. Now my main goal is the Grand Slam. It is very important
and it will happen.
Apart from that I can only say that I have been very lucky in life!
