“Veselin (Topalov) is interested in two matches: against Kramnik and Kasparov” acording to his manager.
What do you think?
A. Will either match happen?
B. If either match happens, how will Topalov fare against Kasparov or Kramnik? 
Below are a few additional interesting comments from Topalov’s camp:
Q: What is your opinion about Association of Chess Professionals?
A: It has to prove that it can organise serious events. What have they organised so far? A two-day Blitz-tournament in Moscow?
Q: Surely congratulations are flowing from Bulgaria?
A: Of course! I know that the President of Bulgaria along with his two sons, were watching the Internet Live Broadcast of the decisive game Topalov-Kasimjanov until 2:00 a.m.! By the way our President also happens to be the head of the Org Committee of the Sofia Tournament which is due next year. He loves chess.
His manager also stated: Veselin (Topalov) has proved his superiority in san Luis in a rather convincing manner. He scored an enviable +6. I can hardly imagine Kramnik getting +2 in San Luis, had he participated in the tournament.
Kramnick first; at Topolov’s discretion.
Kasparov will be harder to defeat so Top save him for last. Kasparov had no other reason to play then a match like this, so that’s probably why he retired.
Of course, FIDE will never allow any of the above to happen.
I think it is a better than 50% chance that Kramnik and Topalov will have a match, much less for Kasparov to play against Topalov. If Kramnik wishes to retain some semblance of credibility as a “world champion,” then he has no other choice but to play the man who has pretty clearly shown himself to be at least #2 in the world. I do not see what Kasparov loses by not playing Topalov. Kasparov can always maintain his retired status and “other interests” as a reason to not play Topalov, and who can argue with him?
if Kasparov stays retired, i want Kramnik-Topalov to happen. If Kasparov is willing to come out of retirement, i would love a semifinal of Kramnik-Anand and Topalov-Kasparov (or another permutation) and a final between the two winners. Or if FIDE prefers a tournament, how about a Quadruple round robin between Kramnik, Topalov, Anand and Kasparov!!! That will answer all questions.
Tommy says:
well I am real happy that topalov has established himself as the number one playing chess player in the world. He deserves to have the full title of World Champion of Chess. no reservations.
Now Kramnik has not been playing well. and I think Topalov would defeat him. I do not believe that Topalov has to play Kramnik to establish himself as the World Champion. but then again I think it would be a great pay day for Topalov. certainly more money than he received out of San Luis.
I think Topalov would be silly to not play for the big money. He will win and it will end a lot of discussion.
Kasparov deserves to have another chance to redeem his former title. Kramnik was very remiss in not giving Kasparov another shot to get his title back. I think Kasparov will be out of practice and this would give Topalov a slight edge. but then again Kasparov will prepare well for the match.
I dont think Kasparov will be elected President of Russia so once that political goal is out of the way it should open the opportunity for Kaspy and Topalov to play.
I dont think if Kaspy were to lose the match that it would in any way deminish from Kasparov being such a super good chess player. everyone will know that Kasparov is getting older and he is no longer at his prime. but it would make for a great match. much better than the Kramnik match in 2000. and both players will walk away with a great paycheck.
I really blieve it will be easy to raise the money for a kasparov match. much tricker to raise the money for a Kramnik match. but then we shall see.
I would give Topalov an huge edge to beat Kramnik and a small edge only to beat Kasparov.
I think the matches should be set up in a way so that there is not drawn match. they should play until one wins the match. that will help to deflect who should get the champions draw odds. there should not be any draw odds.
Because I play chess and am such a big chess fan. I would love to watch both matches. I hope they take place so I can get to watch them.
However, Topalov does not have to play any of the matches to be considered World Champion.
but the chess matches if done correctly can only be beneficial for chess in the world. the extra publicity and excitement of the matches will draw new people to play the game.
Tommy
Tommy Says:
I would hope to see Topalov play Kramnik first. he will win that easy. that will set up the match with Kasparov with more excitement and more money.
Anand is out of the cycle right now. I was expecting to see Anand win San Luis but he did not win. Right now we are talking about matches after the Champion is crowned.
Tommy
Tommy says:
if the matches were played with Kasparov first and Kasparov were to win the match. then Kramnik will not play Kasparov.
Topalov has to play Kramnik first. then if he wins he can play Kasparov.
there would be extreme excitement at that match. the world has waited a long time to see Kasparov play a championship match. kasparov deserves the opportunity to get his former title back. it would be very exciting for chess if kasparov were to regain his title.
Tommy
Hello from France,
If Topalov must now play a match counters Kramnik or Kasparov or another, then the tournament of San Luis was a match of the candidates! If not, can one say that the title is reunified?
The reason that Kasparov bolted FIDE in the first place was that FIDE took too big of a cut of the prize money for world championship matches. His Excellency Kirsan Ilyumzhinov has said that there would have to be a two million dollar prize fund for FIDE’s champion to accept a “challenge” from Kramnik, which doesn’t sound very likely to happen.
I would very much like to see the world champion title remain in dispute for the foreseeable future. It will generate a lot more excitement and, as a result, money in top level chess. Of course, for there to be a real dispute Kramnik will have to do something world champion-ish, which he hasn’t done for several years now. If he can win Linares, or come in ahead of Topalov in some other tournament, then he could make a case. Or perhaps if he could defend his title against a strong challenger and win (not draw), he might gain some recognition.
As soon as Toppy pumps up his rating above Kasparov’s the match will ocurr. Funny thing is Topalov is, nowadays at least, way sharper than Kaspy. Yet Kaspy is not gonna like someone like Topalov having a higher rating than him. The ego battles have just begun. And Topalov’s edge relies over his absolute disregard for ego-maniac stuff. That’s what i call a true champion.
Let’s just see what happens.
Hugs and kisses, Susan. Your blog simply rules.