Possible elite venues?

World Chess Championship 2012Possible venues and host countries

Having conducted the World Chess Championship 2010 in the home country of one of the participants has sparked large discussion in the chess world last year. Is it possible to guarantee neutrality? Does it give advantage to the home player? Or does it put pressure on him and give advantage to the other contender?

The smooth and professional organization of the WCC 2010 in Sofia might have opened a gate to a new era in the organization of the World Chess Championships and decreased the importance of the above questions. The conclusion of the event was simple and direct: a home country always provides the possibility for larger sponsorship (including state one) and higher interest in organizing the event.

Anand is a sure finalist at the World Championship 2012 and logically India was the first country to have expressed desire to organize the match. According to TOI, India's decision to join the fray came afterLondon withdrew its bid. India also has the agreement of Anand through his manager and wife Aruna, who said, "Anand has played three FIDE world championship matches in India and he has done well here."

Ilya Levitov, one of FIDE's vice Presidents and main figure in Russian chess, has confirmed in a recent interview for local media that the host country will very much depend on the winner of the Candidates Matches 2011.

If Aronian wins then Serge Sargsyan will surely be interested in hosting the event, if it is Radjabov or Mamedyarov then Azerbaijan comes to the stage. The Order Stara Planina and the new Presidential position at BCF for Silvio Danailov make Bulgaria a probable candidate for the World Championship 2012 as well, in case Topalov wins the match. Kamsky might bring the event to USA, while Grischuk or Kramnik will certainly spark interest in Russia.