OK, it seems to be official now. The Topalov-Kamsky match will take place in Lvov, Ukraine (with personal guarantees from the FIDE president)

http://susanpolgar.blogspot.com/2008/06/breaking-news-fide-official-press.html


There is still no announcement on FIDE's site (probably they don't work on Sundays).

Well, I'm glad to hear it's settled.

Unfortunately, the problem with the system still remains. I don't know of any other sport where players have to secure their own funding.

They don't have to. They could play for minimum prize fund (150.000 $) or even for free

The Anand vs. Kramnik pre-match hostilities have begun


After Kramniks interview (see the part about world championship)

http://www.kramnik.com/eng/interviews/getinterview.aspx?id=178

the Indian newspaper The Times of India struck back

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/Articl...0&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T



I specially like the last part of the last sentence:

"For, Anand is the world No. 1 according to Elo rating and he is winning many more super titles than Kramnik and is game enough to play in all formats and not run away from variety of challenges."



Anand is the only person who came on top or as a runner up in 3 completely different World championship systems:

In 1995 he battled himself through the traditional zonals -- interzonals -- candidates matches cycle. He was later defeated by Kasparov in the title match.

In 1998 he won the FIDE knock-out tournament in Groningen. After only two days rest, he was defeated in the final by Karpov (who was seeded directly into the final) on tie-breaks.

In 2000 he won the FIDE knock-out championship.

In 2005 he finished 2nd (behind rampaging Topalov) in the double round-robin World championship tournament.

In 2007 he won the double round-robin World championship


Anand certanly proved his class and versatility in all those systems. No other player comes even close to this.

Kramnik sounds like a sore loser; he's giving the same tired excuses, saying Anand isn't really the champion because the 2007 World Championship was a tournament, not a match.

From what I've seen so far, Anand has a good attitude about things, and won't let Kramnik get under his skin...

Anand shows his class again

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1178637

Looks like some things are still not setled:

Topalov DID NOT sign the contract for his match against Kamsky (yet?)!


http://reports.chessdom.com/topalov-kamsky-information

If the money is guaranteed, I can't think this would be anything else but oversight... but you never know.

Perhaps Topalov will show up at the match with some blueberry yogurt!

Nah, the blueberry yogurt variant was already used before. He needs some novelty

Darn. I guess that means the hypnotist angle is also out...

FIDE explains that neither Topalov nor Kamsky have signed the contract, because the contract with organizers hasn't been finalized yet

One can't help to wonder why is this taking so long

Interview with Kramnik. You can read it or you can watch the video of the interview (at the bottom of the page).

Yes, I read that earlier today... it would appear that his recent lackluster performance has changed his attitude... it's quite impressive.

Unlike the cocky interview he gave a while ago ("I have lent Anand the crown"), he actually said some nice things about Anand.

Perhaps he finally realizes that beating Anand won't be so easy...

Wow... the saga continues.

Another protest about the Topalov-Kamsky match; this time by the Bulgarian Chess Federation:

Topalov-Kamsky Protest

Yes, I've just seen it. Absolutely no progress has been done since June. And November is closing in fast.


I guess the only way this match is going to take place is if Kirsan puts up his own money and organize the match. But he can't do this in his own city, because neither Topalov nor Kamsky are prepared to play in Russia.

I thought Ilyumzhinov was already guaranteeing the money?

Someone mentioned on Susan Polgar's blog that nothing has happened because Kamsky hasn't secured backing for the match... that makes sense; if you look at Kamsky's website, he's set himself up as a non-profit organization to accept donations in order to prepare for the match!

If Kamsky were to win, I wonder if he'd be reimbursing any donors?

By "personal guarantees" I understood that Ilyumzhinov vouches that he will give his own money in case the "Lvov sponsors" fail to put up the money.

It looks like he will have to give out his own money, but I'm sure he would like to have the match in Kalmykia then. But Topalov and Kamsky don't want to play there.

Here's a recent interview with Anand...

Vishwanathan Anand Interview in Der Spiegel

As always, he's very congenial... just don't mention Bilbao!

Kamsky-Topalov is now supposed to be held in Dubai

http://www.chessdom.com/news/topalov-kamsky-dubai

Wow...

Somehow, I don't think this match will happen.