Norway 16-29 April 2016

[Chris Rice]

In addition to the above the Norwegian organisers are clearly furious at Karjakin's decision and have made a statement about his "disrespect". http://norwaychess.no/en/2016/04/06/dis ... -karjakin/

It is unclear at the moment whether Karjakin actually signed a contract (via email) or his participation was agreed by word of mouth and if the latter, whether it would be binding.

[Roger de Coverly]

On his open Facebook page, Emil Sutovsky, the ACP President is not at all happy with Karjakin's decision and he does have a point:

Is there not a history here? Karjakin was excluded from last year's event when it became part of the Grand Chess Tour, despite being the winner of the previous year's event. He perhaps feels he doesn't owe the organisers any favours.

[Roger de Coverly]

In addition to the above the Norwegian organisers are clearly furious at Karjakin's decision and have made a statement about his "disrespect".

It appears the Russian Chess Federation can still maintain Soviet levels of control over its players, with the notification being sent not by the player, but by the Federation. For a tournament that isn't an official FIDE one, I wouldn't expect the player's Federation to be involved.

[NickFaulks]

I wouldn't expect the player's Federation to be involved.

I expect they are just doing him a favour, deflecting any unpleasantness away from their World Championship challenger.

[Tim Harding]

http://rules.fide.com/images/stories/do ... -April.pdf

Clause 9.1:
"Conduct of the Players
9.1 Once a player has formally accepted an invitation, he must play except in exceptional
circumstances (force majeure), such as illness or incapacity. Acceptance of another
invitation is not considered to be a valid reason for not participating or for withdrawing."

Perhaps this means FIDE could sanction him in some way though it's hardly likely this will happen.

I agree that part of Karjakin's motivation was probably to get Norway Chess back for excluding him last year.
He certainly can't expect ever to be invited in future and other organisers are likely to feel the same way.

Nevertheless it now means that I (and probably lots of other people) will be hoping Carlsen hammers him in the match.
After that happens Karjakin may find invitations to super-tournaments outside Russia will tend to dry up...

[MartinCarpenter]

Isn't he very likely being honest rather than vengeful?

It would be no surprise if he was very tired indeed after winning the candidates and the WC match definitely isn't an enternity away.
(Even the world cup from last October might not be helping!).

How popular it makes him might be another matter.

[Matt Mackenzie]

Reportedly he had "only" made a verbal agreement to play there, which does arguably make SK's decision more legitimate.

[Jonathan Rogers]

[Grand Chess Tour organizer Malcolm Pein bluntly rejects the official reason provided by the Russian: "Preparation ? Nah - he's just chickening out - pathetic, pleased we didn't invite him to Grand Chess Tour"]

Did Malcolm ever explain why Karjakin wasn't invited to the GCT in the first place? (Perhaps he did, I don't know, but I am sure someone on this forum will be able to tell me if he did)

[LawrenceCooper]

In addition to the above the Norwegian organisers are clearly furious at Karjakin's decision and have made a statement about his "disrespect". http://norwaychess.no/en/2016/04/06/dis ... -karjakin/

It is unclear at the moment whether Karjakin actually signed a contract (via email) or his participation was agreed by word of mouth and if the latter, whether it would be binding.

It alleges "– Karjakin has a signed contract with us and it does not state that he can withdraw from the tournament if he qualifies for the World Championship in November"

[Mick Norris]

On his open Facebook page, Emil Sutovsky, the ACP President is not at all happy with Karjakin's decision and he does have a point:

Is there not a history here? Karjakin was excluded from last year's event when it became part of the Grand Chess Tour, despite being the winner of the previous year's event. He perhaps feels he doesn't owe the organisers any favours.

Yes, that's what I thought (I don't have sympathy with Karjakin, but that doesn't mean the organisers are right)

[Mick Norris]

Li Chao has postponed his wedding and replaces Karjakin

in norwegian

[Matt Mackenzie]

It has been mentioned that Glenn Flear was a last minute stand in for London (GLC) 1986, and had to rearrange his upcoming wedding.

We surely all know what happened subsequently. An omen?

[Stewart Reuben]

Matt >
It has been mentioned that Glenn Flear was a last minute stand in for London (GLC) 1986, and had to rearrange his upcoming wedding.<

Incorrect. Glenn got married on the scheduled date whch was a rest day in the tournament. He had, no doubt, to alter his honeymoon plans. His preparation for the event was mainly travelling back to London from somewhere abroad.

For those who don't know, it was a fary tale. Glenn was the only non-GM in the tournament. He won it and, of course, secured a GM norm. Sadly, he did not also win the Best Game Prize!

[LawrenceCooper]

The pre tournament blitz is underway here: https://chess24.com/en/watch/live-tourn ... 2016/1/1/1

[Mick Norris]

Round 1 draw for the main event:

Carlsen-Harikrishna
Giri - Eljanov
MVL - Chao Li
Kramnik - Grandelius
Aronian - Topalo