Karpov may sue over LV tourney

Thursday, July 22, 1999 | 10:21 a.m.

World chess champion Anatoly Karpov, whose anger over a championship tournament scheduled last October at the Bellagio resulted in its cancellation, is considering filing a suit to stop another international tournament set to begin July 30 at Caesars Palace, his spokesman says.

Shiloh Quinn said Karpov is in Moscow today. He had been expected to arrive in Las Vegas today. His arrival is now tentatively planned for Friday.

Quinn said Karpov and his attorneys are discussing all of their alternatives to find the best solution to a dilemma created when the World Chess Federation, known by its French acronym as FIDE, set the championship tournament dates without consulting Karpov.

FIDE rules require that the reigning champion be consulted before a championship tournament can be played, Quinn said.

Before a suit can be filed in the United States, Quinn said, Karpov first would have to file legal action with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Luasanne, Switzerland.

Once that is done, it clears the way for a suit in federal court in Las Vegas, he said.

Quinn said the suit, if filed, would be for breach of contract and would ask for an injunction to stop the tournament scheduled to begin at Caesars Palace hotel-casino July 30.

Participating in the competition will be 100 of the world's top chess players. Final play is set for Aug. 22-28, with closing ceremonies Aug. 29.

Mikhail Gorbachev, former president of the Soviet Union, is expected to be among the dignitaries on hand for the opening ceremonies July 30.

Karpov threatened a similar suit last winter.

Officials cancelled the tournament that was to be held at the Bellagio hotel-casino in October and in June announced that Caesars Palace hotel-casino would host the event.

Quinn, of Montreal, says Karpov is not being given a fair opportunity to defend his championship.

Quinn said Karpov was never contacted for his input about when a tournament should be played.

"He is booked up (during the announced time of the tournament)," Quinn said. "Because of a number of contracts he is pre-booked. He wants to defend his title, but he wasn't given the chance to participate (in the selection of the tournament dates)."

If an injunction is not granted and the tournament is allowed to continue, Quinn said Karpov should not be required to attend the first few rounds of play but rather play the winners.