Transcription of the Press Conference after game six
The press conference after the Game 6 was greatly anticipated. The match has
continued, Topalov shook hands with Kramnik, and the latter easily made a draw,
playing black. In addition, FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov took a seat
between the players, saying: "Dear Vladimir, dear Veselin, on behalf of the FIDE
leadership and millions of chess fans all over the world, let me express great
gratitude for you for coming to this game and resuming the World Chess
Championship match! Thank you for your courageous decision!" After this
introduction there were questions to the players.
Veselin, one of the statements issued by your team asserted that you will
not shake hands with Vladimir and will not participate in joint press
conferences…
Veselin Topalov: Perhaps it sounded too emotional; it is
nothing for me to be proud of. I shook hands with Kramnik, and the match
continued. I believe that his play is fair, and my decision to continue the
match proves it. We are humans, and sometimes we make mistakes.
So you agree that you flew into a passion?
Topalov: Yes, clearly.
You played so quickly at the start of the game… Is that because you
missed chess too much?
Vladimir Kramnik: I think I was prepared for this game quite
well. As for the speed… yes, I missed chess – for a last couple of days I was
busy with other things that distracted me from chess.
Topalov: This was just a casual opening, a well-developed
line. Of course, one can spend an hour on playing them, but isn’t it better to
play the known moves in a minute without wasting time?
A question to Mr. Kramnik. Vladimir, what is the match score after
today’s game?
Kramnik: I published an official protest. I consider the
decision taken by the Appeals Committee illegal. I do not think I lost in the
Game 5. The decision regarding this problem is delayed, and my further steps
depend on it. If the Appeals Committee decides to replay the game (which is
legally and morally correct), I will continue the match unconditionally.
Otherwise, I will consult my lawyers…
Vladimir, when exactly you found out about the decision to continue the
match from the Game 6?
Kramnik: Yesterday in the evening, like everybody else.
– A question to FIDE President. Kirsan Nikolayevich, when the Appeals
Committee will review Kramnik’s appeal, and can you tell us the names of its new
members?
K.I.: New Appeals Committee consists of ECU President Boris Kutin, International
Arbiter from Azerbaijan Faik Gasanov, and Continental President of Latin America
Jorge Vega. The appeal was received at 14.30, and now it undergoes formal
procedures.
When did you decide to play today’s game?
Kramnik: It was a very tough choice. To be honest, for a
long time I intended to ignore this game, which would mean the end of the match.
However, after lengthy consideration I decided against abandoning the match,
feeling uncomfortable in the face of chess community. I still hope for positive
result of my appeal.
Will you keep playing, if you appeal is declined?
Kramnik: The only thing I know for certain is that I will
sue FIDE in this case. I will have to consult my lawyers to decide whether I
should continue the match.
A question to both players. To what extent all the preceding debates
influenced the play?
Kramnik: Today’s game was not very exciting. We spent all
our energy on non-chess struggle. No, I am kidding. Of course, it is better to
play after a rest day, when one is calm. Playing today was a bit difficult for
both of us.
Topalov: It was easier for me in this sense, because my
manager Silvio Danailov handles almost all the negotiations. Therefore I got
tired of resting, and really wanted to return to the board and play a good game.
Alas, this game turned the least exciting in the match, but this wasn’t done on
purpose.
Vladimir, who offered a draw today?
Kramnik: Veselin.
And what about the 4th game, when your position on the move 20 was rather
unpleasant?
Kramnik: I offered a draw in that game, because I considered
the position equal. Offering draws in my business, so to speak, and it is up to
Veselin to decline or accept the offer. In today’s game everything was exchanged
automatically.
And another question about the 4th game. Is it gentlemanly to offer a
draw on the move 20 when playing black, with the match score being 2-0? Or it
was a psychological move?
Kramnik: It had nothing to do with psychology. Who cares
about 2-0?! The position was approximately equal, so there is nothing unethical
about my offer. If one considers it unethical, then how to assess the actions of
the other party? It is difficult to find the right words…
Kirsan Nikolayevich, yesterday you said that if the match goes on, one of
the players will become a hero. Do you consider Vladimir’s decision heroic, and
when he will be awarded a Hero of Kalmykia?
Ilyumzhinov: You know, the situation on Friday night
demanded some immediate action, and the ball was on my side. I did all I could:
changed the Appeals Committee, and settled the issue with bathrooms… The process
started. After that it was the players’ move. Veselin or Vladimir – on of them
had to yield. 3-1or 3-2? Vladimir yielded (we only have to deal with his appeal
about the 5th game). I express gratitude to him on behalf of the entire chess.