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Chess
Ponomariov formally crowned World champion
By Arvind Aaron
MOSCOW, JAN. 26. Ruslan Ponomariov of Ukraine was formally crowned the new World chess champion by the FIDE President Mr. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov at a colourful ceremony here at Hotel Metropol on Friday night.
Crowning the 18-year-old boy from Kramatorsk World champion, Mr Ilyumzhinov called Ponomariov as the ``strongest chess player'' of the world as it raised a few eyebrows among some Grandmasters who attended the ceremony. Both No.1 ranked Garry Kasparov and No. 2 ranked Vladimir Kramnik of Russia did not compete in these championships and they do not accept the ``knock out'' system.
In his speech, Ponomariov thanked everyone. ``More than 50 officials from Ukraine are here,'' said his trainer IM Silvio Danailov.
The long list of officials included the President of the local club which Ponomariov represents, the Governor of region, the Deputy Prime Minister, the officials of the Ukrainian Chess Federation, the Ukrainian Ambassador in Moscow, etc. His parents and sister were however, absent.
In his speech, Vassily Ivanchuk said he was at mistake in not accepting the security check before the games and also protesting about them. He said it was a fair and well fought match.
The FIDE President Mr Ilyumzhinov recalled an incident that happened five years ago when Ponomariov and his trainer came to him for support in Elista. ``Then the deal was not made,'' but ``now if the Ukrainian Government doesn't give you support or a flat, you can come and have it in Elista.'' Elista is the capital of Kalmykia, a republic in Russia. Many spectators came braving heavy rain and it included Viktor Bologan, Zurab Azmaiparashvili, IM Alexandra Kosteniuk, the finalist in the women's championship last month.
Ponomariov opts out of Linares
Ponomariov confirmed that he is not playing in Linares this year since he has felicitation engagements at Kramatorsk and in Ukraine and something which he can't refuse.
This leaves the organisers of the strongest tournament in the world with six players, G. Kasparov, V. Anand, M. Adams, A. Shirov, Pons Vallejo and V. Ivanchuk.
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