CHESS
Diplomacy
Raymond Keene
0 ver the past few months the British Chess Federation has trodden a frighten- ingly narrow path in its efforts to ensure that, first of all, Kasparov did not default the return world chess championship and, secondly, that part or all of it should be played in London. This latter would be a prestigious first for London in 1986, the centenary of the inaugural world chess championship starting in New York 1886. Here is the full translation into English of the agreement signed in Moscow be- tween Kasparov and Karpov whereby the players took the law into their own hands. It was translated into English by Kasparov and Karpov in Kasparov's hotel room in The National Hotel, Lucerne, on 28 January.
World champion Gary Kasparov and ex- world champion Anatoly Karpov, having examined the complicated situation that was created during the world championship com- petition and wanting to eliminate differences of opinion and avoid a situation where, in the absence of an agreement, they would have to accept any extraordinary measures decided by Fide, have agreed the following: 1) The return match between them as fore- seen by 1985 Fide rules will take place.
2) It is to begin in July or August 1986. This postponement from the date set up earlier is necessary for both chess players, in order to rest and restore their strength after having played 72 games against each other in 14 months.
3) Hoping that the wish will meet with the understanding of the leadership of Fide and
the whole chess world, they think a super final (the match between the winner of the Candidates and the ex-world champion) will take place in February 1987 and the next world championship match in July or August 1987.
4) Kasparov and Karpov have undertaken the following obligations towards each other: a) neither of them will play a match with the winner of the Candidates' cycle until the return match between them is over; b) the winner of the return match guarantees the loser that he will not play a world championship match with the winner of the Candidates' cycle until that player has played a match against the ex-world champion; c) under all circumstances our position as stated in a) and b) will stay permanent. After examining the bids for the organisation of the return match from the cities of Leningrad and London received by the President of Fide dated 16 December 1985, Kasparov and Karpov expressed their wish to play the match in Leningrad. If however, the organisers of either of them withdraw their bids in connection with the changed dates of the match the participants are ready to consider other bids which are made in accordance with Fide regulations by 1 April 1986 so that the venue, dates of return match and the team of arbiters can be announced a month later.
Signed in Moscow 22 January 1986. 1 Gary Kasparov 2 Anatoly Karpov 3 Approved by the Executive Council of the Soviet Chess Federation unanimously V. Sevastianov (USSR Federation Presi- dent).
Since many sources, including Ceefax, still seem unclear on the point that London has at least half of the match, I give here the text of Fide's statement, made by Campomanes at Lucerne on 29 January.
1) The return match between world cham- pion Gary Kasparov and ex-world champion Anatoly Karpov will start between 28 July and 4 August 1986. The exact date is to be fixed in consultation with the organisers.
2) Since the Graz Fide Congress in 1985 had decided that future world championship matches should be organised by other Fed- erations and whereas the players had ex- pressed a wish to play in Leningrad, the match shall be played in two parts: 1st in London and 2nd in Leningrad.
3) Fide considers that the match will be a better match if it is played entirely in one place, therefore the match could be played entirely in London after consultation with the British Chess Federation and the USSR Chess Federation.
Kasparov told me over the past weekend that he and Anatoly Karpov are now delighted to play in London. The British Chess Federation can congratulte itself on its patient manoeuvring and now we can look forward in August to at least half, if not the whole, of a thrilling contest.
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