Dear Mr. Ilyumzhinov / Presidential board
With reference to the discussion that for some time has been going on between FIDE and Magnus Carlsen’s representatives with regard to the venue for the upcoming FIDE World Championship Match, the Norwegian Chess Federation finds reasons to intervene in this dialogue with a formal letter to FIDE.
As you are aware of Mr. Magnus Carlsen has expressed dissatisfaction with the plans to arrange the World Championship Match in Chennai, India without having any formal competition on the venue for this match. Mr. Carlsen’s view has been presented to FIDE both in emails and in a meeting in Athens with his manager and his lawyer.
It is our understanding of the rules and regulations for the FIDE World Championship Match 2013 that any federation or sponsor may bid for being an organizer. We strongly urge FIDE to facilitate a procedure that enables other interested parties to bid for the event. Furthermore FIDE must, based on the regulation consider all bids before making a final decision. From the regulations, it is not clear that FIDE has the right to grant Chennai an option.
We maintain, as expressed by Mr. Carlsen, that it will be an advantage both for the players and FIDE to have a fair and transparent procedure and competition for the selection of the organizer and also for the reputation of chess in general.
Since the Championship is to be held in November, there will be acceptable time to consider other bids and make a qualified decision in due time prior to the event.
The Norwegian Chess Federation expects that FIDE will follow its own regulation for the World Championship Match enabling others to bid for the event as was the procedure for selection of the organizer for the 2014 Chess Olympiad.
We would like to emphasize that this is not a campaign against Chennai as an organizer; it is merely a request to follow the rules and principles of transparency and fairness.
This letter should be regarded as formal complaint on the process for selecting the organizer for the World Championship Match 2013.
Sincerely,
Jøran Aulin-Jansson
President
Norwegian Chess federation
Nothing wrong with a little transparency. Isn’t a world class super-GM game/championship/match an economical booster anyways? Isn’t that why Bobby Fischer got in a little conflict with United States Government with his Rematch with Spassky as economic aid/boost to an U.S.A. enemy? Ah politics, we’ll always have them.
This NCF letter is valid and proper. Many chess fans read with dismay when it appeared that FIDE had handed the hosting to Chennai. This is clearly unfair. A neutral venue could be applied or at the very least split the match between India and Norway? Once again, FIDE decision making falls short.
This NCF letter is valid and proper. Many chess fans read with dismay when it appeared that FIDE had handed the hosting to Chennai. This is clearly unfair. A neutral venue could be applied or at the very least split the match between India and Norway? Once again, FIDE decision making falls short.
Transparency I don’t support. Why should everybody and who doesn’t care understand what is going on??
@ anonymous comment. Decisions made behind closed doors are rarely mutually beneficial