FIDE to Kasparov: one more week

20.01.2005 The world chess organisation has reacted to _Garry Kasparov’s
withdrawal_ () from the
reunification cycle, stating that the bank guarantees Kasparov had demanded would
have been in place on January 25. It is impossible, says FIDE, to secure
high prize funds without the necessary time, and when the participants demand
excessive financial guarantees.
The World Chess Federation (FIDE: _
() ) regrets Garry Kasparov’s announcement to withdraw from playing the World
Chess Championship match against Rustam Kasimdzhanov at the scheduled dates
of April 25th to May 14th 2005.
During the latest FIDE congress in Spain, the Turkish Chess Federation
expressed its strong desire to organize this match. FIDE informed the General
Assembly that the Turkish bid was actively supported by the former world champion
Garry Kasparov who urged FIDE to ‘give somebody else the authority to act
unless FIDE already has the money from the Dubai organizer’. On 2 December
2004, FIDE entered discussions with the Turkish Chess Federation and requested
the necessary bank guarantees before signing any agreement or issuing player’s
contracts. Garry Kasparov had made it clear several times that he would not
sign anything before he receives ‘acceptable’ financial guarantees.
During the negotiations with the Turkish Chess Federation Garry Kasparov and
World Champion Rustam Kasimdzhanov were kept fully informed about all
developments. They knew that:
a) FIDE authorized the Turkish Chess Federation on December 7 to secure the
necessary funds in order to organize this match in Turkey with an initial
deadline of 29 December.
b) On 3 January 2005 the Deputy Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic, Mr
Mehmet Ali Sahin, informed FIDE in writing that Turkey is ready to provide all
necessary guarantees for the organization of the match, including the prize
fund of 1.000.000 USD, organizational costs, etc.
c) Following this letter of the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister, FIDE gave the
Turkish Chess Federation a new deadline of 18 January for the issue of bank
guarantees of 200.000 USD for each player and 50.000 USD for FIDE. The total
amount of 1.272.000 USD would have to be transferred to FIDE’s bank account
no later than 25 March 2005.
Meanwhile, both players agreed that the match would begin on 25 April 2005.
A few days ago, the representative lawyer of the Turkish Chess Federation, Mr
Cemal Dursun, informed Garry Kasparov that no bank guarantees could be
issued before 25 January. After receiving this information, Garry Kasparovsent an
email to FIDE on 18 January announcing that he is no longer available to
participate in this match for the dates that had been agreed (25 April â=80` 14
May).
It is obvious that we are facing again a stalemate situation concerning the
realization of the Prague Agreement, a situation for which FIDE cannot be held
accountable. The official letter of the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister
represents for FIDE a strong guarantee in order to provide the Turkish organizers
with the necessary time to deal with the formal procedures concerning the
issuance of the required financial guarantees.
Garry Kasparov, who for a long time has sincerely co-operated towards the
realization of the Prague Agreement, should have at least shown his respectto
his opponent Rustam Kasimdzhanov and his appreciation for the efforts of the
Turkish Chess Federation and the Turkish Government before announcing his
unilateral decision to withdraw from this match.
It has to be clear to everyone that it is impossible to secure such high
prize funds from legitimate sponsors, acceptable to FIDE and the IOC, without
providing the candidate organizers with the necessary time to complete their
efforts, especially when the government of a country is the guarantor for the
organization of the match. It is even more difficult to secure these prize
funds when the participants demand excessive financial guarantees before
committing themselves in writing.
FIDE continues to seek solutions concerning the funding of the World Chess
Championship, in co-operation with its national federations and in close
contact with all interested parties.
The World Chess Federation (FIDE: _
() ) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the supreme
body responsible globally for the game of chess and its championships. FIDE
organizes the World Chess Championship as well as all World Championships for
women, junior and youth categories, the bi-annual Chess Olympiad and it also
publishes the official FIDE Rating List (currently No.1 is Garry Kasparov of
Russia). FIDE has a membership of 160 national chess federations and it
retains offices in Greece and Russia.
For more information contact:
Federation Internationale des Echecs (FIDE)
Mr George Mastrokoukos
tel.: (+30) 2109212047, fax: (+30) 2109212859, email: office(at)fide.com

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress