Topalov is leading the tournament by 1.5 points with 2 rounds to play. I guess you can say that the magic number is 1 in the next 2 games to secure the FIDE World Championship Crown. That means that either 1 win / 2 draws by him or 1 loss / 2 draws by Anand and Svidler would do it.
It is a lot easier said that done for the fans and spectators. How many times has an athlete stood in front of the free throw line needing to make one to tie and two to win and failed? And yet that same basketball player would have no problem making 90 / 100 free throws in practice.
That is why there are so few Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Wayne Gretzky, Joe DiMaggio, Joe Montana or Garry Kasparov, etc. Great athletes know how to handle pressure. They excel and thrive when everything is on the line while others stumble under pressure.
Perhaps some were born with special abilities to handle pressure. Some have to work at it. This is the extra edge, the intangible, the special quality that one has to have to be a great champion. I know I had to learn it when I was younger. I was fortunate enough to be able to comprehend this magical feeling. That is why I was able to excel and win 4 / 5 Women’s World Championships (I was eliminated by lottery in the one I did not win) and 10 Olympic medals in the 4 Olympiad I participated in.
Everyone can learn the chess moves. Everyone can learn to be a good player. But few become legends. I wish Topalov the best and I hope his nerve will hold up in the final two rounds. Relax and take one game at the time. Give it your best and your hard work will pay off. Trust yourself and trust your ability! 
I was also wondering about the pressure on Topalov now. Serving for the match, a different feeling. But I belive Topalov will be 100% concentrated, and play really good chess, with good time management. And become the champion. For those who doubt, there is odds 50 for Anand and odds 70 for Svidler at betting exhanges …
Great PIC!!! Thank You!
I think Topa is in a great position and has the crown almost 99.9% secure. Let us see how long his reign lasts 😉
Susan’s views always seem lopsided. I find Nigel’s views more fair and balanced, and much like a true Chess expert’s views…
How is it lopsided? All she’s talking about is the potential nerve affect on chess players. I find that fascinating. Grandmasters usually don’t talk about this. I like Nigel but he’s not in the same level as Polgar.
Maca
I find Short’s articles in ChessBase very low quality. He’s paid well for very poor work. He’s not even making any analysis. I prefer the work of Yasser Seirawan, Kaidanov and Susan much better.
Jorge
Miami Beach, Florida
Baring a disaster Topo should get the point he needed….
Cute Picture 🙂
Neither Kasimdzhanov nor Judith can be King (or Queen) anymore. But they can be Kingmakers. If Topalov should lose to either of them ….
The more I think about it Kasimdzhanov & Judith are probably the most dangerous opponents for Topalov. Kasimdzhanov has the kind of calm demeanor to coolly defuse any Topalovian attempt to gain an advantage .. & Judith is among the few who have the tactical prowess to slug it out with Topi in her favorite Sicilian.
I think too many people are writing Rustam and Kasim off in joining the topalov bandwagon. They forget that Judith beat Topalov at corus when topa blundered in a queen’s indian. And Kasim went toe to toe against topa in tripoli.
I think after beating Anand, Kasim has shown he belongs in the big leagues and Judith will want to end her disastrous San Luis trip on a high note. Here is hoping from some exciting chess from these two.
As to the others, Anand-Moro will be exciting, if only because Moro is playing black. Anand is the ever pragmatist – witness his wuss like performance against Topa. Ditto with Svidler. Maybe Anand-Moro 1-0 and Kasim-Topa 0-1 will whet our appetite for Topa-Polgar even though I know Svidler-Anand will be a 20 move draw.
There’s a pic of Judit having a laugh at the conference after her game with Moro. Honestly, if I were in her place…I would have not the slightest bit of humor left in me. Kudos to your sister for showing the heart of a champion.
Well analysis wise , Indeed Short’s Analysis is “Short”.Personally I would have preferred more detailed analysis from Susan as well,rather than just highlighting key moves in the games. Maybe Susan (or even Short) is saving the detailed analysis for a Book or something.
the pic is real oooomph 😉
It is quite frustrating to look to GM S. Polgar FOR incite into the matches and constantly find predictions based on emotion and lack of objectivity. Nearly every round she has said ” I give a small edge to Judit.” Once she lauded her sister for fighting chess and heart. Judit draws with white with Leko in a position that maight as well still be considered theory. She should treat J Polgar, clearly the greatest female in history, objectively as if unrelated when assessing her chances.
I am sorry to disagree with you. I go by the track record and color of the game for each player as I know them. I cannot go by the wind.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
I think Susan has been more than candid with her previews. You’re obviously a Judit basher. Sad!
Mary
** J. Polgar 1/2 – 1/2 Leko
Leko employed the Caro-Kann and they really did not have to play chess this round. Just about everything was part of theories. On move 25, Judit offered a draw in a dead even endgame. **
This is exactly what she said. Obviously you did not read what she wrote and you’re just looking to create trouble.
Maca
S. Polgar, in assessing Polgar-Leko gave a small edge to Judit at least for fighting spirit and said Judit will “go all out for it.” She just gave a small edge to her sister over one of the strongest players, who is currently in second in one of the toughest tournaments ever. I am rooting for Judit and hope she beats Svidler, but giving her a small edge nearly every round is a bit unobjective given the calibre of her competition. Susan, I hope your sister finds her previous form and finishes the tournament strong.
Well…wow! I gotta get the genius in the picture for my coach!
Excellent insight into world champion’s chutzpah: “…Great athletes know how to handle pressure.”
And like you, Susan, great champions often perform better under pressure than they do when relaxed, and thus, others that perform evenly (don’t step up to the challenge) seem to fail, when if fact they haven’t.
One final note: This is a forum, a F-O-R-U-M, not an official, edited, published chess documentary. And thus, Susan’s dialogue is spiced with a personal, a decidedly sweet, warm, lady’ chess champion’s touch. Her personal flavor adds much to this forum, unlike neutered, cold commentaries so often posted in chess journals.
Enjoy!
From Tommy
I eagerly read all the commentary on the internet before and after every game. I have been lucky to be able to watch every game. I also use fritz8 to analyze the Polgar game each day.
I must say that I love the Polgar Blog the best of all the internet commentary. Susan is doing a supreme job of commenting on the games. I dont want detailed moves. Fritz will give that to me and to everyone else. I want the people to people comments. the things that makes a person a human being instead of a silicon fritz.
this is not a computer championship. this is between people. and Susan’s insites are the best on the internet. and I also like that she continues to live the normal life by including comments unrelated to the championship.
I really want to support Susan Polgar as the freshest most wonderful person to assist chess in the USA history. she is the most inspiring and hard working honest good loving person to come along. everyone who believes in chess in the united states should support Susan as best they can.
Keep up the good work Susan. there are those like me who love you just the way you are. dont change a thing. and please keep loving all the children and helping chess to grow in the united states.
Not only are you helping chess but you are also showing americans how to love each other.
Tommy
Actually the reverse is true.
Susan is always remarkably candid about her two sisters. Here or in her new book.
She sets high goals and has high expectations. Yet, at the same time will cook lunch for her students at chess camp.
Judit Polgar is well regarded by many , well earned by her strong showing in Corus.
Almost every analyst expected more of the same in SanLuis
Susan! Excellent commentary, and coverage of current World Chess Championship; very impressive.
Thanks Susan – your hard work is more than appreciated by this Polgar fan!
Thank you David. I do it because this is my passion. I love chess 🙂 I also do it because I want to break this barrier between the chess professionals and the chess fans / chess enthusiasts. If they support us and cheer for us professionals then we should do our part to show our appreciation.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
http://www.SusanPolgar.com
I love Susan’s pic! 🙂
I agree this is the best picture of Susan so far.
Do you agree?
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sorry,I was just telling the truth. 🙂
She is really just hot! 🙂
Does anyone else agree?
Yes!!!!Boing!!!