Kamsky team complains to the appeals committee.
The Kamsky team made two appeals to the committee. One on the 22nd of June and a further
one on the 26th of June. Below are the two appeals committee decisions and two FIDE press
releases. Christophe Bouton starts with an account of the press conference given by Rustam
Kamsky on the 21st June which started this episode.
Elista, June 21st 6:30 pm
One hour after game 8 ended in a draw, Rustam Kamsky asked for a press conference. He
said this press conference could not have taken place had Kirsan Iljumzhinov been in town
(Kalmykia voted massively for Yeltsin last Sunday, so Iljumzhinov flew immediatly to Moscow).
The main point of this hectic press conference was a quarrel about the computer room which is
nearby the rest rooms of the players and from which I send the moves live to different web
sites. In this computer room, IGM Evgenyi Vassiukov and IM Vladimir Gagarin are preparing
comments for the spectators.
These comments are made 3-4 times during the game. In
between, they analyse the game, write down notes for the bulletin and check the references
thanks to the huge database V. Gagarin is in charge of.
So, when R. Kamsky entered the computer room, he was suspicious. At this press conference
he accused MM. Gagarin and Vassiukov of working for Karpov's camp. He said that Karpov
broken his normal routine as he was often leaving the stage during the play. He accused the
two masters of finding references on the 8th game during the play thanks to the computer.
Maybe he was afraid of some possible connection between the screen in the rest room of each
player and the screen used for analysis for spectators. But there is none. The TV set in the
players rest room broadcast only the situation of the game in process.
R. Kamsky complained that he had only "officially" received the regulations of the match yesterday. He added that his son and himself were not consulted about anything during the organisation of the match. He added that, to catch Karpov, 20 games may not be sufficient and in this respect he wanted the FIDE rules to be applied i.e, a match in 24 games.
As a result of his demands (with two meetings with the arbiters and the organisation committee
before this press conference), the access to the press computer room has been limited with a
permanent guard to enforce it.
The two chiefs of delegation or any of their representative have
permanent access to this room. Phone calls regarding the game, to and from the computer
room, are strictly forbidden.
The AC should reach a decision within 24 hours upon receipt of a protest in accordance to Regulation D.I.07.6.142(b). In this case this means 23:00 hours on 23 June 1996.
a) That there is advance analysis of the game by two strong chess players in the computer room during the playing session.
Commentator GM Vasiukov and his assistant IM Gagarin are hired by the Organizers to carry out work as commentators and to publish the bulletins. There is nothing in the Regulations prohibiting this work from being conducted in a computer room.
b) That the alledged advance analysis is carried out with the help of computer programs such as
Menista and IC Genius-3. or the purpose of fulfilling their work described in 4(a) above, the help
of the computer programs were used to enhance the speed of their work and to produce high
quality bulletins.
Other than this complaint there has been nothing reported to indicate that the
Commentator was not conducting his work in a very professional manner.
c) That there is possibility to pass information from the computer room to the players. The location of the computer room is not ideal. Due to this fact, several restrictions have already been established after extensive discussions between the involved parties.
While there is possibility of passing information due to advanced technology, that does not mean
that this is being done. The complainant has not substantiated his claim with any evidence
whatsoever of this being done.
Moreover there has been no reports from any other sources to
support such possibility of passing information to the players. Nevertheless, for the sake of
creating a peaceful atmosphere and to prevent unnecessary tension among the two teams, the
AC has decided that the programs stated above shall not be used during the game.
There shall
be no advance analysis by computer program during the game. For the production of the
bulletins, only the chess database management systems and text processors could be used.
These decisions are acceptable to Commentator GM Vasiukov and his assistant IM Gagarin.
d) That the press releases during the game should include only the moves that have been made. There are no regulations concerning the contents of the bulletins.
e) That the FIDE Regulations stipulate that all equipment, i.e. computers and commentators
should be situated in the press centre. There are no regulations concerning the location of
equipment, computers and commentators.
Regulations D.I.07.3.5 and D.I.07.3.6 are
recommendations and minimum standards to be provided for by the Organizers and not for the
limitation of other solutions and possibilities. Therefore, these rules, as they stand, do not
exclude other solutions and other possible arrangement of facilities such as the press centre,
live commentary room and the production of the bulletins.
Based on the above complaints and comments, the Appeals Committee has reached the following
Fide press release about the protest dated 24 June
Protest from the Kamsky Team on 22 June 1996 at 23:00 hours. Copies of this protest were
delivered to the Karpov Team and Commentator GM Evgeny Vasiukov for their comments.
The main complaint of the Kamsky Team was that during the playing session, GM Vasiukov and
his assistant IM Gagarin are making advance analysis of the game with the help of computer
programs such as Menista and IC Genius-3 in the computer room.
The Kamsky Team alledged
that there is the possibility to pass information from the computer room to the players. The
Kamsky Team felt that the press releases during the game should include only the moves that
have been made.
The opinion of the Kamsky Team was that the computers and the
commentators should be situated in the press centre.
The Appeals Committee took into consideration the comments of GM Vasiukov. The commentators are doing their job which is also being broadcast live on Kalmyk TV. There is no reason to doubt their professionalism.
For the sake of a peaceful atmosphere and to prevent unnecessary tension between the two teams, the Appeals Committee decided that no computer playing program shall be used for advance analysis in the computer room during a playing session.
The opinion of the Kamsky Team was that the computers and the commentators should be situated in the press centre.
STATEMENT issued by The Appeals Committee
1. The Appeals Committee in its decision found it unnecessary to specifically point out the fact that Commentator GM Vasiukov and his assistant IM Gagarin are not representing the Karpov Team.
2. The Appeals Committee in its decision found it unnecessary to specifically point out the fact
that World Champion Anatoly Karpov's result is purely due to his own playing merit and sporting
achievement.
None of the allegations against the Commentators and the Karpov Team as
implied in the Protest of the Kamsky Team were valid.
By this statement, The Appeals Committee wishes to preserve the integrity of World Champion Anatoly Karpov, the members of the Karpov Team, the Match Arbiters, the Organizing Committee and Commentators GM Vasiukov and IM Gagarin.
The AC should reach a decision within 24 hours upon receipt of a protest in accordance to Regulation D.I.07.6.142(b). In this case, it means 22:30 hours on 27 June 1996.
a) That during the 11th game, the Commentators carried out advance analysis on the computer contrary to the decision of the AC in the protest of 22 June 1996.
The AC has full confidence that the Commentators are working professionally and in accordance with the previous decision of the AC. We do not believe in the allegations.
The AC noticed that Chief of Delegation Rustam Kamsky has been constantly creating
disturbance in the computer room. In so doing, his interference has disrupted those people
working in the computer room.
During the 11th game, again Rustam Kamsky made provocative
accusations during the work of the Commentators.
The AC had, on 23 June 1996, issued a warning to Rustam Kamsky to behave himself in the computer room. Due to his continual misconduct in the computer room, The AC shall deny Rustam Kamsky access into the computer room with immediate effect.
b) That the two Commentators are working as part of the Karpov Team.
The AC feels that the Kamsky Team is repeating a serious allegation which implies that the two
Commentators are part of the Karpov Team.
The AC has rejected this allegation before. In the
opinion of the AC, this repeated allegation is an insult to the Karpov Team and to the two
Commentators.
The Kamsky Team did not substantiate its implied allegation in the previous protest as well as in
this protest. The Kamsky Team has continued to make provocative statements contrary to
Regulation D.I.07.1.46.
As such, the AC demands written apologies signed by both Challenger
GM Gata Kamsky and Chief of Delegation Rustam Kamsky to the offended parties; that is to
World Champion GM Anatoly Karpov and to the two Commentators GM Evgeny Vasiukov and
IM Gagarin.
These apologies must be delivered to the FIDE Office (Room 25 at the White
House) before 14:00 hours on 28 June 1996. If acceptable apologies are not received by the
deadline, in accordance to Regulation D.I.07.6.144(b) the Appeals Committee will impose a fine
of US$2000 on Challenger GM Gata Kamsky and US$2000 on Chief of Delegation Rustam
Kamsky.
These fines shall be deductable from their prize money and stipend respectively in
accordance to Regulation D.I.07.6.145.
c) Request to switch off the headphones of the TV Cameramen working near the stage.
The Chief Arbiter has noticed sound from the headphones when they were not worn by the TV
cameramen. This happended only on a couple of ocassions since commencement of the 1st
game to the 11th game.
However, the Arbiters have taken all necessary measures in order to
prevent any disturbances by the TV crew and their equipment.
The AC wants to add that it finds it difficult to believe that Gata Kamsky could very well hear
"comments, analyses and possible moves" through the headphones during a game.
The AC
has asked and received the appended statement of the General Manager of the Kalmyk
Teleradiocompany.
Based on the above complaints and comments, the Appeals Committee has reached the following
II. Chief of Delegation Mr Rustam Kamsky is denied access into the computer room with immediate effect.
III. Both Challenger GM Gata Kamsky and Chief of Delegation Mr Rustam Kamsky shall deliver
their unconditional apologies to World Champion GM Anatoly Karpov and Commentator GM
Evgeny Vasiukov and Commentator IM Gagarin.
Failing to deliver these within the stipulated
deadline, they shall each be fined US$2000.
MORTEN SAND Chairman Appeals Committee
R. Kamsky: " I'll arrange a slaughter here! "
Just a couple of minutes before the resumption of game 11, June 27th, Rustam Kamsky
entered the computer room as usual. Vasily Gagarin was on the phone with St Petersburg TV
which sometimes relay from the live reports of Kalmykia Television.
As V. Gagarin asked to R.
Kamsky if he wanted to talk to the Leningrad journalist on the phone, the latter refused. And
added with anger: " I do make an official statement: if you don't stop advanced analysis in this
room, I'll arrange a slaughter here! ".
A few seconds later, the arbiter G. Gijssen entered the room. Both Gijssen and R. Kamsky left the room soon as the game was going to start.
To the Appeals Committee of the Match from the Chief of Kamsky's Team R. Kamsky
June 26th, Rustam Kamsky
I, grandmaster Gata Kamsky, declare that during a game the comments can be very well heard
through the headphones of the TV-cameramen alongside with the analysis and possible moves.
I would be grateful if you could kindly switch off the headphones of the TV cameramen. Also, I
am insisting that no advance analysis is carried out.
June 26th, 1996
Gata Kamsky
To President FIDE and Kalmykia Kirsan N. Iliumzhinov from challenger Gata Kamsky
27.06.96 Gata Kamsky To The Appeals Committee from the Challenger for the World Chess Title Gata Kamsky and the Head of the Delegation Rustma Kamsky.
1) We have encountered grave problems during the match organization and have been asking
for 10 (ten) days to eliminate these drawbacks. We have not blamed Karpov as we were
speaking that during the game Russian grandmasters Vasiukov and Gagarin were making use of
Database program and the computer with chess playing programs (Chess Genius-3).
They are
analyzing and collecting on the machine on the base during the game making advance analysis.
We disagree with this and are insisting on terminating this outrage.
2) When the chief of the delegation was present in the computer during the 11th game, he had a
talk about the claims with the FIDE representative Mr. Morten Sand and he did not affect the
work of the commentators.
The investigation took place during a break in the comments and
the bulletin was not being published. We feel that Mr. Morten Sand is not honest to his duties
and you are not in a position to deny the access to the computer room to the Chief of the
delegation Mr. R. G. Kamsky.
3) I make a request to make President of FIDE and Kalmykia Kirsan Nikolayevich Ilyumzhinov an arbiter in our dispute.
4) We are very surprised and filled with indignation by the Appeals Committee response and by
the fact that the decision was taken without the presence of the Chief of the Kamsky team.
Also Mr Sand has immediately left for Moscow without waiting for our answer. This is an
unlawful action.
5) I will be grateful to have an immediate response for our protest especially as in you
document it is said precisely that the Chief Arbiter had heard the noises coming from the
headset of the TV-cameramen and this proves that Gata Kamsky does not make any
provocative actions and does not tell lies.
Also, concerning the first protest dated June 22nd,
1996 the Appeals Committee came to adecision that the playing programs and the computers
shall not be used for the advance analysis of the Championship's games.
Mr. Morten Sand, the
Chairman of the Appeals Committee has seen himself that Vasiukov and Gagarin had used the
computer for these purposes so I make a request to remit the insulting accusations in
provocations and lies.
Challenger Gata Kamsky Chief of Delegation Rustam G. Kamsky.