18 responses to “Wojtaszek on being Anand’s second”

  1. “The decision to use those openings was taken right at the start of our preparations. Topalov has never obtained good results in the Catalan, just as he hasn’t in the “Elista ending”. The character of the positions suited us. It was only during the match that Kramnik helped us – his knowledge in those opening is impressive and was extremely useful.”

    Kramnik helped DURING the match? Isn’t that unethical if not cheating? He wasn’t a part of the designated team of assistants for Anand.

  2. Hi,

    Just saying thanks for your translation site. I visit it often like many others.

    Mohit

  3. Kramnik helped DURING the match? Isn’t that unethical if not cheating? He wasn’t a part of the designated team of assistants for Anand.

    ‘Blue Gene’ wasn’t a part of the designated team either !
    Topa fans just need to get used to the fact that their man lost, Period !

  4. I am NOT a Topalov fan and I’m quite glad that he lost and that Anand won. But it seems to me that it’s unsportsmanlike to offer help during the match unless you are a formal part of the team.

  5. Thank you for a great translation (again and again!) I have to read “Mat”. I used to have the complete set of “Szachy”, from 1960 the Eighties, and it seems to be lost :(

  6. Great to hear something from Wojtaszek! Thank you for the translation!
    (He’s mentioned a lot less that Anand’s other seconds in various interviews and that was disappointing.)

    Would’ve been better if some questions had been put regarding the exact nature of his work etc…

    I doubt there’s any such thing as an “official second”, is there? And if not, then anyone can help anytime and it’s not unethical. (If one guy helps both teams then that would ofcourse be unethical.)

  7. In chess or any other sports: Is there a – written or unwritten – rule that teams have to be announced beforehand, let alone that they have to be approved by the other team?

    Anand and Kramnik talked over the phone, using Skype. Among (possibly) other things they talked about chess. The only solution would be to deprive him, but then indeed also Topalov of phone and Internet connections to the outside world during the match!?

    Finally, huge government support for Topalov – putting a supercomputer at his disposal – also wasn’t announced beforehand and seems at least as unethical. Regardless of my opinion about the players, I am pleased that the “human cluster” prevailed in the end.

  8. @noyb

    ‘ But it seems to me that it’s unsportsmanlike to offer help during the match unless you are a formal part of the team.’

    In Topalov’s interview in chessdom.com
    http://interviews.chessdom.com/topalov-world-championship-interview

    ‘Actually I also received help during the match by grandmasters whose names I will not mention, as I plan to work with them in the future in secret. Clearly, they wanted me to win, so I do not complain about luck of supporters’.

    So Topalov can get advice from grandmasters and apparently its ok but if Anand gets advice ‘during’ the match its unethical.
    You guys should grow up…..Seriously !

  9. Not quite … : TPR 2827 for Wojtaszek, 2802 for Fressinet – the overall field isn’t _that_ strong … .

  10. Very good Article.Many unknwn facts are revealed.

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