No takers for world chess title rematch
London, May 17: No one has reportedly come forward to host Norwegian chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen’s world title rematch against Indian chess grandmaster Viswanathan Anand that has been scheduled for November 6 after two deadlines have already passed.
The all- time no 1 chess champion Garry Kasparov, who is campaigning to become the next Fide president, has heavily criticised the global chess body for failing to get sponsorships for the rematch.
Kasparov has blamed current Fide chief Kirsan Ilyumzhinov for his poor image that has kept the global chess body from finding a sponsor for the match.
The world championship series has become a financial fizz with its 8,00,000- pounds prize fund plus substantial other costs comparing with the modest 1,00,000- pounds for which Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky played in Reykjavik in 1972.
India, who hosted the 2013 chess championship, is not willing to invest again and Norway, the other prime candidate, is desperately short of funds.