I'm starting to wonder if the Anand-Topalov match can be as exciting as the Karpov-Ilyumzhinov match and the Danailov vs The World match. Meanwhile, back at the ranch in Sofia under an ash cloud far, Topalov manager and Sofia organizer Darth Danailov is saying he's going to sue FIDE for delaying the start of the match one day to accommodate Anand, who was unable to fly to Sofia as scheduled due to the volcano. Wow, there's a sentence I never thought I'd write. (Not the part about Danailov suing somebody.) To be fair for a change, it's not untoward to seek redress and remuneration when a decision has cost you money.
I'm a little surprised they've shifted the entire match schedule, since now days when the organizers may have scheduled VIPs to come might be off days. I suppose forcing play three days in a row a few times to catch up to the original schedule would have been considered disadvantageous for Anand, the older player and the one coming off the 40-hour bus ride from hell.
The drawing of the lots is over and Topalov has white in game one on Saturday. The first round starts two hours later than the rest of the rounds, at 10am EDT instead of 8. Official site is here.
What are the conditions that will lead to victory for Anand? For Topalov? Anand's preparation has reached tremendous levels in recent years and it has more impact in a match than in a tournament. And he's won one of these before. I'm not sure Topalov really benefits much from his match experience against Kramnik simply because he lost and has that as baggage. Topalov is the magic man, however, and his ability to transform positions only needs to manifest once or twice to have a decisive impact on the match. If Anand plays as well as he did against Kramnik, even without the explosive preparation he showed there, he wins.
Post some coverage links, mainstream and ongoing, and I'll put as many as I can up in tomorrow's grand finale listicle.
This is going to so epic! I've been holding off my annual ICC trial for months for this. Go Vishy! Just like in the Return of the Jedi the jedi will prevail of the sith lord. Let's hope this won't turn into the Empire strikes back.
What Danailov doesen't realize is that while his "shock & awe" tactics worked in Elista (in that he got a forfeit point) his constant fulminations run the risk of becoming just background noise now.
Color me confused.
Danailov is Topalov's manager, and Numero Dos at the BCF.
But he is not on the organizing committee, and for the sake of at least pretending that there are two camps, relating to a supposedly neutral organizing body, here's my source of confusion:
Who/what is Danailov threatening to sue on behalf of?
And yes - bumping the entire schedule was strange.
GM Yury Razuvaev thinks the hostility in Sofia can still affect the outcome: http://www.kommersant.ru/doc.aspx?DocsID=1358467&NodesID=9
"It's a stereotype that Anand's unflappable. On the contrary, he's extremely emotional and vulnerable. He needs a comfortable, friendly atmosphere. And in Sofia, more likely than not, things will be somewhat different. Who knows how the world champion will react."
"It's a stereotype that Anand's unflappable."
I thought the stereotype was the opposite: "Anand cracks under pressure." I think these were Kasparov's exact words, who BTW was instrumental in creating the stereotype.
I did not know that this stereotype was replaced by exactly the opposite stereotype.
Too funny. Now, raise your hand if, after hearing about this lawsuit, you still think Danailov isn't enough of a scumbag to have transmitted signals to Topalov during games.
If your hand is up, please contact me right away as I have this bridge to unload for CHEAP!
I'm very excited for the #2 and #3 players in the world to contest this match. I think the #3 player in the world will beat the #2 player, thereby retaining for three more years the crown indicating he is the best chessplayer in the world, no matter much lower his rating is than the...#1 player in the world.
World Chess Championship -- makes a lot of sense!
Topalov has white in the 1st and due to reversal of colors half way, he will have white in the last game as well, that will be good for him in some way.
Topalov ofcourse will strive for complicated dynamic positions, but then it is in exactly these positions Anand also does well. The two black games he won against Kramnik in Bonn (14...Bb7) were really crazy complications. If one thinks Topalov can better handle such positions better than the way Kramnik did, he has a chance.
Redneck are you starting to confuse me. Of course the #3 player will be the best. After all #1 is not allowed to play for the Championship. FIDE does not have him on the list. Topalov was given the shot because he won a tournament 5 years ago and he is able to raise the money for the shot.
The #1 will not get a shot until the Norwegians get on hands and knees and beg and will pay any price for their Wonderkind to play chess in Kelmykia under stress from the Russian FIDE machine.
Besides Topalov should win. Anand's room must be tapped. Topalov will have all of Anand's preparation for every game ahead of time. Meantime they must have a sophisticated setup to transfer the moves from Rybka 4 to Topalopaloaf.
The Bulgarians have 2 million bet on Topalopa and expect to make a profit from their bookie on this match. They want to take all the money away from Anand's supporters. So look out. The mafiaoso are ready to get into high gear.
@Mig:"Anand's preparation has reached tremendous levels in recent years and it has more impact in a match than in a tournament."
That's a much more relevant observation for this match than his two blunders in 2009 in tournament play. Also, even when Topalov was at his peak (San Luis) he only managed 1-1 against Anand and they are 1-1 since 2008.
Vishy only needs to win 6.5-2.5 to become world #1 too :)
Willy,
I miss the good old days, when the #7 player in the world was world champion!
http://db.chessmetrics.com/CM2/SingleMonth.asp?Params=199510SSSSS3S100509196601111000000000000010100
Sometimes the World Chess Champion was the 10th best player in the world!
http://db.chessmetrics.com/CM2/SingleMonth.asp?Params=199510SSSSS3S100509196810111000000000000010100
First game is postponed again
http://www.chessdom.com/topalov-anand-2010/topalov-anand-game-1
Videos posted on official site http://www.anand-topalov.com/en/gallery.html
Redneck, Nobody remembers old rating lists. But people remember World Champions :-).
Redneck, Nobody remembers old rating lists. But people remember World Champions :-).
Postponed a further TWO HOURS??? Imagine how much extra preparation Anand can accomplish. Danailov must be FUMING. I expect a SECOND Danailov lawsuit.
Two hours is more than enough to learn how to turn the Caps Lock key off.
Maybe it's a false announcement in order to get Anand to show up two hours late and forfeit the first game!?
Uh oh, is Danailov going to sue the Prime Minister now?
My vote is on:
Frodo will take the WC ring to Mount Doom, and trip before he tosses it in the lava. Golem will pick it up and run for the hills ignoring Sauron's screams.
... Danailov will be the next World Champion.
"If Anand plays as well as he did against Kramnik, even without the explosive preparation he showed there, he wins."
Well if my aunt had balls she'd be my uncle. No Miggy you cannot separate how well Anand played in that match from his preparation and its pointless to even try - this was a huge part of his success.
"Anand's preparation has reached tremendous levels in recent years and it has more impact in a match than in a tournament." Well take away the kramnik match and Anands preparation has been no better than those with elo rankings around him.
Topalovs style is much more awkward than Kramniks for Anand - Kramnik has never ever destroyed Anand in a classical game the way Topalov has in one of their recent meetings. Utterly lost on preparation in under 25 moves. Dont be surprised if Toppy doesnt clock up a couple of victories entirely on prep and thats the end of the match
Although they are both capable of playing a wide range of openings, anyone want to guess what openings we'll see in this match? Any big surprises in store?
If Topalov opens 1. e4 I have a hunch that Anand will surprise him with the Marshall Gambit at least once.
I agree with you Andy. As much as I like Anand, based on what I read about him, I just don't see him getting through Topalov.
I really would like to see Anand win, but at this level of the game you need more than just home preparation, you need a strong mental edge. That I give to Topalov. He thrives on danger, where Anand doesn't fare as well. Topalov has a so called stronger mental toughness, and game style that I don't see Anand handling very well.
Anand's preparation in Mexico, Bonn as well as in Tal Memorial (apart from his last round blunder - if not he was still in contention for first place) have been phenomenal. It was never just the case of Bonn.
"Well take away the kramnik match"
Firstly, why should we take that away (why not take away Topalov's aggressive style). Even if we do Anand's overall preparation will equal that of Topalov and rest will be sorted over the board where Topalov move inaccuracies are more frequent than Anand. If Anand has a advatageous position, it is unlikely he will give it away, where there is a greater chance of the vice versa case.
Mig wrote:
{
I'm not sure Topalov really benefits much from his match experience against Kramnik simply because he lost and has that as baggage.
}
I feel Topalov does benefit from his Kramnik-Topalov WCC match experience. Plus it gave him a burning disappointment to keep his motivation in the highest gear.
Topalov has continued to have dominant tournament performances, more so than Anand recently. Topalov seems to still be battle hardened, more so than Anand.
The pottygate forfeit aside, Topalov lost to Kramnik due to blunders in games 1 & 2. Anand will not be given the same gifts.
Anand did not suffer blunder meltdowns vs Kramnik, but Topalov will apply more pressure than did Kramnik.
I predict: Topalov wins the match, +1
@craig
'That I give to Topalov. He thrives on danger, where Anand doesn't fare as well'.
You're kidding, right? Are you aware of Anand's adventures on both sides of the poisoned pawn variation of the Najdorf? Or his games in the Semi-Slav and the Marshall? Anand is a universal player and calculates like a multi-core computer.
Predicting the outcome of this match is beyond me but I hope for superb entertainment (on the board) and education.
I fail to see that Anand has been treated unfairly, and I fail to see that he should be affected negatively by the pre-match maneuvering.
Topalov tried to impose his will on him when he tried to pressure Anand into agreeing on Sofia Rules. Anand refused, so Topolov felt the need to presume to impose the Sofia Rules himself.
Anand tried to impose his will on Topolov by asking for a postponement. Anand succeed and even was helped by the Prime Minister. No wonder the Topolov camp is fuming.
In short; Anand should be happy and relaxed and have no excuses whatsoever. He should win, but if he doesn’t, he must recognize Topolov as the better player.
My pre-match analysis:
I break it up into opening prep and OTB play.
Prep
The Topalov / Cheparinov novelty factory has been close to amazing the past five years. Looking at games between Topalov & Anand in recent years, in almost every game, it is Topalov who is in with the early novelty. The -1 or = score for Anand over this period is a huge credit to Anand's OTB skills.
Clearly Anand has been on a different plane with his openings the past three years. In fact Kramnik said two years ago that both Anand and Topalov had gone ahead of him in preparation. but that was before Topalov's match with Kamsky. I expected Topalov to win the opening battle, but Kamsky was just fine out of the openings.
Has the factory exhausted itself? Does having a Rybka openings expert + beta version of Rybka 4 on the team bring Topalov back to the preeminent position as far as openings are concerned? Anand has the same team as the past match (most likely). Have they also been noveltied out?
Bottomline: Historically Topalov has been better than Anand, but difficult to say who has the edge in the match.
OTB Play
The -1 or = score for Anand v. Topalov in the past five years is a huge credit to Anand's OTB skills in handling the novelties that Topalov has thrown at him.
In Linares, Topalov made mistakes, but he managed to win the tournament despite not playing his match openings. That shows that his OTB skills in complex positions are close to their peak. But he never played against someone like Anand there, who Kasparov called the greatest tactical defender ever.
Anand did not really give us a chance to assess his OTB play in the Tal Memorial or Corus, so I cant say where he is at now.
Bottomline: Historically Anand is better, but difficult to say now.
Overall given the amount of time they have spent preparing, I*'d give the nod to Anand if Topalov's opening advantage has been nullified. But there are too many variables to give a firm prediction! I guess that is why they play the game:)
Another way to look at the so-called disadvantage that Anand has going to Sofia (the home turf of Topalov) is that by playing there he has the challenge he needs to be motivated to win this match. And I predict he will win it!
I was impressed by what Anand did to Kramnik in Bonn. But given Topalov's all-consuming focus and the tension he and his team will create, I think Anand will be rattled early and the result will be ugly. Topalov wins.
Although they are both capable of playing a wide range of openings, anyone want to guess what openings we'll see in this match? Any big surprises in store?
If Topalov opens 1. e4 I have a hunch that Anand will surprise him with the Marshall Gambit at least once.
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I haven't seen the Weaver Adam's variation of the Vienna Game in ages. One of these two should revive it.
I really would like to see Anand win, but at this level of the game you need more than just home preparation, you need a strong mental edge. That I give to Topalov. He thrives on danger, where Anand doesn't fare as well. Topalov has a so called stronger mental toughness, and game style that I don't see Anand handling very well.
************
Topalov's mental toughness? Is that what it was in his match against Kramnik? He collapsed mentally after his losses.
"Topalov's mental toughness? Is that what it was in his match against Kramnik? He collapsed mentally after his losses."
My pet theory on the Sofia rules controversy - apart from obviously being an excuse to create some hostility and upset Anand - is that Danailov wants to avoid a repeat of the Kramnik "I wanted to watch the Champions League" draw offer in Elista. For all the nonsense they concocted afterwards I'm willing to believe that Topalov genuinely was thrown off balance by the draw offer in a position where he was better.
Given that, I'd advise Anand still to offer draws from time to time - especially if he's in a position where he's slightly better but doesn't see any real chances of converting :)
Here is Magnus Carlsen on Anand not accepting Sofia rule. "if someone said that because I’m not following the Sofia rule, I’m offending the host. I mean that’s just crap." ........
Chessvibes has some interesting interviews with top players here. http://www.chessvibes.com/reports/who-will-win-the-opinion-of-top-gms-part-2/#more-24418
And Gelfand on the same thing: "I think it’s just some kind of pressure, I mean, the Elista toilet scandal didn’t start from nothing. It was preceded by four or five protests on any subject, so I’m afraid it’s the start of the same campaign." (This was a few weeks ago, so before their recent rubbish connected to Anand's travel problems.)
Carlsen:"I think match experience in general is overrated. [Smiles.] I mean, whether it’s tournament chess or a match, you still have to play chess and you still have to have great opening preparation. The quality of the moves is what matters."
His age shows here. Wait till you play Vishy in a match, kid. If you can get past Aronian that is..
Give me a break, Nair. Carlsen lost a match to Aronian on blitz tiebreaks three years ago -- at age 15! -- so you think he couldn't get past him now? Delusional, buddy.
Scoreboard: Carlsen 2813, Aronian 2783. Heavy favorite.
A Carlsen-Aronian match will certainly be one for the ages, but we can wait a couple of years for that.
Why would a Carlsen-Aronian match be "one for the ages"?
Aronian is 27 and has never been ranked higher than fourth in the world. Carlsen became the world's high-ranked player at age 18.
There's an obvious and clear gulf between the two.
Dismissing Aronian is a large mistake, he's a massive player and can accomplish anything.
He is certainly a huge talent, but he's not a world champion. If you haven't cracked the top three by age 27 you're not going to be WC.
Topalov reached #3 when he was 29.
http://ratings.fide.com/top_files.phtml?id=2900084
Given that the Bulgarian KGB-equivalent will have bugged Anand's room and fed his opening plans to Danailov by now, I expect a lot of equal middlegames. Then what I'd really like is to see Topalov blunder and lose a dead-drawn game or two because of his pigheaded adherence to "Sofia rules."
One of the most funny previews (almost in mig league) is here
http://main.uschess.org/content/view/10325/585/
For what it's worth, Aronian was up to #3 in the live rating list several times. But the main question(s) to Redneck Riviera would be: Whatever your own rating is:
- Would you consider yourself a heavy favorite against someone 30 points lower-rated?
- Would you consider yourself without any chances against a 30 points higher-rated player?
BTW, we might see an Aronian-Carlsen match sooner rather than (some years) later: in the upcoming candidates tournament.
Aronian seems to be the strongest of the intermediate generation - Carlsen's future rivals are still too young, so if there is a Carlsen-Aronian match, it will be the biggest event in the 2012-2015 band.
As a contrast to the attitude of FIDE and the Bulgarians, check out how far the organizers of the London Marathon went to get their stars to the starting line:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/23/sports/23marathon.html?hpw
Ideas of state forces nicking an opponents prep go back longer than you think.
Apparently Euwe nearly had his openings notebooks confiscated at the border in the Wch tournament, although Botvinnik did intervene :)
This match has been so hyped by all these shenanigans that I'll sue FIDE myself if it is not the best thing in chess since 1972!!
Thomas -- the 30 points between 2783 and 2813 are *much* more difficult to obtain than the 30 points between, say 2753 and 2783.
Irrelevant question you asked, but my USCF is 2250, a level at which a 30 point rating difference isn't a huge deal.
I never said Aronian would be "without any chances" in such a match, those are your words. I said Carlsen would be a "heavy favorite." Which he obviously would be -- especially since you're still improving as a chessplayer at age 19, much more so than at 27.
"Oh! I need to arrive in Sofia days before the match to settle in. Oh! chess is so hard."
Man up, Vishy.
Danailov always has the best interests of the chess world at heart. I wish he could be elected FIDE President of the World.
OK, good point Mohit.
But you could still be right if Topalov doesn't go on to become WC.
Regarding Carlsen-Aronian, its the same argument as Topalov-Anand. Topalov maybe 20 point ahead, but Anand's feel and understanding is on a different level. And if I had to bet on one guy from the next generation who'd take over from Anand once he's done, it would be Aronian.
Am I right in thinking that the last time there was a world championship match that *didn't* involve someone from Russia/Soviet Union was back in the 1920s: Capablanca-Steinitz? (If we leave out the Fide matches during the "split").
Sorry -- that should have been Capablanca-Lasker (1921).
You're mistaken. You see 30 ELO is a big gap and it would be normally, but at this level 30 ELO point can come and go quickly.
Aronian is definitely a gamer. I'm not sure Carlsen's nerves are ready for this level yet. In fact there may be other players who will get a shot before him.
Aronian is certainly a most viable candidate and 30 points ELO gap is not the major hurdle. His main problem will be Carlsen's possible association with Kasparov.
As a matter of fact, I wonder if there is any player who could match a Carlsen+Kasparov team. Maybe Kramnik?
"He is certainly a huge talent, but he's not a world champion. If you haven't cracked the top three by age 27 you're not going to be WC."
Ha, I knew Topalov had no chance in this match.
Voor wrote that -- Anand gains valuable motivation from the inherent pressure of playing on the opponent's home turf. Hmm, maybe so!
- - -
I feel that having white on both the first and final games of the match is an advantage.
It is a psychological advantage in game 1.
It is a practical advantage in the final game 12: we saw that when Kramnik barely retained his WCC title vs Leko by going all out in the final game.
I think experience of Anand playing Karpov, Kaspi and Kraminik is enough to beat topa.
Today's game could be crucial - even if Anand "won" the PR war he's still likely to be a bit groggy after his trip, the first game is always going to be a bit more tense, and Topalov has white. If he can get in some home prep and put Anand under pressure...
Anyway, enjoy the game and spare a thought for me, stuck on a 26-hour bus journey to Sofia. I'm tempted to start a class-action lawsuit with Danailov over Anand making me miss the first game :)
"even if Anand "won" the PR war he's still likely to be a bit groggy after his trip ..."
In this context, what are the implications of postponing the first game until 5:00PM local time? Now it may last until 11:00PM or beyond ... . But of course it would be a disaster if Borisov couldn't make the ceremonial first move, there have to be priorities respected.
Well, for 2 Megaquid they are getting from Bulgaria government, starting one game 2 hours later than usual is IMHO a very, very small price to pay.
I merely pointed out that it may be(come) a disadvantage for Anand ... . And while several people suggest "they pay, so they rule", others disagree. BTW, they keep denying that there is government money involved.
According to photos which are now up on Chessvibes, at least there will be seats in the restroom area. And a camera (TV screens next to the arbiter's seat) only observes the entrance to the toilet, not players doing their business inside.