Opinion--Thoughts On the Russian Chess Federation Proposal For Independent, Private World Chess Championship Challenges

The Russian Chess Federation has proposed a private challenge system to supplement the current WCC selection system. I think it is a potentially interesting idea that could reform the process in a positive manner.

Some objections have been floated elsewhere that some players like V-L from France would have more difficulty than someone like Caruana raising money for a match challenge.

There is no question that some challengers will have more difficulty than others in arranging funding for an independent challenge. Still, I think a player like V-L or FC will have little trouble finding sponsors given their ability. What this proposal indirectly addresses is the current candidates structure which is far from ideal in that after the candidates' tournament there is no match play leading to the naming of a world championship challenger. IMO, the two best choices are to move toward independent challenges or go back to interzonal tournaments followed by match play to find the challenger.

If the road chosen is the old private system, there could be a requirement that the champion has an obligation to accept a challenge from one of the top five players based on FIDE rating within perhaps two years of the last title match or forfeit the title, giving the title to the highest rated player at that time other than the forfeiting champion. Lastly, let's get Kirsan's cronies at Agon and Chess Lane out of the picture. Their business incompetence is pathetic and the secrecy of their machinations is destructive of promoting chess as a viable professional sport. The chess world deserves better. The Russian proposal is a possible initial negotiating position for a restructuring of the challenge system.