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Prelude to a Forfeit

Prelude to a Forfeit

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T

London

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A letter from Kirsan to Kramnik, including:

"I hereby inform you of my full trust in the members of the Match Appeals Committee and their latest decision taken in respect of the appeal of Topalov’s team dated 28 September 2006.

"I am also asking you in good faith to continue your participation in this match [...]

"Millions of chess fans in the whole world are following this match with great interest and are looking forward for the just outcome produced over the chessboard and not from exchanging open letters which we are receiving from both teams."

In other words - if Topalov requests that you have a set number of times you can use the toilet, and that he can determine which toilet that is, and that he can insist you are accompanied there by another person - you must play on because otherwise it's bad PR. Thanks, Kirsan.

Nothing substantive. FIDE are getting ready to blame Kramnik for the collapse of this match. Their paper champion puppet is smiling. Chess, I hate you.

l
Man of Steel

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Is it chess you hate? Perhaps you should redirect that anger at FIDE. They seem to be the villain here--changing the rules to support their champ.

i

Felicific Forest

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Originally posted by leisurelysloth
Is it chess you hate? Perhaps you should redirect that anger at FIDE. They seem to be the villain here--changing the rules to support their champ.
Well, Kramnik wàs acting suspiciously ... and the reasons given for this behaviour by his team wère a teensy beensy bit ridiculous ..... don't you agree ?

l
Man of Steel

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Originally posted by ivanhoe
Well, Kramnik wàs acting suspiciously ... and the reasons given for this behaviour by his team wère a teensy beensy bit ridiculous ..... don't you agree ?
The short answer is I don't know. I'm not a doctor and don't know enough about Kramnik's medical issues to venture a guess as to how that might or might not play into this. On the face of it, it does seem odd for him to make so many trips to the bathroom. On the other hand, it's hard to imagine how he might be using this to cheat in the chess match, and it certainly seems simple enough to reinstate the bathroom monitors and adress the concern without making changes to the facilities.

EDIT: What's the story with the à and the è?

m

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Maybe he's just nervous and has to pee a lot. I know a guy once who went to the doctor for that same reason. Turned out he was in too big a hurry and wasn't taking the time to fully empty his bladder the first time and had to keep going back.

N

The sky

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Originally posted by leisurelysloth
EDIT: What's the story with the à and the è?
In some languages, accents are used to put emphasis on a word, much like using italics or underlining.

W
Angler

River City

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Originally posted by ivanhoe
Well, Kramnik wàs acting suspiciously ... and the reasons given for this behaviour by his team wère a teensy beensy bit ridiculous ..... don't you agree ?
No.

The need to walk, to pace, to drink prodigious quantities of liquids, and consequently to pee are perfectly understandable and more than adequate.

Geez. My games last a mere four hours, and the pressure is mostly a fantasy. In such conditions I probably visit the loo 15-20 times per game.

a
Enola Straight

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I know that when I play chess OTB, I drink a lot to help my nervousness. This, accompanied with a tighter bladder from the nerves send me to the bathroom very frequently. I'm sure a few people have thought it was suspicious, so I can sympathize with Kramnik. However, I see his behavior as very suspicious, and I think his uncompliance is immature if he's truely innocent.

b

Hainesport, NJ, USA

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They will have to go back to game five, reverse the forfeit, and make a compromise with the bathroom arrangements. If the match turns in Topalov's favor, he wouldn't want to win, say , by a point because his championship will have been tainted and people would be forever thinking what if...In my view it's all part of the game, this gamesmanship maneuvering. On the other hand, computers have gotten so strong and miniaturization so advanced, extraordinary precautions will have to be taken during the game, complete transparency. Cheating has been going on for years at lower levels, with the world chpshp at stake and the prestige of nations in the balance, there is a great temptation.

T

London

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Originally posted by buddy2
They will have to go back to game five, reverse the forfeit, and make a compromise with the bathroom arrangements. If the match turns in Topalov's favor, he wouldn't want to win, say , by a point because his championship will have been tainted and people would be forever thinking what if...In my view it's all part of the game, this gamesmanship maneuvering. ...[text shortened]... orld chpshp at stake and the prestige of nations in the balance, there is a great temptation.
More likely, Kramnik will turn up tomorrow and sit at the white pieces. His clock will run down on the other side of the board. After a fuss, a forfeit will be announced. This will continue until Topalov wins his paper title 7-3 with a big smile, and much relief to his business mananger.

7

Jew.

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Y
Renaissance

OnceInALifetime

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I'm having a laugh about how the World Championship chess match may be cancelled over a toilet dispute. Give Kramnik his golden toilet, and if sanity prevails, FIDE will do so, and Kramnik will be obligated to play.

I think that it is extremely likely that the forfeit will stand.

All parties involved must look extraordinarily childish to observers outside the chess world. The observers would be absolutely correct.

The whole state of affairs is so silly...that such absurdity happens...is really sobering to me.

Who really is concerned with who's right and who's wrong? I just want to see a match!

I feel confident the match will go on. 🙂 Kramnik made a statement that he will play provided that FIDE "respect Mr. Kramnik’s rights, in this case to use the toilet of his own restroom whenever he wishes to do so." 🙂 FIDE would be foolish to refuse him; FIDE would then face the disapproval of entire chess community.

Ultimately, then, the decision lies with Kramnik. If FIDE grants Kramnik his toilet, Kramnik very likely would play - indeed, from his perspective, he only wanted to play by the terms of the contract he signed, even when the terms involved such trivial matters such as private toilets.

c

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Originally posted by Yuga
I'm having a laugh about how the World Championship chess match may be cancelled over a toilet dispute. Give Kramnik his golden toilet, and if sanity prevails, FIDE will do so, and Kramnik will be obligated to play.

I think that it is extremely likely that the forfeit will stand.

All parties involved must look extraordinarily childish to observers outsid ...[text shortened]... tract he signed, even when the terms involved such trivial matters such as private toilets.
"The greatest dispute over a toilet ever."

l
Man of Steel

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This whole fiasco reminded me of one of my daughter's latest favorite books (fortunately these change quite often). Anyway I had quite a struggle keeping a straight face during story time tonight. 😵

The Potty Book for Girls

Hello! My name is Hannah.
I have lot of fun each day.
But first I need my diaper
changed, so I can go and play.

I can eat my breakfast by myself.
I can brush my teeth at the sink.
I can choose the clothes I want to wear.
I really love hot pink!

Mommy has a big, big box,
she says it's just for me.
Daddy helps me open it,
whatever can it be?

Is it a brand new fish bowl?
No it couldn't be!
Maybe it's a big, big boat
to sail across the sea!

Is it a new rocking chair?
Is it a bed for Teddy?
Mom says it's my very own potty,
to use when I am ready.

I look down at my diaper.
It seems to fit just right.
My diaper's where I pee and poop,
morning, noon, and night.

Mom and Dad use a potty,
maybe I will try.
If I can use my potty,
then my pants will stay dry!

I sit on my very own potty.
Teddy sits with me.
Off goes my diaper,
when I want to poop or pee.

Some days I hurry to the potty.
Woops! I am too late!
Some days I sit and read a book...
...or sing a song as I wait!

Uh-oh! I had an accident!
My pants are very wet.
Mom and Dad say, "That's okay, Hannah.
Don't you give up yet!"

Then one morning I wake up,
and whisper to my Teddy.
I'm off to the potty,
I think this time I'm ready!

Off goes my diaper,
Teddy sits on my lap,
I wait a bit...I look inside..
and then I laugh and clap!

Hooray, I say, I did it!
I'm really glad I tried!
Mom and Dad are happy
and I feel great inside!

Bye-bye, pee! Bye-Bye, poop!
I say with a wave and a cheer.
Dad says, "Let's call Grandma.
This is news she'll want to hear!"

It's time to go with Mom and Dad
to buy new underwear.
Can you guess who gets to choose
that very special pair?

I'm a big girl now!
I can run and jump and play!
I don't want a wet diaper
to get in my way.

Want to know a secret?
You can do it too!
Just march off to the potty
like me and Teddy do.

I'm off to the potty.
No more diapers for me!
And I feel great,
I am proud of...ME!


EDIT: And in our sacred chess forum no less! 😳

7

Jew.

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