I can win the chess crown again

Topalov: I can win the chess crown again

"I have worked quite hard and I think my shape is pretty good. One never knows for sure when it comes to chess, but I am optimistic about my performance,” Bulgaria?s veselin Topalov said before setting off for Kazan, where he is to take part in the FIDE Challengers’ Tournament. The tournament starts on May 4, 2011 and the winner will play world champion Vishy Anand in a 12-game match for the chess crown.

Maria Dimitrova

Source: http://paper.standartnews.com

All confirmed except Carlsen

All players confirm participation for Candidates Matches 2011
Grischuk substitutes Carlsen as expected

A few days ago Mamedyarov and Radjabov signed their contracts for the Candidates matches 2011 in Kazan. Now all players have confirmed their participation.

As expected, GM Magnus Carlsen has informed FIDE that he will not participate and was therefore replaced by GM Alexander Grischuk as per regulations.

Here is the final list of players. Pairings remain as Chessdom.com announced them a month ago

1. Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria, runner up of the previous World Championship)

2. Vladimir Kramnik (Russia, qualified by rating)

3. Levon Aronian (Armenia, winner of the FIDE Grand-Prix 2008-2009)

4. Boris Gelfand (Israel, winner of the FIDE World Cup 2009)

5. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Azerbaijan, wild card)

6. Alexander Grischuk (Russia, qualification from the FIDE Grand-Prix)

7. Teimour Radjabov (Azerbaijan, qualification from the FIDE Grand-Prix)

8. Gata Kamsky (USA, runner up of the Challengers Match 2009).

Skipping the usual route

ON CHESS
Phenom forsaking usual title route
Saturday, November 27, 2010 02:53 AM
The Columbus Dispatch

Chess and other competitive heroes often fight their most difficult battles away from the playing area.

So it might be for Magnus Carlsen, whose ascent to the top of the chess pyramid has been seemingly effortless - until now.

The 19-year-old prodigy has publicly waded into the murky realm of chess politics.

He has announced in a formal letter that he won't take part in the upcoming world championship cycle of matches, to be played during a five-year period.

The format, he says, is onerous, favoring the world champion. He also takes issue with the seeding procedures and the length of the cycle.

He emphasizes that "The proposal to abolish the privileges of the world champion in the future is not in any way meant as criticism of, or an attack on, the reigning world champion, Viswanathan Anand, who is a worthy world champion, a role-model chess colleague and a highly esteemed opponent."

Carlsen intends to continue to hone his skills on the tournament trail.

But, because of his decision to skip the championship cycle, he will lose at least five years in his quest for the world title - whatever the long-term result of his call for reforming a selection system that is widely acknowledged as cumbersome.

Shelby Lyman is a Basic Chess Features columnist.

http://www.dispatch.com