PRESS RELEASE - 20 Jan 2005
World Chess Championship Match 2005
FIDE regrets Kasparov’s decision to withdraw from playing against Kasimdzhanov
in April and pledges to continue its efforts for solutions concerning World
Championship funding
The World Chess Federation (FIDE: http://www.fide.com)
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 Kasparov sent 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 – 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 respect
to 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.
About FIDE
The World Chess Federation (FIDE: http://www.fide.com)
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
