FIDE announces that the following players have confirmed their participation for the Candidates Matches in Kazan this May, an event which will determine the next challenger of the World Champion Vishy Anand:



1. Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria, runner up of the previous World Championship)

2. Vladimir Kramnik (Russia, qualified by rating)

3. Levon Aronian (Armenia, winner of the FIDE Grand-Prix 2008-2009)

4. Boris Gelfand (Israel, winner of the FIDE World Cup 2009)

5. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Azerbaijan, wild card)

6. Alexander Grischuk (Russia, qualification from the FIDE Grand-Prix)

7. Teimour Radjabov (Azerbaijan, qualification from the FIDE Grand-Prix)

8. Gata Kamsky (USA, runner up of the Challengers Match 2009).



GM Magnus Carlsen has informed FIDE that he will not participate and was therefore replaced by GM Alexander Grischuk as per regulations. The full technical regulations of the Candidates Matches are available on the FIDE website at the link http://www.fide.com/fide/handbook.html?id=136&view=article