Topalov just recently gave a very interesting interview to Chess Express. You can read the English translated version on www.ChessBase.com. Here are just some of the Q&A:
So are you starting to feel that you are once again playing like you did in San Luis, and can crush everyone again?
I would say this: it is not always right to play for a win in every game. At certain moments I simply lose my head, as they say, I just want so much to win. And this sometimes leads to defeats. I need to control myself better.
Your match with Kamsky will probably also be played in the spirit of these rules, since Gata is another who always fights to the very end.
Yes, Gata is a great fighter! Winning the World Cup, beating all the top players in the process, was a great achievement. And he did not only win, but did so convincingly. I was very impressed with his play. He reminds me of a robot that never makes mistakes. I got the impression that he could play 50 games in a row without a mistake! And do you remember how he won his matches 15 years ago? He not only won, he destroyed his opponents! As a match player, he is stronger than Kramnik, I think. The match against him will require all of my strength and colossal concentration.
Doesn’t it seem to you that there is a wave of youngsters, like Carlsen, Kariakin, Radjabov and Cheparinov, who will soon overtake the “old guard”?
We recently watched the Oscar winning film “No country for old men”. But for the time being, the “old men” in the chess world are holding their own! I was very surprised how the older generation dominated the top places at the Mexico world championship.
Do you think you can regain the world title?
Everything depends on the match with Kamsky. If it happens, I will prepare seriously.
From your experience of the Kramnik match, what is the optimum time for preparation?
It is never long enough. This work is endless, and it is always possible to improve one’s preparation. Previously, two months of intensive work was enough. Now, I don’t know; the volume of information is becoming greater and greater.
Click here to read the entire interview.
This ChessBase interview along with the pictures was quite inspirational…I now like Topalov even more!
honest and decent as always
Why are Topalov and Kramnick in such a grudge?? I mean, to me it seems that it goes way before the Elista match.
So we now know that Topalov has a girlfriend and that she is Spanish.
Honest and decent as always?
Yeah, that’s what I’d like to know, too.
How did this grudge originate?
The grudge originated when Topalov used unfair means to disturb his opponent in Elista. They had no grudge before that time.
“Anonymous said…
Honest and decent as always?”
LOL! Boy, are memories short.
Actually, they did have some sort of grudge before Elista. For example, one of the conditions for that match was that no shake of hands would take place. What is it, did one stole the other’s girlfriend?
and now Morozevich has a problem with Topalov and this is purely by affiliation…i guess the russians really have each others backs
Still no apologies for Elista, but Topalov seems to have gotten some of his marbles back. At least he doesn’t have the Fischer-like paranoia, or fantasize about going to empty nightclubs with Kramnik any more.
“and now Morozevich has a problem with Topalov and this is purely by affiliation…i guess the russians really have each others backs”
Considering how badly Topalov insulted the whole country, rather than just Kramnik, can you blame him?
In reality, I think the problem with Topalov is that he blindy follows whatever is manager Danailov says. Maybe the time has come for Topalov to get a new manager who is not so hyped on getting media attention for himself.
Huh. Who knew that Topalov was so good-looking?! I always thought he looked rather like a bird before.