7/26/2019 Chess24 Com (1)

1/6

Join chess24 Play unlimited games Quick & Easy It's free! Register now

Latest comments

Tuermercommented on

Veselin Topalov: No

perfect move exists

MaryKayecommented on

Showdown in St. Louis:

Day 1 deadlock

c24commented on 7

chess24 features you

might have missed

JoshuaWinfield

commented on The 72-

hour Grandmaster

Banterthon

Fabicommented on 7

chess24 features you

might have missed

Latest news

Interviews Nov 10, 2015 | 14:41 by Colin McGourty

Reports 0

Euro Teams 1: Early shocks

34 minutes ago

Reports 1

Showdown in St. Louis: Day 1deadlock

22 hours ago

chess24 4

The 72-hour Grandmaster

Banterthon

1 day ago

chess24 16

7 chess24 features you might

have missed

2 days ago

General 6

7 European Team Championshiptalking points

4 days ago

Veselin Topalov: No perfect move exists

Veselin Topalov won gold for Bulgaria on Board 1 in both the latest Olympiad and European Team Chess

Championships, but turmoil in the Bulgarian Chess Federation means neither he nor his team will be

playing in Reykjavik. Instead hes attending an event popularising chess in Buenos Aires, Argentina,

where he gave an interview to the local newspaper Pgina/12 . Topics includedthe effect of computers,

Magnus Carlsens domination and why its better to forgetrather than analyse both your wins and losses.

Veselin Topalov will be appearing this Friday in a Chess Festival taking place in the Centro Cultural

Kirchner in Buenos Aires. In an interview with Pablo Mocca for Pgina/12 , Topalov explained that

Argentina is special for him the 2005 World Championship is the greatest success Ive had in chess.

Below weve translated a large part of a fascinating conversation with the former World Champion:

Pablo Mocca: Is it difficult to explain that chess is a job?

Veselin Topalov: For the outside world being a chess player can perhaps be a job but not a profession,

while we know that it clearly is. Its a question that some 20 years ago in the Soviet Union no-one would

have asked. If you said you were a chess player people knew that you could live with dignity, gain

respect and even get paid above average. Note that in Spain, given the current crisis, many young

players look at chess as a good chance to earn a living. As with science, though, you have to work every

day, and more each time, since the information is growing very quickly and that trend is never going to

stop.

On Friday theres going to be a massive event in the CCK (Centro Cultural Kirchner) with the aim of

bringing the public closer to chess. How important do you think such initiatives are?

Veselin Topalov at the 2015 Sinquefield Cup | photo: Nacho Soto

Share 21

http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/read/news/7-european-team-chess-championship-talking-pointshttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/read/news/7-chess24-features-you-might-have-missedhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/read/news/7-chess24-features-you-might-have-missed#commentshttp://www.culturalkirchner.gob.ar/agenda/articulo/858/festival-de-ajedrez.htmlhttp://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/ajedrez/35-285772-2015-11-10.htmlhttp://www.culturalkirchner.gob.ar/agenda/articulo/858/festival-de-ajedrez.htmlhttp://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/ajedrez/35-285772-2015-11-10.htmlhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/profile/colinhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/read/news/7-european-team-chess-championship-talking-pointshttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/read/news/7-european-team-chess-championship-talking-points#commentshttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/read/news/7-chess24-features-you-might-have-missedhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/read/news/7-chess24-features-you-might-have-missed#commentshttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/read/news/the-72-hour-grandmaster-banterthonhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/read/news/the-72-hour-grandmaster-banterthon#commentshttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/read/news/showdown-in-st-louis-day-1-deadlockhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/read/news/showdown-in-st-louis-day-1-deadlock#commentshttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/read/news/euro-teams-1-early-shockshttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/read/news/euro-teams-1-early-shocks#commentshttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/read/news/7-chess24-features-you-might-have-missed#commentshttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/profile/fabihttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/read/news/the-72-hour-grandmaster-banterthon#commentshttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/profile/joshuawinfieldhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/read/news/7-chess24-features-you-might-have-missed#commentshttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/profile/c24http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/read/news/showdown-in-st-louis-day-1-deadlock#commentshttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/profile/marykayehttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/profile/tuermerhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/registerhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/premium?source=menuhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/registerhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/loginhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en

7/26/2019 Chess24 Com (1)

2/6

Its important to explain to people that chess isnt as complicated as it seems and that you dont have to

be afraid to try. You dont need to be a prodigy to understand the rules and play. I think it should be

taught to children and then, if they like it, they can go to a club, take classes and improve. The

European Union and its parliament recently approved a law to introduce chess into schools in 28

countries. Id wager on expanding the fan base rather than trying to create elite players. The generation

of Fischer and Spassky was the height of popularity for chess, but many years have since passed. In order

to create a new generation of chess fans you have to educate kids.

Has computerisation had a negative effect?

There was a moment at the beginning when the machines were a positive, but lately weve being passing

to the other extreme. Now it seems that a move isnt good unless the machine says so. Previously there

was a lot of respect for the thinking and creativity of a grandmaster. Now you see spectators saying that

the machine took three seconds to come up with a move but the player took half an hour, negating all

their creative effort.

What do you think about the widespread fear of the advance of the chess engines?

Chess as a game isnt going to come to an end, but the machines are putting an end to creativity and

making all of us equal players. For an elite player its now more difficult to beat a player in the Top 50

or 100 than it was 15 or 20 years ago. On each occasion it takes more effort to get better results since

the machines are ever more powerful. Theres less room to improvise and take risks, and I think that

mistakes are the most beautiful thing in chess - unless were proposing reducing the concept of the game

to a succession of perfect moves where all the games end up drawn.

The CCK is an impressive combination of the old and the new | photo: official website

http://www.culturalkirchner.gob.ar/index.html

7/26/2019 Chess24 Com (1)

3/6

But youve still found room for creativity in your play.

For me personally the most beautiful thing is to find an interesting idea and develop it in a game.

Everyone has to create their own destiny in order to stand out and get better than average results;

otherwise well all be the same. I think the solution is to shorten the time control in order to provide

more margin for error, since memory would then be less of a factor than now and it would be more

important to calculate faster. The way we play now machines are gradually taking away our creativity.

Even Carlsen, who has a different style from the rest, is struggling constantly to play variations that are

unknown. I think little by little hes going to have to adapt to theoretical trends. Even he has to study

with the machines.

How do you come to terms with errors?

Previously people said you should analyse after a game. However, I think the correct approach in order

to play well the next day is to erase everything youve played, the whole past. Whether you won or

lost, in order to play well the next day you need to forget the game. I improved a lot with the idea of

my manager Silvio Danailov, Sofia Rules, which prohibits draw offers. If you dont have that right to

offer or accept a draw then you concentrate solely on the game - that, and not thinking about the result

but about the following move. Thats a difficult state to achieve, but my best games have come when

Ive attained that, when Ive managed to be above the result. The clearest example was Fischer, who

would fight each game in a match heading for 6-0. When he won it was because he wasnt thinking

about the result but his next move. That makes you immune to stress and nerves, but we know it isnteasy. I recall the case of Peter Leko, who was on the point of becoming World Champion but missed out

in the final game. It was a little unjust, because he didnt lose the match, but I feel it affected him. I

remember he had problems during various tournaments, always losing the last game.

Do you look to provoke a mistake by your opponent or do you always look for the perfect move?

No perfect move exists, just one indicated by the position when you analyse all the factors: time

trouble, your opponents tournament situation, if he looks tired, whos younger, the result that each

player needs. All of that creates a mental connection between the players. If youve won a lot of times

against a player then of course you play in a different fashion.

Do elite players have customs that can astonish fans?

People think that at home I have a chessboard thats different from that of a simple fan (laughs). But no:we offer draws and resign in the same way as the rest of the world. Its also rare nowadays to analyse

extensively after a game. That custom has been dying out because we all know that the computer sees

everything in a minute.

Youve been a grandmaster since you were 17 years old. When did you realise that you could

become World Champion?

At first I was so in love with the game that I didnt think about winning. I started as a child and when my

dad got back from work Id ask him to play; if a new chess book came out in the bookshop Id run to get

it. When I won the U14 Championship I knew that I was the best in my age group and that I had options,

but I didnt think along those lines. I went to play Opens in Spain with the aim of having a good time,

gaining Elo points and earning money. I saw Kasparov in a godlike limbo, even at 19 when I was already

playing elite tournaments. At 25 I began to take it seriously and to make plans for the World

Championship title, but for four or five years my attempts ended in failure.

Great minds think alike, with Vassily Ivanchuk once having commented: "Have I played flawless games? Of course. But flawed

games are usually the most beautiful and are dearer to me" | photo: Gregor Anthes, Berlin World Rapid and Blitz website

http://www.berlin2015.fide.com/blitz-day-2http://www.chessintranslation.com/2011/04/vassily-ivanchuk-2-flawed-games-are-the-most-beautiful/

7/26/2019 Chess24 Com (1)

4/6

How can you explain the current supremacy of Carlsen?

I consider him a pretty solid World Champion. Its no accident. He has weaknesses, as everyone does,

but far fewer than those around him. I dont think his domination is comparable to what Kasparovachieved in his day, but it perhaps does him more credit, since hes standing out in an epoch when the

machines have levelled the playing field. Garry had a very spectacular style and produced many works of

art. Carlsens games are very efficient a different style. For me the best was Fischer. While players like

Kasparov gave their all, he quit at 29 years old. I somehow feel nostalgia for all the games he didnt

play.

Who can dethrone Carlsen?

I think whoevers going to beat a champion like Carlsen will inevitably be younger than he is. For now I

dont know who that will be - there are a lot of guys. I was impressed with Wei Yi, who I drew with in

January. With the black pieces he didnt give me any chance to unbalance the position. And, it seems to

me, its no accident that top class players are arising in China. Ive been there several times and I know

his federation. I know they have a system of very hard work and are extremely disciplined.

Almost 10 years have passed since the match against Kramnik. Is that all in the past?

Its a problem that should be very easy to resolve: there were cameras and everything was filmed, but I

know that the recordings are never going to be released and things are going to stay the same. My rival

is the favourite of the current politicians, but I think in 5 or 10 years, when hes no longer aspiring to

the world title, his privileges are going to disappear. Were talking about a player who has received

Veselin Topalov had the best surprised face ever after a draw with Magnus Carlsen in the 2014 Sinquefield Cup

Topalov and Wei Yi drew in Round 9 of the 2015 Gibraltar Masters | photo: John Saunders, Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival

http://www.gibraltarchesscongress.com/2015/photos_js.htm

7/26/2019 Chess24 Com (1)

5/6

Comments

Be the first to comment!

various matches but never made it through a complete cycle. Always gifts, since the Russian Federation

has a lot of weight in FIDE.

In the next World Championship Candidates Tournament theres going to be one invitee as well as

the qualifiers.

It wouldnt surprise me if it was the same player in question. I think Russia has players with a lot of

talent who could be given a chance, but they dont do that. Professional sport isnt perfect.

Full interview at Pgina/12(in Spanish)

We now know that Levon Aronian was the chosen one , although Veselin and his manager Silvio Danailov

were unhappy that the venue for the 2016 Candidates Tournament is Moscow:

Topalov has said hes still considering whether to take part, though since he played both in the 2011 and

2014 Candidates in Russia a betting man would expect him to compete once again. It would be foolish to

rule out the winning chances of the current world no. 2.

Sort by Date DescendingReceive updates21

Guest

Post

chess24

Press Premium Jobs

Languages

English Deutsch Espaol

Kramnik won another game with White against Topalov in the recent European Club Cup, but Veselin's ability to quickly put

such mishaps behind him never fails to amaze | photo: Evgeny Surov, chess-news

Join chess24 Free, Quick & Easy Register /

Login

http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/eshttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/dehttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/enhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/static/jobshttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/premiumhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/presshttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/registerhttps://chess24.com/en/read/news/aronian-gets-wild-card-for-moscow-candidateshttp://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/ajedrez/35-285772-2015-11-10.htmlhttp://chess-news.ru/node/20316

7/26/2019 Chess24 Com (1)

6/6

Support

Chess

glossary FAQs Contact

Subscribe

Follow

chess24 apps

chess24.com | All rights reserved | Version: 2015-11-13.1

Terms of Website Use Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Disclaimer

http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/static/disclaimerhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/static/privacy-policyhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/static/cookie-policyhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/static/terms-and-conditionshttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.cisha.android.board&referrer=utm_source%3Dchess24%26utm_campaign%3Dchess24-sidebarhttps://itunes.apple.com/app/id564777203https://www.facebook.com/c24livehttps://plus.google.com/+Chess24https://twitter.com/chess24comhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/read/news.rsshttp://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=chess24mediahttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/en/contacthttps://cisha.zendesk.com/hc/en-ushttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/glossary