Topalov won San Luis. Anand won Mexico City.
Topalov defeated Kamsky (while losing to Kramnik a few years ago). Anand defeated Kramnik.
Both have been number 1 in the world. They are ranked 1-2 (Topalov 1 and Anand 2) in the world right now.
Both are hard worker / preparer for matches. Both have formidable teams behind them.
In your opinion, what are their strengths and weaknesses in matches?
Who would you consider as the favorite to win this upcoming World Championship match between Anand and Topalov?
Click here to vote!
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Better player will win.
But before we start to discuss who will win, we first need to know when, where and IF the match will happen.
There is always an IF when we are talking about chess. You can’t just assume that something will happen just because it was planned. Afterall it is chess we are talking about, not some other serious sport.
Topalov and Anand have very similar play styles. They are tactics guys. Topalov now has several advantages:
– he is in his pick of performance
– he has much more motivation than Anand to win the match
– he has very strong and stable second team.
– he is younger
The Anand only advantage is 3 month longer preparation.
However, I praise Anand win, because he is a gentelmen, while Topalov not.
VietLion
Both would lose to Kramnik.
@Anonymous 10:04AM: I personally agree with your last sentence, but disagree with almost everything before:
– peak of performance: even if this is true for Topalov (and wrong for Anand – I wouldn’t draw too strong conclusions from his mied results in Linares), the match is probably at least half a year away … and things can change until then
– “much more motivation”: don’t underestimate Anand, a gentleman can also be motivated. Topalov may _appear_ more motivated because hhe, hhis manager and (mostly) his fans are making more noise
– “strong and stable second team”: maybe ‘stable’ is correct and relevant, but otherwise Anand’s seconds (Peter Heine Nielsen [the stable one], Rustam Kasimdjanov, Wojtasek and Ganguly) are no worse than Cheparinov, Vallejo Pons and l’Ami IMO – not even talking about ongoing rumors that Carlsen may help Anand.
– “he is younger”: here I cannot question the fact, but only its relevance …
To anon “both would lose to Kramnik”
What a moron!!
“Both would lose to Kramnik.”
Who?
It seems topys uneven play just may cost him the match vs Anand.If fischer wanted to play some young kid named vishy back in 1985 and today hes the world champ i think im leaning in that direction.Its interesting that garry didnt realize this until 2007 hmm “im confused”(judge mathis) hehe!!!
Both players can punch with either hand(play d4 and e4)both can win with black I think the better prepared player will win.
I call it a toss up.
I am starting to get tired of people who say that Topalov is not a gentleman. Even if true – so what? As Fischer used to say, “chess is war, and the objective is to crush the opponent’s mind”. Everyone has his means of doing so, and so does Topalov, and so did Fischer and Karpov and Botvinnik and Capa and Alekhine and Lasker and practically everyone. The Topalov-Kramnik match was a child’s game compared to the dirty tricks of Karpov-Korchnoi. So please, grow up finally.
Chess is war, ok, so said Fischer.
But what war have to do with “toilet gate” produced by Topa and his gang?
As a chess player do you accept such low level of “war”? Do you know what non-chess player thinking about chess now? They say chess is not an inteligent game as it was, but a game related to cheating and toilet.
Topalov is the enemy of chess, he loves winning, even by the cost of chess. It would be the darkest period of chess if he won.
“The Topalov-Kramnik match was a child’s game compared to the dirty tricks of Karpov-Korchnoi.” They would be dirty, but smelled better.
“Do you know what non-chess player thinking about chess now? They say chess is not an inteligent game as it was, but a game related to cheating and toilet.”
Yeah, because an moron used to visit the WC after every move, about 50 times a game! Ultra cool eh? 🙂
What’s this… someone playing chess or someone with severe prostate problems? That’s why the non-chess players think all chess players have weak bladders 🙂
P.S. I would like some UTP-5 cables in my toilet too. Can use them to play WoW while… ermm… playing chess 🙂
They smelled better, because toilet door was closed most of the time.. and as we all know there was no time for the Kramnik’s toilet door to close he he:)
Topalov is the strongest chessplayer ever!
Topalov is the kindest player you can meet on the circuit.
I think Susan may not refute that.
This is a no brainer. Topalov is going to crush Anand. Topalov is the best player in the world by far. The only reason Anand is WCC today is because Topalov didn’t play in Mexico. Is about time that FIDE gives the crown to the real champion….not some Mickey Mouse winner who got it in a tournament where the best player was left out.
Topalov not a gentlemen? Ha, Ha, ha….
Topalov has donated to charity more than you ever will …..
I met Topalov’s manager Danailov more than 20 years ago and from the impression I got back then for him I can assure anyone He truly believes there was cheating on part of Kramnik’s side.
I don’t know if Kramnik cheated or not, but Danailov truly believes there was cheating since it is really suspicous for a chess player to go more than 40 times to the bathroom in a single chess game ….. plus somehow ALL THE TAPES FROM KRAMNIK’S RESTING ROOM WERE LOST and those tapes were supposed to assure both teams there is no cheating in place. One can guess why they got lost ???
Also if Kramnik was supposed to be the gentlemen you believe he is, how come he refused to play a rematch with Topalov???
Isn’t that called FEAR of getting crashed?
Again I don’t know if Kramnik cheated or not. But I certainly don’t want to play with a sick opponent who goes to his private bathroom after almost every move …. and his moves match those of the Fritz or Ribka software….. May be such a player needs more of a medical treatment than playing a match for the world chess title….
From what I’ve read and seen for Topalov he seems to be an honest guy, who just want to play interesting chess and most people do enjoy his style …..
Good luck to both Topalov and Anand may they give us interesting chess games when they meet.
“Topalov is the best player in the world by far.”
Yeah, and because of this fact he lost to Kramnik in Elista.
“Yeah, because an moron used to visit the WC after every move, about 50 times a game! Ultra cool eh? :)”
Because he should not have eaten those “free” bean burritos Danailov put out. They were full of laxitives.
“Yeah, and because of this fact he lost to Kramnik in Elista.”
Nope. Because of the fact that Mr.Topalov is rated number 1 (one!) at the moment, and Vladimir “The Man Who Lives In A Toilet” Kramnik is rated number 8 🙂
Anand will win. He has superior intuition. Preparation can only take you so far and then you need to sense what is the right direction to go. Topalov could not beat Kramnik even with a free game given to him as black.
I don t know who is gonna win. Both players have good chances. But in personal preference I do prefer Anand because I dont like Topalov behavor. He and his team are always having arguments with someone. I am one who think that not just talent should decide things.
And Anand is from India. Chess champions should come from all over the world and not just from one region (eastern Europe). This is very good for the game where people get motivated.
“Chess champions should come from all over the world and not just from one region (eastern Europe)”
You know Russia and Eastern Europe are two very different things, right?
“You know Russia and Eastern Europe are two very different things, right?”
Of course he doesn’t.
“….He and his team are always having arguments with someone. I am one who think that not just talent should decide things……”
Dare to bring some proof Topalov and his team made any other arguments and proove they were without any bases???
Of course you won’t, you just need to vent your hatred somewhere and found an excuse here….
Your personal attacks on Topalov and his team have no reasonable foundation…………
Topalov is a real chess warrior not afraid to sacrifices a peace or twho in just about every game he playes….. and he’s been rated number One many times.
Dare to share with us your rating?
My guess is no more than 2,000…
The player who is psychologically best prepared will win and it is hard to explain who that will be. They are both outstanding players with Topalov as the slight favorite, but Anand will be more of a challenge to him than Kamsky. Kamsky was not as well prepared as Anand will be and certainly Anand is unlikely to get himself into time trouble. This will give Topalov less chances of confusing matters like he successfully did in the last game against Kamsky. Topalov is the favorite, but Anand might win after all…
one to one anand vs topalov anand
is clearly ahead,anand has beaten topalov 24 times and topalov 14 times.
if both are in good form clearly it should be close with anand having the edge.
unless offcourse danailov has some good sign language / device to help topalov
anand will win and make india proud again……….his thinking is quite better than others as far as defence is concerned…..so he will win/draw, but has low chances of loosing.
so he will definitely win….anand wish u all the best
lets wait and watch 🙂 the best and and the resilient will win ..
at the level at which they are playing it doesnt take a lot of difference to differentiate between No 1 and No 2 .
and finally its who keeps his mind …that wins .. not necessarily the best talented ..
God bless y’all.
Anand will surely win because Topalov is a halfwit.
Anand won :)as wished by good readers.
Congratulations Anand for this wonderful victory.
I like your humbleness even after such a brilliant victory.
Hope Topalov will learn more than just chess from you.
did none of you knew the fact that we indians invented chess
anil