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1994-01-05
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EVANS ON CHESS. August 13, 1993. Copyright by GM Larry Evans.
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Taking a cue from boxing which now has three rival sanctioning bodies, chess
split into two factions, each staging its own world championship. The World
Chess Federation (FIDE) backs Karpov-Timman, who were both ousted in the
prelims by Nigel Short before he bolted; a new Professional Chess Association
(PCA) backs Short-Kasparov (the real thing).
Each group is also holding its own Interzonal to determine the next
challenger in 1995. This brand of double trouble can't hurt, and keen
competition may finally compel an arrogant FIDE to reform itself.
"For the first time in its history the chess world has the opportunity to
expand its horizons within the corporate world without having to depend on
FIDE-type middlemen who are essentially nothing more than parasites on chess
professionals," noted world champion Gary Kasparov.
Even INSIDE CHESS, which has savagely blasted Kasparov for years, is changing
its tune: "Both Kasparov and Short have been removed from the FIDE rating
list. This stupid punitive reaction should be reversed immediately. If FIDE
and the PCA offer good prize funds, so much the better. Bomb out in one
cycle? Just try the other."
FIDE's strategy is to isolate the mavericks and deter others from joining the
PCA, which is now simply making its own rating list. "Their declaration of
war on the PCA is doomed, because the chess world should be structured just
like golf and tennis," shrugged Kasparov.
"The only way for FIDE to win is to arrange things better," said Latvian GM
Alexey Shirov. Meanwhile top players are enjoying a sort of bidding war for
their services. They can compete in one or two big-money qualifying cycles --
if these events are properly staggered.
Wouldn't it be sad if players had to choose sides by signing absurd loyalty
oaths? At FIDE's Interzonal in Switzerland last July, all 73 contestants were
required to sign pledges to finish the cycle if they qualified.
Boris Gelfand led the pack at 9-4. Nine others also advance to the next
stage. Judith Polgar, 17, the only female, missed by a hair but can try again
in the more important PCA Interzonal at Holland in December.
Pairings were announced for six FIDE candidates matches in January: Adams-
Gelfand; Anand-Yusupov; Khalifman-Salov; Kramnik-Yudasin; Kamsky (the only
American)-van der Sterren; Lautier vs. the loser of the Timman-Karpov match.
"If I must play Anatoly Karpov to save FIDE, then I will," sighed Jan Timman.
Yet neither of them labors under any delusion that their duel is for anything
but money. To add insult to injury, Timman was crushed by Spyridon Skembris,
an unheralded Greek grandmaster, in a warmup match at Corfu. This is still
another blow to FIDE's claim that their contest is for the world title.
Everyone knows the real champion is Kasparov, the highest rated star in chess
history. The dilemma FIDE faces is that only a challenger who conquers him in
the PCA cycle will be a true successor to the crown.