From: "Eric Mark"
Date: Mon, 17 Oct 2005 14:37:14 -0400

Yes it was a very impressive performance. There's no doubt that Topalov is
now the strongest active player; his rating might top 2800 after this
tournament. I might even play over some of his games, something I seldom do
anymore, to the detriment of my fast-fading chess skills.

Note that this was a 14-round double Round-Robin event, with a first time
control of 40/2. (We might add that the final time control was SD with the
use of increment, which is similar to delay, but we've already conceded that
battle, right Paul?) Thus the element of luck was minimized almost to zero,
unlike the bogus "World championship" knockout lottery of two game
mini-matches at G/90. (Plus increment)

Someday it might seem fitting that Topalov beat Kasparov in the latter's
last game, at Linares---assuming Garry stays retired, which I doubt. He
won't last long at the high levels of national and international politics, I
think.

The only quibble with this event is how the players were selected, but the
only players I can think of who had even a remotely legit shot to take the
title who did not play were Kramnik and Ivanchuk. They might have made
things more interesting than Adams and Polgar.

Kramnik turned down an invitation, I believe, and in any case his results
have dropped way off in the last 2-3 years. Ivanchuk's nerves would not let
him win any version of the title---as he proved in his match with Pono a few
years ago.

Lay off poor Vishy Anand. The guy is already past his prime, at the ripe old
age of 36. Still, if Topalov had not improved so sharply in his very late
20s in the last year or two, Anand would be as good as any active player.

Remember he did win the FIDE lottery title once, for what that's worth.

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Joseph
Sent: Monday, October 17, 2005 12:46 AM
Subject: A new King is Crowned

Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria is the new World Chess Champion after a
blistering performance in Argentina. Anand showed again he lacks the "Fire
in the Belly" to be World Champion. Playing White against Topalov and a last

chance to close the gap, he just played a quick 17 move draw. Not exactly
what Champions are made of.

Topalov had a similar performance in the FIDE Championship last year, until
he hit a bump against Kasimjanov in the lottery Knock-out format. Had he
not, a Kasparov vs Topalov Match would have drawn more sponsorship interest.

There is still a slight chance this match up could take place. Whether it
happens or not this performance in a Round Robin format established Topalov
as the undisputed heir to the throne.