It seems to me that all the new FIDE plan is doing is finding a
replacement for Ponomariov. The rest of the plan stays in place with
regards to the other players (Kasparov, Kramnik and Leko).

(Aryeh Davidoff) wrote in message . com...
Aryeh Davidoff: This is Lev Khariton's 200 Words at www.pakchess.com:

FIDE, like an ever-generous Santa Claus, has prepared a surprise gift
for chess fans. This is what we can read at www.chessbase.com as well
as some other sites:
The World Chess Federation has published its rules for its next world
championship cycle, consisting of qualifiers in four continents, a
128-player knock-out tournament and the winner will play against Garry
Kasparov. The winner of that match then faces the winner of Kramnik vs
Leko (if this is staged). The first leg will be held before July 1st
2004.
Some questions are necessary here.
1.Accepting the democratic procedure of the World Chess Championship,
isn't it a bit cumbersome system to include over 100 players in the
highest world challenge? Are all those who will participate real
challenger for the World Title?

Ponomariov obtained his title using a similar method. Since this is
his replacement, there are no surprises here.

2. Isn't it better to limit the number of the World Championship
participants, let us say 24 players, at the same time having them to
play 6 or 8-game matches?

Perhaps. However, I'm sure FIDE is trying to appease all the other
players who were excluded from the Prague agreement.

3.What about Kramnik and Leko? Are they listed among the participants
of the World Championship? What if their match will never materialize?
Are they in this case entitled to have a shot at the title? Let us not
forget that Kramnik in 2000 defeated Kasparov in the 15-game match
without losing a single game.

Kramnik and Leko play their own match. FIDE has left its options open
in case this match doesn't materialize. My guess is that the matches
Kramnik-Leko and Kasparov-Whoever need to be played for less money
than they would like. Otherwise the matches will never happen.

4.Proceeding from the previous question, why is Kasparov privileged
to play a match with the winner of the World Championship? In the
last 18 months he has not won a single international event and his
rating has dropped off today. Why is the chess players who is
obviously spiraling down allowed to stand above the whole chess world?
Why is, in its turn, the chess world being silent facing this
outspoken injustice?

If you're going to question Kasparov's participation now, then it
follows you were not happy with Kasparov's participation in the
original Prague agreement. He's certainly benefited from the fact that
he never participated in the FIDE knockout championships, and chose
not to participate in the Braingames qualifier. So in essence, the
Prague agreement bent over backwards to bring in Kasparov in equal
terms as Kramnik, his challenger Leko, and the FIDE champion. It might
have something to do with the fact that he's still the #1 rated player
in the world and the most recognized name in chess (at least for
potential sponsors). It may not be the fairest decision to include
him, but nothing's happened so far, so we can't say he's benefited
that much (yet).