Grandmasters’ open letter to FIDE

We, leading Grandmasters of the world, realize the undeniable significance and importance of a possible reunification of the chess world. However, we have to express our concern about the reunification plan that has just been presented in Prague. If implemented in the current form, sports principles would then be violated, as most of the top chess professionals will have no opportunity to take part in the World Championship until 2005. FIDE declared that rights and interests of all chessplayers will be taken into consideration, but it is completely unclear how (and whether at all) this will be done in practice.

We hope that all parties will have enough goodwill and common sense to resolve the unjustice. We understand that the situation is complicated, but at the same time, we are sure that there are better ways of reunification than the one which has been considered in Prague.

We also express our concern about the fact that the Grandmasters' Committee has not been established yet, though such a body could become the media of expression for chessplayers in issues that are directly related to their professional interests. We hope that such a Committee will be created in the nearest future. It should be delegated all rights necessary for its activities, meaning that it will not become an amorphous structure and that the election of its members should be held on a democratic basis, through a vote by the leading chessplayers of the world. It is very important that its members would be respectful, competent and fair-minded professionals. Only in such circumstances will it really be useful for the chess world.

We think that this letter is one step further towards true reunification and we hope that our voice will be heard and are looking forward to a constructive reply.

27.05.2002

Vladimir Akopian
Viswanathan Anand
Evgeny Bareev
Viorel Bologan
Rustem Dautov
Kiril Georgiev
Igor Glek
Alexander Grischuk
Artur Jussupow
Rustam Kasimdzhanov
Alexander Khalifman
Michal Krasenkow
Joel Lautier
Peter Leko
Christofer Lutz
Alexander Morozevich
Sergey Rublevsky
Konstantin Sakaev
Alexey Shirov
Ilya Smirin
Emil Sutovsky
Peter Svidler
Vadim Zvjaginsev

Contact address for the letter letter@gmchess.com

The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of TWIC, Chess & Bridge Ltd or the London Chess Center.