As "mishanp" (Dailydirt regular for, among other things, translations from Slavic languages - usually Russian, this time Bulgarian) found out: The Czech is Jiri Dufek (ELO 2276), who is working on the opening book for Rybka 4. Topalov's other seconds are Cheparinov, l'Ami and Smeets (no surprises here), Vallejo was dropped, Dominguez isn't mentioned either.
For the rest, I agree with rdavis that the interview isn't wholly controversy-free, but maybe I am a bit biased. mishanp also pointed out a more controversial interview with Topalov where he comments on the Elista match: http://www.chessninja.com/dailydirt/2010/03/world-championship-runup-begins.htm#comment-216565
And the latest controversy is just starting: Anand seems stuck at Frankfurt airport on his way from Madrid to Sofia (European airspace is closed after the volcanic eruption on Iceland) and asked for a postponement of the match. Bulgarian Chess Federation president Sergiev commented on behalf of the organizers: "Anand is looking for excuses and reasons. No World Championship has ever been postponed."
I was surprised to see Topalov mention in the interview "After all Anand is a true champion, he is balanced and is a games wining machine in all types of chess – blind, blitz, classic… "
Also, heres another of Topalov's interview http://www.anand-topalov.com/en/interviews&article_id=10.html
Topalov mentions in the above "Anand is the greatest talent ever in chess history. Now he is 40 and during half of that time was one of the strongest players"
Ofcourse, immediately, after these statements,Topalov belittles Anand and implies that Anand is not the best and can be beat.
But, until I read these statements, I believed that Topalov's character would NEVER permit him so say even semi-nice words for Anand a week / month before the WCC.
Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 4:53AM
Reader Comments (4)
Do you know who the "Czech person" is? And who else is on his team? It is implied that his team is already known, but I must have missed this news.
But that doesn't stop him from a couple of digs at opponents, past and present!
As "mishanp" (Dailydirt regular for, among other things, translations from Slavic languages - usually Russian, this time Bulgarian) found out: The Czech is Jiri Dufek (ELO 2276), who is working on the opening book for Rybka 4. Topalov's other seconds are Cheparinov, l'Ami and Smeets (no surprises here), Vallejo was dropped, Dominguez isn't mentioned either.
For the rest, I agree with rdavis that the interview isn't wholly controversy-free, but maybe I am a bit biased. mishanp also pointed out a more controversial interview with Topalov where he comments on the Elista match:
http://www.chessninja.com/dailydirt/2010/03/world-championship-runup-begins.htm#comment-216565
And the latest controversy is just starting: Anand seems stuck at Frankfurt airport on his way from Madrid to Sofia (European airspace is closed after the volcanic eruption on Iceland) and asked for a postponement of the match. Bulgarian Chess Federation president Sergiev commented on behalf of the organizers: "Anand is looking for excuses and reasons. No World Championship has ever been postponed."
I was surprised to see Topalov mention in the interview
"After all Anand is a true champion, he is balanced and is a games wining machine in all types of chess – blind, blitz, classic… "
Also, heres another of Topalov's interview
http://www.anand-topalov.com/en/interviews&article_id=10.html
Topalov mentions in the above
"Anand is the greatest talent ever in chess history. Now he is 40 and during half of that time was one of the strongest players"
Ofcourse, immediately, after these statements,Topalov belittles Anand and implies that Anand is not the best and can be beat.
But, until I read these statements, I believed that Topalov's character would NEVER permit him so say even semi-nice words for Anand a week / month before the WCC.