Topalov reign begins
Manisha Mohite
An interview with the new FIDE World Champion
Veselin Topalov may not have enjoyed the same popularity as some of the top chess players because of his consistency, or the lack of it. But this has not distracted him from continuing with his brand of aggressive chess, and the year 2005 bears testimony to this. The 30-year-old Bulgarian, who resides in Spain, emphatically stamped his mark on each and every tournament held this year. In the Linares event, dubbed as Wimbledon of chess, he came roaring back to bridge a 1.5-point difference to tie with Garry Kasparov. He even inflicted a crushing defeat in the last game of Kasparov’s prolific chess career.
He won the M-Tel Masters convincingly and in San Luis World Championships, he was virtually unstoppable and was the only player to maintain an unbeaten record. The new World champion, just before the last round, spoke on a variety of subjects in an exclusive interview with Deccan Herald.
How did you celebrate winning the title?
It was a modest celebration. Also, the feeling that I have won the world title has really not sunk in. I am still the same but things may be different for me now.
Did you have a specific strategy before the start of the championship?
I felt good and seemed to have a lot of energy. Also, it helped that we came a good one week before the championship. Before the event I was a bit doubtful and a bit homesick but felt fantastic once the event began. The first two games were very important and in the first round, I was in a difficult position against Leko but was lucky to get a full point. The second game against Anand was a long one and I think this one helped to get into a rhythm and into a competing mode.
At the halfway mark you were compared to Alekhine, Fischer and Kasparov?
No, I think it is different. Those were different times and those results are really not possible now. My opponents were difficult and also the most important fact here was that everyone was trying to take risks against me and trying to win and hence we witnessed a lot of open games.
Did the huge lead bring pressure along with it?
No. I think I managed to keep certain calm during the event. Of course, I thought and tried to keep my playing chess level the same throughout the event and not to think about the title, only the positions on board.
Looking back, what differentiated you from the rest?
I cannot really say. Sometimes it is just enough to catch the moment. I think the field here was more or less of the same level. I don’t consider myself stronger than anyone here. I had a good year and also it helped that I was the only player – among the top – who did not get much importance.
You were the only player to maintain an unbeaten stint?
Yes, that was an important aspect. As even in my best tournaments where I have really played well, I have certainly lost at least one game. I think my real strength here was my preparation. Absolutely professional!
Topalov as an achiever in 2005 was a lot different than before though the attacking style was same?
Beginning of this year I also started to work with a young Bulgarian Grandmaster Tchiparinov and he has helped me a lot. He has been a very good team member and is young and has fresh new ideas. He was very good to me. Last year, when I lost to Kasimzhanov in the semifinals at Tripoli, I thought that it was my last chance to do anything important. I thought that my chess career was almost over. Things change and it is strange that people get new chances.
Was Linares 2005 a turning point in your career?
It was very good for my morale. After Monaco in 2004 there was a positive change in me. Maybe the quality of our preparation got better.
What did you think of the format?
I don’t think there should be excuses after not winning in a particular format. All kinds of champions deserve their respect. Eight players seems a good formula because there are more countries involved and they are followed worldwide. In a one to one match only two countries are involved but I think this eight-player is a good one as the people get to watch lot of good games.
What about a reunification match with Kramnik?
My manager and Kramnik’s manager share a good rapport and if there is any interest and sponsor and if FIDE is all for it then I have no problems. For me, title is of course important but if you are not showing that you are the strongest, then it is not worth it. It is not a real title. A World champion should not escape from matches.
Do you think this championship may put some order?
Surely, Kramnik’s title now is a little bit de-related because he is not showing good results. But in match he is a dangerous opponent.
What about doping in chess?
If it helps chess in getting recognition as an Olympic sport – which I have my doubts about – then okay. Chess is a specific sport and doping will not really help us to play stronger chess. 
Topalov rules.
Very dignified and well said.
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Leaders always do their best to get a target day by day and they realise when it is time to leave the responsability in other hands. By contrast, dictators just care about keeping the power to sastified their own ego.
Topalov seems to be a leader and kramnik a dictator.
Best wishes from venezuela
Kramnik’s title means little if nothing at all.
Kramnik never gave Kasparov a rematch and his rating has gone down.
Kasparov’s rating has stayed #1 for 20 years!!!
When Kasparov was world champion he never dodged a fight!
Kramnik Seems to be doing a lot of dodging lately.
There’s no doubt in my mind that he’ll be dodging Topalov too!!! Kasparov promoted Chess everywhere he went!
Kramnik done little in comparison.
Kasparov and Topalov stand in the light!!!
While Kramnik hides in the dark.
The fact that Topalov played in Dortmund 2002 means that he recognized Kramnik’s title in 2002. It doesn’t mean he still has to bow to Kramnik in 2005.
Korchnoi participated in the 1974 candidate’s matches, so does it mean he “recognized Fischer’s title”? And, hypothetically, had Korchnoi defeated Karpov in 1978, would you expect him to go “uhm, actually I am not the world champion, Bobby is” ? Of course not.
I will reiterate my opinion: Kramnik was the rightful world champion in 2000, but he lost his legitimacy by:
a. Not giving a rematch to the previous champ, the last one to avoid a rematch was Alekhine in the 1920s.
b. Not defending his title against the strongest opposition (drawing a match against world’s #6 is unconvincing at best)
c. Taking too long to defend his title for the first time. (Quiz: when was the last time a newly-crowned champ took OVER FOUR YEARS to put the title on the line for the first time? Answer: Capablanca took 6 years. All others, 3 or less)
d. Unconvincing tournament results
I am following chess for over a decade, I have some thoughts on the current situation in the world of chess.
First :
Kasparov broke the title in 1993, (May be mistake , as he admits himself, but he broke away with FIDE. time.) after that incident,the chaos are not entirely created by Kasparov himself.
It is FIDE which created the chaos by applying k’out championships.
(Note: But Garry delighted us with great chess, during that time, winning strong tournments at Linares, Wijk aan jee, Las palmas etc. (10 tournments winning sequence is splendid achievement for any champion.)
But in 2002 prague agreement was signed by the elite chess players.
What is the result?
GARRY KASAPAROV RETIRED FROM CHESS.
Every one used this chance for isolating Kasparov (Nobody couldn’t isolate him in real chess) Just count the number of achievements at the time.(in 2002)
As a true World champion 15 years
Linares champion 8 times
World No.1 ranking for 17 years
Member of Chess Olympiad Gold medal winning team 8 times,
hat-trick individual top board gold medals in 1986,1988,1992
Chess Oscar award 11 times (then Anand 2 times Oscar winner, Kramnik Once Oscar winner at that time)and so on. what else to achieve for him then, Just to reclaim the reunified title in 2003.
If he was denied for this chance, he could not determined to do better himself. that’s why his results are bad in 2003 and 2004, (I think).
Kramnik questioned the No.1 ranking and Garry’s seedings to the Kasimdznov match.
But remember who should compensate for Garry for the cancelled matches.
Any way to end the chaos Garry retired. Excellent decision at that time, winning at his favourite ground Linares.
Now the situation is clear for reunification, just after this retirement.
Please wait a minute,
Now the San Luis world championship ended in great achievement for Topalov . If he had won that championship by narrow margin we can say to play him with Kramnik.
Now we have to remember the words he himself used against Kasparov last year.(with different names) “why should Topalov play a match with kramnik, who(Kramnik) have not won a single tournment (not even finished in the top half of the standings)”
Conclusion:
In my opinion Topalov definitely should not give reunification match to kramnik, give sometime to prove kramnik that he himself as a worthy world champion. Then only they should play reunification match.
while Other grand masters Anand, Leko, Svidler and all others fighting for the top place, why we should give a million dollar match to Kramnik without any good results (for Kramnik).Kramnik and others critisized karpov back in 1997, 1998 For his bad results as world champion.Now Kramnik himself should take responsibility for his bad results and prove as a true “world champion”.
In any dictionary, WORLD CHAMPION REPRESENTS GLORIOUS CHARACTER TO HIS GAME. His predessors done well in this regard.
PLEASE TRY TO UNDERSTAND US, DON’T DEVALUATE YOUR TITLE.
Mr Krapnick for years has not proven to be a real champion. He lost matches to Kamsky…..Shirov. Kasparov just gave him a shot because he was a leading player Kasparov thought would be a good challenge. Mr Krapnick lucked out and won. (Remember he was on Kasparovs analitical team in WCC matches so he knew him quite well). The fact that Mr Krapnick ducked Kasparov is ver remenicent of Alekhine ducing Capa when playing second rate players like bogolyubov…and even Euwe (no disrespect to these players) but Krapnik wont play anyone who will seriously challenge him. I’m half expecting him to announce a match with Korchnoi ..maybe in Brazil…in 06. Its a real shame the way this man is acting. Kasparov has his faults I suppose..)(I cant say..I never met him) but I know that he always took up every challenge laid before him . He never ever hid and he only retired because he saw how useless it was…nobody really had the guts to play him.
Too bad for chess.
Mike
Kramnik is the champion, unfortunately. His situation and rights as such are not unprecedented. His failures at the board and to create title matches have hurt his credibility, as shown by all these “Topalov is God” people, so anxious for a hero they will take one after just one lucky result.
Unfortunately, the supposed 60 point gap is much less than Spassky was under Fischer in 1972. Should Fischer have decided Spassky was unworthy as a champion and refused to play him?
Like Petrosian said, if ratings predict results, then why play the game at all?
#2 vs. #7 is not an unprecendented pairing for a title match.
Kramnik has a huge lifetime plus score vs. Topalov in all categories, and Topalov showed himself to be a drawing master al la Kramnik with his all-draw 2nd half San Luis performance.
If Topalov is so great, then play the Kramnik match, for a unified title. This could settle all matters with the title once and for all. Topalov can be remembered as the great unifier and the savior of modern chess.
Or is he afraid? Fluke result? Can’t do it again?
If Toplaov is for real, then settle it for all time. Unify the titles.
Anything else is a cop out.