Immediately after Topalov extended his hand in a sign of resigning the 4th tiebreak game, the crowd became ecstatic. There were shouts, applause, friendly slaps and handshakes… Kramnik got off the table, threw his fists in the sky, just like in Moscow 1994 after his sensational victory over Kasparov, and got into tight embrace of his manager Hensel. Other team members were also there – Illescas, Rublevsky, Motylev, Krylov, Rösch, and even the cook… In a few minutes the new ‘absolute’ FIDE world champion moved to the press conference hall, where he was warmly met by dozens of journalists.
– In a situation that was similar to yours Mikhail Tal said ‘My head is filled with sun!’ What were your first words after the match ended?
– I was very concentrated on the play, and even after I won the last game, I was still in a fighting mood. The moment after Veselin played 44…Rc5 was very emotional for me – I felt very happy. The joy passed after I replied 45.Rb7+. I need time to realize what happened. This was a very tough match, and I think I did a good job, considering the odds given to the opponent. Maybe it was the first case in the history of the world championship matches when one of the players had extra point and extra White. I am glad I managed to win under such circumstances.
– What can you tell to your Russian supporters?
– I am very glad that the crown stays in Russia. Personally for me this achievement is comparable to the victory against Kasparov. There aren’t many three-time world champions in the history, and I hope I will not stop there… Considering the atmosphere around the match and behavior of the opposing team, winning the match was a matter of principle.
– This match will now be extensively discussed within the chess community. Can you tell which tendencies of chess development it revealed?
– First of all, this was extremely tense match. Chess changes – for instance, nobody paid attention that there was not a single serious time trouble in 12 games. It is a significant step forward. People play faster and more practical, and the crisis occurs at fourth or fifth hour of play. This match signified certain tendencies of modern chess, which are still to be found. And the main conclusion, I repeat, is exceptionally high level of tension. There were no short draws at all. I think all chess fans are happy about it! Maybe not everybody is happy about my victory, though…
– I got a feeling that chess fans’ delights were caused by the fact that the title was determined at a rapid pace. Maybe we should talk about speeding the play up?
– My opinion on time controls did not change. There are three controls in chess: classical, rapid and blitz. All three have the right to exist. They should supplement each other, like in tennis, where the games consist of three or five sets, depending on significance of the competition. I adhere to the opinion that the most important events must be held under classical time control; however, I am not against seeing many rapid tournaments. They are spectacular and attract the crowd. But classical chess must stay, at least for such matches. Classical chess has many supporters, and it is not out of place to say it has more than a century of history.
– Do you consider symbolic that both players won games in their styles? Topalov won a tactical battle, and you converted two calm endings! Do you think you won the title because showed more versatility than Veselin?
– I am not sure about versatility, but I am objectively stronger in such positions as occurred in 2nd and 4th games – i.e., slightly better endings. I was somewhat lucky to get them. I handle them very well, I can say it without false modesty, while Veselin is not that good in them. I squeezed two wins out of nothing, so to speak, and he won an attacking ‘all-or-nothing’ game: g4, f5… In this regard the tiebreak was a litmus paper, revealing styles of the players. I am very glad that in the end I won one game more than Veselin.
– Vladimir Belov, official match commentator, said that the tiebreak games turned nearly the most flawless in the match. What do you think about it?
– Flawless? I wouldn’t say that – just recall Topalov’s blunder in the Game 4 (albeit in a lost position), or my play in the Game 3… In principle, 25 minutes plus 10 seconds per move is sufficient amount of time to avoid bad mistakes. The struggle was nervous and tough, and I think the level of play is high enough for such circumstances.
– Vladimir, after you won on the board, will you continue the duel in Arbitration Court in Lausanne?
– Let us not talk about sad things. I’d rather enjoy the moment of triumph and tell more about the games I won! I am not thinking about future right now, except for the match against the computer. I was so concentrated on the WCC match that I am not going to start making plans any soon. Today I have to relax and drink with my team and people who supported me in Elista. And only then we’ll start thinking…
– Could you tell more about the match against Fritz10? Are you going to be the last man standing?
– I’m afraid it will be a very difficult match. Playing against computer is generally hard. Every year a tournament 3 vs. 3 is organized in Spain: three computer programs play against three top grandmasters. Last year there were Topalov, Ponomariov… And every human win there is seen as a great gift! I realize that I am not a favorite in that match. However, I really want winning it – not because of the money, but because this may be one of the last chances to beat the machine! I’ll do the best I can. After all, I have some experience playing against computer. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t have much time for preparation, but it can’t be helped. I am a professional.
– How could you evaluate your team’s work at the match?
– I am highly satisfied with it. For some reason newspapers wrote that I implied about my dissatisfaction, but this is not true. If I said I got a worse position in the opening, it doesn’t mean that I am unhappy with anything. I am the only person responsible for the loss in the Game 9 – Black had no problems, but I found them… I am very pleased about both atmosphere in the team and boys’ determination…
– What are your feelings now, as you leave Kalmykia?
– I feel deeply tired. But of course, Elista will become a memorable place for me – such events do not occur often. It was a very hard test – even harder than I expected – but the winner’s joy outweighs everything negative.
I feel satisfied with the outcome of this chess world championship unification. The devil’s team failed in disturbing Kramnik’s concentration. But as we discussed with some players, Topalov’s play is more fun than the new world champion’s one. Now that I have been encouraging Kramnik even more after Danailov’s attemps to make everything collapse, I think it is time for revenge ! To me, Topalov is a player that could become a great world champion, but I do not like his team spirit. That is why the world (but some people) is happy with the match result. Now, Topalov should sack Danailov and find a coach who pays more attention in improving Topalov’s play and concentration. That would be very delightful if Topalov could come back in a regular manner and play with his aggressive style. What people are fond of is champions with great ability to astonish the crowds. Today, who could guess which GM will replace Kramnik at the top of the chess ladder ?
Great blog, thanks a lot !
Gabriel
Well, I believe that Topalov plays attractive chess, but someone who commits so many blunders and can’t convert his advantage on so many occassions, simply does not deserve to be the world champion. It’s not enough to have excellent opening preparation and the ability to spark some fireworks.
BTW, I hoped that Kramnik would win, so I am very happy with the outcome. I always prefered more positional chess – I liked Karpov more than Kasparov etc.
This match taught me a lot about chess, a struggle and about being human.
I definitely learned some chess.
I learned a lot about a struggle. Today I would prefer to fight in the manner of Kramnik rather than in the manner of Topalov. I believe that Kramnik fights in a more advanced way.
I saw so much of being human. I saw it in Elista. But I saw it on the internet with all the people. I saw people get so involved into the Elista struggle that their own weaknesses were given the opportunity to shine forth. That is a good thing if the people use this as an opportunity for change. An opportunity to learn about themselves more deeply.
“First of all, this was extremely tense match. Chess changes – for instance, nobody paid attention that there was not a single serious time trouble in 12 games. It is a significant step forward. People play faster and more practical, and the crisis occurs at fourth or fifth hour of play. This match signified certain tendencies of modern chess …”
That’s an interesting statement by Kramnik.
I haven’t played chess for a decade and started this year again. I noticed that I never had serious time trouble, in the past I always had time trouble (10 moves in five minutes or so).
I think it is about new developments in chess like computers and the internet. Today ou can play several games a day, whereas in former times you only played in the club one time a week. Maybe you get more confident in what you are doing.
Would like to hear some thoughts about this topic since I’m only an average player.
The best possible outcome of the WCC in current circumstances. If Topalov won, it would be lots of talks about that game 5 result.
With regards to the interview – I would not blame Topalov after all, as he is already punished enough.
Can hardly imagine worst outcome for him: both game and public disaster.
Kramnik is like Italy with a good coach (2006) and Topalov is like Brasil with a bad coach;) so the outcome of this match is logical.
Now, if Topalov can improve it will be good to see a rematch between these two players in a couple of years or so – how many other players can defeat Kramnik with Black and mate him in 40 moves with White?
It is good that Kramnik is the champion also for another reason -FIDE must change and Topalov is not the right person to drive this change.
Svetoslav
last moves of the final game and some moments from the last press-conference:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5531055761086265078
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4075923413750011316