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.
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