FIDE statement concerning the Candidates Matches 2011

[Frank Kamau]

FIDE respects that every player makes his own decisions and regrets that GM Magnus Carlsen has expressed his desire to withdraw from the upcoming Candidates Matches. It is always a big loss for any event when a player of Magnus Carlsen's strength is not participating. FIDE's policy is to review regularly the World Championship cycle after consultation with the top world players. At this point in time, the current cycle is in its final stages and it is not possible for FIDE to change its regulations. In the case of GM Magnus Carlsen not participating, according to regulations GM Alexander Grischuk from Russia will be his replacement.

The match system for the World Championship has been in place for around a century with some slight variations such as in 1948 or 1999-2007 when round-robin or knock-out tournaments were also used to decide the world title. FIDE has always been sceptical about World Championship matches instead of tournaments. Ten years ago, FIDE established that the World Champion should not have any privilege when entering the World Championship Tournament (knock-out or round-robin), in accordance with the current suggestions of GM Magnus Carlsen. After 2007, FIDE discussed the format with a number of top players and many of them, including former World Champions Anatoly Karpov, Gary Kasparov and Vladimir Kramnik still preferred a match to decide the winner of the title instead of a tournament. FIDE accepted this change and returned to the classical system of a World Championship Match but without the privilege of the World Champion keeping his title in case of a tie.

As a matter of principle, FIDE cannot change its regulations upon the wish of a single player, even if this player is the World Champion or the No. 1 or No. 2 of the world ratings. On the other hand, FIDE is always open for suggestions which can be applicable in the future and which would also support or increase the marketing value of the World Championship.

Best regards,

Georgios Makropoulos
FIDE Deputy President

Statement by FIDE on ChessBase. Seems to be diplomatic but fair to all involved. Imagine if they cancelled the candidate matches when they have been planned for quite a while.

[Andrew Camp]

A very fair statement.

It's disappointing that Mr Carlsen didn't voice his opinions to them before announcing his withdrawal. Maybe these comments would have persuaded him not to make his petulent little protest and instead finish out the cycle which has already started and then look to make changes before the next one begins.

Or maybe he did and we don't know.

I hope this was Mr Carlsen's own mistake and that he has not been put up to his actions by someone else who ought to know better...

[Jonathan Bryant]

...As a matter of principle, FIDE cannot change its regulations upon the wish of a single player, even if this player is the World Champion or the No. 1 or No. 2 of the world ratings....

But they can make the regulations up as they go along if they happen to feel like fiddling about with the World Championship system for any other reason it seems.