FIDE rejects Topalov's challenge against Kramnik

Wijk aan Zee, Jan 29 (UNI) FIDE has rejected Veselin Topalov's two million dollar challenge bid to play against reigning World Champion Vladimir Kramnik in the coming months, citing time constraints.

''In the current situation, there will not be sufficient time for proper inspections and negotiations with both players and the organisers. The players will not have enough time to prepare and can only play after having cancelled other contractual obligations,'' FIDE said in a statement.

''Even though it might be possible from a pure technical point of view to stage a match before this date, FIDE cannot accept a match to take place under these circumstances,'' the statement added.

The FIDE Presidential Board met on January 27 and 28 in Antalya, Turkey, and decided that the match could not be held despite the challenger coming up with the requisite bank guarantee.

''FIDE received a bank guarantee dated January 19, on behalf of GM Veselin Topalov for a challenge match against the World Chess Champion Vladimir Kramnik. Whilst the guarantee meets the conditions of the Handbook as per regulation, FIDE has reviewed the possibility of organising this match as granted by the aforesaid regulation,'' FIDE said.

''In order to organise this match within regulation, and the fact that a challenge match must be concluded no later than six months before the start of the next World Championship Tournament in Mexico City September 12, this year, the match would have to start no later than February 23,'' it added added explaining the reasons for rejecting the challenger's bid.

FIDE pointed out that Topalov would have to deposit the required sum of money involved, into the FIDE bank account within 45 days before the commencement of the match -- in accordance with the regulations -- a deadline which has already passed.

However, FIDE said notwithstanding the six month provision in the regulations, if Topalov and Kramnik agree to a date and conditions, then FIDE will assist in the organisation of the match.

UNI