Veselin Topalov is in Bulgaria
Veselin Topalov and his manager Silvio Danailov arrived yesterday at Sofia
airport. They were glad to share some thoughts on the WCC 2006. Veselin was
met by a crowd of journalists and fans. He gladly answered some questions.
The resulting interview was published on the unofficial Topalov web site, www.veselintopalov.net.
The cartoon from this year's Mtel tournament, and was selected by the Topalov
web site for the interview.
Question: Veselin, how do you feel?
Topalov: I am happy to be in Bulgaria again. I would like
to thank all the people that supported me. I am sorry I could not achieve more.
Are you sorry that the match took place in Russia?
No, Elista is a great place with very nice people. The organization was perfect.
The problems that occured could have occured at any other place.
I was dominating the game, but Kramnik was defending well and used his chances.
Did you expect a tie break?
No, I thought I would win the match in the regular games. I had not prepared
for a tie break at all.
Why did all the games start with a Slav?
That was my strategy. I always had advantage in the opening. We had many
ideas and were creating serious problems for Kramnik in the beginning of the
games.
Did you feel that Kramnik is more experienced in such type of matches?
I would not say so. The rules are not much different than any other type
of tournament.
Tell us more about toiletgate?
I do not think this issue is closed. I do not want to take part of the scandal,
though. This is the job of my manager and I do not know all the details. Of
course, that was something very strange that the team Kramnik could not explain.
Did Kramnik’s going to the toilet disturb your concentration?
No, I was calm. I would not say I have problems with nervousness in general.
Do the rules give you a chance for a rematch with Vladimir Kramnik?
These are things decided by FIDE. As far as I know, there will be changes
in the regulations soon.
Will they let you play in Mexico 2007?
To be honest, I do not know.
There are rumors that you received money to lose the title.
Of course I received money. But this was money according to the contract and
I was going to receive the same amount no matter if I had lost or won. The
way I fought in every game does not leave place for doubts.
Silvio Danailov summarized the past WCC on the way out of
the airport. “We were under a lot of pressure, the hosts made everything
to win the title. Expect a whole book on the events in Elista where the scandal
with the toilet will be explained in details.”
Match Kramnik-Topalov in March 2007?
On the unofficial Topalov
web site Silvio Danailov is quoted as saying: “FIDE regulations
allow every world champion that has lost the title to challenge the title holder.
The total prize fund is 1.5 million dollars. We will find this money and will
request the game to take place in Sofia. We will offer an exact date, 3rd of
March 2007.” Earlier Veselin Topalov said that he is not sure if he will
be invited to participate in the next
World Championship, which is scheduled to start on September 12, 2007 in
Mexico City.
The Bulgarian information agency Focus
confirms this: “Bulgaria’s chess grand master Veselin Topalov will
try to win the World Chess Championship Title in a new match versus Kramnik”,
Topalov’s manager Silvio Danailov said at a press conference at Grand
Sofia Hotel. “The regulations of the World Chess Federation allows each
world champion, who has lost the title to extend an invitation for a new match.
The sum of EUR 1.5 million has to be provided as an award. We will find the
money and will demand that the match take place in Sofia. We will even propose
the date March 3rd, 2007”, Danailov stated.
And the Sofia
News Agency confirms: "Bulgaria's Topalov Wants the World
Title Back, Challenges Kramnik." The agency writes: "Bulgaria's chess
king Veselin Topalov, who lost the title of world's best chess grandmaster
with a narrow defeat against Russia's Vladimir Kramnik, will insist on a return
game, his manager announced in Sofia. The regulations of the World chess federation
(FIDE) allows every former world champion to challenge his opponent should
he secure the prize of EUR 1.5 M, Silvio Danailov told journalists on Sunday.
According to Danailov the return match could take place in Sofia, on March
3, 2007. Danailov suspects Kramnik will not accept the offer, which will force
FIDE to strip him of the world's only chess king title. Topalov and Kramnik
inspired reminiscences of Kasparov and Karpov, who first started the schism
in the chess world back in 1993."