Hangin's take on ACP's reply to Ponomariov's open letter

4/15/2004 - I was confused by ACP reply. ACP claims that it is illogical for Ponomariov, the FIDE champion, to play in a large knockout event  to produce a winner. Well this is how  Ponomariov won his title, in a large knockout event. Had Ponomariov agreed to play his match against Kasparov this mess could have been avoided. 

   The seeded player, Garry Kasparov, is a titled holder.  Kasparov is the current ex world champion, one match removed from his title. World Championship history tells us, that world champions upon losing their title have had the right to automatic rematch or have been seeded in the candidate process in the next world championship. 

    Wilhelm Steinitz, Alexander Alekhine, Mikhail Botvinnik, Anatoly Karpov made use of their rematch rights after losing their titles. Upon losing the title, Tigran Petrosian, Boris Spassky, Anatoly Karpov all made use of their right to be seeded in the candidates matches of the next world championship. Garry Kasparov, the 13th World Champion and current Ex Champion, has a legitimate claim to be seeded in the  semifinal candidate match of the reunification. Kasparov road to his title was a lot tougher than Ponomariov's. Based on how each player won their titles, I can only conclude that Kasparov has the greater  right to be seeded in the reunification matches.

  Read Migs article on the reunification

  Hangin's take on Ponomariov's open letter

  Hangin responds to a reader