Chess World Cup 2013: Gary Kasparov tweets on Jorge Cori controversy

Jorge Cori was two minutes late for his match. (Photos: Anastasiya Karlovich)

Former World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov tweeted on the controversy surrounding 17-year-old Peruvian Jorge Cori, who had to forfeit his match in the first round of the World Chess 2013 due to a mistake in hearing the time of start of play.

Cori mistook 15 for 50 and reached the venue two minutes late. By that time, Azerbaijani GM Teimour Radjabov had already signed the score sheet and left. As a result Cori got a forfeit in his first tie-break game. Kasparov tweeted the following on Tuesday:

“I have zero tolerance for FIDE’s zero tolerance policy! Forfeiting a kid at the most important event of his life for being a minute late? Young Peruvian star Jorge Cori misunderstood 6:15 for 6:50 & wasn’t at board at World Cup event. Forfeited, and in round 1! He’s appealing.

“I have always promoted professionalism and treating chess as a serious sport, not a casual game. But rules like this destroy common sense.

“Struggling federations like Peru’s cannot send a big staff of coaches & aides. Difficult just to send players! But FIDE taxes them anyway.

Kasparov also retweeted Jon Ludvig Hammer’s tweet: “There really should be at least 33% players in the Appeals Committee!” [Three FIDE Officials are the members of the board]

Kasparov also tweeted the following: “Players?! Ilyumzhinov’s FIDE give players a real voice? Too dangerous!

Nothing to do with Cori’s opponent. Obviously not Radjabov’s fault. The foolish rule is the problem and I have said it before. “