Half-time Analysis of the FIDE World Chess Championship

FIDE World Championship

By Susan Polgar

http://chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=2669

V. Topalov (Bulgaria)

We are witnessing one of the greatest chess performances in history during the first half of the FIDE World Championship, at least in my lifetime anyway. While most people thought that plenty of draws will occur due to the high caliber level of players, it has been proven that if the stake is high enough, the players will fight. The no-draw rule does not need to be applied.

Topalov has been the player of the tournament so far. He has shown us something very unique that even top-level players often forget. Deep opening preparation and analysis is important but it is not everything. Topalov has proven that a game can be won in many different ways.

He can outplay his opponent in wild open tactical positions.
He can outplay his opponent in positional positions.
He can outplay his opponent in even or slightly inferior positions.
He can outplay his opponent in the middlegame.
He can outplay his opponent in the endgame.

What is the difference between him and other players in this tournament? He brought an incredible level of energy and confidence. He has no understanding of the draw concept. He will try to win in any position. He plays like there is no tomorrow. I have not added up the total moves and hours played but I have to believe that he is way ahead of everyone else in both these categories. Perhaps someone should remind him that he is not being paid per move or hour?

What do I expect from Topalov in the second half? I cannot believe that he can continue this torrid pace. However, I fully expect him to continue to fight in every game. A lot are at stake, the FIDE World Championship title and the magical 2800 mark.

I picked him as one of the pre-tournament favorites. I had him in a tie for first or slightly behind Anand and he has performed way above my expectation. I have to give him an A+ for performance, efforts and results at the midway point of the event.

V. Anand (India)

I had Anand as one of the two pre-tournament favorites. He started it out with a bang by scoring 2.5 points in the first three games even though he miraculously pulled out a draw in the game against Topalov.

It seemed that he was on his way to a two-way race with Topalov. All of a sudden, he lost badly against the reigning FIDE World Champion Kasimdzhanov and all went down hill since. His first half ended on a sour note by being outplayed by Morozevich. He scored a shocking 1 point in four rounds. He is now tied for third place with Leko, three full points behind Topalov.

What do I expect from Anand in the second half? I expect a much better showing from the pride of India. Even though it is nearly impossible to catch Topalov barring a total collapse, Anand can still move up to second place with a +2 or +3.

P. Leko (Hungary)

Leko had a horrible start by losing to Topalov in a very promising position. That seemed to have a dreadful affect on him in the next few rounds. He had a dismal ½ point in the first three rounds. After his win against my sister Judit in round four, he seemed to have regained his self confidence and stormed back by scoring 3 points in the next four games. He is now tied with Anand for third place.

What do I expect from Leko in the second half? I expect the old Leko back in action to finish with a +1 or +2 at the finish line.

P. Svidler (Russia)

Svidler has long been a world-class player. He won the Russian Championship four times. However, he has never won a tournament this caliber. Therefore, I did not expect him to be in clear second place at the midway point, a full point ahead of Anand and Leko. But he has done very well. He won three games in the first half, defeating Leko, Morozevich and my sister Judit. His only loss came in the hand of Topalov. Who hasn’t?

What do I expect from Svidler in the second half? I expect him to continue his solid play and remain at the +1 or +2 mark.

J. Polgar (Hungary)

This has to be a very difficult tournament for my sister. I know that it was very difficult for me during the 2004 Olympiad to be away from my children for so long. Even though she has not played up to her normal standard, she sure fought valiantly every game, perhaps too optimistically in some games. She may not capture the crown this time but she is still the strongest female chess player ever.

What do I expect from my sister in the second half? I expect her to give her all in every game and not back down from any challenge.

M. Adams (England)

The strongest British player ever is unexpectedly at -3 just as my sister. The biggest problem in an event like this is there are no easy “freebies” to regain self-confidence. Anyone can lose any given game because of the strength of the players. When you are in bad form or lose a tough game, it can rapidly sink you to the bottom. This is the case with Adams. Just look at the streak by Anand 2.5/3 then 1/4 and Leko ½/3 then 3/4). Adams is the only player not to have won a single game so far. He is much better than this. I hope he can forget about the first half and turn things around in the second half.

What do I expect from Adams in the second half? There is no way but up. It would be a difficult task to even get back to the .500 mark but I believe he will win a few games the rest of the way.

A. Morozevich (Russia)

The talented but enigmatic Morozevich started out with two draws. Then he had back to back losses against Topalov and Svidler. He slowed down the damage by drawing his next two games. He ended the first half with a brilliant win against Anand. He is now only –1 with some momentum going into the second half. Morozevich is the dark horse of the event. He is capable of beating or losing to any of the player.

What do I expect from Morozevich in the second half? Perhaps a little better performance but not significantly more.

R. Kasimdzhanov (Uzbekistan)

With the exception of his round 3 game against my sister, he basically was able to hold his own in the first half against the rest of the world’s elite. He even had a beautiful win against Anand and hung around the .500 mark until the final game of the first half when Topalov pulled out a Capablanca-like win in a Rook and Pawns endgame.

What do I expect from Kasimdzhanov in the second half? I expect him to continue to play solidly. However, I don’t expect him to be able to stay near the even score mark.