Topalov – Kasimdzhanov
Now it is the turn of the reigning FIDE World Champion to face the man who wants his title. Kasimdzhanov already upset Anand in this tournament. Can he do the same to Topalov with the Black pieces? I don’t think so. In my opinion, the smartest thing that Kasim can do is play SAFE and try to hang on for a draw to slow down the Topalov Express. It is easier said that done.
I give the nod to Topalov with the White pieces, perhaps a big nod.
Leko – Adams
This is the pairing of two players who performed way below expectation. Leko is at minus one and Adams is at minus two. What can we expect? Leko trying to get back to the .500 mark at the mid point of the tournament. Then perhaps he can build some momentum for the second half of the event. Adams is trying to achieve a respectable score. Minus two is certainly a disappointment for England’s greatest player ever so far.
I give a small edge to Leko, a very small edge.
Morozevich – Anand
Morozevich is trying to salvage his tournament while Anand is trying to activate his turbo charge to catch rocket man Topalov. It is technically possible with 8 games left but it would take a total collapse by the terminator himself for it to happen.
I predict that this game will end up in a fighting draw.
Svidler – J. Polgar
Svidler is technically trying to catch Topalov. He is having a good tournament and is in a tie for second place with Anand. I am sure Judit is very upset and disappointed with her loss against Topalov and I expect Judit to go all out against Svidler.
Susan
Am not sure how other chess fans feel, but I yearn to see World championships of the kind that is played between the best of the players for a long time. Say like a twenty or thirty round match played between Kasparov and Karpov. The current tournament is exciting but lacks the kind of charm or depth that is associated with the Karpov Kasparov matches.
Anyways Am just a chess muggle 😉
I just hope King Topalov doesn’t make his World Championships opponents now thinking about an early retirement ;P
If Topalov can sustain this level of play, the others might as well retire 🙂
Just to keep things interesting, I predict that there will be surprises from the second round and Topalov will not win the tournament 😛