en.chessbase.com/post/russian-ch … al-to-fide
This would open up the possibility of a Carlsen vs. Caruana match funded by Rex Sinquefield.
I signed the ACP petition against the Russian proposal.
chessprofessionals.org/conte … cle-change
If posting this link is against the AUG, please remove the link, but don’t delete the post.
FM Michael Langer
Austin, TX
Does the proposal REQUIRE the champion to accept a challenge or merely permit it? The ACP concerns about the WC being tied up and worn out fending off challenges would seem quite exaggerated if the champion isn’t forced to accept. Their other concerns, however, have merit.
The proposal and response by ACP is at the chessbase link in my post above.
Some objections have been floated elsewhere that some players like V-L from France would have more difficulty that someone like FC raising money for a match challenge.
There is no question that some challengers will have more difficulty than others in arranging funding for an independent challenge. Still, I think a player like VL or FC will have little trouble finding sponsors given their ability. What this proposal indirectly addresses is the current candidates structure which is far from ideal in that after the candidates’ tournament there is no match play leading to the naming of a world championship challenger. IMO, the two best choices are to move toward independent challenges or go back to interzonal tournaments followed by match play to find the challenger.
If the road chosen is the old private system, there could be a requirement that the champion has an obligation to accept a challenge from one of the top five player based on FIDE rating within perhaps two years of the last title match or forfeit the title, perhaps to the highest rated player at that time other than the forfeiting champion. Lastly, let’s get Kirsan’s cronies at Agon and Chess Lane out of the picture. Their business incompetence is pathetic and the secrecy of their machinations is destructive of promoting chess as a viable professional sport. The chess world deserves better. The Russian proposal is a possible initial negotiating postion for a restructuring of the challenge system.