- В этот раз на сцене перед противниками поставили защитный экран, чтобы никто из них не мог получать никаких подсказок. Может, это помешало Топалову?

- Не думаю, что Топалов в последнее время пользуется какими-то запрещенными компьютерными средствами. Компьютер действительно объективно сильнее людей в шахматы, его подсказки очень важны.

Radosław Wojtaszek interviewed by Grzegorz Gajewski:

What did the help of Kasparov, Carlsen, Kramnik and Giri actually consist of? Was it really significant? It’s hard to avoid the impression that publishing those revelations was more about building an image – I (Anand) was supported by the whole world of chess, while Topalov was only supported by a supercomputer and those he paid.

Magnus Carlsen and Anish Giri mainly played training games with Vishy before the match. That was really important given that Anand had very little experience e.g. in the Catalan. Kasparov and Kramnik helped out with our opening preparation. No doubt it also gave Vishy a boost to know that those who were, after all, recently his rivals, were offering to help.

What was your reception like on “enemy” territory. The hotel, the conditions etc. There was no lack of scandals in previous Topalov matches, while this time round we didn’t hear about any clashes. Perhaps something actually did happen, but you simply didn’t want to broadcast it?

It always works both ways – “the walls help” [this mainly Russian saying is variously translated, e.g. as “A man’s home is his castle”] but it also puts greater pressure on the home player. We couldn’t really complain as it would be pretty hard to blame the Bulgarians for the volcano erupting in Iceland, though if that was “their doing”, then it was a brilliant move Seriously, I think the match passed without scandals because there were no grounds for them. The location of the match had long been known and we were suitably prepared. The hotel had previously been checked by Aruna, so there were no reasons to worry. The only friction was at the end of game 3, though in the end that didn’t have any significant consequences.

Despite the opening setback, Anand won the second game displaying good, confident play. While Topalov’s performance that day was very poor, which – taking into account his previous matches – was nothing new, it seems?

Yes, after that game we already knew that everything was ok with Vishy’s form. Topalov didn’t play so well, as he also didn’t in previous matches and tournaments, but how is it that with such “weak” play he crossed 2800 and became no. 1? In my opinion he makes mistakes, but at the same time exerts such great pressure on his rivals, playing such non-standard chess, that they make even more. Our whole philosophy was therefore based around neutralising that pressure, which we managed to do.