Position after 15.Qf2
Judit Polgar – Veselin Topalov
Essent Super Tournament
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e6 7.g4 h6 8.Bg2 g5 9.Qe2 Nbd7 10.0–0–0 Ne5 11.h3 Nfd7 12.f4 gxf4 13.Bxf4 b5 14.Rhf1 Bb7 15.Qf2 Rc8 16.Nce2 Bg7 (White is better but this is the kind of position one expects when playing the Sicilian Najdorf. When you have 2 premier attacker playing against each other, the game will certainly not be dull.)
17.Ng3 Rh7 18.Nh5 Bh8 19.Kb1 Nc5? (Now if Judit plays 20.Nf5, she would virtually have a winning position! Black has no defense against this move. Go Judit! 20.Nf5!!)
20.Bg3 (White still maintains the advantage but unfortunately, she missed the immediate knockout blow!)
20…Nxe4 21. Bxe4 Bxe4 22. Bh4 Qc7 23.Bf6 Bg6 (24. Bxh8 Rxh8 25. Nf6+ Kd8 and Judit would maintain a strong advantage and attack.)
24. Bxh8 Rxh8 25. Nf6+ Kd8 26.h4 Qc5 27. h5 Bh7 28. Qh4 +- (This should be a decisive advantage for Judit.)
28…Bxc2+ 29. Nxc2 Qxc2+ 30. Ka1 Rc4 31. Ne4+ (Also possible is 31.Nd5+)
31…Kc7 32.Nxd6 (Judit still maintains a big edge. If 32. Qe7+ Kb6 33. Nxd6 Rb4 34. Rb1 Qc7 35. Nc8+ Qxc8 36. Qxb4 +-)
32…Rf4? (Now 33.Qe7+ and it’s over.)
33. Qe7+ Kb6 34. Qb7+ Ka5 35. Qa7 (This is a totally decisive position for White. Topalov will resign soon.)
35…b4 36. Rfe1 Nf3 37. Rc1 (37. Nb7+ Kb5 38. Rd6 and mate is coming.)
37…Nxe1 38. Rxc2 Nxc2+ 39. Kb1 1-0 Congrats to Judit!
Sokolov, Ivan – Mamedyarov, Shakhryar
Essent chess tournament
1.d4 g6 2.e4 Bg7 3.Nf3 d6 4.c3 Nf6 5.Bd3 0-0 6.0-0 Nbd7 7.Re1 e5 8.Bg5 h6 9.Bh4 b6 10.a4 a6 11.Nbd2 Bb7 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.Nc4 Qe8 14.b4 Nh5 15.Ne3 Nf4 16.Bb1 Nf6 17.Nc4 Rd8 18.Qc1 g5 19.Bg3 Nxe4 20.Bxe4 Bxe4 21.Rxe4 Qc6 22.Qc2 f5 23.Bxf4 fxe4 24.Nfxe5 Qe6 25.Bg3 b5 26.axb5 axb5 27.Qxe4 bxc4 28.Qxc4 Qxc4 29.Nxc4 Bxc3 30.Rc1 Rd4 31.Ne3 Bd2 32.Be5 Re4 0-1
Judit and Shak Mamedyarov are both 2-0 while Topalov and Sokolov are both 0-2! Shak and Judit will face each other tomorrow.
15.Qf2 Rc8
16.Nce2 Bg7
17.Ng3 Rh7
Probably Nh5 here and may be Bh8…
… and h6 pown is weak now …Qd2 probably…
… I think white are better here. They have idea for attack and on F and probably the black will lost pown soon….
I think Black is actually better. His light pieces are on good positions. 0-1 in 44 moves… Mark my words!
Susan is here! Thanks for the commentary!
I hope Judit wins!
Too bad Judit missed 20. Nf5! But I must say that it was a very difficult move to find. It still looks very promising for white though (after 20. Bg3).
19…Nc5?? 20. Nf5! (don’t think it warrants two !’s because it is such a basic theme in the position) exf5 21. Bxe5 Bxe5 22. Qxf5 hitting R on h7 which will be totally lost because of the vulnerability of the f7-square looked totally winning (and I don’t have a computer running on it), and you’d expect most 2500 rated players to see it, nevermind 2700’s! And YET both of them have missed it! Ridiculous!
20.Nf5! was not difficult to find. It is like 6 half moves deep and Nf5 is a very common theme in the Najdorf. Unbelieveable. I think Judit would have found it against a lesser opponent. I think it is about the psychology of the situation that it doesn’t enter her mind Veselin would allow her such an opportunity to win the game in mere 3 moves.
Veselin would have lost a game in 22 moves! Would have been the world record for a 2800’er. The match against Kramnik was draining on his stamina and self-belief. And possibly mental stability. Take a 3 month break Veselin, don’t burn out.
“Yet, I really think GM Polgar is the better player”
That’s just foolish with nothing to back it up, and a vast body of evidence to the contrary, and you don’t have the expertise to make such an estimation in the first place. Stick to the game.
20.Bg3 was a very bad move. 20.Nf5! won in three moves. You really shouldn’t miss such shots at this level.
Oh nooooooo she missed Nf5!!
Judit will not miss the next opportunity.
These kinds of sharp positions I find hair-raising. They’re both why I don’t play the Najdorf, and why I wish I did.
23 Rfe1 still leads to a nice attacking position for White after 23…Bf3 24 Rd2 Bd5 25 Nf5
Too bad about the miss though. One upside is if Topalov saw it also during Judit’s think, he must be reeling inside.
Can anyone please tell what Fritz says about this position? (after 25..Kd8?).
Topalov’s Bg6 looks nice hitting c2 but Rh8 out of game.
Game looks like either equal or even Black a bit better .
idea 26. Nd5
looks equal after 23…Bg6. Time for Vesko to blunder …
26.h4 looks like a nice idea to get rid of Black’s best piece.
Now after 26. h4 it looks good for white. Or maybe I’m just a too big of a patzerrr.
GO JUTKA GO !!!!! I hope Judit will win this game 🙂
ok, rybka says +0.22 for the variant with Bxh8
GM Polgar might very well be the “better player,” say for 1 year and then it flips back to Toppie. Topalov has certainly not been performing at the 2800+ level.
Nevertheless, they are both excellent players…plus, she is beating him today. Hmmm, that must mean something.
now 28…Kc7 29.Nxh7 Rxh7 30. Rxf7+ idea Nxe6+ xc5?
Are we so sensitive that opinions mustn’t be commented on or disagreed with? All right. I sincerely believe the sun goes round the earth. And don’t dare anyone criticize my opinion! I’m highly sensitive and get easily hurt….
Judit’s definitely controlling the game
the entity topalov/danailov almost dropped below 2800 – i wonder whether the entity is still No.1 in provisional rankings …
at all, i wonder about the sudden rise of the topalov/danailov entity after having moved to spain (no doping controls? ^^) and the sudden fall of the house of the entity topalov/danailov after getting blamed at Elista…
things are going back to normal (after Kasparov left the scene to bash Putin…):
1)Kramnik
2)Anand
3)Leko (the “nobody” … a title rewarded by the entity)
4)the entity itself (a.k.a. Topalov/Danailov)
everything as supplied before…
“there is nothing new beneath the sun…”
btw: the entity is going to lose even with judit’s miss …
Just to kill that topic. Topalov has beaten every top player in the game, and more than once. Has Judit ever beaten either of the two World Champions Kasparov or Kramnik in a game of classical chess? Right.
Judit may well beat off-form Veselin here, but it is not even detable whom of the two has been the better player in the last 10 years.
Vohaul…
Great comment! I agree.
Wow Mamedjarov what a tactical beast. That combination was 15 half moves deep.
Yes. GM Polgar defeated Kasparov at the Linares GM tournament in 1994.
Check your history.
GM Polgar also defeated Kasparov in 2002.
“Yes. GM Polgar defeated Kasparov at the Linares GM tournament in 1994.
Check your history.”
Kasparov was crushing Judit in that game when the controversy occurred. Kasparov released his fingers from the knight for mere milliseconds, then (whether he had realised that or not) corrected it to the right square and proceeded to beat Judit from the winning position. No, Judit Polgar never won against Kasparov in classical chess. Once in rapid I think, but that’s that. Haven’t beaten Kramnik either. Not enough (even though it’s magnificent compared to any of us) understanding to beat these two giants of positional chess?
+4.51 after Judit’s Ka1. Welldone
I thought Judit was winning clearly after the nice 28.Qh4 winning a piece…but why did she capture on c2 and THEN play Ka1? If she left the Bc2 and the Q on a square vulnerable to a knight discovered check Topalov is dead lost. Now he has some chances but is still worse.
Lots of blunders this game…after watching the WC match closely they are typical Topalov I can see, always pushing forward and never defending. Disaster of an opening for him.
“GM Polgar also defeated Kasparov in 2002.”
Not also, because she lost that game in 1994. And the 2002 encounter was rapid chess. She never won against Kasparov in classical chess. Check your facts, please.
I would reckon Leko to be too much for Topalov to handle in a match.
At least when Kasparov ran his mouth off he backed it up, year after year,with wonderful games-not just great preparation but just great games.
30 … Rc4 is maybe the last blunder.
finished with 31. Nxh7 Kd7 32. Nf6 Kc7 33. Nxc2
31. Ne4 not so good but still winning
If Toplaov goes 0/2 but finsihes with a near 2800 rating performance after going 4/4 with faultless play then we will know something is wrong!
Iantonov insert the moves Bxc2+ Nxc2 Qxc2+. You still seem to have the Black Bishop on h7.
I would reckon Leko to be too much for Topalov to handle in a match.
Who do you think Topalov lost in 2004 match for Kramnik’s chalenger?
Also, why Judit plays 32. Nxd6 and not Qe7??
Just when you think it’s the last, he makes another. Better 31 … Kd7
oh, no. 32. Qe7 instead of 32. Nxd6. Still winning thoough
If Polgar only one way to win now would probably find it but with several attractive moves at each turn it is easy even for the 2700@s to miss the optimum path.
Judit is loosing the control of the situation…
Topalov realy need to go and relax somewere on the beach with some nice girl psychoanalytic.
Actually after Topalov loses so ‘easily’, starting this tournament with 2 loses, I wonder if Kramnik is really that good! One would expect a sort of 6-0 like the old good time.
SC, from France
sorry, my mistake
To be fair Toplaov must be mentally tired after playing Kramnik and also he has come out with so much bulls**t that it must be hard for him to play his normal (c.2730)level game.
33. Qe7+
Bravo!!
If Toplaov’s grading falls below 2700 he will not be able to challenge Kramnik again.
I think he should challenge Fischer at crosswords.
Time to resign. Bravo Judit !!!
two things:
1 – wasn’t Topalov’s decision not to enter the Perenyi with 7…, e5 a sign of what was going to come in this game? he fears Judith…
2 – well… thank’s God Judith is a lady, and we don’t have to expect Danalilov counting the times she went to the restroom during the game… or do we?
Congratulations to Judit.
Gabor
Woohoo!!!!
WE LOVE YOU, JUDIT!!!!! 😀
Nice game! You killed the ‘world champion’ of last year….
So you are now officially the world champ, right? 😉 hehe
Thx for the great game, Jutka! Great performance!!
Theo
Go Judit! Not a flawless game, but certainly entertaining.
Congrats to GM Polgar for defeating Topalov. She is clearly the better player. He probably needs a vacation. I’m sure he’ll bounce back sometime.
the ex-FIDE champ is slipping quickly.
A good game by Judit. I salute Topalov for playing so soon. Fortunately for him, the rest of the field is weaker. He should not be adverse to recovery draws. He must learn that drawing as a tactic at the highest level-topreserve energy when needed-is no disgrace, but WISE.
Nothing to shout about for a player of her stature. She didn’t show anything spectacular in this game. Veselin just played at 2500 level or below. He is totally out of mental stamina.
“She is clearly the better player.”
Not quite. Veselin is much better than her, just off form and drained of energy. Mindless, childlish comments here.
>>I think Black is actually better. His light pieces are on good positions. 0-1 in 44 moves… Mark my words!
Monday, October 23, 2006 10:15:32 AM
Done.
I THINK THAT JUDIT IS VERY STRONG PLAYER.
NEED TOPALOV HOLIDAYS? WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT IT?
Cut off the caps. That’s what we all think.
Polgar spanks Topalov after presenting some tough issues for Toppy to work out OTB…zeitnot for T = 1-0! Kudos to the mommy of two for 2/2!
I agree that Topalov is off form.
He is great player and he showed his quality many many times.
This is the worst year for him.
He needs a rest.
I`m sure he`ll be in his top form shortly
Judit did very well after 20. Bg3?? Built the attack again and was very much in control. She played strong even without Vesko co-operating so sheepishly.
Congratulations Judit, that was a great game!! Btw, can anybody tell me what Topalov’s ELO is going to be after his loss to Judit?
Thanks to Susan to bring us this game with live commentary.
Gabor
Hurray!
I love Judit. And I am extremely happy that Topalov suffered another loss. He needs a few humble moments to come back to reality and not talk about being too superior to people with lower rating. Defeat is not shameful, but it must hurt after the stupid comments Topalov-Danailov made in the last few months.
What’s the greatest aspect of this ? Seeing Topalov losing or seeing Polgar winning ? I can’t decide, both are so wonderful.
That definitely was NOT a great game. Must be one of the lowest quality games ever played by a 2762 elo average.
Congratulations Judit! Watch out, She is back.
Topalov is evil, he wants a new match versus Kramnik SOON.
So he plays weak, like this Kramnik is going to accept for the money.
🙂
As I recall, after lossing 0-2, Topalov’ manager will try something.
susan have you ever thought of using { instead of ( so one can cut and paste commentary into a pgn reader by simply adding tags to it?
Mamedyarov’s game against Sokolov was much more impressive. Fantastic combination. Computer of few years back wouldn’t find it.
(pawntorook4 said…
susan have you ever thought of using { instead of ( so one can cut and paste commentary into a pgn reader by simply adding tags to it?)
How do I do that here?
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
Congrats to Judit!
But I don’t understand how she could miss that exchange… 20.Bxe5 was also winning, by the way.
I guess, Topalov still does not get what the WC Match really means, and how different it is from any tournament. Not only for chess lovers, but for participants, also.
May be, after the Essent he will understand the difference between the match and a tournament. Playing in Essent was a bad idea, IMHO. He may look good, but he is definitely exhausted psychologically, and needs a month or 2 of relaxation.
i have never been a “fan” of any chess player – neither a historic player, nor a nowadays one – so, i never was a Topalov fan (i like Peter Svidler, but this is an other story and is finally not due to Peter’s chess skills, but his journalistic adder…)
– frankly spoken, watching the game today between Ms. GM Judit Polgar and – what i named “the entity” – caused me physical pain – and i regret lot’s of my postings herein (and elsewhere) about Veselin Topalov. (Topanailov, chimeira, entity, toiletter, etc.)
after all, Topalov is a very gifted chess player – miles above my own horizon of chess understanding – but he is also an vulnerable human being – and – to be honest – i have pity on him… Kramnik is not out of his mind – and – hopefully not – Kramnik will ever stay there …
i wish Topalov will recover from his mental illness to be again, what he was, one of the strongest attacking chess players nowadays…
****** FELICITATIONS JUDIT ********
I am so happy and so proud! It is party time! What a great game!
Bravo to Judit & Mamedyarov
@susan – simply copy and paste your own pgn file as the commentary line of the blog theme (doeas not look nice witch the [] and so on) – OR give your commentary as usual and post your pgn as a post to the blog comments (e.g. i myself use to post pgn files here in your blog – my way – i use chessbase to produce the pgn file – copy it and paste it right herein – the reader can copy it to e.g. windows notebook, can add the final asterisk, store it as xxxx.pgn and can use it with every pgn-reader)
sincerly, your Vohaul
Toplaov has attempted to do a Kasparov by saying that title does not matter as he is No.1. The problem is that he is not any/much better than 4 or 5 other players so is finding it difficult to live up to the rhetoric.
Serves him right but he will definately need a 2-3 month break and to issue some sort of apology to repair his image.
He has been VERY badly advised by his management team and is paying the price now and will do so again in future tournaments against Kramnik, Anand, Leko.
He has brought this psychological burden upon himself and he has to take responsibility for his actions before he can move on.
Danailov said in an interview, that Topalov and Danailov is the same person. Now, when Cheparinov plays in a separate tournament, may be, Topalov just can’t stand the personality being split to three?
What is interesting, in Essent they also have a glass wall placed between players of main tournament and all others.
No insinuations, please, but should we ask FIDE for a separate ‘behind glass’ rating? 🙂
They went absolutely wild on ICC. Everyone is in love with Judit. That was absolutely a great game to watch. Judit played magnificiently.
Congratulations Judit. Nice to see you back to playing chess. I watched yesterday’s game but today was so sweet seeing you beat Topalov so nicely in a great game.
Good Luck tomorrow. I will be here every day. You can do it Judit 6-0, only 4 to go.
Suasan if you want to use { and } -> press AltGr and B for { and AltGr and N for }
Hope you have the same keyboard 😀
D.K.
I hope Vesko will spring back after losing this tournament. The year long psychological attack waged by Kramnik’s team against him took a heavy toll on his stamina, and especially the maltreatment during the match.
I am very happy about Judit winning this game. She is in great shape.
Sincere congratulations, Judit.
@vlad – moreover, they play with special designed glass pieces in the crown tournament of Essent … a clue?
Polgar 1 Topalov 0
Who was bettter today? Well, the score shows it.
Topalov should play a few games “not to lose” (i.e. a draw isn’t so bad). It might help him if he’s down and out.
What a thrilling game!! Congratulations for Judith!!
Mamedyarov is very strong!! The titan’s onslaught is for tomorrow!! ;o)
@iantonov … as Lasker pointed out after his match against Tarrasch (who hold the rough sea air responsible for his loss – the match was played at Duesseldorf – about 200 km distant from the northern sea…)
“Ein solch’ empfindliches Talent kann unmöglich Weltmeister werden!”
my translation:
“Of course it is impossible for such a vulnerable talent to become world champion!”
🙂
Hi Zsuzsa,everyone,
Judit must be mentally flying after her great game vs Topalov.
I hope she wins the tournament with
2850 performance and enters top 10 on new rating list where she objectively belongs to.
Best wishes,
FM fan
100 points rating diff. Anyone notice the irony ? :))
– Vinay
Susan i think this applet is really good :
http://www.chessclub.com/chessviewer/about.html
People can replay the game, see the comments, and you just need to export the pgn.
Imagine that :
http://www.chessclub.com/chessviewer/example.html
for this blog
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Hi Susan,
I programmed a interface to allow a user to choose a pgn file from the desktop and automatically create a game viewer after it has been posted on a webpage.
See http://www.tatiana.net/forum/index.cfm?fPage=topic&topicID=49
If you would like, I might be able to help you set this up on your webpage.
Sincerely,
Gregory Alexander
Vohaul,
Instead of @, you should use 2:
@vlad means ‘at vlad’, but 2vlad would mean “to vlad”.
Regards,
Vlad
wonderful game Judit! Congratulations!! i havent even looked at it. been ill and just woke up from a long nap lol. im gonna look at it now. Very impressive. I wonder if Topalov will complain about having black twice in a row? he’s gotta find something to complain about right?
It is so pleasant, when a lady beats a scumbag with her handbag 🙂
Thanks, Judit!
>>Are you saying that Topalov would Sandbag Kramnik. LOL.
>>
People just make up theories and state them as facts. Losing rating points is certainly no way to get a title match. Topalov’s probably in shock. It’s probably just starting to sink in that his reputation has been destroyed and he’s going to go through the rest of his life as an icon of bad sportsmanship. You wouldn’t expect him to be playing his best game these first few rounds.
The complete moron and loser starts losing against women and muslim kids.
What a disgrace, but what you expect of bulgarian self-proclaimed WC.
“I think Black is actually better. His light pieces are on good positions. 0-1 in 44 moves… Mark my words!”
Marked. Hee hee.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
@ vlad – it’s hoax slang – sorry – but i’ll keep it – it’s very common … and does not incidentally attribute to my otherwise poor english! 🙂
Beating Judith is not an easy task…she was ahead of P Lego before she had her Baby in world Ratings (he’s No4)
you guys insult Judith playing ability by saying Topalov should easly have thrashed her
I think we have yet to see the best of Judith
as for Topalov he will bounce back as time will tell and make a lot of people eat humble pie
well done Judith always enjoy watching you play
WOW! Even some modern programs are finding it hard to calculate Mamedyarovs awesome combination and actually think Sokolov is better there (while he is already lost!)!!
What a beast! Only 21 years old! Already going 2750+!!
World Champion candidate no question.
Predict very hard time for Judit with black against Shakriyar tomorrow.
i would imagine one would use the { key, on my keyboard it is with the symbol [, so i just use the shift + [, it might be different on other keyboards though.. its a squiggly bracket {, but thats what pgn readers use to incluse comments..
Susan thanks for the nice comments on the game. they are greatly appreciated. I hope you have time to do the remainder of Judit’s games. Your comments are just so good.
I think that GM Polgar’s greatest chess days are still to come. We’re beginning to see her coming back and beating the “higest ranked” player in the world (ex-highest rated).
I like this because she has the ability (if not now, maybe soon) to play for the world title.
It would be great to see a female world champion, that is, one that has defeated the sitting male world champ.
I don’t know if this will happen but she is an excellent GM.
Thanks, Susan, for your commentary.
Hey Toppie fans:
hehehehe!
0-2.
Bwahahahaha! Toppleoff should give up chess. 🙂
Not to take anything at all away from Judit. Perhaps she should be the next World Champion!
Wow! In all games (most of them classical chess) Vladimir Kramnik is +18 =9 -0 against Judit Polgar. That has to be the most one sided score in top level chess alongside Kasparov vs. Shirov.
No wonder Susan hates Kramnik 😛
Think about it! 22.5/27 against a 2700-rated GM! VLADIMIR KRAMNIK TRULY IS THE WORLD CHAMPION!
(And in some of those 9 drawn games tournament situation or other factors dictated that Kramnik didn’t bother trying to win and was instead content with a draw!)
Hey, I know of a good match!
Topalov vs….Bruce Pandolfini!
He’s playing at about The NM level anyway.
hehehe!
Oh, he can always take up correspondence chess! Now, he can use a computer in the ICCF and maybe play like a GM.
We shall see…
hehehehe!
Yes, yes! Topalov can play for the World Correspondence Championship via the ICCF!
Yes…he can then call himself “World Champ” again…if he could win.
No..an NM could probably have knocked his socks off today.
bravo to judit for winning in grand style but Topalov is not playing like a 2800 player. in fact i think i could have played white’s position and im only like 2200 strength max. i think Topalov should not have agreed to play so quickly again. i believe psychologically he is shot.
ICCF bans computer assistance.
No, they do not. They are silent on this issue. No so in other CC organizations.
Hahaha…Topalov playing correspondence chess! Well, at least he couldn’t complain about how many times someone goes to the restroom….
Or could he????
Imagine you were so strong you could beat a 2700-rated GM 22.5-4.5. Kramnik is really is an unique player. THE player of our times. The fourth rapid game against Topalov everyone was saying black had equalized, computers were giving -0.08 then Kramnik in just couple of minutes sees this magnificent Rb1! no one had anticipated and beyond the horizon of the computers and the layman Grandmasters lies a clear advantage for white. One of the deepest moves we have seen in the past years and Kramnik saw it in mere couple of minutes.
How can someone not love this player? OK he is lazy at times, and he was ill the last few years, he doesn’t train as hard as some of his rivals and his opening preparation was much weaker than Topalov’s but over the board he sees deeper and understands more profoundly than any other player there is around today.
He could well stay World Champion for another 7-8 years, because in one on one match he will be nearly impossible to defeat. On brink of defeat he can play faultless chess like against Leko.
Imagine how good he might be with the determination of Kasparov and the hard work of Topalov?
Vladimir Kramnik is +18 =9 -0 against Judit Polgar. That has to be the most one sided score in top level chess alongside Kasparov vs. Shirov.
I think Lasker was +22 vs. Janowski.
Topalov has fans?
“It’s why we play the games, folks”
Topalov down, but not quite out.
Let’s hope for 0-3…
LOL topalov what a loser, no manager or toilet excuse which can help him now
Has Susan ever played Judit in a tournament?
Just wondering. I don’t know of any siblings playing against each other in a tournament?
Does anyone know of such a case?
Thank you.
open letters are written as we speak
This is a joke. Right?????
your question is a joke right ?????
Well, with Danailov one never knows 😉 😉 😉
This tournament shows the limitation of the current “champion challenger” approach to chess.
Judith Polgar is clearly a very strong player and should not be taken lightly by anyone. She is also ‘on form’ in this tournament.
Veselin Topalov is also a very strong player who has played powerfully in the past, but is clearly ‘off form’.
Players of any sport will come and out of form. That was true of champions in the past – Petrosian didn’t win every tournament, neither did Botvinnik, nor Smyslov or Tal during their peak years. Kasparov and Karpov had great runs but even they had great years, better years and just ‘good’ years.
Mr. Cat,
Thanks for the game!
You are welcome, ‘nony’.
Susan has never lost to Judit in classical chess. She has a big plus score against Judit. Judit has a problem with Susan’s style I think.
“Has Susan ever played Judit in a tournament?
Just wondering. I don’t know of any siblings playing against each other in a tournament?
Does anyone know of such a case?
Thank you.”
Yes they did. In tennis, you have the Williams’ sisters going against one another, the same in chess. When you look at the Williams’ sisters playing one another, the intensity of the play is subdued (not intentional but because of their relationship). Perhaps Susan can verify this–I think that they mostly drew one another. I also think that Judit has a plus score in rapid against Susan, equal in blindfold, and Susan has one win against her with Black in classical.
Anyone have an R. Byrne vs. D. Byrne game?
Chessgames.com lists two, with Robert Byrne holding a 1.5-.5 lead over his brother. 🙂
Just don’t forget that like Shirov vs Kasparov, Judith missed some winning chances vs Kramnik.
Kramnik was very lucky to save his head time to time.
Good players are lucky …;o)
Vohaul, this quote from Lasker was a part of his psychological attack on the opponent. As you undoubtedly know, Lasker beat the opponents not only on board but also off board (rhetoric and psychological attacks). This statement of him, however, is untrue in his basis. All talent is vulnerable because emotions are involved in the work that one truly loves doing (in this case chess). Crises and low ebbs are inevitable, and success depends on one’s ability to overcome them. As for Topalov, Kramnik’s acusations for cheating and Kramnik’s misdemeanor in connection to this match started many months before the match. At the beginning of the match, at the request of Kramnik, Topalov (but not Kramnik) was searched with a mine detector which beamed high energy X-rays at him and this of course went unreported in the press. I can go on and on but I don’t see a point in it because Topalov-Bulgarian bashers are blind for the facts.
All I can add is, that I hope Topalov overcome this heavy blow against him and everything he has stacked his life on and renew his stamina and zest to go for the title. He has the required talent.
This comment is so funny :
“I think Black is actually better. His light pieces are on good positions. 0-1 in 44 moves… Mark my words!
Monday, October 23, 2006 10:15:32 AM”
Lol, ridiculous, well done.
😉
Give Topalov his wristwatch transmitter/receiver back so Danailov can send him the winning moves!
Irish Spy said:
Vladimir Kramnik is +18 =9 -0 against Judit Polgar. That has to be the most one sided score in top level chess alongside Kasparov vs. Shirov.
I think Lasker was +22 vs. Janowski.
According to my chessbase database Lasker was +21 against Janowski.