MTel R10: Topalov wins M-Tel Masters

Round ten report

Final Standings

Final wrap-up: Does the fact that Veselin Topalov performed a similarly miraculous comeback in this event last year make this year's effort more or less impressive? Last year he scored 4.5/5 in the second half to storm to victory. This year the world #1 came from a negative score to win his last four games and finish in clear first. Simply tremendous is all we can say. En route he routed and passed the early leader, Gata Kamsky. In the final round Topalov defeated Bacrot to edge ahead of Kamsky, who drew with Svidler.

Kamsky took clear second for an impressive result despite the bitter taste left after losing the lead. Anand should have equaled him but he was, shockingly for the legendarily speedy star, in time trouble again against Ponomariov. This caused him to miss a clear win with 37..g2! and the draw left him in third place.

Svidler finished a tepid event on an even score. In his final two games he declined to push on with slight advantages. The Russian got compensation by playing a terrific game to beat Topalov in the sixth round. Unfortunately for everyone else, that apparently awoke the sleeping Bulgarian giant. Ponomariov and Bacrot floated at the bottom of the pond during the entire event. Ponomariov missed a chance to play spoiler when he turned a win into a loss against Topalov in round eight.

Topalov and Ponomariov are the only players in the field who aren't joining their national teams at the Turin Olympiad. Topalov definitely earned a rest and Ponomariov needs a break!

Video impressions by Vijay Kumar

• Start of round nine
• Interview with Anand after round nine
• Interview with Topalov after round nine

Vijay Kumar working his camera at the start of round ten

Photo report from Sofia

Sunday at noon: the chess pieces are ready, let the players begin

Peter Svidler, who badly wanted a win against Gata Kamsky

Topalov (right) in great form, determined to win this event in his home town. [Correction: Andrei Vrabtchev reminds us that Veselin was not born in Sofia but in the small town of Russe on the Danube river.]

Round ten under way, with all three games decisive for the final standings

The audience area is plunged into darkness, the players get to work

A cartoon of Topalov sent to us by Mike Magnan of Toronto. Mike, who does animation and chess art, calls this work "It's good to be king".

At the hopelessly overcrowded closing ceremony, with M-Tel CEO Josef Vinatzer

• Official web site

Schedule and results