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| It is nice. I do not want to talk about it. |
| Bravo to chessdom for this hilarious liveblog of the opening ceremony of Kamsky-Topolov. I love Kamsky's totally I'mgoingtobeasboringasIpossiblycaninthepressconferenceand-Idon'tcarewhatyouthink atttude in the following quotes: Now the questions from the media starts, and of course, the first question is to Gata Kamsky, "Why was your arrival to Bulgaria so secret?". Kamsky replied that it was not a secret, it was according to the organization, and for him it is normal. The Bulgarian National Radio asks, "The greater number of matches played is an advantage?". Topalov replied that it does not matter, nor matters the system - weather KO, round robin, or a match. As an example Topalov gave Vishy Anand who has won the title in different formats. Kamsky agreed with Topalov on the subject. Now, obviously, he is only agreeing because this is an absolutely ridiculous thing to say and a staggering hilarious place to say it. The system of determining the world champion doesn't matter? The two potential world championship challengers don't care either way what the format is?? They don't think it makes any difference? But I prefer to think that Kamsky agreed for fun, because he recognized how aesthetically absurd it is. Question from Novinar newspaper, "What does Kamsky think about the condition in the playing hall?", Kamsky replied that the venue is nice and that there is nothing more to comment. .... Asked (again) if he likes the venue he answered, "It is nice, I do not want to talk about it." Another amusing moment: 16:00 In an interview for a local news agency Silvio Danailov stated one more time that there is no such thing as home advantage in chess. He said, "What do you think, people will enter and start shouting? There will be nothing like this. This is chess." In more personal news, I just got back from the amateur team east, where I played, for a change--I usually bring about 30 kids and go over their games, which is beautiful because I get my expenses paid and some money, and I look at that huge roomful of people all working so hard, so stressed out, and I think, "I am not working as hard as them, in fact I am very relaxed, and I am the only one getting paid! Even though we are basically doing the same thing! Hurray!" But I played this year because of educational budget cuts, and I got 5/6, albeit playing down every round. But it was really fun to win a lot. I love winning. And I was winning the drawn games too. I'm going to post them all soon. (I am. I can because I have the week off. although guess what I'm doing with it? I'm working Wednesday Friday and Saturday. but I'm also analyzing my games because that's also important. and I'm going to the gym every day, but especially tomorrow because a good start is key.) I would post some photos, because I took some nice ones for you, but I lost my camera. I'm thinking it might reappear. |
Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:05:00 +0000 |
| Kamsky - Topalov |
Paul Hoffman's "Chess It Out!" at NPR offers an interesting commentary on what he calls Gata Kamsky's "Brain Freeze" in the second game of his match with Veselin Topolov (for the right to challenge Anand):Wednesday's game was morbidly dramatic, in the way NASCAR racing is when cars collide. Kamsky got strangely caught up in the boundlessness of chess and self-destructed. He suffered brain freeze and spent much too much time thinking in simple positions. The rules required him to make his first 40 moves in two hours, but he managed to play only 32 and forfeited — a very rare result in world-class chess.On Saturday, a commanding Kamsky won game four to level the score. Analysis of the first four games can be found online from various commentators: Game 4 Kamsky - Topalov 1-0 (Ruy Lopez, Closed - C88) Game 3 Topalov - Kamsky 1/2-1/2 (Gruenfeld - D81)
Kamsky - Topalov 0-1 (Ruy Lopez, Berlin Variation - C65)
Topalov - Kamsky 1/2-1/2 (Gruenfeld - D86-88) |
Sat, 21 Feb 2009 02:29:00 +0000 |
| Mexico Preview |
 Vishy Anand (2792) Age: 37From: Madras, India Career Highlight: 1987 World Junior Champion, #1 Rating List April 2007 Prediction: If there ever was going to be a time for him to win it all, its now. He has had strong performances for the last year. Winning would cement him in Chess history, he has been one of the three best players of the last 2 decades. Vladimir Kramnik (2769)  Age: 32From: Tuapse, Russia Career Highlight: Winning 2000 match against Garry Kasparov, Winning 2007 FIDE Championship match vs. Topolov Prediction: Match play is more Kramnik's style in my opinion. Where he can study one players strengths and weaknesses and capitolize on them. He should be near the top, but I don't think he wins. Alexander Morozevich (2758)  Age: 30From: Moscow, Russia Career Highlight: 4th Place 2005 World Championship Prediction: Middle of the pack, his natural talent makes him better than Gelfand, and Grischuk, but he seems to lose energy in big events and can't compete with the top candidates. Peter Leko (2751)  Age: 27From: Subotica, Yugoslavia Career Highlight: 2002 Dortmund win, to challenge Vlad for World Classic Chess title Prediction: I see Leko making too many draws to win. He will be middle of the pack. Levon Aronian (2750)  Age: 24From: Yerevan, Armenia Career Highlight: 2002 World Junior Champ, 2006 Linares win, 2007 Corus win Prediction: I expect the match to come down to Anand, Kramnik and Aronian. This guy is a rising star! His youth and energy may pay off in the taxing event. Peter Svidler (2735)  Age: 31From: Leningrad, Russia Career Highlight: 4 Time Russian Champion Prediction: My darkhorse candidate, if he plays his best game will be in the running. Boris Gelfand (2733)  Age: 39From: Minsk, Belarus - now Isreal Career Highlight: 1988 T- 1st World Junior Championship Prediction: A strong GM, I just don't see Gelfand as being competitive with the rest of this crowd. I expect him to finish at the bottom of the list. Alexander Grischuk (2726)  Age: 23From: Moscow, Russia Career Highlight: 2006 World Blitz Champion Prediction: Bottom Middle of the Pack, losing points to Vishy, Vlad, Aronian, possible wins against Gelfand and Moro. |
Tue, 28 Aug 2007 15:15:00 +0000 |
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