2011 Candidates Matches news
Ilyumzhinov holds meeting, Radjabov and Mamedyarov sign contracts
From 3 to 27 May 2011 Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, will host the Candidates Matches 2011, part of the World Chess Championship cycle 2010-2012. FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov discussed with the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov the questions in respect of the preparation and holding the Candidates Matches 2011.
The meeting was held in the Government House of the Republic of Tatarstan. Ildar Khalikov, Prime Minister of Tatarstan, Rafis Burganov, Minister of Youth Affairs, Sports and Tourism of Tatarstan and Ilsur Metshin, Mayor of Kazan also took part in the meeting.
Rustam Minnikhanov thanked the FIDE leadership for their choice of Kazan as the venue for the Candidates Matches 2011. President of the Republic of Tatarstan assured that the Matches will be organized on the highest level.
The decision of holding the event in Kazan was made during the FIDE Presidential Board meeting in Tromso, Norway. 8 of the strongest chess players will compete for a spot in the finals of the World Chess Championship 2012; the prize fund will be 500 thousand Euros.
Mamedyarov and Radjabov sign contracts
Mamedyarov and Radjabov have already signed contracts for the Candidates Matches
In case Magnus Carlsen refuses to sign contract, he will be replaced by Grischuk. Thus Mamedyarov will face Gelfand, and Radjabov will play with Kramnik. Full pairings for Candidates Matches here.
The final date for signing contracts is December 22nd
Did Carlsen sign?
Carlsen apparently did not sign.
http://www.fide.com/component/content/article/1-fide-news/4960-candidates-matches-announcement.html
It is a shame Carlsen won’t play. It is his lost and chess worlds. I wish Nepomniatchi would have been his replacement.