Topalov leads World Chess Championship at half-way point

[Jack Rabbit]

Bulgarian grandmaster Veselin Topalov defeated Rustam Kasimdzhanov of Uzbekistan in a hard-fought rook and pawn ending today to retain a two-point lead after seven rounds of the scheduled fourteen-round FIDE World Championship Chess Tournament in San Luis, Argentina.

It was the fifth win in a row for Topalov and his sixth of the tournament. This gives the Bulgarian 6½ points in seven rounds. The only blemish on Topalov's score is a second-round draw against Viswanathan Anand of India. A player is give a full point for each victory while draws are worth a half-point each.

Topalov has a two-point lead over Russian Peter Svidler, who today defeated Judit Polgar of Hungary, the strongest woman player in history. Tied for third with 3½ points each is Anand, who lost today to Alexander Morozevich of Russia, and Peter Leko of Hungary, who defeated Britain's Michael Adams.


Veselin Topalov before today's action

The winner of the tournament will be given the FIDE version of the world title. It is hoped that the winner will play the classical world champion, Russia's Vladimir Kramnik, to end a schism in organized chess that dates back to a dispute between FIDE, the governing body of international chess, and then-world champion Garry Kasparov in 1993. Kramnik's claim to the title comes from his defeat of Kasparov in a match held in 2000 in London.

Photo from the website of the World Championship Chess Tournament, San Luis

[Twillig]

1. I think he's given all the rest of the competitors 'the fear'

Morozevich and Polgar seem a little distracted.

I'm watching via Playchess/Fritz and believe I'm witnessing something special. At least for a patzer/über chess fan.

Today's game had the feel of the Polgar game of the day before, pretty equal and then an inaccuracy that gave Topalov a file his rook could exploit, no counterplay to speak of for the opponent, Topalov making just enough concessions to carry out the winning maneuvers.


Kneel before Topalov!

[Jack Rabbit]

2. The way this is shaping up . . .

Topalov at San Luis 2005 will go down along side of Lasker at St. Petersburg 1914, Botvinnik at The Hague/Moscow 1948 and Fischer at Palma de Mallorca 1970.

It is simply phenomenal to see one player so dominating against such a strong field.

Kramnik will almost certainly have to play Topalov for the reunified title. My money would be on Topalov to win that match. With the retirement of Kasparov, he is the strongest player in the world.

ON EDIT

Cross table after seven rounds from ChessBase.com:

[Jack Rabbit]

3. Round 8: Leko holds Topalov to draw; Topa still leads by 2

Hungarian Peter Leko held tournament leader Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria to a draw today in the eighth round of the FIDE World Championship Chess tournament in San Luis, Argentina.

The draw snapped a five-game victory streak for Topalov, a fairly incredible feat at this level of chess. Topalov leads the tournament with 7 points in eight games. A player is awarded a full point for each victory while draws are worth a half point each.

In other games, India's Viswanathan Anand defeated Judit Polgar of Hungary to move into a clear third place; Alexander Morozevich of Russia defeated Rustam Kasimdzhanov of Uzbekistan; and Russian Peter Svidler remained in second place two points behind Topalov with a draw against Michael Adams of Britain.

No games are scheduled tomorrow; action will resume Saturday when Topalov will play Black against Anand, Svidler will play White against Kasimdzhanov, Morozevich will play White against Leko and Ms. Polgar will play White against Adams.