Interview by Yuri Vasiliev for Sport Express

This interview with the ex-World Champion Veselin Toplov was taken right after his victory at the 21st category super tournament in Linares. Since 2005 this is his 11th trophy from a super tournament.
In less than two months Topalov will face the World Champion Anand in a match for the title. If the aim of the Bulgarian was to misinform Anand'd analytical team, then he more than succeeded. Because he played in an amazing way – unaccountable, even reckless in some moments. He took his decisions fast even in most complicated situations, entered dubious forced lines. And at the same time play subtly with the finest nuances in a seemingly drawn Rook ending and won! And his game with Black against Levon Aronian was proclaimed to be the best in the tournament and awarded with a special prize – 27 liters Spanish olive oil of the finest brand for both players.

Veselin, your play during this tournament seemed unnecessary risky. Most experts coincide that against Anand things will be different. Was that on purpose?
As everyone well understands, nobody reveals his preparation before a World Championship match. But I can tell that winning such a strong tournament is not easy at all. Of course my main goal was to get myself in good form. I was just playing for fun and made the moves that I liked. As an example, in my game against Grischuk from Round 1, I knew that the piece sacrifice is extremely risky but I liked the move and made it!
I am not entirely happy with the quality of my games – I can't name one of my four wins here as a convincing victory from start till end. But I played creatively and enjoyed it.

Is everything OK with the match?
What doubts could there be, if th Head of the Organizing committee is Bulgarian Prime Minister Mr. Boiko Borisov? The contract with the organizers is signed both by me and Anand. The first game will take place on 23 April.

Where will take place the match?
In one of the most beautiful Halls in Sofia – the Military Club, in the very center of the city just opposite the Russian Church. During the monarchy the Playing Hall was used to host Royal Balls, attended by aristocrats from all over Europe. The place is real beauty!

Where will be players' team accommodated?
Anand's team – at the Hilton, where was Kamsky during our match, and my team will stay at Gran Hotel Sofia, where the participants in M-Tel Masters are being regularly accommodated.

I read, that that prize fund sets a record for all World Chess Championship matches, barring the so called 'rematch of XX century' Fischer – Spassky where 5 000 000 US$ were at stake...
The prize fund in your match is 2 million Euro – about 3 million US$ - but if Anand would have made even a minor attempt, it could easily go over 5 million. India is a vast market and Anand is very popular in his homeland. But the World Champion preferred that someone else does all the work and even play the victim. 'Well, you see, I prefer not to play in Bulgaria, but there are no other options.' We were prepared to play in India half the games or even the whole match, but Anand didn't make even the slightest effort to arrange anything about this. Even 3 000 000 US$ aren't bad at all, if we remember Kasparov being ready to play his matches – against Shirov, Ponomariov or Kasimdzhanov – for a mere 1 million and no sponsor was found for any of them.

Does the prize fund consists of government money?
No, those those money are from private sponsors, but the guarantee from the Prime Minister of Bulgaria Mr. Boiko Borisov, whom I am very grateful, was very important.

Your opinion on the opponent?
Anand is the greatest talent ever in chess history. Now he is 40 and during half of that time was one of the strongest players. Anyway, a remark by me: at the World Championship in Mexico where Vishy won his title, I didn't participate because of the imbecile regulations invented by the FIDE officials. Concerning the forthcoming match – in Sofia Anand will have it much easier than me from psychological point of view. Everyone expects of me nothing less than victory. If he would lose people would say: he played on enemy ground, in case of a win he would be hero!

So, no 'pluses' for you at all?
My pluses are: '+1' from the results of our games in classic chess, and '-5' from the age. He is 40, while I am 35.

Have you followed Anand's play in Wijk aan Zee at the beginning of this year?
Of course, I studied his games. He got '+2” without any effort. Left the impression that if he really wanted it, he could have taken part in the fight for the first prize.

Let's change the subject! Tell me, are you popular in Bulgaria?
Of course. I was even invited in 'Dance with the Stars TV' show.

Do yo fell like a 'superstar'?
Bulgaria is a small country. There are people who can be proud with their accomplishments, but stars from international rank a very few. Hristo Stoichkov was a real superstar. At the moment such is Dimitar Berbatov..

And he has a nephew, Kiprian Berbatov, who got IM title at the age of 11. Do you consider inviting him on your team like Ponomariov did with 11 year old Seryozha Karyakin?
I am informed that Kiprian will be attending the match but haven't even occurred to me to invite him on my team, I'll have to think this over (smiles).

In Linares you were seconded by the Dutch Smeets and L'Ami – perhaps they'll be once again on your team? And your previous second Ivan Cheparinov, the famous master of preparing 'opening traps' as well?
(smiles) You are very well informed, people mentioned by you will indeed assist with my preparation. There will be others as well, whom for well understandable reasons won't name yet. Of course, information tends to leak but I don't want to be the source.

Interview by Yuri Vasiliev
for Sport Express