Candid interview with Topalov

Veselin Topalov Interview
by Marina Makarycheva, published on 8th April in Russian newspaper Gazeta
Published by Chessdom.com

NTV’s chess editor Marina Makarycheva performed an extensive interview with world’s highest rated player and world championship challenger Veselin Topalov. Ms. Makarycheva asked about the match with Kamsky, upcoming match with Anand, changes in the world championship cycle and other issues, and the interview was published on 8th April in Russian newspaper “Gazeta”. We present you the excerpts, read the full interview (in Russian) on Gazeta website.

Makarycheva: On the match with Anand. When it will be held, and when do you plan to start with preparation?

Topalov: Honestly, it does not depend only on me, but on Anand and, of course, on the FIDE as well. But most important – on the potential sponsors who can make their own suggestions. As for training, now I will carefully monitor all games played by Vishy. By the way, I have already examined carefully all of Anand’s games played in Linares.

But returning to my play in Sofia, I can say that if I make the same mistakes in the match with Vishy, he will not forgive me.

Makarycheva: And why, in your opinion, Vishy Anand appeared in Linares not as convincing as in previous years?

Topalov: Well, first of all, Vishy Anand’s result in Linares can not be seen as failure. Linares is a very strong tournament.

As for the reasons … I do not exclude the possibility that numerous celebrations and receptions for the world champion at his home in India, after Anand brilliantly defended his title, have played a role. It seems to me that Vishy was not able yet to fully restore his power.

But in addition, Anand, of course, was under the severe pressure which all of the champions experienced sometime. First, everyone wants to play their best game against the champion, and second, the champion feels that, being in the focus of attention, he is required to show the play of the champions, and the result of the champions, but this is not always possible. I felt something similar three years ago, so I do not judge by hearsay.

We should not forget that we have replaced the champions like Robert Fischer, Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov, all of whom proved their superiority, which did not mean being merely first among equals, but ahead of everyone else, so the fans are expecting a similar feat from us, but with the current competition of such a high standard it is very, very difficult.

Here is the full interview.