Topalov Interviewed after his WCC debacle

The interview with former World Champion Veselin Topalov was provided by the head of the Anand-Topalov World Championship match press office, Mr. Boyko Hristov.

- Grandmaster Topalov, regardless of the outcome, during the match between you and Viswanathan Anand we watched your dominance in the openings when you played with the white pieces. What caused this fact?

- During my preparation for the match, my manager, Silvio Danailov, and I decided to approach something non-standard and to seek additional resources to increase the advantage over my opponent. It turned out that there is such a possibility. We found that in Bulgaria is installed and running one of the most powerful supercomputers in the world - Blue Gene/P of IBM. And because the computers and the chess software are necessary components in the preparation of the modern grandmasters, we decided to use the vast computational power of this machine.

The IBM's Blue Gene/P has 8192 processors and you can imagine how huge the possibilities we are talking about. The problem was the fact that in the world currently there is no chess software whose source code is written to work with such a multiprocessor platform. However, Silvio and I, did not give up and he managed to gather an international team of leading experts who have created a project for a chess program that can use the computing power of this extraordinary supercomputer. And now is the time to express my great thanks to the General Manager of IBM Bulgaria Mr. Alexander Rakov and the IT architect of the company Mr. Yovko Lambrev for the access to the resources of Blue Gene/P they provided to us. They have made enormous efforts that our idea become a reality.

I want to thank the Prime Minister of Bulgaria Mr. Boyko Borisov too, who allowed us the access to the supercomputer, which as you know is state owned. So ultimately, even though I lost the match, I managed to achieve a dominance over Anand in the openings in all games, in which I played with the white pieces. This advantage was demonstrated very clear especially in the first game, when I won fast and with decisive priority.

- What's next for GM Veselin Topalov from now on?

- Short break and chess again. In my closest plans, however, it's included an initiative to increase young people's interest in relation of the high technologies and the artificial intelligence, which will be held under my patronage in cooperation with IBM Bulgaria. I will do it because of my direct experience I know how important computers and high technologies are and will be for our future and the career development of the young people.

In a few days we will announce an essay contest among high school students from Sofia concerning a topic in the field of high technologies. The First five best students will form a representative team which will play a mini chess tournament/three games/against the IBM's supercomputer Blue Gene/P.

After each of the games I'm going to comment on the game and will give my advice to the young players. IBM Bulgaria will arrange for the finalists meetings with its leading experts to get them acquainted with the vast world of high technologies. If all goes as we imagine, the initiative will become annual.

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Topalov: I Made Mistake in 2nd Game vs. Anand

Veselin Topalov claims he lost Sunday's second game with world chess champion Anand because of a wrong move he had made at the very start. Photo by BGNES

The Bulgarian chess master Veselin Topalov admitted that he had started “on a wrong footing” in the second game against the world chess champion.
On Sunday, Topalov lost to his opponent, the Indian-born world chess champion Viswanathan Anand at the 43rd move.
In an interview for one of the biggest Spanish sports dailies, Topalov said that he had planned and started the whole game in a wrong way, adding that the second game was a lot tougher than the first one.
Anand on the other hand commented that he had played well and had concentrated on winning the game after the 28th move.
Topalov won the opening game on the 31st move on Saturday. Thus, the score so far is 1:1 with ten more games to go.
The two chess masters will have a break on Monday, and will face one another again on Tuesday when Topalov will be with the white pieces.

Source: novinite.com

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A Brief History Of Anand & Topalov | Video

On Anand



On Topalov

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Topalov: Anand can surprise me only with shamans

The world chess championship clash in Sofia will be the match of my life, says GM Veselin Topalov

The first move in the WCC match between Veselin Topalov and Vishy Anand will be made in Sofia’s Military Club on April 23. In an exclusive interview with the Standart, Veselin talks about how it feels to play for the world chess title on home ground.

Vesko is always in a good mood

Photo: Anton Chalakov

- Are you ready to play against Anand?

- My preparation for this important match started in November last year and passed through several stages – Palma de Mallorca, the Canary islands and two weeks in the southern Bulgarian town of Sandanski. Everything’s normal for now.

- Do you have the feeling that this will be the match of your life?

- Probably yes.

- The organizers have met all requirements of Anand, but he still refused to play according to the local rules.

- I think Anand has adopted it as his strategy to reject all proposals of the Bulgarian organizers.

- What are Anand’s strong points and weaknesses as a chess player?

- He is an incredible talent, he has exceptional intuition and fast reactions, but he is forty years old and his shape isn’t as good as it was in his twenties. I guess he may have some problems with motivation.

- How can Anand surprise you psychologically?

- I will be surprised if he brings a few shamans in the hall.

Source : Standart News

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Interview with Topalov before WCC 2010

The big match in chess came closer – next week Veselin Topalov will challenge the title of the World Champion Vishwanathan Anand (India). The 12 games will be played at the Military Club in Sofia.

The winner gets 1.2 million euro, the loser – 800 000. Topalov is already in sofia, taking about the match, the opponent and something more…

Topalov and Anand have very different styles. While Anand has hidden from media in order to concentrate, Topalov is not declining interviews. Here is the latest one for Trud daily cited by Topsport.

- Once again you are in the big game for the title. What is you sixth sense?

- Before such a match I always have the feeling, that I am well prepared. However, whether this is true or not will be found out at the game. Maybe for the previous match in Elista I was a bit better physically, but this hardly matters any more.

- Apart from the location and the opponent, what is different from that battle with Kramnik?

- After all Anand is a true champion, he is balanced and is a games wining machine in all types of chess – blind, blitz, classic… He is not a genius, but rather a natural talent, born for chess. He manages to play fast and without mistakes, while I play slow and well.

- In which component of the game do you expect the battle to be resolved? Or is it a matter of playing on the nerves between two equal opponents?

- One cannot say that we are equal, we are different. He is a complex player and has only slightly noticeable weaknesses, which show depending on the situation. Sometimes also he makes mistakes.

- Are you now smarter after the scandalous match in Elista?

- That was my first long duel and I had the problem of trying too hard. This is exactly what I am trying to avoid right now. During the last few days I have been training on a light regime because the battle will be really on the nerves and I have to conserve energy.

- You surprised by taking a Czech person in the team. Do you expect Anand to pull something out of his back pocket?

- I do not know his squad, but the winning team should not be changed. I suppose that the people who helped him win Kramnik for the title in Bonn are probably going to be here.

- Do you expect any caprices on his side?

- I do not think so. The organization is at such a high level, there will be no ground. But if someone is looking to provoke, he will manage to find something to do so with.

- Can it be said that this is your biggest battle in chess?

- In 2004 of the world championship in Lyberia I reached the semifinal, played very well but lost. And I said to myself – I lost the battle of my life, everything is over. But, as I can see it, I have another chance to become a champion.

- Not too long ago Anatoly Karpov said that it is time for someone to put an end to the chaos in chess, to the fact that the names of the current champions are not known and that the money has become less. Is he right?

- I suppose he has in mind the constant changes done by FIDE. This way the players cannot make plans and to some extent creates chaos. However, on the other side the number of tournaments has augmented and so have the prize funds. And it is as if there is no logic, only chaos, but it does not affect chess in a bad manner. The situation is a little peculiar, but life became dynamic, and there are changes in other sports as well. 20 years ago only two people won a lot of money – Gary Kasparov and Karpov. Now more players have the chance to earn well from chess and even to become quite wealthy.

- Are you a wealthy man?

- It depends on who do you compare we with. If it is with Abramovich, I am not. But I have enough not to be worried about my retirement. And I do not need the money from the game, which is not little, to buy something and they are not going to change my life. I do not need a Lamborgini and yachts, I do not need unnecessary luxury.

- Is there something you would throw a lot of money on, just like that, for fun and enjoyment?

- I have to remember (long pause)… No, there is not. I afford myself some luxuries, but I know how to control myself. I said about the Lamborghini. I can, for example, buy really expensive cars, but I do not do it. I do not see the point. I am happy with my life.

- And how do you see yourself in life after chess?

- (againg pause). Frankly speaking, I do not have an answer to this question. Apart from chess, I do not have another specialty . I know languages, but this alone does not give work.

- Maybe the “Topalov Academy” for young talent, why not?

- I doublt it. Now with computers the chess changed so much that one coach, whoever he/she might be, can give little advice. Many of the young talents work alone with computer software programs. The most current example is the break up between the leader in rank Magnus Carlsen with Kasparov. Therefore, I will not be teaching kids how to play. I can give advice.

- And do you see yourself in the shoes of Viktor Korchnoy, who is 79 and still plays?

- Also not. I deeply respect Korchnoy, he really loves chess and plays for pleasure. Just like I do. But I would not do as he does.

- If you win the title, would you bet it again, as with Kramnik?

- Absolutely. Together with my manager , Silvio Danailov, we believe that the champion should have only economic advantage, by winning more funds. And everything should be proven on the chessboard, where should be not advantage.

- Danailov is going on another battle – to become chief of the European chess…

- Silvio and I started 20 years ago by playing on tournaments in Spain and look at us now. As a private person he has done a whole lot – matches for the world title, the Mtel Masters tournament, he created the grand slam… and this was done by him alone. Imagine if he is backed by an organization as the European Chess Union. With his ideas he changed chess a lot, but I would say that he made chess better. 

Article Source : Chessdom

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First photos from Anand - Topalov playing hall

Six days before the opening ceremony of Anand - Topalov World Championship match, the Chessdom visited the playing hall - the Military Club in Sofia. The photographers made the first pictures of the venue, the management talked to the organizers, while IM Alexander Ipatov, one of the live games commentators of Chessdom, inspected the press center.

A total of 14 journalists from the Chessdom.com team will be in Sofia during the match Anand - Topalov. Among them are the main part of the editors staff headed by Mr. Goran Urosevic, a video operator, several photographers, and a unit for 24h support by email for any questions regarding the event.

Enjoy the first photo report from Sofia, complete photo gallery from the playing hall is available here.

All news about Topalov Anand 2010 here

 

The scene where Anand and Topalov will play the games from the World Chess Championship

The Military Club playing hall is one of the most beautiful buildings in Sofia

The entrance for the audience
Anand and Topalov will use the back door with strict security checks

The entrance to the press conference room
FIDE officials room is on the right

The press conferences room from inside

Multiple drawings by Darina Yaneva are allocated to prize fund and presents for the players

Chessdom.com billboards in front of the playing hall

Right against the billboards and the playing hall is the Russian church

Article Source : Chessdom

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Topalov - Anand 2010, a week before the start

Venue reconstructed, inspection by the organizing committee

The symbol and logo
of WCC 2010

As Chessdom.com informed yesterday, Sofia is entering in final preparations for the start of the WCC match between Veselin Topalov and Viswanathan Anand. The venue of the World Chess Championship - the Military Club - has been fully reconstructed. The playing hall, which also hosted Mtel Masters 2008 (video of Mtel 2008 preparations here) has been renovated and adjusted to host the event. The audience will come through the central entrance, passing a security check. The players will enter through the back entrance. The two corridors towards the toilets have been blocked and a reroute is constructed.

The special curtain has arrived from Germany and will provide the requested by Anand visual and sound barrier with the audience. It will be lifted in the first 10 minutes, so that journalists can make photos, and later it will be arranged according to the contract.

Today the BCF and the organizing committee inspected the playing hall and approved all the work done so far. The dedicated rooms for the press, the VIP, and the FIDE office have also received a positive grade.

There is still no confirmation on the exact date and time of the arrival of Anand. By contract he should come on the 16th of April with 5 people in his team (his wife and manager Aruna Anand and four seconds). From BCF commented, "Anand has not communicated the date of his arrival, we hope Anand calls, so that we meet him, but in any case he knows Sofia and the way to the hotel well."

Article Source : Chessdom

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Anand expected to arrive in the end of this week for the WCC match with Topalov

World Chess Championship 2010 details from various sources

The World Chess Championship match between Viswanathan Anand and Veselin Topalov is starting in Sofia in a little more than a week. The Challenger Veselin Topalov is already in Bulgaria. He arrived from the Canary Islands, where he had training camp, and went directly to Sandanski (a city in the South West of the country) together with all his team. They will stay until the 19th of April in Hotel Pirin where they will continue the preparation and after that will move to Grand Hotel Sofia.

Viswanathan Anand is expected to arrive Friday evening and go directly to his hotel - Hilton. According to an interview with the World Chess Championship organizing committee for Sega, all conditions set by Aruna Anand during the inspection are met. The special curtain from Germany preventing visual contact is also on the way to Sofia.

Another mainstream newspaper, Novinar, brought to light additional details after an interview with Stefan Sergiev, president of BCF. "Each team will have a budget of 12 000 eur for food. As far as I know Aruna Anand has already agreed on the menu with the chef in Hilton. There was all inclusive option, but both teams preffered to have personal plans."

Some details from the opening ceremony program are also known. In the beginning a 20 minutes movie will be projected. It is about chess history, the beginning of the game in India, and its spreading to the Balkans thanks to the proto-Bulgarians.

The presentation of each player at the opening ceremony will be 4-5 minutes, with their favorite songs in the background.

 Article Source : Chessdom

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On Anand - Topalov | Who is the favourite? - Kramnik's View | Video

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