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Topalov: 'This match is going to be very tough'
12.02.2009 – It starts next Monday, the special Candidates Match between Veselin Topalov and Gata Kamsky in Sofia. The Topalov team has already taken residence in the Bulgarian capital, Kamsky and his helpers arrive today. Topalov, a Bulgarian who lives in Spain, enjoys the home field advantage – theoretically. There are, as he stresses, also disadvantages. Interview with Dagobert Kohlmeyer. |
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Sofia: First game Topalov-Kamsky drawn
17.02.2009 – In the first game of the special FIDE Candidates Qualifier for the World Championship Veselin Topalov uncorked a novelty on move 17, and launched a sharp attack against Kamsky's king. However the Brooklyn Boy remained unperturbed, defended well and in fact gained a slight advantage. We bring you a full report with annotations of game one by GM Mihail Marin. |
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Sofia R2: Topalov draws first blood, wins with black
18.02.2009 – In a Ruy Lopez Berlin Defence Veselin Topalov surprised his opponent on move five – at least it set Gata Kamsky, USA, thinking for a protracted period of time. Starting around move 15 the Bulgarian took over the initiative and tore into the opponent's defences with super-accurate moves. Thursday is a free day. We bring you game two with annotations by GM Mihail Marin. |
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Sofia R3: Game three drawn in 37 moves
20.02.2009 – Gata Kamsky was not afraid to repeat his Grünfeld opening from round one. This time it was a Botvinnik with a black pawn sacrifice with tremendous complications. That got Veselin Topalov thinking and once again Kamsky had the initiative with the black pieces. But he seemed to play it safe and the game ended in a draw. Full commentary by GM Mihail Marin. |
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Sofia R4: Kamsky strikes back – wins in 73 moves
21.02.2009 – Gata Kamsky used the white pieces in game four to grind down his opponent Veselin Topalov and equalise the score in the FIDE Candidates match in Sofia, Bulgaria. It was an impressive performance by the American GM, who thwarted Topalov's attempts to complicate the position and punished them when the Bulgarian went too far. GM commentary in English and Romanian. |
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Sofia R5: Topalov wins game five, leads 3:2
23.02.2009 – Gata Kamsky played the French with an isolated d-pawn, but was holding out well until move 35, when disaster struck in form of a blunder with a pawn loss. Veselin Topalov did not let the opportunity pass and netted a full point. The Bulgarian is now in the lead at 3.0:2:0, with three rounds to go. Our report today has tidbits from Sofia and GM commentary by Mihail Marin. |
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Sofia R6: Game drawn, Topalov leads 3.5:2.5
24.02.2009 – In the sixth game of their eight-game match Topalov played the Caro-Kann as black (no Sicilian yet in this match) and once again produced the novelty – on move eleven. Kamsky was not able to gain or hold a tangible advantage, and so the game became drawish. In the end he gave Topalov a pawn and drew by perpetual. GM commentary by Mihail Marin. |
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Sofia R7: Topalov beats Kamsky, wins candidates match
26.02.2009 – Veselin Topalov sacrificed a pawn in a Tarrasch, which Gata Kamsky took. By move 25 it looked like the American GM had winning chances. But in time trouble he blew a number of opportunities and went down to the counterplay of his opponent. That means Topalov has 4.5:2.5 points and is the winner of the eight-game match. Final report with commentary by GM Mihail Marin. |
