Federation Internationale Des Echecs
Mr. President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov / Presidential board
Oslo, fredag, 3. mai 2013
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.
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Sincerely,
Jøran Aulin-Jansson
President
Norway Chess federation
Tlf. + 47 91 33 22 42
e-post: jj@sci-group.net
Photo: VG Nett
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"Norway sends complaint about Carlsen
match" reads the headline
of the above article (click to read, if you can handle Norwegian)
Paris bidding for the Championship?
We now hear the paris is ready to organize the 2013 Anand-Carlsen World
Chess Championship match. We received the following communication just hours
after the above letter from the Norwegian Chess Federation:
Paris – 3rd of May 2013. The city of Paris, France, is ready to
host the World Chess Championship Match between GM Viswanathan Anand,
from India, and GM Magnus Carlsen, from Norway.
In a letter to FIDE, the Mayor of Paris Mr. Bertrand Delanoë, expresses
full support to the French Chess Federation in its aim to organize the
final match to take place in November 2013.
The Paris Mayor states in his letter to FIDE that “the city of
Paris welcomes the French Chess Federation initiative” to organize
the Anand-Carlsen Chess World Championship, and “is happy to give
its whole hearted support to the French Chess Federation to successfully
carry out this project.”
The offer sent to FIDE includes a €2.65 million prize fund and a
€800,000 contribution to FIDE in accordance to FIDE regulations.
It also offers a specific budget allocated for media coverage.
“Paris is the city where FIDE was born and ever since, chess has
been part of our cultural heritage. Our Capital is looking forward to
organize and welcome in the best possible conditions this Championship”
concludes Mayor Delanoë’s letter to FIDE President Kirsan Ilymzhinov.
FIDE, the World Chess Federation, was founded in Paris in 1924. A world
Chess Championship in Paris would be a prelude to FIDE’s 90th anniversary.
Philippe Mouttou
WWC in Paris
Note that the budget
for the Chennai bid was US $3,376,250 = €2,576,280, with a prize
fund of US $2.55 million = €1.94 million. This, according to our calculations,
means that Paris is offering €710,000 (= $931,000) more in prize money
and an around €870,000 (= $1.14 million) higher overall budget than
Chennai.
Attached to Philippe Mouttou message was the following letter by the Mayor
of Paris to the President of FIDE:
Click to enlarge. The following official translation
was included
Dear Mr President,
I have learnt with great interest of the French Chess Federation project
to organize in Paris the upcoming Chess World Championship in later in November
this year. This Championship is very exciting with the match between Viswanathan
Anand and Magnus Carlsen.
The city of Paris welcomes this initiative and I am happy to give my whole
hearted support to the French Chess Federation to successfully carry out
this project.
Paris is the city where FIDE was born and ever since, chess has been part
of our cultural heritage. Our Capital is looking forward to organize and
welcome in the best possible conditions this Championship that will enable
Paris to profile itself internationally.
Yours sincerely,
Bertrand DELANOE
Monsieur Kirsan ILYUMZHINOV
President de la Federation Intemationale d'Echecs
9 Syggrou avenue
11743 ATHENES GREECE
