Scandal in Elista: Kramnik forfeits Game Four

Two days in St. Andrews, I've just been able to get online again, and when I tune into the Chessbase server to follow todays game in Elista, what do I see? A ghost from the past has visited the World Championship match between Kramnik and Topalov. I could hardly believe my own eyes: Topalov threatening to refuse the traditional pre-game handshake! The absurdity of KGB agents, parapsychologists, yogurt-signals, hypnosis, secret notes, and hidden wires - the FIDE-curse has made its grand entré.

Let me briefly explain the situation: Earlier today, Team Topalov filed a complaint against Team Kramnik. They had observed, on the video-tapes of the private rest areas, that Kramnik spent alarmingly much time in the bathroom - the only room not under video surveillance during the games. Allegedly, the Russian GM visited the facilities fifty times during Game 3, a rumor later denied by the committee. Now, Team Topalov demanded that the private toilets were closed and a common bathroom installed instead. Enraged by the intrusion of privacy, Kramnik refused to accept the ruling by the committee, which was, suprisingly, in Topalov's favour. So, when the game started at 13pm GMT, Kramnik failed to show up, losing on time while waiting in his room for the toilet to be reopened.

This ridiculous situation, which has already made the mainstream media, just goes to prove how fragile the unification process is. Surprisingly, it is Topalov, the man who only months ago was honoured for his good sportmanship, who must take the blame. The discussions of the scandal - now commonly called BladderGate - are all heavily in Kramnik's favour. Firstly, Kramnik's team simply wants to play according to the contract; that is, continue with the original restroom/bathroom arrangement, only allow for changes in the contract when both parties agree (i.e., the committee cannot alone change the contract mid-match), complaints have to be filed at certain times (according to Team Kramnik, Topalov's complaint was outside the set time). Additionally, it appears that Team Kramnik wants to replace the committee due to what they deem incompetence and bias, but it is a demand I'm sure they'll reconsider if the contract is followed, and Game 5 replayed.

What will happen when the next game is supposed to start? No one knows at the moment, but again, the on-lookers are more or less on Kramnik's side: the game should be replayed. Whether or not the committee's decision can somehow be retracted, I don't know - but it appears that this is the only way out of the dilemma. Unless, of course, some evidence for Kramnik's alleged cheating is forthcoming - but I doubt it. The toilets are frequently controlled, and there is even electronic noise in the rest area to prevent signals from coming through to the players.

More updates will follow later today when Game Six is scheduled (1pm GMT). Meanwhile, read Mig's hilarious comments on the situation on The Daily Dirt Chess Blog.

Update: FIDE President Ilymuzhinov just announced that there will be no game today. Instead, the match will continue tomorrow, but as of now, no one knows if the next game will be be Game 5 or 6. Here are British GM Nunn's thoughts on the issue.

Update: A press release just revealed that some sort of settlement has been agreed upon in Elista. Apparently the private toilets will be reopened and the committee has been replaced (!). However, still no news about how and when the match will continue.