Anand in Sofia – Anand and Topalov are going to fight the mother battle of all battles. [chess of course!] I hope [if you’re a chess player] that you’re going to follow their games with me. Anand is my favourite and my money is on him. Those of you who don’t know anything about these players…they are THE big chess-engines of the world of chess…and they’re playing in Sofia[Bulgaria]. Anand is from India and Topalov from Bulgaria. Anand is the current World Champion and Topalov the challenger.
What is said about Anand- ‘….extreme efficiency, his splendid personality…’ -watch the videos about Anand and Topalov on the official site…
Anand is the fastest thinking chess player
Ah…they look so handsome… – is that what he’s thinking [haha]
Enjoy the music of the Hungarian Rhapsody no2 [unfortunately not the Bulgarian Rhapsody…but let’s pretend lol -also not the complete music file]
Topalov…hmmm…wonder if he’s going to beat me up!..
Press Conference – Sofia
Postal Items devoted to the Anand-Topalov Chess tournament in Sofia [Bulgaria]
Please click HERE to visit the official site of Anand-Topalov to read more or to play through their games. The first game starts on the 24th April. [see the playing schedule] You will also find this link on the sidebar of my blog.[top] Images in this post are all from the Official site of Anand/Topalov.
Click on the image for a larger view…This is the schedule of Anand’s and Topalov’s games.
Map of Bulgaria / Sofia – image: Topnews
The History of Chess…only a few images from the video on the Official site.
See the video on the Official site – link in this post [and on the sidebar of my blog] about the History of Chess. These images are from the video.
40-hour ride to defend the title
New Delhi: World champion Viswanathan Anand Tuesday reached Sofia, Bulgaria, after a strenuous 40-hour road journey from Germany as all flights were cancelled due to the volcanic ash floating across European airspace.The 40-year old world champion had requested a postponement of the World chess championship match against Veselin Topalov, by three days, but his appeal was rejected by the organising committee.
Not used to travelling such long distances on road along with the refusal to grant a three-day postponement could give Anand’s challenger, Topalov, a significant advantage.
Anand had planned to reach the venue on April 16, which is one week before the first game on April 23. But he arrived four days behind schedule due to factors beyond his control.
Anand might miss the press conference but will attend the opening ceremony according to his wife Aruna Anand. Not rescheduling the games will mean Topalov could have the same advantage that Anatoly Karpov enjoyed in the world title match, in Lausanne, in 1998.
“The news from us is that we reached here safely,” said Aruna Anand.
Had Alexander Alekhine been in Anand’s place, he would have sought a postponement of at least a week as world champions ruled and challengers were at the mercy of champions. Sometimes a handicap is a better way to start a match and Anand can turn the disadvantage into a driving force in the 12-game series.
Earlier, the organising committee had received an e-mailed request for a postponement from Anand and also a word from Fide about the situation.
However, the committee said that the press conference could be postponed but not the opening ceremony scheduled on April 21 because invitations to all official guests, sponsors, politicians, television stations and the media was already sent. Also since many commercial contracts have been signed, there would be serious penalties if any changes were made.
The championship is to be formally inaugurated on April 21 with the first of the 14 games to begin on April 23.
Source:
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100421/jsp/sports/story_12362406.jsp
Chessalee 
