While waiting for transportation to the tournament site, Topalov told me (without reading my comments on this blog yet) that he felt strange that he and Radjabov were forced to play on in a drawn endgame based on the Sofia rules but not Anand and Ivanchuk.
The arbiters are Faik Gasanov from Baku (who by the way was also the arbiter at my 1996 World Championship match against Xie Jun in Jaen) and Josu Mena.
When I asked Magnus about playing so fast after facing a novelty (13.Rhe1), he said he just felt like playing fast as the moves seemed logical in the spirit of the Opening. He was obviously very confident with his instinct.
Seeing Anand’s two unsuccessful openings as White in rounds 1 and 2, I asked him if he was holding back his best against Kramnik for the upcoming match next month. His response was “he prefers to keep this a mystery”.
It was a rainy, foggy, and unpleasant day (weather wise) here in Bilbao today.
Aronian was a bit surprised about Topalov’s novelty (7.Nh4). He felt that he may have been even slightly better if he was to simply castle instead of 17…c5. When I asked Levon if he felt uncomfortable leaving his King in the middle for the entire game, he thought it was OK, thanks to the unusual and original Rook maneuver Rh8-h5-d5.
I asked Topalov about his match with Kamsky. He said that to his best knowledge it is on, although it does not seem high on FIDE’s priority list. It is supposed to take place in November in the Ukraine with FIDE President Ilyumzinov’s (money) sponsorship.
This Sofia rules are funny. You cannot agree a draw if the position is a draw, but there is no problem if you are a pawn up…. isn’t it weird?
Dear Susan,
I hope you don’t mind, but I think you’re a sexy, attractive woman. You look great with that blonde hair and tight-fitting dress. And I really mean it as a friendly compliment, I’m not trying to be sleazy or anything like that 🙂
Yes, seems like if the players know it is a draw then they should be allowed to draw. The outcome should be in the hands of the players, not the arbiters.
“Dear Susan,
I hope you don’t mind, but I think you’re a sexy, attractive woman. You look great with that blonde hair and tight-fitting dress. And I really mean it as a friendly compliment, I’m not trying to be sleazy or anything like that :)”
Woah, Nelly! I don’t wear tight dress but I look good too!
But, I am just a horse, of course!
Very insightful. Thanks.
And Ivanchuk/Anand should have continued.
“And Anand-Ivanchuk should have continued”
Had it continued, Ivanchuk would have lost on time. There was no way he was going to win the game in 24 seconds!