Even with the Fritz, Junior, Shredder and Hydra age, there are some things that cannot be explained in chess. Topalov is a great player but his first half performance is something that cannot be explained.
I remember a similar personal experience back in 1992. I played in the Candidates’ Tournament in Shanghai, China. I started with 9.5 points in the first 10 games! I basically won the tournament with 6 rounds to go. Even after I coasted and drew the last 6 games, I still won the event by a big 3 points margin.
Was I that much better than all other players? Not by that margin! But when things are aligned right, magical things do happen. Topalov’s performance in the first 7 games of this World Championship will be remembered for a long time! 
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
I’ve never won a tournament nor ever had a run like that described in Ms. Polgar’s post, but I have had games where everything just seemed to fall into place and I could see tactics and continuations I wouldn’t normally notice. Fortunately, many of those have come when playing someone with a higher rating. Of course, I have also played inexplicably like a duffer in many games, too. I wish I knew what explains such variances in strength and vision.
In other sports(physical like basketball,baseball and especially golf) it is known as being in the ZONE.
In those cases it is thought frequent meditation and other mind control excercises can increase the frequency of these experiences.
Maybe there are ways to teach your mind to be less distracted during chess as well. But ironically, in physical sports the goal is to take the mind completely out of the equation. That wouldn’t be very prudent in Chess!!
Or maybe it IS the subconcious brain that is taking over in times of chess excellence. Sadly, I have little personal experience to draw from 🙂
Excellent coverage Susan! In my opinion the best coverage of the world championship anywhere. Your comments are very perceptive.
One great champion, Susan Polgar, appraises another, Topalov. Are such performances really such great accidents for two such great champions as you? I think not.