Below is the commentary from the official website of FIDE:
A single point gap with two Whites out of three remaining games does not look insurmountable. However, the course of the recent games is troubling for Vladimir. Topalov won the Game 9 al-most without resistance. Having faced an opening ‘mine’, Kramnik suddenly became frustrated and ruined his position in a few moves. It is difficult to believe that such move as 10.f4 can refute the Slav Defense.
It is just Vladimir who got tired of facing new ideas of the opponent, exhausted his reserve of patience and objectivity, which are so important for defending, and cracked under Veselin’s pressure. He displayed dissatisfaction by his opening preparation today, but hadn’t he selected the team himself? One can ascertain that Topalov’s team, despite their notorious lack of match experience, worked more efficiently.
It is difficult to disclose Vladimir’s true feelings behind his impenetrable mask, but it is easy to read Veselin’s face. After his second consecutive victory Topalov’s growing confidence banished the earlier frustrations of his two defeats. “I have caught my rhythm, – said the Bulgarian to the journalists, – I play quickly and strongly!’ Big negative score against Kramnik does not influence him – history is not important as long as he leads in the match and plays better chess.
And still, there are few those equal to Kramnik in collecting his strength at critical moments. Fans of the Russian pin their hopes on this reserve as well as recall the concluding game of the Brissago match. Vladimir’s situation had also been considered hopeless back then…
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Hello Susan~~ Has that game started already?
I assume that move is just an educated guess. 😉
Very funny… but today is the day for e4.
I boldly predict Kramnik will NOT use the Grob.
Surely e4 would get more chances of a decisive game against Topalov, right? Too bad Kramnik hasn’t had much luck as an e4 player, hmm…
I must say, Kramanik may be a better human, Topalov played wonderful chess yesterday!
If he plays like he played yesterday, I believe Kramanik will be unable to pull a victory no matter what opening he uses!!!
I like to be opposition but unfortunately here I have to agree that this is going to be most probably the first move.
sorry guys no d4 yet
Ms. Susan, it must be tough going to bed at 1:40am and getting up at 7!
How do you do it?
Andrew
I mean no e4 yet
When the going get tough..the tough get going
gooo topaaaa
Topa campeon!!!!
Go Slav, Semi Slav, or Queens Gambit accepted.
If I had to guess I wuld go for the meran. (it is the most pleasing opening for the eye :D)
*just for fun it wuld be nice to se a sicilian 😀 (but I think there is just no way)
D.K.
1. d4 (or Nf3) cos Kramnik had bad successwith e4 compared with d4/Nf3 and Topa does not play 1. e4 vs Kramnik cos he is unbeatable with Berlin defence. My guess.
Does anyone know if Topalov plays the grünfeld (I probably misspelled it …). I wuld check my database only I dont have it on the current comp 🙁
D.K.
Topalov drew against Sokolov in 2001 with a Grunfeld. That is the only game he has played in the Fritz8 database.
Good Luck Topa…
you are the man.
dont give kramnik any points to the end so that he cant say it was game five that decided the game….
ole
Haide Topa..
you are the man. dont give kramnik any points till the end so that he cant say it was game 5 that decided the game…
John McEnroe, Barry Bonds, Terrell Owens are 3 athletes who played at the top of their sports and at the same time ignited fan nterest through their sometimes unsportsmanlike behavoir. Could Danilov/Topalov be that for chess? I know web sites have shown unprecedented hits during this match .. and I’m logged on at 7am on a Sunday….
Anyway, Susan thanks so much for your excellent and illuminating comments. They are the best anywhere. I’ll be donating to your foundation in appreciation. I hope you do this for other major matches.
Where has Susan’s commentary gone?
FIDE is horribly biased and corrupt to the bone.