Previewing the world championship match
IM Jack Peters
LA Times

The world championship match between champion Viswanathan Anand of India and Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria begins Friday in Sofia, Bulgaria. The schedule calls for a rest day after every two days of play except that there will be an additional rest day May 9, between the 11th and 12th games. If the score reaches 6-6, the players will break the tie with a series of faster games May 12.

Topalov, ranked second in the world at 2805, deserves to be considered a slight favorite over Anand, fourth at 2787. However, one can imagine almost any outcome.

Anand has more experience in matches and he plays more soundly, with better judgment, but Topalov is more determined and much more daring. He should benefit from playing in his home city. The very short match (only 12 games, half the traditional distance) favors Anand, who is more likely to tire and who should have the advantage in faster tiebreak games if necessary.

Source: LA Times

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