Still no word on Kamsky-Topalov... now the Bulgarian Sports Minister is asking questions!

Vesela Lecheva with letter about Kamsky - Topalov

New troubles ahead of FIDE!

Just when they solved the Topalov vs. Kamsky problem they are now faced with another:


After first two Grand Prix in Baku and Sochi, now the third venue - Doha (supposed to be held this December) drops out!

http://www.chessvibes.com/reports/doha-grand-prix-cancelled-moved-to-elista/

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ebutaljib,

Interesting... FIDE hasn't had much to say:

Next Grand Prix Event in Elista - Press Release

The ChessVibes article is probably correct... the organization that wanted to host the event was unable to come up with funding.

I'm curious to know why Adams and Carlsen are upset about this... is it just because they have to change their travel arrangements, or is it something else?

Also, what will happen with Al-Modiahki? It says he's now out... why hold him responsible when the Qatar Chess Federation is at fault?

Yes, things brings a lot of difficulties. If the event is now in Elista instead of Doha, which participants will be invited - the one from Doha or the one from Elista (which should originally take place in August 2009)?


GM John Nunn proposes a more simple cycle:
http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=5033

FIDE makes a very strange decision:

http://www.chessvibes.com/reports/breaking-ilyumzhinov-...ndidates-tournament/



This makes absolutely no sence whatsoever. The Grand Prix and 2009 World Cup are still going to be played, but now instead of the challenger match between those two winners, an extra candidates tournament is going to be played.

This is NOT what Nunn proposed!



I see a lot of protests from those participating (and doing well) in Grand Prix, and rightly so. The current cycle should be pushed through the way it was planed. If they want to change something, they can make changes for the next cycle, not the one that is already running for the past year.

It's decided:

http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=5038



It makes no sence. How can creating an extra tournament solve the problem with Grand Prix? It will be even harder to find sponsors for Grand Prix sice it has been demoted from the "candidates" to the "interzonal" (speaking from the traditional cycle's point of view).

Not to mention that it is unfair to players who are participating in the Grand Prix, since they won't get what they have been promised when they signed up. I expect that some of them will drop out from the Grand Prix out of protest. And then the whole thing will either colapse, or it will go through but with no credibility in the public eyes (without the top players). Changing the ongoing cycle is a HUGE mistake by FIDE.

Damn, just when all the mess from the past was about to be cleared up, Kirsan got abducted and some brains removed by aliens again



P.S.: Here is the interview with Kirsan
http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=5039

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ebutaljib,

It's over. Montreux drops out also

http://susanpolgar.blogspot.com/2008/12/money-problems.html



It will be another chaotical cycle. Everything is falling apart again. The only thing that is missing is that the World Champion walks out and creates a paralel organization Anand will never do this, but once he gets dethroned by someone...

Carlsen withdraws from Grand Prix. I think some other will follow.

http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=5053

I guess Mr. Ivanchuk should distribute a little of his medicine to this people! What's happening in the world of chess? Just a few days ago Aronian was shooting on women who plays chess. Are these people really intelligent despite their ELO?

I did read the interview with Aronian... his chauvinistic attitude did surprise me.

As Ebutaljib said, it's a good bet that others will drop out of the Grand Prix. It's extremely difficult to comply with rules that change so frequently.

That also raises another question: if FIDE is going to bend the rules, why not bend the rules for Ivanchuk?

FIDE tries to be part of IOC, thats why there even are doping controls. So now FIDE has a problem - either they let Ivanchuk get away with just a warning and ruin the relations with IOC, or they "sacrifice" Ivanchuk by banning him for 2 years but anger the whole chess comunity.

I think Ivanchuk's punishment will be just symbolic - a warning and maybe a fine.

I know the reason why FIDE is doing drug testing, and I can understand that (even though drug testing for chess is silly).

My point was that FIDE wants to enforce drug testing rules; but then change the rules for the Grand Prix... it's a double-standard.

Granted, FIDE owns the rules and can change them at will -- but it risks losing funds, credability, top players, etc. Not a wise thing to do.

Aronian asks Ilyumzhinov to reconsider the decision to change the cycle

http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=5059



I think he will withdraw too, if FIDE doesn't revert back to the original plan.

It looks like Michael Adams just dropped out:

Chessdom: Elista Grand Prix and Nanjing

Yes, Carlsen and Adams withdrew out of protest. Al-Modiahki and Pelletier were "kicked out" when their host cities (Doha and Montreux) withdrew. New host city (Yerevan, Armenia) nominated Vladimir Akopian. Replacements for other three players are: Pavel Eljanov (UKR), Evgeny Alekseev(RUS) and Rustam Kasimdzhanov(UZB). One of them would normally have to be a nominee from another host city, so we can speculate if the 6th venue is going to be in Ukraine, Russia or Uzbekistan

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ebutaljib,

Ilyumzhinov has lost it. Read the last two answers.

http://interviews.chessdom.com/kirsan-ilymzhinov-elista

Which one is it??? The challenger match or the Candidates tournament? It can't be both

Another venue - Karlovy Vary - is (probably) droping out also.

http://tournaments.chessdom.co...lovy-vary-grand-prix



I don't think the Grand Prix is going to be completed at all. Probably more players will drop out due to new changes of venues and substitute players. In my opinion this Grand prix is terminally ill. There is no cure for it anymore.

I think you may be right. High-ranking players drop out because of venue changes, and then venues drop out because the High-ranking players aren't there -- definitely a circular problem that can't be solved.

Next Grand Prix tournament (substitute for Montreux) will be in Kabardino-Balkaria.

http://reports.chessdom.com/gr...x-kabardino-balkaria

Now they only have to find one more substitution (for Karlovy Vary).


Also Ilyumzhinov stated: "There will be no changes in the current world championship cycle."


But how does he explain this then???
http://www.fide.com/component/...ld-championship-2011



This is the second time that he states that the cycle will stay unchanged (meaning that GP winner will play World Cup winner) and at the same time that Candidates tournament will be played.

I wonder what kind of hybrid cycle will they announce in March. I can not even imagine what kind of system allows both versions at the same time

Seems like it is decided - there will be a Candidates tournament.

http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=5273


Also the World Championship match between Anand and Topalov is postponed to first quarter of 2010.