Willempie wrote on 10/02/06 at 11:12:13:


I saw a review of Donner's The King which made me tempted to get it, and I'll probably will if the book ever cross my path. But my general impression was that Donner didn't think much of anyone, including himself...  

Btw, sure Keene was VK's second but at least he was there at the time and not in Dutchland.  

Besides, in an interview after the match Spassky blamed his loss in the last game on the arbiter(!) since he 1) was looking at him during the match and 2) he conveyed a draw offer from VK...

Anyway, nice to see that Kramnik-Tölpalov is on again - maybe they'll even manage to produce a good game eventually!  

The game has started! Did they shake hands?

To FIDE President H.E. Kirsan Iljumshinov To WCC Appeals Committee 

Official statement and protest on the decision made by FIDE 

On 2 October 2006 my manager received the following decision from FIDE: 

“Tomorrow, 2 October 2006, at 15.00, the 6th Game of the World Chess Championship Match a Topalov-Kramnik with the score 3:2 in favour of Kramnik, will take place.” 

Based on this decision I make the following statement: 

1. I inform that I am ready to proceed playing the match by reserving all my rights. My further participation will be subject to the condition to clarify my rights regarding game 5 at later stage. 

2. I do not agree with the decision made by FIDE and I formally protest against it. The decisions made on my requests, especially - the resignation of the Appeals Committee - open the toilets to the restrooms again are chrystal clear admissions of FIDE of having taken a false decision. Logically FIDE admits herewith that it was a mistake to start game 5 by violating the rules and regulations of the competition and by changing the agreed playing rules and conditions during the match without my approval. 

3. I deeply regret the unsportsmanlike and unequaled behaviour of my opponent whom FIDE donated a victory outside of the board by using dirty tricks. 

4. High level functionaries inside FIDE once again were making the professional part of the chess world a disgraceful playground of their own interests. I strongly believe and hope that the course of these events made it obvious to everyone that drastic changes with regard to the professional management structures inside FIDE are evident. 

By deciding just a couple of hours ago I had to assess between my personal interests and the interests of the entire chess world. It is very difficult to play under these circumstances. But I came to the conclusion to proceed under protest because I do not want to disappoint the overwhelming majority of the chess fans which are hoping for the unification since so many years. 

I also had in mind the people of Kalmykia which are doing their utmost to organize this match on the highest level possible. 

Last but not least I would like to thank very much for all the support I experienced during these days. 

Elista, 2 October 2006 

Vladimir Kramnik Classical World Chess Champion

TalJechin wrote on 10/02/06 at 09:57:55:

While I love Korchnoi's match attitude, he always seems to get himself into trouble when everything is going smoothly. With Spassky the trouble started when the match was all but over, similar with Petrosjan. Plus Spassky's behaviour usually has been quite examplary (ie I would have quit the match against Fischer on numerous occasions) and when someone like Donner who knows both of them thinks Spassky didnt do it to annoy Korchnoi, I have little reason to doubt that.