Topalov destroying field… on 7-1

There will be no déjà vu for the FIDE Championships. Rustam Kasimjanov is four points back of the field with only six games to play, so that means there will be a new FIDE champion. All eyes are on frontrunner Veselin Topalov (pictured right) to take the crown. He has tallied an undefeated 7-1 enthralling the chess world with his powerful display.

Comparisons to chess greats Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov have been meet with scorn. Topalov curtly rebukes any such thought by asserting, "Please don't compare me to Fischer. I wouldn't even dare to say I'm superior to my rivals here. I'm just in good form right now, that's all."

One thing that is certain is that the Bulgarian is certain to ignite interest in chess. He and his contemporary Viswanathan Anand will play a big game on tomorrow when play resumes. It will be a highly-anticipated match-up and the result could set the tone for the entire second half of the tournament.

Veselin Topalov. (Photo courtesy of WCC official site)

Next FIDE Champ?

At this point, Peter Svidler is playing well and both Peter Leko and Alexander Morozevich have improved in recent rounds. Anand is still struggling with consistency while Kasimjanov, Michael Adams and Judit Polgar will attempt to close the tournament on a respectable note. (Note: Starting October 8th, FIDE will begin using the correct English spelling of 'Kasimjanov.")

Posted by The Chess Drum: 8 October 2005