Wojtaszek on being Anand’s second
Radosław Wojtaszek, one of Anand’s seconds in Sofia, gave an interview to the Polish chess magazine “Mat”. Topics included the help provided by Kramnik & co., the enigma of Topalov’s “weak” play but stellar rating, and the effect of the volcano on Anand’s plans.
Candidates Matches once more in turmoil
In a bolt from the blue, the Kommersant newspaper reports that the Russian Chess Federation is lobbying to have the 2011 Candidates Matches switched from Baku, in Azerbaijan, to Kazan, in Russia. Veselin Topalov has joined the fray by refusing to play in Russia.
Kramnik on competing with Carlsen
In something of a media blitz around his 35th birthday, Vladimir Kramnik gave another interview, this time to Evgeny Gik of the Moscow-based “Moskovsky Komsomolets”. He talks about Magnus Carlsen’s threat to his chances of reclaiming the title, chess politics and how age has affected his chess.
Kramnik: “Kasparov took that sporting defeat as a declaration of war”
For his 35th birthday (see Alexandra Kosteniuk’s birthday wishes), Vladimir Kramnik was interviewed by the popular Russian weekly newspaper, Argumenty i Fakty. He talks about whether friendship is possible in chess, and his troubled relationship with Gary Kasparov.
Topalov, Didier Drogba and romanticism in chess
In what some might consider cruel and unusual punishment, Bulgarian schoolchildren recently played chess with an IBM supercomputer. Fortunately, they had a little help from Veselin Topalov, who after the match gave an interview to Danail Kisov of Klassa.bg.
Gelfand at Crestbook Part II
The second installment of Boris Gelfand’s answers to the questions of Crestbook readers kept up the incredible length and quality of the first. A general title might be, “Everything you ever wanted to know about GM chess but never dared to ask”. He patiently answers questions ranging from “e4 or d4” to “what’s the meaning of life”!
Classical Anand, Romantic Topalov
84-year-old Mark Taimanov gave an interview to the Russian site, Smena. He talks about the recent WC Match in Sofia and gives his opinion of how the current players compare to the former Champions.
Aronian: I won’t travel to Baku
On the final day of the World Championship match in Sofia, Levon Aronian was interviewed in Armenia by Vadim Mkrtchian of “Golos Armenii” (“Voice of Armenia”). The interview includes Levon’s view on the match, the FIDE election, opening preparation, and his reasons for not wanting to play candidates matches in Baku.
Chronicle of a suicide
That’s the title Yury Vasiliev gave to an amazing interview with Topalov after the final game of the World Championship match in Sofia. Topalov reveals what went through his mind when he committed consecutive blunders on moves 31 and 32, while Anand also gives his views on the match.
Topalov on Kramnik and the Russians
Topalov gave a long and often interesting interview to the Bulgarian “Capital” newspaper, but one remarkable section stands out. The interviewer’s mention of Kramnik was like waving a red rag at a bull.
