In this video, it was clear that there was no animosity between Anand and Topalov. When the “non-handshake” after the game question was asked at the press conference, neither player could remember clearly if they did or did not. Their minds were totally preoccupied with the game, especially because of the 3-time repetition situation which happened for the first time in the match. They both simply forgot but Anand pointed out that they did shake hands before the game.
It is unfortunate that some “chess fans” immediately insulted the players, their families, their countries, their cultures, the organizers, FIDE, and everything else they could think of on various websites, including this blog, without knowing what exactly took place. If the players actually do something wrong then we should criticize them. But don’t just insult people for no reason or without knowing the facts.
I played in world championship and candidates’ matches before. I know how completely focus I had to be. I also know both Anand and Topalov (as well as Kramnik) very well for over 2 decades. I consider them friends. They are all very nice people and they are doing their best in a very high pressure and intense situation.
They do not deserve this kind of treatment from people who have never met them, know them, or even remotely understand the sacrifices they had to make for over 30 years to get to the pinnacle of chess. If these “fans” want to insult the players then go to another website to do it. I will start to monitor the comments much more carefully and I will delete all disrespectful and insulting posts. If we are asking the players to be more professional then the fans should do the same.
Thankfully there were only about 20-30 such disgraceful posts from the 44,000+ people who followed my LIVE commentary today.
Thanks for your understanding!
Yes give these guys a break. We do not need the naysayers. Who would have predicted that the first two games would be decisive. Great chess from two great players.
The same idiots troll everywhere. If they players play mistake free chess and they draw, they attack the players. If they take chances to win and make mistakes. the same idiots attacl the players. Everyone is a big shot at home with fritz and rybka. Gimme a break.
The insult was against chess, for playing on in a drawn position. The handshake was just a side comment.
Who are you to tell them WHEN they should take a draw? The moment it came down to R+4Ps vs R+4Ps, they repeated moves. You’re just another troll.
Yes Susan, I do agree with your observations about irresponsible fans behavior.
However all this arbiter business to declare a draw brought in by the Bulgarian organizers is providing sufficient fodder to all and sundry.
Further it remains ambiguous at this point which rule should be followed to draw a game. Sofia rules or the regular ones? Since Anand refused the Sofia rules and not part of agreed WCh regulations, is it okay for Topalov to bring the arbiter to make a draw proposal?
What is the FIDE doing about it?
I hope Topalov break away from the clutches of his coterie (manager etc.) and not bogged down by all this “Sofia” rules – it could even prove costly for his own game if he tries to push it hard.
Being a hostage to the whims and fancies of the coterie, it is bringing disrepute to this great player.
Topo says that he asked the arbiter to offer a draw to Vishy. But with the threefold repetition of positions, you claim a draw with the arbiter and if the claim is valid, it is a draw. No sense in offering a draw. (Besides, a claim of a draw also counts as an offer of a draw.)
Here are the words of GM Shipov from his analysis of the game:
“32. Rc5 Bb5 …The game gains deadly-drawn character. The most interesting question now is how are the opponents going to form the peace agreement? We remember the hard negotiations before the match concerning “sofia” problem and know the decision to make offers only through the arbiter etc. In my opinion it’s useless husk. Why in clear drawn position one of the players not to offer the draw to the other? It has been done in that way for many years. .. Such novelties don’t seem to be appropriate.
33.Bxb5 axb5 Passed pawns will be exchange soon. We’re waiting for the development of affairs. Though we can remember the conflict situations took place in the past but at that time such a practice put after juicy scandals. And this time it has happened right before the stars. And this doesn’t grace the match.
34.Rb1 b4 35.Rb3 Ra6 36.Kd3 Rba7 Here is the promised exchange.
37.Rxb4 Rxa5 38.Rxa5 Rxa5 39.Rb7+ Kf8 And what now? Has this position to be played indeed? It’s not serious.
40.Ke2 No comments!
Ra2+ 41.Ke3 Ra3+ 42.Kf2 Ra2+ 43.Ke3 I will say in fact: how long can it continue.
43…Ra3+ 44.Kf2 Ra2+ Finally the arbiter has come to the board and stopped this outrage. DRAW! The ending has ruined my good mood and spoiled the chess festive occasion. Since the initiative of all these anti-draw scrapes belongs to Bulgarian part then it should answer for this. What has happened is evident disrespect towards the opponent and towards the chess on the whole. So, the game turned out to be pretty bare and short of any bright effects. Anand has chosen the most reliable and solid variation and demonstrated his special composure in defense, However hard Topalov may have tried he hadn’t real chance to penetrate the armour – and logical draw as a result. Score is even at 1,5-1,5. The comments have been made for you by yours truly, GM Sergey Shipov. Thanks for your patience and attention! See you tomorrow! 45.Ke3 Ra3+ 46.Kf2 1/2-1/2
Jmac, this is a language issue for Topalov. He speaks well in general but it is not his native language. It’s a non-issue. I’m from Panama and sometimes I mix up words too.
I am not another troll.
It was a forced draw at 32…Bb5. They played on another 14 moves because Topalov refuses all draw offers since he’s following his own rules.
Of course you’re another stupid troll. Who are you to say when a draw should be taken? Are you 2800? This is a world championship. As long as a player feels that there’re chances, he has the right to play. You’re a big shot with a computer program, aren’t you? If you don’t like it then don’t watch. Stop whining like an idiot.
Very well said, Ms Polgar! We should protect this two real gentlemen of the world of Chess from idiots that do not deserve to be on it. Thank you for your brave words!!!
Topalov simply has a different approach to the game and I think we should respect it. Remember his last game against Gelfand in Linares this year? They reach a K+R+4p against K+R+3p endgame which everyone thought was dead draw (and objectively it was). But Topalov played on, caught Gelfand in a very deep trap, won spectacularly, and as a result, won the tournament (a draw would have meant that Grishchuk would have won the tournament). So, let’s not judge what we do not understand 😉
“Since the initiative of all these anti-draw scrapes belongs to Bulgarian part then it should answer for this. What has happened is evident disrespect towards the opponent and towards the chess on the whole. “
That’s a ringer, who is this guy?
Now you’re trolling.
“As long as a player feels that there’re chances, he has the right to play.”
The point is that Topalov will play on in a dead drawn position because he refuses to follow the Match Regulations, and not because he had any chances.
There is no excuse for this kind of behaviour.
You have to admit, the match is quite exciting. The differing strategies, with Topalov giving pawns away to get the initiative, and Anand not taking them made the game fun to watch.
How they maintain their focus and accuracy with so many people watching, one has to wonder. Of course, that’s been the case with other matches too, but with video and cameras, the computers, and the internet, it’s a little different. Everyone can see the move you are about to make, thanks to expert commentators and Rybka.
Quite amazing really, when you know they are also human.
I do think it is not accident they did not shake hands. They are two intelligent gentleman and they have played all their lives and know the etiquette by heart.
I think it tkaes only a little bit of effort if you look at the body language to read that in the press conference they are trying to maintain their “social face” and talk themselves out of the question. There is whole lot of mental pressure for both players and it must have lashed out in the heat of the moment. Maybe Anand was frustrated about the inconvenient procedure in the end, maybe something else.
So I do agree with you, Susan, about giving the guys the break. Really fascinating match still ahead of us! I can’t wait the todays game!
I’m a troll and an ugly one at that!
Well – draw offers are made (usually) in ‘dead’ positions,and reflect the respect GM’s have for each other. It seems these days ‘respect’ / ‘courtesy’ and other civilized attributes are considered unnecessary! The world is going to the dogs all right! Time for ‘Judgement Day’!.
So what happens if Anand offers a draw, does Topalov just pretend not to hear him? Does Anand have to keep playing until the game reaches stalemate, repetition, or insufficient mating force? Seems like a waste of time and energy that coud be invested in preparing for the next game, or is that in fact part of Topalov’s plan?
that’s good to know that we will have good clean chess.
I agree…when I saw the video of the press conference after game 3, I was impressed as to how nice a person Topalov seems to be.
My main problem as a fan is with his manager, Danailov, whom I feel disrespects Anand by trying to impose the Sofia rules on the match, and then calls Anand disrespectful for not complying with his wishes!
So I feel Danailov reflects badly on Topalov, and would venture to say that he puts pressure on Topalov (although I do not know for sure) to adopt the Sofia rules.
For us as fans, Danailov’s tactics maybe prevent us from knowing Topalov in his true light, since he seems to be a quiet person.
Hi..GM Topalov looks very nice person but his manager Mr Dainalov give a bad influence and image to GM Topalov
Dear Susan, do you not agree that Topalov’s decision not to talk to his opponent and even offer draws through the arbiter silly and against the spirit of chess ? Have you ever played a WC match where you refused to talk to your opponent (inspite of there not being any animosity) or would you advice your chess playing little son to behave like that in his career ? Its not just some ‘chess fans’ who pointed this out. Here is GM Shipov’s comment ..
“”For me personally the ugly ended has spoilt the mood from this feast of chess […] What took place is clear disrespect to his opponent and chess as a whole” ( Personally I must admit I found it hilarious! Topalov was like a malfunctioning robot who had to obey rules that made absolutely no sense.”
You can take Topalov’s side as much as you want, but you wont find too many supporters among the chess fans, and Topalov/Danailov are the only people to blame for that