From Chess Today - 4211 (19 May)
The first half of the match was just a PR disaster. Yes, there will be a winner eventually, and we will see decisive games. But some are already just waiting it all to end, no matter how. It is my opinion that the classical title matches is nearly the most unattractive form of modern chess. It is not about moves, which Anand and Gelfand want to make: they have to make moves which offer the best chances to score "+1". But even 2 to 3 boring games in a match produce too much disappointment all around, even this is too high a price.
It can be said that it does not make sense to speak much now, when everything is so clear. But I see that many people refuse to confess that chess faces some fundamental organisational problems. So, I can only congratulate all those who steadfastly support the great Steinitz-Zukertort-Chigorin tradition. Perhaps, they must be very happy with what is going on these days: after all, the tradition is preserved, and the rest is not the top priority. But my priorities are quite different, so I am sorry. Simply, no one told me, really, when I learned the game at the age of 6, that chess absolutely cannot exist without the classical title matches.
M.G.
It can be said that it does not make sense to speak much now, when everything is so clear. But I see that many people refuse to confess that chess faces some fundamental organisational problems. So, I can only congratulate all those who steadfastly support the great Steinitz-Zukertort-Chigorin tradition. Perhaps, they must be very happy with what is going on these days: after all, the tradition is preserved, and the rest is not the top priority. But my priorities are quite different, so I am sorry. Simply, no one told me, really, when I learned the game at the age of 6, that chess absolutely cannot exist without the classical title matches.
M.G.