Carrel Chess Club

Veselin Topalov arrived in Sofia for the match with Gata Kamsky

Topalov discards home advantage

Today at 18:00 CET GM Veselin Topalov landed at Sofia airport. He came with a flight from Spain, where in the past two weeks he had been preparing for the challengers match with GM Gata Kamsky. Veselin Topalov was welcomed by a group of journalists and answered their questions. Hello Vesko and welcome back to Sofia. How do you feel before the match with Kamsky? Will the change of the date affect your play? I am ok, I hope the change of the date of the match will not affect my play. In November I was in very good shape, I hope to have maintained it. I will try to win the match within the 8 games and I hope no tiebreak will be needed. What do you expect from your opponent? Kamsky is very strong, both physically and psychologically. He will play serious chess. How is the organization of the match going? I am sure the organization will be top level, nothing different than in any other western or developed country. ( read more about the venue) Do you think you have home advantage? Chess is not soccer, playing at home does not give you anything special, there is not such a thing as home advantage. I just have to concentrate, play good chess, and win. Being first on the FIDE rating list is an advantage? No, being first in the FIDE rating list does not give any advantage in a match. Maximum concentration is the key to victory.

White to move and win. Scroll down for the Solution.

White to move & win

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Position of the Week Solution

Okay,

So I haven't figuered out how to insert chess diagrams in here yet. I barely know how to add the pages to the new site, but I will figure it all out in a very short time. I'm not even sure if I'm doing this blog correctly. I'll know that in a few minutes.

We opened the club in June of 2008 and it has been a wonderful experience for me and the members of The Carrel Chess Club.

I have learned a lot about the intricacies of running tournaments and the ins and outs of  WINTD (tournament software) and I'm still not sure if I do everything correctly.

I do know that the USCF Rule Book has come in handy on many occassions. It's hard to believe how serious chess players take the game. I believe that their seriousness stems from wanting to maintain the high standards that chess holds us all to. Either that or they take the whole "you must hate and have disdain for your opponent" thing too far.

We've had many long nights of "Rumbling" until your eyes are so blury that you can't see your opponent across the board but you keep pushing pieces anyway.

The kids have all improved greatly. You come in and sit down across the table from an innocent, unassuming little kid and they CLEAN YOUR CLOCK. Let me be the first to admit how humbling an event it can be. It happens to me more frequently than I'd like to admit.

The classes have been a great success. The kids love the format with the tournament and party at the end of each class. We run the tournament like a rated event, complete with trophies and presentations.

In all honesty it hasn't been easy, but it's been worth it. I work full time and afterwards run the club with some outstanding volunteer help. I'd like to thank our top volunteers of 2008: Roy McCutcheon, Justin Meek and Darrin Sherer.Without you guys I'd probably have tossed in the towel. Thank you! When you see these guys at the club take the time to thank them for their efforts to support the club.

I could write all night so I'll leave it at this.

Thanks!

Mike