Topalov to play Radjabov for the world title
5/16/2006 – Surprised? Well, you shouldn't be. Last December we
reported that the FIDE president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov had proposed that any
grandmaster with an Elo rating of over 2700 could challenge the FIDE world champion
Veselin Topalov – if he could put up at least $1 million in prize money.
Azerbaijani talent Teimour Radjabov can, the match is on.
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Press release
Topalov-Radjabov game for the world title agreed
The prize fund is $1.5 million.
Sofia, May 15, 2006 – The manager of the Chess World Champion Veselin Topalov, Silvio Danailov, and the Minister of Sport of Azerbaijan Azad Rahimov, agreed yesterday on a game for the world title to be held between Topalov and the Azerbaijanian Teimour Radjabov (Elo 2720). All conditions of the World Champion have been accepted and the two sides have signed a memorandum.
The Minister of Sport of Azerbaijan, Azad Rahimov, with Topalov's manager
Silvio Danailov
The match will probably take place in April 2007 in Baku. The award fund will be $1.5 million, of which $1 million will be for Topalov. According to the rules of FIDE every chess player with an Elo rating over 2700 can challenge the World Champion in a game for the title. Radjabov, currently number 13 in the FIDE ranking, will be the next challenger if Topalov defends his title in the game against Kramnik in September this year in the capital of Kalmykia, Elista.
FIDE world champion Veselin Topalov
The challenger: GM Teimour Radjabov, Azerbaijan
The minister executes the first move in Bacrot's game against Topalov
Discussions with FIDE officer GM Zurab Azmaiparashvili
...and an interview with Bulgarian TV
Photos by Dagobert Kohlmeyer
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