World championship this month in Argentina

By Frank “Boy” Pestaño
Chessmoso

After a long wait, the World Chess Championship willfinally take place in San Luis, Argentina from Sept. 27 to Oct. 16. The main characters are Vishy Anand of India, 35 (Elo 2788), Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria, 30 (2788), Peter Leko of Hungary, 26 (2763), Peter Svidler of Russia, 29 (2738), Judit Polgar of Hungary, 29, (2735), Michael Adams of England, 34 (2719), Alexander Morozevich Russia, 28 (2707, and Rustam Kasimzhanov Uzbekistan, 26 (2670).

Total prize money is $1 million, with $300,000 going to the champion and $50,000 to the last placer. Second and third placers will win $140,000 and $100,000, respectively.

There hasn’t been an undisputed champion in the last 15 years as world of chess has been hopelessly divided. The last undisputed champion was Garry Kasparov when he defeated Anatoly Karpov in 1990 in New York and Lyon, France. Hopefully, this tournament’s winner will gain the acceptance of the chess community in general.

Format is double-round robin with classical time controls of 40 moves in two hours, followed by 20 moves in one hour and 15 minutes with 30-second increment for all moves.

It is very difficult to determine the winner as everyone is capable of becoming champion. Here is my fearless forecast 1) Topalov 2) Leko 3) Anand 4) Kasimzhanov 5) Polgar 6) Svidler 7) Morozevich 8) Adams.

All the players are familiar with each other’s style and ability. The player with the strongest nerves and stamina will win as this will be a thoroughly exhausting tournament.

The players – Anand, Topalov, Leko, Polgar, Svidler – talked to the San Luis press office and were asked the same set of questions. 1) How do you evaluate the way of play (double-round robin) of this tournament? 2) Who are your favorite players among your seven opponents and who will be the toughest?

The answers:

Anand: 1) “Exhausting, nerves, tension, patience, stamina and lots of luck. All will be equally tough. It will depend on each one’s play. Some will get cracking from the beginning while others may have to work more. 2) It is tough to pick the favorite: I think these are the seven most difficult rivals in top-class chess.”

Topalov: 1) “I think this is the best and most balanced system. Luck cannot influence in the result. The winner will be the fair champion. 2) Everyone is dangerous, anyone can win.”

Leko: 1) “The double-round robin is nothing unusual for top players. But the situation in San Luis will be rather different because the pressure is much higher than normal. A good mental and physical shape will be required.

2) “This is a difficult question. Of course, Anand and Topalov are the favorites if you consider the ratings. But as I said, all the players are very strong. I think everybody has a decent chance to win this. You know, it is just one event and by the end of the day you need also a little bit of luck. But I am sure that we can expect a very close competition and the winner will be most likely decided in the last round only if not in a possible tiebreak.”

Polgar: 1) “It is going to be an extremely difficult and exhausting from the mental and physical point of view. After all it is a world championship and everybody I think has very seriously prepared before the event. 2) Generally, it is clear that the toughest opponents are the higher rated players, but I am an experienced player and I know that every game can be extremely hard. All the players come to Argentina to win and fight.”

Svidler 1) “It will be very hard and exhausting for sure, but I think it is the best possible format for an eight-player event. 2) We shall see after the tournament, but historically, I found it hard to play Vishy Anand.”

The tournament will be broadcast live to the whole world via the internet at www. ajedrezdepunta.com in English and Spanish.