C25 Candidates & C26 Grand Prix

Working on the previous post, Evolution of a Press Release, I realized that I didn't have a good grasp of the events leading to the forthcoming start of the Grand Prix in London. Following is a series of relevant articles from Chessvibes.com. I prefer Chessvibes over the other main chess news services because it incorporates visitor comments.

C25: Candidates

• 2012-02-10: The Candidates' in London; is FIDE selling its World Championship cycle?
• 2012-02-15: Tournament organizers and players not happy with Candidates Tournament dates
• 2012-02-21: FIDE confirms agreements with CNC/Agon and Tretyakov
• 2012-02-26: Danailov to FIDE: "I will not allow such a mockery"
• 2012-02-27: Official request from Bilbao organizers to FIDE to change Candidates dates
• 2012-03-07: FIDE confirms London Candidates, announces 4-year schedule - players' comments
• 2012-03-19: Silvio Danailov: "Our lawyers are studying the case"
• 2012-03-16: Some thoughts on Keene's interview with Andrew Paulson
• 2012-03-28: FIDE Candidates Tournament postponed until March 2013 - comments from key stakeholders
• 2012-04-05: Ilyumzhinov turns 50, signs agreement with Azerbaijan

C26: Grand Prix

• 2012-05-25: Meanwhile, FIDE announces new Grand Prix series, contracts to be signed before June 1st
• 2012-06-21: Andrew Paulson's big plans for chess
• 2012-07-18: FIDE/Agon announce Grand Prix 2012-2013 participants
• 2012-07-21: London's historic Simpson's-in-the-Strand to host first Grand Prix

Given the many things that have gone wrong with world chess in the last decade, I'm not easily impressed by FIDE, but the accomplishments of the past six months are taking the organization in a new direction. If the London Grand Prix is even moderately successful, we can expect great things to follow.