We just witnessed a very exciting game between Topalov and Kramnik. Topalov had a draw in his hands numerous times. He declined and took inexplicable chances to go for the win. This decision costs him a full point in a very short match.
Fischer lost his first game against Spassky in 1972. He came back and won decisively. I also lost my first game in 1996 and came back to win my World Championship match by a large margin. It has to do with one’s mental, emotional and psychological state of mind at this level.
Topalov certainly is an incredible player. He did not do well against Ponomariov in their match. He won convincingly in San Luis. How will he handle this very bad loss? The match is far from over. Can Kramnik survive the relentless attack by Topalov for the next 11 games? Or will Topalov crash and burn badly the rest of the way?
These are some of the questions that will keep things very exciting for the next few weeks. I am certainly looking forward to it.
It’s Saturday Open Forum. The forum is yours!
First post!
when you play a simul do you have any system of how you open, so it is easier for you or less boring? For instance on one board d4 the next e4 the next Nf3 and so on.
Susan, you should have your own chess TV show!! Maybe an internet show until you can break into TV.
susan,
I have a question that probably many people playing in swiss tournaments would be interested in too.
What factors influence your decision when you decide to accept a draw and not push further?
regards.
Susan, was there any point where you believed Topalov had a shot at winning this game? Or was he really just shuffling pieces and hoping Kramnik would make a mistake?
Also, for a GM-level player, how big a blunder was this? Was it the kind of thing that any GM should have instantly known was a mistake? Or was it more subtle than that? The eval in Fritz jumped instantly, but I know that in endgames computer evals can be deceiving.
Susan in your opinion how did Bobby Fischer comeback in the WC 1972 match down 0-2? I mean he was the challenger and was down 2 games to the World Champion. I wonder if Bobby had to work himself up into a rage against the audience noise, cameras, organizers etc. to play with focus and tenacity.
Hello Susan,
I have understood the importance of middle game and end game study.
But we don’t know how to master the middle game strategy.
Do you have any reccomendation about the text book about middle game ? And can we get it through your chess shop ? Because we can hardly get the chess book in Japan.
Natsumi’s father
(TFK said…
when you play a simul do you have any system of how you open, so it is easier for you or less boring? For instance on one board d4 the next e4 the next Nf3 and so on.)
Random. Each game is different. It can go from 1.e4, 1.d4, 1.Nf3 to 1.c4, etc.
(Susan, you should have your own chess TV show!! Maybe an internet show until you can break into TV.)
I’m working on it 🙂
(vvchess said…
susan,
I have a question that probably many people playing in swiss tournaments would be interested in too.
What factors influence your decision when you decide to accept a draw and not push further?)
When there are chances, I try to play on all the way. I am not going to play out silly dead drawn positions such as R vs. R 🙂
I am also not going to make something out of nothing and hope my opponent would blunder. That is not sound chess.
(Marc Shepherd said…
Susan, was there any point where you believed Topalov had a shot at winning this game? Or was he really just shuffling pieces and hoping Kramnik would make a mistake?)
Not really, unless Kramnik would blunder.
(Also, for a GM-level player, how big a blunder was this? Was it the kind of thing that any GM should have instantly known was a mistake? Or was it more subtle than that? The eval in Fritz jumped instantly, but I know that in endgames computer evals can be deceiving.)
99% of the GMs would not have played on a pawn down with no real chances to win. I think he was trying to pla y a psychological game with Kramnik. It unfortunately may backfire.
( tfk said…
Susan in your opinion how did Bobby Fischer comeback in the WC 1972 match down 0-2? I mean he was the challenger and was down 2 games to the World Champion. I wonder if Bobby had to work himself up into a rage against the audience noise, cameras, organizers etc. to play with focus and tenacity.)
Bobby was a stronger and better prepared player.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.SusanPolgar.com
http://www.PolgarChess.com
(Hello Susan,
I have understood the importance of middle game and end game study.
But we don’t know how to master the middle game strategy.
Do you have any reccomendation about the text book about middle game ? And can we get it through your chess shop ? Because we can hardly get the chess book in Japan.
Natsumi’s father)
I am working on one now. The best book for her level is “Logical Chess” by Chernev. In addition, she needs to play out critical positions against the computer.
Good luck!
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
It’s just one game, but given fixed short length of the match and Kramnik’s ability to force a draw to maintain his lead, I’d have to say Topalov is already in a hole.
But I have faith. Viva Bulgaria!
Bobby was a stronger and better prepared player.
The last part of that statement is fascinating. Not to slight Bobby’s preparations in the least, but it’s well-known that Soviet GMs in international matches had an army of analysts behind them, both at home and among the GM “journalists” covering the event. That Bobby’s preparation still beat them is amazing.
Fischer not only brilliantly outprepared the whole Russian GM force in openings but he also outplayed Spassky in his prime crushing him in next 8 match games so by game five he had level score and by game 10 a big commanding lead! Don’t forget how he destroyed Petrosian, Larsen and Taimanov. Fischer was just too strong a chess player compared to his contempories in 1970-1972. Now we will see, is Topalov head and shoulders better than his fellow GM’s and be able to overcome a 2-0 score against Kramnik? I do not think so, as Kasparov himself said two days ago, Kramnik has a deeper knowledge in chess than Topalov and Kasparov should know, Kramnik is only human to defeat the great champion Kasparov in match play. It is amusing how people underestimate Kramnik’s chess talent and strength just because he doesn’t have a crowd pleasing style as Topalov’s, but in chess skills, when he is on form, he is untouchable by anyone. Susan, do you think Topalov has a realistic chance to tie score by game 12?
Susan in game 2 I prefer the line 38.Bg1 Qxc2 39.Qxe6
What is your opinion? TIA