Candidates Matches 2011

FIDE announced the dates for the Candidates Matches. They will take place 3 to 27 May 2011, in Kazan. The 8 original qualifiers are GMs Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria), Magnus Carlsen (Norway), Vladimir Kramnik (Russia), Levon Aronian (Armenia), Boris Gelfand (Israel), Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Azerbaijan), Teimour Radjabov (Azerbaijan) and Gata Kamsky (USA). In case of replacements, the 3 first reserves from the FIDE Grand-Prix 2008-2009 are respectively GMs Alexander Grischuk (Russia), Dmitry Jakovenko (Russia) and Wang Yue (China).

Qualified players and reserves are expected to fax or email a copy of their signed contract, as well as the original by registered post, reaching the FIDE Secretariat no later than 22 December 2010, GMT 13:00. After 22 December 2010, FIDE will announce the provisional list of players and the final pairings of the 1st round matches will be announced on 4 February 2011, after all possible replacements are made.

In case Grischuk is the only replacement (in place of Magnus Carlsen) then the possible pairings for Candidates Matches are:
Topalov - Kamsky
Kramnik - Radjabov
Aronian - Grischuk
Gelfand - Mamedyarov

The Candidates Matches have a total prize fund of EUR 420,000. The amount of EUR 420,000 will be distributed as follows: the 4 losers of the first round matches will each receive 30,000 euros. The 2 losers of the second round matches will each receive 60,000 euros. The prize fund for the final match of the 3rd round is 180,000 euros which will be divided 50%-50% between the two players (90,000 euros each).

Link the FIDE news: Dates for Candidates Matches 2011.