I find this conversation and subject quite interesting and decided to open this topic.liam stephens wrote:So, William may not yet be the “King” though well on the way, no doubt. The WCDF rules do not preclude a private challenge and I also would wish to be a contributor to such a match.
When WCDF was created in 2003, I proposed them to include into BY-LAWS couple lines of text which says that independent challenge is allow. They didn't do this, however, as Liam mentioned, there is nothing at all written which means - it's not prohibited.
In my eyes there are three conditions which need to be meet for successful Independent Challenge.
1) The candidacy of Independent Chalenger must be still approve by WCDF. It has to be someone recognised by community and being among top 10-20 world class players. It cannot be someone from the street who just has a good money in pocket
2) Price money fund must be reasonable and higher than what we have today
3) World Champion has to accept challenge. This simply means that in official matches champion unconditionally has to defend his/her title every two years and don't have a choice ... or will be fortfeited. For Independent challenge champion has a right to accept or decline challenge without any penalty.
If I keep my title, I, personally, would accept independent challenge from 10-12 players today. In reality, only 3 or 4 of them have some chances to win match and William and Shane certainly belong here.
Concerning financial aspect ... I would accept independent challenge if $25,000 will be raise with 60-40-50 split, or if organisers give me in front $12,500 disregard what will be result of match. This means - if independent challenger don't worry about money but is eager for title, (s)he can pay me my dozen and ... try to get title !
I also should say that I had in the beginning of this year serious conversation with one potential independent challenger, but his sponsors finally withdrew offer, because they were not sure he has a serious chances to win match at the moment.
Respectfully,
Alex Moiseyev
