The 2007 Sofia Mtel Masters tournament will take place on May 9-20, 2007.
The strong field this year includes:
Veselin Topalov, Bulgaria 2772
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Azerbaijan 2757
Michael Adams, England 2734
Gata Kamsky, USA 2705
Liviu Dieter Nisipeanu, Romania 2693
Krishnan Sasikiran, India 2690
What is your prediction? Who will win this year? Topalov has a decent rest. Will he be able to defend his Mtel title?
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Madmedyarov will win.
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********* GATA KAMSKY *************
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fritz will win for sure.
Mamedyarov’s time to shine.
MTel has been the secret to Topalov’s rise. Somehow, in a tournament organized and run by his personal manager, he seems to always do very well and improve his rating.
Without the oversight that has started at more international settings, I predict Topalov will do rather well. I would not be at all surprised if his manager already knows what it will take to recapture the number one rating and how much it will take to get there inside his own country.
Let’s make this simpler. First, forget everything. Now, who here is NOT picking their favorite player of the 6 to win the tournament?
I’m not. I’m picking Topalov and I can’t stand him. Although I believe Mama has a fair chance and Kamsky/Adams a slim chance.
Sasikiran and Nisipeanus have almost no experience at top levels of play. They will get buried alive.
I really believe Kamsky will win. He’s a great player.
In fact, I think he might well be the next American World Chess Champion….and for those who say he’s not “really American” well I’d look at his passport and I’d bet it says “American Citizen.” Just like mine…and I was born here.
Go KAMSKY!!!
i disagree fritz is undefeatable at mtel
the toilet-
It may interest you to know that Nisipeanu has extensive top level experience, has won the European Championship, and has made it to the semis in the FIDE Knockout.
Gotta pick Gata though, but go Nisi anyways! 🙂
Yes, I am a Gata Kamsky fan but he is playing powerful chess and this time I think he will teach Topalov a chess lesson!
Mamedyarov first.
Adams last.
That’s an objective strenght of the participans.
Boy, you are right Rubypanther, I underestimated LDP. His record is quite solid against top players in the last couple years. I’m going to elevate him to the middle of the pack in my predictions. I still think Saskiran will be at the bottom.