Temporary insanity costly to Topalov
Saturday, May 29, 2010 02:50 AM
Most of us pay at least lip service to the golden mean.
Moderation and consistency usually maximize returns in the long run whether it be in business, love, sports or games such as chess.
It is a cliche of performance psychology to talk about the importance of “staying within oneself.”
Such behavior has been the bread and butter of Bulgaria’s Veselin Topalov. A fierce and uncompromising fighter, he is, above all, a realist who excels in appraising situations with admirable objectivity.
But in the final game of his recent match for the world title with Viswanathan Anand, Topalov stepped out of his paradigm and astonishingly self-destructed to lose the game and match.
Egregiously playing to create winning chances with a series of ill-advised moves when the nature of the position offered no more than a draw, Topalov was crushed.
After the game, Anand acknowledged: “I honestly thought he had gone nuts.”
But Topalov, who held the world title from 2005 to 2006, was as redoubtable as ever.
“I really committed suicide, but I don’t feel sorry,” he said. “My confidence is still really strong because I didn’t feel I was outplayed here.”
Source: Columbus Dispatch
I lost the game because I was a better player…
Real nutty…
Sounds like Topa is ready to join the USCF.
The big point is whether Topalov was going to be in an very unpleasant position , in game 12 had he played any other move than taking taking that pawn?
Susan when is your Part-@ of analysis be out??
Stepping out of the box has won Topalov many games and has lost him some too. It is the nature of his game. That is actually what made him the top ranked player. It should be taken in the broader perspective and should not be criticized for the result of a single game.
Anand said in a recnet interview that chess games are won when somebody makes a mistake. So we should give credit to the winner who made the other player commit the mistake. So there is no point in saying he did not win but I lost. Acknowledge the winner. It is sportsman spirit.
Hey! Topa! Sure you are a very good player. Many very good players out there. But you got two chances in match play and blew them both! You are no bobby Fischer! that’s for sure. And, the World Champ is still Anand.
The man is a nutter.
I knew that long time ago.
What a pity,because he seems to be the most talented player ever.
Does Oliver McCall ring a bell to someone?
Maybe the best puncher ever and a nutter,too.
If Topalov played perfectly in this match he would have been world champion, so in that regard he is really the true winner of the match in my mind.
“If Topalov played perfectly in this match he would have been world champion, so in that regard he is really the true winner of the match in my mind.”
So let me try to understand your logic: Topalov lost, he is the true winner of the match ergo, Germany lost World War 2 so they are the true winners of the war, John McCain lost against Barrak Obama so then that means McCain actually won the presidency…
Lets go even further, David killed Goliath therefore Goliath (pronounced Topalov) won the battle.
I see your brilliant logic! I really do!
You are a genius Anonymouse!