Friday Feature: Veselin Topalov

Veselin Topalov

Veselin Topalov is a Bulgarian chess grandmaster and former world champion. Born in 1975 in Varna, Bulgaria, Topalov began playing chess at a young age and eventually became a grandmaster at the age of 18. He is known for his aggressive and tactical playing style, and he has had a number of impressive accomplishments throughout his career.

In the late 1990s, Topalov won several major tournaments, including the Grandmaster Tournament in Las Palmas and the Linares International Chess Festival. In 2005, he became the first Bulgarian to win the FIDE World Chess Championship, defeating Russian grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik in the final. He held the title for two years before losing it to Indian grandmaster Viswanathan Anand in 2007.

Topalov has also won numerous other international tournaments, including the Amber Rapid and Blindfold Chess Tournament, the Tal Memorial, and the Paris Grand Chess Tour. He has represented Bulgaria in numerous chess Olympiads and European Team Championships, helping the Bulgarian team to win the gold medal at the 2012 European Team Championship.

In addition to his chess career, Topalov is also known for his controversial personality and his willingness to speak out on issues related to chess. He has been involved in a number of high-profile disputes, including a well-publicized feud with former world champion Garry Kasparov over the use of computers in chess.