The Sting

Both Arkady Vladimirovich Dvorkovich and Nigel David Short, respectively the Russian and British candidates for the post of FIDE President, expressed their doubts whether the World Chess Championship match will ever take place in London, United Kingdom. “The World Chess Championship match in London is at risk of failure”, Dvorkovich told RBC on July 31. “A sudden cancellation would be a disaster. Many foresee the risk of default due to the players’ dissatisfaction of the prize money and tax transparency”, he added. On his part, Short tweeted today: “What is Merenzon of Agon/World Chess doing to the public? The deadline for the players’ signing of the World Championship contract was 6th July, just before the PB meeting in Bucharest. It has subsequently been extended to August 15. Neither player has signed. But tickets are on sale”. Of course, Ilya Lvovich Merenzon, CEO of World Chess, reassured everyone about the solidity and reliability of his organisation, while FIDE Deputy President and candidate for President Georgios Makropoulos has not yet released any statements on the FIDE web site. One might even think that Dvorkovich and Short, joining in an one-shot alliance, simply sent an ultimatum to Rex Sinquefield, Saint Louis’ Uncle $crooge. Apparently their offer expires on August 15. Otherwise, they leave Fabi in Merenzon’s lonely hands. It’s enough to scare a lot of people in Missouri. Shall Rex swallow the bait?