Kramnik manager Carsten Hensel argues that the Topalov protest and the Appeals Committee's decision violated two aspects of the pre-match agreement:
Clause 3.17.1., Schedule 2 of the contract: “All protests must be submitted in writing to the Appeals Committee not more than 2 hours after the relevant playing session.”
Clause 3.18.3., Schedule 2 of the contract: “After the World Chess Championship Committee agrees with the Organizers on the arrangements in respect of the tournament hall, facilities etc. etc. etc……., no objections from the participants shall be acceptable as long as the conditions are in accordance with the rights of the players granted in their agreements.”
Re the first clause, not only was notification not given within the two hour window; it came the next day! As for the second clause, the Appeals Committee simply contravened it in its decision. Accordingly, says Hansel, the decision of the Chief Arbiter (Geurt Gijssen) to forfeit Kramnik should be nullified.
Further, Hensel insists on four points:
1. That the bathrooms adjoining the rest areas be reopened. He (speaking for Kramnik) is willing to allow inspections of the bathrooms before and after each game, and for those rooms to be sealed up to the start of the game and resealed immediately afterwards.
2. That the members of the Appeals Committee (at least two of the three are friends of Topalov's) be exchanged immediately.
3. Only the arbiters are to have access to the video recordings: Kramnik "did not sign a contract for acting in a reality show."
4. An apology from Topalov's manager, Silvio Danailov, in writing, for statements like this: "Veselin Topalov is disturbed by the suspicious behavior of his opponent Mr. Vladimir Kramnik who takes his most significant decisions in the bathroom."
I (DM) have two quick comments; one on #1 and another on #2 (no pun intended!). First, unless there's some simple way info could make it into the bathroom (an easily accessible window or overhead panel), Hansel's suggestion ought to suffice. Second, I wonder about this Appeals Committee. Why didn't Kramnik complain about its composition before?
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On now to Seirawan's proposals. In brief, they are:
Firstly, since separate bathrooms were agreed to by all parties, they should be reinstated with immediate effect.
Secondly, to assuage any suspicions of unfair behavior, the bathrooms should have an attendant at hand during play.
Thirdly, Game Five should be rescheduled and played tomorrow, Saturday, September 30, 2006 at the usual time.
Something for everyone there. If the above seems to favor Kramnik by a 2-1 margin, there's his fourth suggestion, which is that the Appeals Committee members be permitted to remain in place, even if their decision ought to be overturned.
These too are reasonable proposals, and I think that if both parties are operating in good faith, they could be accepted. Given Seirawan's track record as a prime mover to the Prague Agreements in 2002 and his general high status in the chess community at large, it's not surprising that some ChessBase readers are encouraging him to be sent as an envoy to Elista to try to broker a deal. Likewise in purpose, if not in status, FIDE President Kirsan Iljumzhinov is apparently headed there as well (and may have already arrived by now) to the same end. (See the last sentence of this story.)
"Though we concede
The fact your masters bend the rules is maybe not your fault
If they withdraw their psychological assault
Then under protest he'll proceed."
"If your man's so sweet
Then why his fighting talk?
If he says we cheat
Then why on earth did he go take a walk?"
"I am not surprised he wanted fresher air
Once he realized there was no hope
Of your guys playing fair."
"It's very sad to see
The ancient and distinguished game that used to be
A model of decorum and tranquility
Become like any other sport
A battleground for rival ideologies
To slug it out with glee."
On to other matters, I hope...
Clause 3.17.1., Schedule 2 of the contract: “All protests must be submitted in writing to the Appeals Committee not more than 2 hours after the relevant playing session.”
Perhaps the next game is considered as the 'relevant playing session'? In which case this clause doesn't do anything,
This is something that worries me, same clause: "The written decision of the Appeals Committee arising from any dispute in respect of these regulations shall be final."
"3.18.3 After the World Chess Championship Committee agrees with the Organisers on the arrangements in respect of the tournament hall, facilities, accommodation and meals, transportation, telecommunication, ceremonies, etc., no objections from the participants shall be acceptable as long as the conditions are in accordance with the rights of the players granted in their agreements."
That's the catch. Kramnik hasn't the right to cheat in the restroom is the Topalov team motivation.
This looks very bad. I hope the FIDE people are going to show some common sense and resume the game at game 5. I fear this match won't be completed. If it does end like this, Kramnik will be champion for me.
Dear Sirs,
I am very saddened to witness the perfidious and comical behaviour of both the players and FIDE in Elista/Russia. This unworthy mess leaves a very bad taste and is annoying if not discouraging all chess enthusiasts around the world who were promised to see an end of the schism and disorder in the world of chess.
So far I am absolutely not convinced how FIDE handled the ongoing conflict. Letting slip the whole thing in the state it is now can hardly be called an adequate crisis management.
Hopefully FIDE will find a way to stop this ridiculous business and eventually resume the now halted match. Otherwise I can not see any good prospects for (professional) chess neither concerning potential sponsors nor the interested public.
Sincerely -
Andreas Hofmann
Berlin, Germany