Peter Doggers of Chessvibes just published the following comment by Silvio Danailov, manager of Veselin Topalov. This is a clarification from one of his previous comments about Topalov not offering or accepting draw offer.
“I never said that Veselin will not talk to Anand. What I said was that he will not offer a draw, and won’t accept draws from him. That’s different.
The long story is like this: during the negotiations we fulfilled all the wishes of Anand’s team (and there were many, trust me). Also, we provided the largest prize fund in the last 15 years (in crisis time!) of two million Euros (which is double the prize money of the previous match in Bonn). FIDE asked Anand to do only one small thing for the organizers: to play under the Sofia rules in Sofia. The reason was that this way the match would be more exciting and the city of Sofia would get extra publicity worldwide.
They refused, because like Aruna [Anand’s wife and manager – PD] said, it was very difficult to choose arbiters, an Appeal Committee, a GM adviser, et cetera. Then we offered them to choose personally everything what they needed: arbiters, Appeal Committee, GM adviser, et cetera, only to accept the Sofia rules. They refused again, this time without any reason or explanation.
Of course they have a legal right to refuse, but in our personal opinion they show no respect to the organizers, the sponsors and the city of Sofia.
Then Veselin decided to not offer and accept draws from Anand during the games. He also has this legal right. He will not comunicate with Anand during the game, only through the arbiter.
Of course, this does’t mean that he will not speak to Anand at all, only during the game. Veselin in general doesn’t like to be disturbed by talks and draw offers during the game.
What is the problem here?
Why you call this provocation?
This is all the story, you can judge yourself.”
Special thanks to Peter for sharing this with the chess fans. You can read more about this situation on www.chessvibes.com.
Anand enters a snake pit.
What exactly are Sofia rules? Its not clear to me what Anand didnt want to play under.
It does not matter who is or is not out of order, the only thing that crossed my mind is:
“Here we go again, yet another World Championship with controversy”
The very top flight of chess players are so good at shooting themselves in the foot when it comes to the image of chess to the none chess world.
There goes Danailov/Topalov again! They don’t deserve to be managing or playing for the WCC. Especially after the ‘Toiletgate’brouhaha.Anand knows that he enters the ‘snakepit’ but the money is good and I guess he will take his chances. No way Topalov is going to lose in Sofia. Anything & everything,including the kitchen sink /watercloset will be thrown at Anand & his team!!.
As the song says,”We keep on playing head games.” You think that Topalov won’t offer a draw or accept a draw offer if it makes sense? You think that he would really handcuff himself this way? Come on.
I hope atleast in one game Anand achieves a won position and offers draw… just to check whether Topalov sticks to his word.
Topalov is scared, and rightly so.
Anand will eat him alive if in good condition; hence, Topalov’s team wants to rattle him.
well, the psychological warfare has begun.
let the games begin! 🙂 — that’s all that matters for us spectators.
when does the match start? saw some place that said april 21st, another said april 5th.
Who are your final 4 picks, Susan?
Nothing wrong in letter of Danailov i can see. Everything is ok. Match will be very interesting and we will see fignting chess and relations within normal! Good luck for both participants!
The “no draw” rule seems to
apply to Carlsen in this version
of Amber; no draw so far.. 😉
“Here we go again, yet another World Championship with controversy”
Why not? It’s the only thing that makes these things halfway interesting any more.
I can’t wait to see Topalov and Anand shuffling bare kings around, refusing to concede a draw!
I think there’s nothing wrong with what Topalov want to do.
It seems unwise for Anand to be playing a title match in Sofia, especially with Danailvo/Topalov infamous off the board tactics.
Rather like walking into the Lion’s Den I would say !
Well it will be an interesting match on the board and off the board that is clear
If they themselves can force the sofia rule by neither offering or accepting the draws what was the point in raising this to Anand’s team. It is very clear that Mr! Danailov has started the offboard (nasty) tactics just to rattle Anand. But Anand is strong & smart enough to get the better of Topalov in On and Off the board. Danailovs statements again clearly shows that Aruna Anand has so far done a good job (inspection) at Sofia.
Anand please crush topalov in the match and it would be the right answer.
I’m so tired of this Bulgarians are correct and the others not. It’s so obvious this onesided warfare. Goodluck Anand!