🚀 go-pugleaf

From: trb (Andrew Tannenbaum)
To: net.games.ches
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Gleaned from the NYTimes 1/7 --

Looks like the Kasparov-Karpov rematch, originally scheduled for
February 10, isn't going to start then.  Kasparov is protesting that it's
ridiculous for him to have to play for the championship again in
February, then again this coming fall when the regular championship,
on the new two-year cycle, is scheduled to start.  All this, of
course, after having played 48+24 games this past year.

Kasparov recently beat Jan Timman in a match in the Netherlands, and
Karpov is currently playing a tournament in Vienna.

And now, my opinion --

Kasparov has control in this one, as he is popular, and Karpov is not,
and Karpov is up to his neck in trouble besides.  Karpov gained his
title by forfeit.  Karpov's personality is colorless.  Karpov is in
trouble with the Soviet government over his harboring foriegn currency
which he made in semi-licit dealings over chess computer endorsements.
Karpov was allegedly in a drug-induced state of ill health at the end
of the 48-game match and probably is still recovering.  Karpov lost the
match that was supposed to be his crowning achievement before becoming
a communist party official.  Who knows what will happen now?  (He'll
still become a cp official.)

I think the current championship scheme (where the champion has only to
defend his title against the winner of an interzonal elimation
tournament, and then he gets a rematch if he loses) favors the reigning
champion too much.  It seems to say that the champion is more important
than the championship.

	Andrew Tannenbaum   Interactive   Boston, MA   617-247-1155

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