WCC 2006: Exciting draw… another controversy simmers

Another controversy has taken shape in the chess world. Players of two contrasting styles exchanged a war of words today about their championship-level match. Fortunately, it was not Vladimir Kramnik and Veselin Topalov, but Nigel Short and Gata Kamsky exchanging barbs about the 1994 Candidates Match. This dispute came suddenly as approximately 3000 playchess.com spectators watched two top Grandmasters engage in verbal joisting during game 11 of Topalov-Kramnik match. Susan Polgar, who was watching tried to calm the situation to no avail.

The Short-Kamsky match was rife with complaints by both camps starting with Short complaining of Kamsky's incessant coughing (from the effects of a cold).  Short advised that Kamsky take a swig of water to correct the problem. Kamsky lost badly. Later that day, an irate Rustam Kamsky (Gata's father and manager) threatened to kill Short if he violated the rules again. Apparently, Short filed a police report, but nothing ever came of it. Kamsky went on to thoroughly crush Short 5½-1½.

Topalov and Kramnik unaware of another battle brewing.

Today's exchange started when Short accused Kamsky of "dirty tricks" in which Rustam Kamsky complained that Short was visiting the bathroom far too many times. Sound familiar? Short made other accusations and stated that Gata Kamsky could have prevented his father from creating such a nuisance… including a death threat! He was making comparisons between that match and the current match. After maintaining his composure from Short's persistence, a perturbed Kamsky finally offered Short to "settle this like real men, outside." (read full dialogue on French chess site,)

In today's game Topalov played creatively springing two novelties on the board. He held a slight advantage throughout the middlegame, but later threw it away with 29.f5?! This allowed Kramnik a small edge and a chance to play for more. However, Topalov defended adequately. Spectators felt that Kramnik was trying to squeeze a psychological advantage from making Topalov fight for a draw.  Be that as it may, the finale will take place on Thursday and could break all records for Internet viewership.

Official Site (FIDE)
ChessBase.com (reports, photos, games)
This Week in Chess (reports, games)
Daily Dirt (blog) GM Susan Polgar (blog)
The Chess Drum (reports, games)

Posted by The Chess Drum: 11 October 2006