TalJechin wrote on 12/16/09 at 15:07:02:


With the trackrecord of FIDE in organising these matches the winner will have some time to savour his tittle.   

I wonder if this is how Wittgenstein felt when he said "that is not what I meant at all!"

I was quoted correctly, but then the comments about what I said had  no bearing on my quote!

My suggestion that we are not really missing Topalov is not a comment on his behavior or character, or even the brilliance of his play.  Rather, I was trying to suggest that he needs this period in order to create the great games that we remember him for.

Topalov has had periods of greatness, but those have usually been interspersed with longer periods where he doesn't exactly shine at his brightest.  As I said earlier, he will be under tremendous pressure to perform when he does return, and I expect him either to really impress everyone or fall rather flat. That is, flat for someone who is currently #1 in the world.  (I know, Carlsen will be #1 but he isn't yet.)

Alias wrote on 12/16/09 at 07:39:07:


Topalov-Kramnik last year was also crazy. I mean, such a highly anticipated game and then that. 

Smyslov_Fan wrote on 12/16/09 at 04:36:26:


I wouldn't count him out yet. And lets be honest: the guy might not be very likeable he has given us some great chess the last few years. I wouldn't mind if he continued this the next fews years 

I wonder how much we should miss Topalov.  When Topalov does reappear, he will have so much pressure to perform that he will either exceed all expectations or he will tumble out of the top 5, perhaps even out of the top 10.

I don't really see much of a middle ground for him.

By the way, apart from the Tal Memorial, Anand hasn't played much either, has he?

So while Topalov's absence will be missed by the Jeff Sonas' of the world, I don't really think the chess public is missing much.  That is presuming that Topalov starts playing in time for Linares and his match against Anand.  (When is that again?)

Well we have a Dragon and a Ragozin on board in the two key games. Should be fun today.

Antillian wrote on 12/14/09 at 20:56:03:


Neither Short nor Nakamura are having a good tournament. It will depend on their mood: damage control or save the tournament with a big upset. 

I'm a bit disappointed by Nakamura. I would like to know if he could be a contender but I have the impression that he can't make the mental switch to top chess where instead of 100% commitment 120% is needed. 

Carlsen may have had a narrow escape today. With Kramnik's win today, only one point now separates the two favorites. The battle for first place is still open going into the last round tomorrow. With both Carlsen and Kramnik having Black against Short and Nakamura respectively, the fate of the former two  depends a lot on if the latter two will want to fight it out in the last round.