Kramnik withdraws from 2013 Candidates

[Ray Sayers]

In a move which has shocked the chess world, former World Chess Champion Vladimir Kramnik has sensationally withdrawn from the final days' play in the current competition to select a Challenger for the World Championship.

Kramnik stated 'I am in shock after following Carlsens' win against Radjabov yesterday. My nerves are frayed. I am afraid to pick up another chess piece. Yesterday convinced me that Magnus has the Hand of God is on his shoulder. It is pointless to compete against someone who is much more talented and handsome than me. I have decided not to waste everyones' time continuing this charade of a competition.'

A spokesman for Kramnik later stated that this sounded like b*ll*cks.

Diego Maradona was unavailable for comment regarding the Hand of God.

[Richard James]

In a move which has shocked the chess world, former World Chess Champion Vladimir Kramnik has sensationally withdrawn from the final days' play in the current competition to select a Challenger for the World Championship.

Kramnik stated 'I am in shock after following Carlsens' win against Radjabov yesterday. My nerves are frayed. I am afraid to pick up another chess piece. Yesterday convinced me that Magnus has the Hand of God is on his shoulder. It is pointless to compete against someone who is much more talented and handsome than me. I have decided not to waste everyones' time continuing this charade of a competition.'

A spokesman for Kramnik later stated that this sounded like b*ll*cks.

Diego Maradona was unavailable for comment regarding the Hand of God.

Citation?

[Carl Hibbard]

In a move which has shocked the chess world, former World Chess Champion Vladimir Kramnik has sensationally withdrawn from the final days' play in the current competition to select a Challenger for the World Championship.

Kramnik stated 'I am in shock after following Carlsens' win against Radjabov yesterday. My nerves are frayed. I am afraid to pick up another chess piece. Yesterday convinced me that Magnus has the Hand of God is on his shoulder. It is pointless to compete against someone who is much more talented and handsome than me. I have decided not to waste everyones' time continuing this charade of a competition.'

A spokesman for Kramnik later stated that this sounded like b*ll*cks.

Diego Maradona was unavailable for comment regarding the Hand of God.

Citation?

http://www.google.co.uk/intl/en-GB/landing/nose/

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Almost as believable as this story:

http://www.chessbase.com/Home/TabId/211 ... 10413.aspx

[Richard James]

Almost as believable as this story:

http://www.chessbase.com/Home/TabId/211 ... 10413.aspx

That suggestion was originally made by Stan Vaughan on January 17th so it's - sort of - genuine.

ChessBase traditionally publish three improbable stories on 1st April, the most plausible of which turns out to be the hoax.

[David Robertson]

By far the best I've found today is THIS IMPROBABLE NONSENSE

[Ray Sayers]

By far the best I've found today is THIS IMPROBABLE NONSENSE

Oh come on, at least TRY to make it plausible!!

[Kevin Thurlow]

"That suggestion was originally made by Stan Vaughan on January 17th so it's - sort of - genuine."

I assumed "World Champion" Stan Vaughan was deadly serious.