Anand relieved to make it to World Championships

SOFIA - Defending champion Viswanathan Anand said he is happy to make it to the World Chess Championships, which had to be delayed by one day because the Indian’s travel plans were snarled due to the giant ash cloud from Iceland’s volcano.

The game, which was to be held Friday, will now be played Saturday.

Anand will play the opening game with black pieces in the 12-game title match against challenger Veselin Topalov.

The postponement came about following Anand’s request for a three-day postponement after arriving four days late here. The organisers had earlier rejected the request but then agreed to pushing back the first game by a day.

At the Press Conference on Wednesday, FIDE deputy president Georgios Makropoulos said: “I explained to Vishy that it is a shock for the organizstion to postpone 3 days, and I said to the organisers that the situation is force majeure.”

“After many discussions I talked to the Presidential Board and the FIDE president and we decided to postpone the start of the match by one day. I expect from the organisers understanding for the one day postponement and understanding from Anand’s team that three days was also not optional.”

Both parties appeared to be satisfied with the outcome.

The opening ceremony went as per schedule Wednesday in the presence of Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov, the Indian ambassador and both players.

Anand, who has not agreed to the “Sofia Rule” (opponent cannot offer draw) said, “A world championship should be played with world championship rules.”

“I am very happy to be here, it was a longer trip than we expected. The main thing I came here for is to play chess. Mr. Makropoulos described very well the situation. I want to thank FIDE for the understanding and I hope the chess fans will see a good match.”

Topalov said: “This is an historic event for Bulgaria, we are a small country. We cannot organise Olympic games and this championship is a very effective way of promotion for the country. For five years, Anand and I have dominated the chess world, and this match should have happened long time ago.”