Veselin Topalov 1-0 Boris Gelfand
Levon Aronian 1-0 Vugar Gashimov
Francisco Vallejo 1/2 Alexander Grischuk
Final standings:
1. | Topalov, Veselin | g | BUL | 2805 | 6½ | 2858 | ||||||||||||
2. | Grischuk, Alexander | g | RUS | 2736 | 6 | 2834 | ||||||||||||
3. | Aronian, Levon | g | ARM | 2781 | 5½ | 2789 | ||||||||||||
4-6. | Vallejo Pons, Francisco | g | ESP | 2705 | 4 | 2696 | ||||||||||||
4-6. | Gelfand, Boris | g | ISR | 2761 | 4 | 2685 | ||||||||||||
4-6. | Gashimov, Vugar | g | AZE | 2759 | 4 | 2685 |
Official website: http://www.ajedrez.ciudaddelinares.es/index.htm
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
An all-time great clutch perforamce by Topalov.
Go Topalov!
Topalov did very well considering he was holding back for his title match with Anand.
Kasparov is 2812 (he retired in 2005 so this rating is inactive) it is funny that Carlsen and Topalov, the only other players currently over 2800, are now virtual 2812.9, 2812.2 respectively! (considering that half a point difference means 5 rating points this was very unlikely to happen, needed the right opposition as well as performance)
So Kasparov is suddenly down to number 3 by a fraction of a point, albeit inactive.
Next stop is the second highest ever rating which is Topalov’s- 2813- just fraction of a point more!
In all seriousness, I really look forward to the Topalov-Anand title match it should be a very exciting closely fought match. The winner would be a very worthy world champion- Carlsen is yet to prove himself in matches so let the old guys have their due- Carlsen can win the candidates and face them next time around…
When all is said and done it would be an interesting question who do people think was greater out of Anand, Kramnik and Topalov. If Topalov wins the match against Anand he would have a ghood case having been world number 1 more than the other 2, and a more consistent 2800 level player. The other 2 were higher before kasparov retired but were overshadowed by Kasparov. it would be an interesting argument.
They all remain in the shade of Kasparow still.