Corus Super Group A
GM Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria) 2801 [Reigning World Champion]
GM Viswanathan Anand (India) 2792 [Former World Champion]
GM Levon Aronian (Armenia) 2752
GM Peter Leko (Hungary) 2740
GM Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukraine) 2729
GM Boris Gelfand (Israel) 2723
GM Etienne Bacrot (France) 2717
GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Azerbajan) 2709
GM Michael Adams (England) 2707
GM Ivan Sokolov (Netherland) 2689
GM Gata Kamsky (USA) 2686
GM Sergey Tiviakov (Netherland) 2669
GM Sergey Karjakin (Ukraine) 2660
GM Loek van Wely (Netherland) 2647
Average rating: 2716
Category: 19
Who are your picks as the top 3 finishers? 
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
No Judit. Why?
1-Anand
2,3- Bacrot, Leko
2 out of three are Topolov and Anand , after that it could be half a dozen for the other spot, maybe Leko.
Hope Gata can make the top half.
I think Anand, Aronian and Mamedyarov.
Anand, Topalov, Ivanchuk.
Topalov and Anand will tie for 1st.
Leko will be 3rd.
I agree that Topalov and Anand will be 2 of the 3. The 3rd spot is wide open
1st place Veselin Topalov
2nd & 3rd places Viswanathan Anand & Levon Aronian.
4th place Gata “go get’em” Kamsky!
I am hopeful that Kamsky will come in fourth place…or better. His first two games against Vladimir Kramnik from their quarterfinal match back in 1994 are two of my all time favorites. The two Queen sacs paved the way to his victory in that match… 4.5 to 1.5!
Having “picked” my “horses” I have to say that all of these players are terrific. I am really hoping that Kamsky and Ivanchuk do well in this event. Vassily could really upset the apple-cart for any of the other players… as long as he can just focus on each game and aspire to create high chess art.
Keep up the good work on your Blog Susan! I enjoy your site very much
-Mr_Theory.
1)Anand
2)Topalov
3)Ivantchuk
4)Bacrot
my picks are:
1. Topalov
2. Anand
3. Gelfand
4. Aronian
5. Leko
1) Anand
2) Topalov
3) Ivanchuk
4) Leko
Of these Ivanchuk is one player, about whom chess world will always say ‘what could have been’
Mr_theory : Yes I do remember those Kamsky Games
This is a tough call!
Mr_Theory said…
I am hopeful that Kamsky will come in fourth place…or better. His first two games against Vladimir Kramnik from their quarterfinal match back in 1994 are two of my all time favorites. The two Queen sacs paved the way to his victory in that match… 4.5 to 1.5!
-Mr_Theory.
Saturday, January 07, 2006 2:39:38 AM
so I had to see these games. Apparently the first game of the match. I am playing it over Kamsky is black and saying it can not be this one. when all of sudden Kamsky is LOST. Mate next move. OMG. but you have to see this to believe it.
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1066724
well now I am interested in finding the 2nd game. well I am looking at the 4th game of the match. Kamsky is white this time. And he seems to be doing real well. no need for anything special. all of a sudden he makes a Patzer move. a real dumb dumb and loses his queen. OMG. what will happen.
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1066737
Has Kamsky lost the match on a blunder. Well you will have to find out for yourself.
I just want to say. that when Gata returns to playing like this he will be World Champion for sure.
here is what Grischuk said in his interview at the World Cup.
“Before the second game against Gata, …… I looked through his games of 90’s and I felt uneasy a bit: what an extraordinary chess player he used to be!”
you can read the entire interview here:
http://www.worldchesscup2005.com/main.asp?id=697
well I am hopeing everyone will soon say:
“what an extraordinary chess player he still is!”
Go Gata you can win the whole enchalada.
Tommy
I forgot to give some picks.
as a mathematician who believe in the odds. I have to go with the top 3 rated players. that is the odds.
GM Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria) 2801
GM Viswanathan Anand (India) 2792
GM Levon Aronian (Armenia) 2752
these are the 3 guys to beat.
the person with the most potential is definitely Gata Kamsky. Amazingly he is way down in the pack. and he has not had recent practice at this level. but he is the dangerous one. he can whomp them all real good.
we will have a better idea about how good their form is after a few games. Those with a burning desire to win should jump out to a quick start.
I believe we will see Levon Aronian playing to win. he will be dangerous. but I think this is his first time at this level of play so we will have to wait and see.
I think Corus has put together a wonderful line up of players. Although I really miss seeing Judit. I love cheering for her. and it would be cool to see Magnus Carlsen.
I dont expect Ivanchuck to do well.
1. Topalov
2. Aronian
3. Ivanchuk
Was Ponomariov invited?
prdd
It will be interesting to see the battle for first between Topalov and Anand.
1.Topolov 2.Leko 3.Aronian/Anand
anand 1
topa and aronian =2
First place will be between Topy and Vishy, all other places will be decided based on luck and form. I wish its Vishy. People are unnecessary banking on Gata, give him some time at top to prove himself. Leko and Ivanchuk will decide third position, but it may go to levon too. Bacrot, Adams and Gelfand will come next. Others will be lucky to get few more rating points.
I can’t say anything except there will be fantastic struggles. And it would be no surprise if the winner is unexpected, but the truth is that they all (and the newcomers) are excellent !
The top three finishers will be:
1) GM Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria) 2801
2) GM Viswanathan Anand (India) 2792
3) GM Levon Aronian (Armenia) 2752
I also expect Gelfand to perform well and probably come in 4th.
Looks like most people here picked Topa & Anand for the top two. But I guess that its almost a foregone conclusion for the man of us fans & patzers.
For 3rd the picks seem more varied, But i’ll go for Ivanchuk on current form. Its a pity Karjakin’s form isnt too hot here. Would be interesting to see him seriously challenging the top 5 or so.
But currently my main interest is in the progress of Carlsson in Grp B. Boy!! That kid is REALLY hot in terms of both form & style.