In his usual comeback fashion, he went from last to first by winning his last round’s game against the tournament leader Sasikiran. Topalov went all out for it by sacrificing a piece. Correct defense by Sasikiran would have resulted in a draw and the first prize. Unfortunately, he could not find the right defense and Topalov went on to win in a thrilling endgame.
Congratulations to Topalov! Maybe he can regain his confidence after this tournament. It would make things very exciting at the top with Anand, Topalov and Kramnik.
(Gata is the only remaining player with a slight hope to catch Topalov. However, it means that he has to win a pawn down endgame against Adams which is very unlikely.
UPDATE: Adams and Kamsky drew, therefore, Topalov wins clear first!)
Susan , you said: “It would make things very exciting at the top with Anand, Topalov and Kramnik.”
I think Aronian deserves to be mentioned in this pack, after his success in the match against Kramnik.
Anyway, Congratulations Topalov !! I following Mtel this year was fantastic experience. Excellent games. Bravo to the players and the organizers and to the Bulgarian nation.
Agreed! However, Aronian is still too fresh and he does not have the track record of the big three, yet 🙂 He is almost there!
I have no doubt that he will. He will eventually build his big fan base like the other 3.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
Thanks Susan,
As always you’re among the first to post such great news.
I feel lack of better words to describe it since “exciting” is not strong enough.
It is obvious for me that Topalov is one of the best chess players and he aims at people’s hearts.
What he did is not only beautiful but easy to understand by average players (like me).
In my mind this is the right way to make chess more popular.
Congratulations to all die-hard Topalov’s fans who always believed in him!
Hi,
congratulations to the winner Vesko.
When we speak about Aronian we shall not forget Radjabov and Kamsky :).
Regards
Pony
Congrats to the Tops, the only reason chess is still a decent spectator sport, at the high level…
Susan, Why you put “Topalov wins Mtel” before the Adams-Kamsky game has finish ?
If Kamsky had won he would have been first too, and the correct heading would have been “Topalov and Kamsky win Mtel”, and not “Topalov wins Mtel”.
Have you had too much fanatism perhaps? 😉
Xargon, the true one … 🙂
Idiots of the world unite!
Xargon: Susan made a note about the remaining game, but being a pawn down in that endgame would make Kamsky’s win highly inprobable .(in which case she would correct I am sure, with a big title favoring Kamsky..After all she is pro-Kamsky as well..)
As for those that put Kamsky in same line with Aronian.. Wake up. Being the best American is not suffient achievement. His best results (past 96) are nowhere near those of Aronian. This is also reflected in the rating among other things, as well as the fact that he beat Kramnink in a match (ok ok rapid one). If you include Kamsky then why not Ivanchuck or Morozevich or Polgar or Svidler or Leko and so on…
Aronian has indeed showed some higher class the last couple of years, but I agree with Susan that he still needs some time to be established in the same level with the trio Kramnink-Topa-Anand.
To anonymous (Susan?):
What it the need of to offending ?
Xargon, the true one …
anon 1:38 pm, please don’t insult anyone. Everyone is entitled to their opinions as long as it is not rude.
Thank you.
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
I don’t think it’ll be much of a confidence builder. He may have finished ahead of those 5 guys, but did anyone seriously doubt that he was better than all of them in the first place?
It has to be considered a disappointing performance. He’s lost rating points again, and has his worst ever score at Mtel despite it being the weakest ever Mtel tournament.
It’s good to win, of course, but a 2nd place score of 6½-3½ would have been better.
great Topalov! congrtulation…next year you will come back for the kingdom, as the phoenix.
even great Morozevich will be a great opponent for kramnik, if he will be at 100%.
Topalov and Morozevich rules! (even if they are not friends, i prefer them as players).
Dario
To Xargon:
I am the anon that offended you. I apologise. (though it wasn’t meant to be to agressive. and you were also a bit agressive to Susan with no obvious reason.)
Too bad for Sasi! :S
Topalow won, completely undeservedly!