For The Love of The Game.

Bathroom controversy

In the aftermath of Game 4, when Topalov had missed his second chance to score a full point playing White and was behind 3-1, his manager Silvio Danailov made an unexpected protest, the ramifications of which threatened to result in the cancellation of the match.

On September 28, 2006, Danailov complained to the match organizers and the press about Kramnik's repeated visits to the bathroom. He noted that the bathrooms are the only place not under audio or video surveillance, and called the frequency of the breaks "strange, if not suspicious". Danailov suggested that Topalov would abandon the match if the concerns were not addressed.^[32]

On September 29, 2006, the Appeals Committee determined that, although the frequency of Kramnik's visits to the toilet had been exaggerated, the private bathrooms would be closed and a common toilet opened for both players.^[33].

In response, Kramnik's manager Carsten Hensel issued a public statement insisting that the original match conditions be adhered to – defending Kramnik's actions by saying, "The restroom is small and Mr. Kramnik likes to walk and therefore uses the space of the bathroom as well...It should also be mentioned that Mr. Kramnik has to drink a lot of water during the games." Otherwise, "Mr. Kramnik will stop playing this match as long as FIDE is not ready to respect Mr. Kramnik’s rights, in this case to use the toilet of his own restroom whenever he wishes to do so." Hensel also declared his lack of confidence in the Appeals Committee and demanded that its members be changed.^[34]

Awaiting a reversal of the Appeal Committee's decision, Kramnik refused to play Game 5. At 5:00 PM local time, the Chief Arbiter declared that Kramnik had forfeited.^[35]

FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov told Kramnik "...I hereby inform you of my full trust in the members of the Match Appeals Committee and their latest decision taken in respect of the appeal of Topalov's team dated 28 September 2006. I am also asking you in good faith to continue your participation in this match...".^[36]

Later, it emerged that Kramnik’s team made a procedural blunder by not filing their protest before he defaulted the fifth game.^[37]

The players were invited for a meeting by Ilyumzhinov "to discuss the actual situation of the match and to solve the problems".^[38] Ilyumzhinov stated that cancelling the forfeit was possible, but that if no compromise were reached by noon on 1 October, the match would not continue.^[39]

On October 1, 2006, FIDE announced that agreement had been reached that the original bathroom arrangements would be reinstated and that the Appeals Committee had resigned and would be replaced.

Later that day, FIDE announced that Game 6 would be played on October 2, with the forfeit standing and the score Kramnik 3 - Topalov 2. ^[40] Kramnik replied that he was "ready to proceed playing the match by reserving all my rights. My further participation will be subject to the condition to clarify my rights regarding game five at later stage."^[41]

On October 3, 2006, the new Appeals Committee responded to Kramnik's appeal against the Game 5 forfeit saying that they had no powers to vary the decisions of the original Appeals Committee.^[42] Earlier, Kramnik had said that if his appeal fails, "the only thing I know for sure is that in this case I will sue FIDE."^[43]

Kramnik's manager expressed concern that a member of Topalov's team might attempt to plant an electronic device in Kramnik's bathroom to foster suspicion that Kramnik is cheating. He suggested several measures relating to the inspection of the bathroom and Kramnik's person meant to forestall this possibility.^[44]

On October 10, 2006, in a press release Team Kramnik said: "Should the decision of FIDE regarding the fifth game have any influence on the awarding of the World Championship title, with Mr. Topalov receiving the title after being granted a free point for the unplayed game, Mr Kramnik declares unequivocally: 'I will not recognize Mr. Topalov as World Champion under these conditions, and I will take legal action against FIDE at the end of the World Championship.'"^[45]

More than 30 GMs, WGMs, and IMs expressed open support for Kramnik's position^[46] – including former World Champions Anatoly Karpov and Boris Spassky^[47], whose opponent also famously disputed the match conditions.

-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIDE_World_Chess_Championship_2006#Bathroom_controversy