Why don't they just play in a neutral venue? Then there's no bs- just chess.

Azoth said:

"I hope Shirov can play instead of Kamsky i like Shirov's game style."

I agree, especially because of Kamsky's recent demands. Sure, it might not be a neutral site, but if the only bidder happens to be Topalov's hometown, maybe the U. S. should have bidded too. In any case, a supposedly 'lesser player', Shirov, is willing to play in Kamsky's place under the same circumstances, so Kamsky had better get his act together.

The Gambit King

Kamsky is showing very strong chess form right know and is quite dangerous.....his problem is if the only sponsor of the event is in Sofia, he must play there, he may not like the situation but he may not have much of a choice, if he plays there then it makes his task 10 times harder, he must beat Topalov and his friends and family members who will be cheering him on and all of the Bulgarian nationalists who will be cheering him on...(every gov't official, waitress, busboy,cabdriver, etc)  they will know who he is, why he is there and will be rooting against him even when he is not playing the games. Very mentally challenging........ 

 

It is a bit disappointing that FIDE cannot somehow work this out. When he was president of FIDE, Euwe had to work hard to make the Fischer-Spassky match happen. I can't believe that Kamsky-Topalov is more work than that. But money is always going to be an issue, and GMs should not have to play for peanuts.

I completely understand why Kamsky would not want to play in Bulgaria. But it is not enough simply to say "no"; you need some alternative, and so far none has materialized. This may be a damning comment about the level of support chess has in the US. 

Shirov's point is very well taken: If this drags on and at some point Kamsky drops out as challenger, apparently under the existing match rules, Shirov is the replacement. He will be at a considerable disadvantage if he is "thrown in" at the last minute.

I think that someone rated 2700+ and who has beaten masters such as Kramnik when playing with black could probably cope with your challenge ozshmbal and I don't see how you can say his thoughts are shallow! Or r u just joking?

Kamsky should not be forced to play in Bulgaria. It ought to be played in a neutral venue. All you need for a game of chess is a board and a room. Somewhere in the world, there must be a room! Surely FIDE has a building? Why don't they build their own match facility, so that in situations like this, they have somewhere to hold the game? It can be played behind relatively closed doors, too. Prize money will take a hit, but if the players aren't willing to sacrifice a bit of prize money for the honour of the World Championship, then they should get a walkover.

Under no circumstances should Shirov step in to take Kamsky's place, he has already been knocked out of the competition. If Kamsky can't play the match, then Topalov should get a walkover.

Why should Kamsky not want to play in Topalovs homeland? If he wins, it will be an even greater victory, and if he looses, it was - ofcourse - the fault of the playing site.

An open letter to Shirov: If you wanted to play Topalov, you should have beaten Kamsky . . .

Kamsky is just a kid. He plays his game maybe makes a good move or two.  I don't think he could beat me in a straight up game. His toughts are shallow. He's just a boy.  Kamsky if you're listoning -- Speak on it otherwise.  You'll mever amount anymore than a buckket of nothing.  Kamsky, if you're more than you think -- then prove it by beating me 4 out of seven.  Otherwise take your little magnetic   chessplayers and put them in a secret place.  Maybe we didn't spend our lives being famous like you, but if you don't defend yourself you'll die as a legened in your own mind Sweet dream.

 

 

 

I agree with PerfectGent, I think FIDE should really take control of the situation.  This is part of the World Championship after all, this is not a minor event.

I wonder how things will develop from here? 

Gata has worked long and hard to get back to the upper echelons of our sport since his returne from retirement.  It is unfair to expect him play this match on Topalov's home turf.  Of course the issue of sponsorship has rarely been easily resolved; if memory serves there have been other matches for the world title that did not take place do to lack of it.  The fact that it is not fair to make people--namely Topalov--wait beyond the set deadlines for the match has not been lost on me either. 

I was hoping that it would not come to this, even though many suggested it would.   It is an unfortunate situation.

I hope Shirov can play instead of Kamsky i like Shirov's game style.

i think it is absolutely time that fide stamped their control on this event and demanded that players turn up at a place of their decision or forfeit their challenge.