November 19, 2008, 1:30 PM
Gata Kamsky confirmed last night in person, and again today by phone, that no contracts for the match have been signed yet. There are only drafts of such a contract circulating among FIDE officials, the players and their representatives.
Gambit, the New York Times chess blog inaccurately reported last night that “Kamsky and Topalov and their representatives signed the contracts Tuesday at the Chess Olympiad in Dresden, Germany.” [Emphasis added.]
The distinction is not trivial. A list of matches which were agreed to in principal, and announced by FIDE, but did not take place over the past ten years includes*:
Kasparov vs. Shirov 1999
Kasparov vs. Anand 1999
Kasparov vs. Ponomariov 2003
Kasparov vs. Kasimdzhanov 2004
Topalov vs. Radjabov 2006
The matches failed to occur for various reasons, and are not necessarily relevant to the present match negotiations, but certainly the existence of signed contracts would be a significant milestone.
Israel Gelfer, honorary FIDE Vice President, who is actively revising the contracts as of this writing, told me by phone, “there are no problems, we are just working on the wording.” He explained that an official communication from FIDE to be published on the FIDE website, was pending.
Gelfer also added that he expects the draft contracts to be approved and signed by both players “within one or two days.”
Interesting stuff can be found on the blog by Macauley Peterson for ICC. Chess.FM.
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I am tired of this game. What is it all about? business for x10s of Millions? are they signing a kind of treaty? or is this just a game for the people to be entertained.
Sports had gone far beyond any sensible borders and had turned into a money making machine:(
please sign this shIts ASAP and go to play chess!
‘Sports had gone far beyond any sensible borders and had turned into a money making machine:(‘
Chess is not a sport. It is woodpushing invented by Indians who were lazy to work.
Russians are generally not to be trusted. Kamsky included.
Yup, have we bombed anyone recently?
Kasparov-Anand 1999 was not a FIDE match. That’s one that was screwed up without their help.
“Principle” not your pal the principal.
What do you expect from the NY Times Chess Columnist? This is the same guy who makes Sloan a hero. Well done Mr. McClain!
Thanks for pointing out the typo Anon 9:43.
BTW, the NYT issued a clarification.
The NY Times writer should issue an apology for reporting false information. Then he should resign from his position. That was incompetent journalism.
“Russians are generally not to be trusted. Kamsky included.”
Neither are bigots. Yourself included.
Who cares. Both Gata and Veselin are ill behaved, egoistic chess bums who will stoop to any level. Pity Anand will have to play one of these guys!!
Real news were yesterday when they agreed to play in Sofia. Todays item is completely irrelevant.