Kamsky responds to Shirov

Kamsky prepared to play in Bulgaria

Following on from Alexei Shirov's open letter (reported here), a representative of Gata Kamsky has issued a statement denying that Kamsky has officially declined to play in Bulgaria.

To FIDE President Mr. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov

May 29, 2008

Awaiting FIDE determination regarding the bid made by Mr. Oleksandr Chernenko for the Kamsky-Topalov match and the official contract from FIDE that determines the rights and obligations of both players, on behalf of Gata Kamsky I would like to address disturbing rumors that are being spread in press by Aleksey Shirov.

Since Gata Kamsky intends to play against Vaselin Topalov and did not officially decline to play against him, it is inappropriate for A. Shirov to offer his candidacy before official FIDE resolution on that issue has been made.

Accordingly please provide a working draft of the documents that FIDE anticipates GM Kamsky and GM Topalov to execute.

Sincerely,
Bella Kamskaya

Will FIDE still try to look for a better sponsorship deal or will they settle for the Bulgarian bid?  And who exactly will Topalov end up playing?  The endgame of this contest is still in the balance...