The Curse of a King

Speaking with the TASS correspondent, 12th World Chess Champion Anatoly Yevgenyevich Karpov hinted that the 2022 Candidates Tournament, scheduled in Madrid, Spain from June 16 to July 5, might be postponed due to organisational and sponsorship issues. On one hand, it is hardly coincidental that Karpov has leaked such information on the very same day in which FIDE dismissed Grandmaster Sergey Alexandrovich Karjakin’s appeal, thus in fact, depriving him of the right to compete in the Candidates Tournament. On the other hand, he showed skepticism about the chances of success of further appeals: “I think it’s pointless to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, as it follows the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee, but our federation absolutely must raise the issue to FIDE Congress. It’s nonsense that the Ethics Commission can make political decisions”, Karpov said.