TWIC is 30. First issue 17th September 1994.
FIDE Candidates 2011 (FIDE Response)
FIDE statement concerning the Candidates Matches 2011
Mark Crowther - Wednesday 10th November 2010
FIDE have released a statement by FIDE Deputy President Georgios Makropoulos on 10th November 2011 responding to Carlsen's withdrawal from the candidates. It states that it can't change the regulations half way through the cycle (something it has done in the past, but as a matter of principal I agree with this) but says it is open to suggestions in the future. It also confirms that Alexander Grischuk will be his replacement if he does pull out of the event. It is not clear if the draw will be remade however.
FIDE statement concerning the Candidates Matches 2011
FIDE respects that every player makes his own decisions and regrets that GM Magnus Carlsen has expressed his desire to withdraw from the upcoming Candidates Matches. It is always a big loss for any event when a player of Magnus Carlsen's strength is not participating. FIDE's policy is to review regularly the World Championship cycle after consultation with the top world players. At this point in time, the current cycle is in its final stages and it is not possible for FIDE to change its regulations. In the case of GM Magnus Carlsen not participating, according to regulations GM Alexander Grischuk from Russia will be his replacement.
The match system for the World Championship has been in place for around a century with some slight variations such as in 1948 or 1999-2007 when round-robin or knock-out tournaments were also used to decide the world title. FIDE has always been sceptical about World Championship matches instead of tournaments. Ten years ago, FIDE established that the World Champion should not have any privilege when entering the World Championship Tournament (knock-out or round-robin), in accordance with the current suggestions of GM Magnus Carlsen. After 2007, FIDE discussed the format with a number of top players and many of them, including former World Champions Anatoly Karpov, Gary Kasparov and Vladimir Kramnik still preferred a match to decide the winner of the title instead of a tournament. FIDE accepted this change and returned to the classical system of a World Championship Match but without the privilege of the World Champion keeping his title in case of a tie.
As a matter of principle, FIDE cannot change its regulations upon the wish of a single player, even if this player is the World Champion or the No.1 or No.2 of the world ratings. On the other hand, FIDE is always open for suggestions which can be applicable in the future and which would also support or increase the marketing value of the World Championship.
Best regards,
Georgios Makropoulos FIDE Deputy President
