FIDE Confirms Candidates Line-Up
The deadline for acceptance of FIDE's terms for the candidates matches passed yesterday, and the official line-up for next year has now been confirmed.
As expected, Magnus Carlsen has declined to take part, so Alexander Grischuk (pictured) is his replacement.
FIDE confirms that the candidates are:
- Veselin Topalov (loser against Anand last time)
- Gata Kamsky (runner up in the last cycle)
- Boris Gelfand (winner of the 2009 World Cup)
- Lev Aronian (winner of the Grand Prix Series)
- Teimour Radjabov (runner-up of the Grand Prix Series)
- Alexander Grischuk (third in the Grand Prix Series)
- Vladimir Kramnik (next highest rated not otherwise qualified)
- Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (wildcard)
It now seems that the draw will likely look like this:
| Topalov |
Kamsky |
| Kramnik |
Radjabov |
| Aronian |
Grischuk |
| Gelfand |
Mamedyarov |
The quarter-final and semi-final matches will be played over 4 games, and the final over 6 games, with the matches taking place between 3-27 May 2011 in Kazan, Russia.
The winner will then challenge Vishy Anand for the world title some time in 2012.
