At 05:41 AM 8/27/2003, wrote:
Ponomariov, the so-called FIDE World Champion, has once again refused
to sign a contract to play the match with Kasparov. The cry-baby of
chess clearly knows as does everybody else what the result of this
match will be and he does not want to lose his world championship.

Today is the final deadline. If Ponomariov does not sign, and it seems
likely that he will not, FIDE should declare that Ponomariov is no
longer world champion and should substitute Anand to play Kasparov
instead. Ponomariov has no credibility as world champion anyway.
Nobody believes that Ponomariov is the best player in the world and
there will be little interest in a match between him and Kasparov.
Anand on the other hand is a serious opponent and the world would be
very interested in a match between Anand and Kasparov.

http://www.worldchessrating.com/5309...34374822117388

Sam Sloan

There was a 48 hour extension agreed to. Kasparov's giving a press
conference on Russian TV today.

However, FIDE statutes are clear - Ivanchuk would be the replacement.
However, it's pretty clear everyone's going to make an effort to have this
match happen (except Ponomariov the whiny Ukranian brat). There's been no
talk about Anand, and it's pretty clear that there's no rationale to have
Anand in, even though it makes sense.

My understanding is Kasparov gave in to all of Ponomariov's demands, and
Ponomariov is still refusing to sign.

John Fernandez