Tomorrow, the world chess championship tournament will start in Mexico City. There is a lot of speculation online who will win this event. However, I am wondering, what the winner wins besides a part of the 1.3 million dollar prize fund. Will the winner of the "World Chess Championship 2007" in Mexico really become the chess world champion?

The reunification match between Topalov and Kramnik in September 2006 was won by Kramnik, who is now world champion. At that time, it seemed to me that the next world champion will be determined in the upcoming 8 player double round robin tournament in Mexico. Furthermore, it was said that the loser of the match between Kramnik and Topalov forfeits his right to compete in Mexico. However, lately I have been reading on some blogs that things are apparently a bit more complicated. Supposedly, Kramnik has now the right for a world championship match with the winner of Mexico 2007 (It will be 'funny' to watch him playing himself in the event that he wins the Mexico tournament). To make matters more complicated, it seems that Topalov also negotiated some special rights for a match. Therefore, I am wondering if the winner of the "World Chess Championship 2007" in Mexico can really call himself chess world champion?

This matter leaves me a bit confused. But with all the crying of high-level chess officials for more publicity and sponsorship money, it is something else that upsets me: the lack of information. The official site of the tournament in Mexico publishes under "tournament baseline" just the most basic information ("Event dates: September 12 - October 1, 2007, Place: Mexico City, Mexico, Venue: Sheraton Centro Histórico Hotel (official website), Prize fund: US$1.3 million, Format: Eight player double round-robin", that's it!). And even the world chess federation's website is not more informative: "World Chess Championship Tournament 2007 is the second stage of the World Chess Championship cycle." What does "second stage" mean? There is probably more information to be found, but I do think that people who are paid to promote chess could do a better job than this.

Anyway, enough ranting! I am curious, how many chess fans are actually following this kind of event. I put a poll on the website to find out and would be happy if you could take a few seconds to leave your feedback!

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