Topalov v. Kramnik

The World Championship unification match is right around the corner. Personally I'm pulling for Topalov, but I'm sure there are many who support Kramnik (and a bunch who really don't care). Should be some excellent chess at any rate. Any predictions?

Probably most of us are supporting Topalov...we do not like scared chess players that refuse to play.

Originally posted by vipiu
Probably most of us are supporting Topalov...we do not like scared chess players that refuse to play.

Then why do so many people admire (chess-wise) Fischer?

Originally posted by vipiu
Probably most of us are supporting Topalov...we do not like scared chess players that refuse to play.

it is interesting they are both born in 1975.

wikipedia has detail of a superb win by topalov over Ponomariov.
also from wikipedia:

At the most recent FIDE world championship (FIDE World Chess Championship 2005), Kramnik refused to participate, but indicated his willingness to play a match against the winner to unify the world championship. After the tournament, negotiations began for a reunification match between Kramnik and the new FIDE World Champion - Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria.

In April 2006, FIDE announced a reunification match between Kramnik and Topalov - the FIDE World Chess Championship 2006. The match will be played in September 2006.

[edit]
Health
Kramnik has been diagnosed with a rare form of arthritis, called Ankylosing Spondylitis. It causes him great physical discomfort while playing. In January 2006, Kramnik announced that he would skip the Corus Chess Tournament in Wijk aan Zee to seek out treatment for his arthritis. [2]. He returned from treatment in June, 2006, playing in the 37th Chess Olympiad. He scored a +4 result, earning the highest performance rating (2847) of the 1307 participating players.

Originally posted by vipiu
Probably most of us are supporting Topalov...we do not like scared chess players that refuse to play.

Kramnik played and defeated Kasparov without losing a game. It would have been a farce for the reigning World Champion to play in a round robin for his title.

Originally posted by tmetzler
Then why do so many people admire (chess-wise) Fischer?

Fish was (and is) nuts, not scared (at least chess-wise).

Fischer ain't playing. This is 2006, Topalov v. Kramnik.

Originally posted by no1marauder
Kramnik played and defeated Kasparov without losing a game. It would have been a farce for the reigning World Champion to play in a round robin for his title.

ding ding ding. good answer. To further expound, calling someone scared because they have an extend medical leave is like bragging because you beat up a cripple.

Originally posted by no1marauder
Fish was (and is) nuts, not scared (at least chess-wise).

i think he is and was nuts ... i think he also is and was scared chess-wise.
he is and was most things, as most loonies are.

- except he is not chronically calm, patient, reasonable and sensible.

If Kramnik wins, we see restoration of a continuous tradition of World Champions earning their title through match play. If Topolov wins, the FIDE insanity from 1993-2006, and their tragi-comic KO championships gain legitimacy.

Let us pray to the chess gods that they overlook our transgressions and bless the rightful heir to the throne of Steinitz. Kramnik must win.

Originally posted by flexmore
i think he is and was nuts ... i think he also is and was scared chess-wise.
he is and was most things, as most loonies are.

- except he is not chronically calm, patient, reasonable and sensible.

Few chess players are.

Is there a betting line somewhere for the Topalov and Kramnik match?

Originally posted by Wulebgr
If Kramnik wins, we see restoration of a continuous tradition of World Champions earning their title through match play. If Topolov wins, the FIDE insanity from 1993-2006, and their tragi-comic KO championships gain legitimacy.

Let us pray to the chess gods that they overlook our transgressions and bless the rightful heir to the throne of Steinitz. Kramnik must win.

I don't agree. Topalov is obviously the #1 contender for Kramnik's crown, so if he wins the match the continuity of the title will continue. Challengers for the title used to be chosen by a tournament if I remember correctly (1950's perhaps?).

One question at http://www.fide.com/news.asp?id=1081

I found this..

OPENING CEREMONY - 21 September 2006, 7.00 p.m.
DAY 2 - 22 September 2006 - REST DAY
DAY 3 - 23 September 2006, 3.00 p.m - GAME 1
DAY 4 - 24 September 2006, 3.00 p.m - GAME 2
DAY 5 - 25 September 2006 - REST DAY
DAY 6 - 26 September 2006, 3.00 p.m. - GAME 3
DAY 7 - 27 September 2006, 3.00 p.m. - GAME 4
DAY 8 - 28 September 2006 - REST DAY
DAY 9 - 29 September 2006, 3.00 p.m. - GAME 5
DAY 10 - 30 September 2006, 3.00 p.m. - GAME 6
DAY 11 - 1 October 2006, Reversal of Colours - REST DAY
DAY 12 - 2 October 2006, 3.00 p.m. - GAME 7
DAY 13 - 3 October 2006, 3.00 p.m. - GAME 8
DAY 14 - 4 October 2006 - REST DAY
DAY 15 - 5 October 2006, 3.00 p.m. - GAME 9
DAY 16 - 6 October 2006, 3.00 p.m. - GAME 10
DAY 17 - 7 October 2006 - REST DAY
DAY 18 - 8 October 2006, 3.00 p.m. - GAME 11
DAY 19 - 9 October 2006 - REST DAY
DAY 20 - 10 October 2006, 3.00 p.m. - GAME 12
DAY 21 - 11 October 2006 - REST DAY
DAY 22 - 12 October 2006, 3.00 p.m. - TIE BREAKS
CLOSING CEREMONY - 13 October 2006, 7.00 p.m.



That mostly looks sensible except for
"DAY 11 - 1 October 2006, Reversal of Colours - REST DAY"
Does this mean that one person plays white for the first 6 games and black for the last six (and vice versa)? Why would they not alternate every game?

Originally posted by Wulebgr
If Kramnik wins, we see restoration of a continuous tradition of World Champions earning their title through match play. If Topolov wins, the FIDE insanity from 1993-2006, and their tragi-comic KO championships gain legitimacy.

Let us pray to the chess gods that they overlook our transgressions and bless the rightful heir to the throne of Steinitz. Kramnik must win.

if topalov wins then he wins as part of that continuous tradition of world champs.

if he also proved himself in the tragi comic world - surely that only adds to legitimacy ... just another feather in his cap.

I certainly hope there is a clear winner after 12 games; the idea of the World Championship being decided by blitz games is revolting.