The main chess match of recent years has the pathos name of the “match for the title of absolute world champion”. On October 12, when the super-series of 12 games ends, one of the great towers will certainly collapse and the world will finally find the one and only king. PROsport recognized the pre-match expectations of eight Russian grandmasters and compared the game and life forces of two claimants for the title.
Evgeny Bareev,
international grandmaster, winner of the 2002 Wijk aan Zee super tournamentSuch a leap in chess power as Topalov’s happened for the first time in the history of chess. This is precisely what gave rise to speculation on computer prompts. In this regard, Kramnik has a psychological advantage now.
After all, the chess public considers Topalov a deceiver, and he still needs to prove that he is not one. But Kramnik has nothing to prove, so he will win!
Sergey Dolmatov,
international grandmaster, coach of the Russian national chess team
Recently, Topalov has shown phenomenal results. Such results can show either a genius or a dishonest person. It is difficult to prove one's own genius, so many doubt creep in on Topalov’s honesty. All sorts of stubs are installed in Elista, and it is safe to say that the match will be clean. If Topalov wins, preferably large, then he will be treated as the genius and successor of Kasparov. Lose - branded for cheating.
Konstantin Sakaev,
international grandmasterKramnik will strike the first eight games, then the advantage will go to Topalov. Topalov was physically better prepared and in recent tournaments he added precisely to the end. Kramnik is a deeper grandmaster, and his chess potential is greater. Another thing is that lately Kramnik has been looking sluggishly, playing without shine, but he should shake himself for such a match. If both show the best, are capable, Kramnik will win. The match should end the talk about computer prompts for Topalov. The organizers will install metal detectors and will jam the radio signal, so the number with the earphone will not work. If they still find something at Topalov, it will not be just a scandal, but a lifelong disqualification and general shame.
Boris Gelfand,
international grandmaster
The odds are equal. Each has its trump cards: Topalov plays very strong, bright, but Kramnik also returned to its former form. Six months ago, he could hardly cope even with weak opponents, but now Kramnik confidently played at the Olympics and in Dortmund. I’ll say this about Topalov’s suspicions of a dishonest game: I played against him in 1996, and he showed about the same level of play as now. However, no one knows the truth. Only Manager Topalova Danailov knows her exactly.
Alexander Khalifman,
1999 international grandmaster, FIDE world champion
It seems to me that Topalov will win with a minimum score. I’m not going to Elista myself, maybe I’ll call Vovka and wish him success, but I’ll only root for him, because we are real friends. Unfortunately, Volodya may have had serious health problems. Chess is a physically difficult sport. As a 40-year-old chess player, I can say that my physical condition greatly affects the quality of the game.
Vladimir Malakhov,
international grandmaster
At the end of last year and at the beginning of this, Kramnik looked pale, but his last performance at the Olympics showed that Vladimir had gained form. The outcome of the match will largely depend on the form in which Topalov approaches him, in which very bright games alternate with frankly failed ones. And if Topalov has a slight decline at the time of the match, then Kramnik will not let him go. He will drag Topalov into a long pool of draws, then deal a short blow, and the match will be won.
Sergey Shipov,
international grandmaster
Most lovers and experts consider Topalov to be his favorite - he shows champion results, in San Luis he managed to get ahead of Anand personally, and the match between Kramnik and Kasparov is already too far in time. In addition, Kramnik for a long time had health problems and refused to participate in many tournaments. Topalov has other problems: after San Luis, a noisy campaign was launched to accuse him of computer prompts. But where is the evidence of Topalov’s guilt? Found a chip in your ears? Or a transmitter? But there is no trial. I can understand the resentment and envy of the losers in San Luis, but they do not behave in the best way.
Alexandra Kosteniuk,
international grandmaster
Of course, I will cheer for Vladimir! I really hope that Volodya will return the chess crown to Russia and raise the recently declining authority of Russia in chess. I consider Vladimir a more interesting chess player than Topalov. And I consider my husband to be the sexiest man, whom neither Kramnik nor Topalov are suitable for soles!
| VESELIN TOPALOV | VLADIMIR KRAMNIK |
Game portrait. Zealot with burning eyes. Berserk fighter. The aggressor, the attacker, is ready to take risks beyond measure. 9/10
Chess knowledge. Deep. Recently, he sharply added to theory through the study of computer development. 8/10
Physical condition. A true cyborg manifesting inhuman assertiveness and endurance. Every day begins with charging and visiting a fitness club. 9/10
Nervous system. Extremely stable. Failures do not reduce his fighting spirit. Sanguine in its purest form is extremely restless and periodically needs new victories. 9/10
Headquarters. Manager Danailov is a gray cardinal of the chess world, a master of undercover affairs. Seconds - Ivan Cheparinov, Baadur Jobava. In addition, the team includes a sorcerer, about whom they say that he was born in Ecuador, but lives in Bulgaria, taking over witching forces from his South American ancestors. 9/10
Relations with FIDE. Wonderful. His main ally Danailov is an excellent link between Topalov and Kirsan Ilyumzhinov. An old friendship connects with the president of Kalmykia Danailova. 10/10
Highest career achievement. San Luis 2005 World Championship Match Tournament. 10 points in 14 games, 1st place. The maximum ELO rating is 2813, higher than Kasparovsky! 9/10
Personal life. Single. “It is difficult to meet a woman with whom I would like to live my whole life. I haven’t met yet, but I know what it should be - smart, sensitive, beautiful - internally and externally. ” 7/10
Hobbies. He is interested in football, but, living in Spain, can’t choose between Real Madrid and Barcelona. Veselin loves to walk around the center of Sofia when he comes home from Salamanca, where he lives in an apartment of 100 square meters, where brother Alexander often comes to visit the world champion, with the favorite of the Topalovs - a chinchilla named Chincho. 7/10
Bank account status. In chess, the fees of leading players are superior to official prizes, so accounting is impossible to sum. There is a known case when Kasparov, having won another Linares, came to the closing ceremony and publicly asked Anand: “Vichy! And what are the prizes here? ”Probably Veselin is wealthier than his opponent, because unlike Kramnik he participates in a large number of tournaments and wins almost everything. 9/10 | Game portrait. Intelligent and virtuoso positional game. Reliable, prudent, practical. Extremely careful, avoids the slightest risk. 8/10
Chess knowledge. Outstanding, making him an incredible scholar. When he doesn’t know something, he most likely just forgot. 10/10
Physical condition. Medium. Against the background of fatigue, it plays noticeably weaker. The last two years often refuses to participate in tournaments. Like a truant of physical education lessons, who has a certificate of release, Kramnik constantly refers to illness. He is a big tennis fan, who himself calls "chess in motion." 6/10
Nervous system. Not too steady. Painfully tolerates lesions. Kramnik’s character is close to phlegmatic, characterized by thoroughness and analytical thinking. 8/10
Headquarters. The manager is Karsten Hensel, who also represents the interests of Grandmaster Peter Leko. Hansel was one of the organizers of the match of his proteges in 2004. Kramnik's seconds are top grandmasters Evgeny Bareev and Peter Svidler. 9/10
Relations with FIDE. Cool. Marriage of convenience. Kramnik agrees only on offers that are impossible to refuse. A quick divorce is possible. 6/10
Highest career achievement. London 2000. Winning a match with Kasparov: 8.5: 6.5. The maximum ELO rating is 2809 (January-2002). 9/10
Personal life. Single. Currently, his girl friend is a well-known Parisian journalist, an employee of Figaro. “I’m not one of those who submit a top model with dimensions 90-60-90. It doesn’t matter to me. The main thing is mind, respect, mutual understanding. Of course, it is desirable that the girl was also beautiful, but this is not the main thing. ” 7/10
Hobbies. Jazz, football, cinema, painting - the circle is very wide. A passionate fan of classical music and literature, regularly keeps a diary. Prefers expensive cognac, elite wines, good cigarettes. She dreams of learning to play the piano, especially since Vladimir’s mother is a music teacher. Vladimir's father, Boris Kramnik, a famous sculptor. 9/10
Bank account status. By Russian chess standards - very rich. Owns real estate in France, Germany and Russia. For years he has not been involved in chess tournaments and at the same time lives comfortably in Paris. 8/10 |
ANTON REPLACEMENT, Eugene Statsenko, Ekaterina Gradoboeva, ALEXANDER BELYAEV