Chess champ Anand against playing ‘in silence’ during world championship
April 24th, 2010 - 12:58 pm ICT by ANILondon, Apr 24(ANI): Indian chess Grandmaster and world champion Viswanathan Anand has said that he will refuse to play in silence during the world championship, and has escalated a dispute over rules allowing players to demand a ban on communication.
Anand will compete against Bulgarian Veselin Topalov to retain his title and a prize of 1.7 million pounds during the 12-match tournament, which starts today in the Bulgarian capital Sofia.
The rules were introduced in 2005 in order to curb the practice of competitors offering each other draws during drawn-out games, but Anand has argued that “a world championship should be played with world championship rules”.
However, Topalov’s manager Silvio Danailov said his man would refuse to communicate with Anand even if spoken to.”If Vishy [Anand] doesn’t agree to the rules he will be forced to, because Topalov will not offer him a draw and he will not speak to him,” The Telegraph quoted Danailov, as saying.
“In our personal opinion they show no respect to the organisers, the sponsors and the city of Sofia. Veselin in general doesn’t like to be disturbed by talks and draw offers during the game. What is the problem here? Why do you call this provocation?” he added.
Anand has held the title for two years. He won the 2007 World Chess Championship in an eight-player tournament, and successfully defended the title in 2008 against former champion Vladimir Kramnik. (ANI)
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