Danailov-Topalov - Corus 2006 r11 - 27.1.06

[Kaouix]

It could be that Danailov is a greedy b*tch, but cheating, I dont think so...

[vladan1021]

That is stupid. Common are Topalov and Danailov which are heroes in Bulgaria stupid or something to get caught cheating. I think Topa knows how to play chess without outside help. Allegations are BS

[BiggCojones]

i like topalov´s playing style but danailov´s ethics are very low........

[x33mmm]

hahah so what is the problem i can't understand the guy is touching his face there are no signals are u stupid ha

[vibovitold]

if they wanted to cheat like that, would they really leave the job of sending signals to the guy who everyone knows is Topalov's manager? :)

[telcontar785]

They don't, which is why he hasn't been caught officially yet.

[Ysabellafan]

This why Topalov is the least liked of the top players. His cry-baby, cheater personna makes him about as popular as Nigel Short.

[PirinBG]

I think it is not Danailov. A guy next to him scratched the top of his head twice.Check-Mate!

[leroidavid2000]

This is just another anti-Topalov slander.

Sheer rubbish.

[textus7]

What a pitiful video.. wake up people, the guy is just supporting his head. No signals here.

On the other hand Kramnik had network cables coming from the ceiling of his bathroom. Who's cheating now ;-)

[textus7]

This video is so pitiful.. Wake up, the guy is just supporting his head. No signals here.. Kramnik on the other side had network cables coming from the toilet ceiling. Who's cheating now ;-)

[sallom89]

i wonder what kramnik can do with network cables ?

[vibovitold]

and who's seen those cables

[jonrosbif]

Do any of you have logic?

If Top+Dain were to cheat at that high of level, they would make gestures that must appear ambiguous.

All the morons who say it isn't cheating because the signs are too ambiguous; well you are stating an invalid argument "if the signs are ambiguous, it isn't cheating".

On the other side, those who say it IS cheating, should only say so speculatively. This video is only a video and you guys should keep an open-mind and respect other's points of view=/-omnipotent

[ubernerd35]

I find it hilarious that you bulgarians defend Topalov so staunchly. He lives in Spain now, if I'm not mistaken? He must've been tired of your terrible country. Aside from that though, I'd like to say that there really isn't any proof that either kramnik or topalov have either cheated. Idiots like you guys just say "OMG <playername here> cheated, not <otherplayer>." It's kind of ridiculous, so please stop it. You're not fooling anyone.

[x33mmm]

all of u fuc your mums u are bastrds topalov is the best player in the world i am proud that we are bulgarians there is no cheating here dana\ilov is not doing anything suspicious kramnik is cheater coz during the championship last year against veselin topalov he used computer program fritz 10

[SeeeeeeeeeeX]

I don't think Topalov was actually paying any attention to what Danailov was doing during the match...

[jyt230]

Although Danailov's actions here could be deemed as suspicious, this video is hardly evidence to suggest that he and Topalov are cospiring. As far as I can see, Danailov's actions demonstrate that he's is merely concerned with Topalov's game - nothing more.

[jonrosbif]

This one piece of video is nothing by itself. However, this video surfaced AFTER pretty the allegations and AFTER several complaints about Dainalov leaving after every move to talk on cell-phone and walk back in. The Sept2007 world championship is banning cell phones in the building and have video cams inside + outside the building.

[i3illiejoe]

Get the fuck out of here. I dont see any proof that Danailov was giving Topalov any sort of signals. To be honest with you, I prefer Kramnik's more solid (although more boring too) style of playing, but i don't think its fair to accuse Topalov for cheating because of this bullshit video that does not prove anything.

[ivankalev]

Danailov is contacting a Hydra Chess representative after every move.

How the hell Topalov lost against Svidler in Corus?! Danailov pointed maybe on the wrong tooth or scratched the wrong ear.

[filmelitt]

a friend of mine watched the games at corus/vijk live not many steps from danailov, and said he was surprized by the constant cellphone use of topalovs manager after recently rubbing/pointing his fingers on his teeth with a fixed eye on topalov, giving nods and taking on/off his glasses as soon as topalov made eyecontact with him... indications, yes - but....how come topalov is no match to for example anand or carlsen in blitz games???

[Zhukov101]

Strange how Topalov is currently making lots of blunders at Linares! Danailov no longer able to signal to him without attracting attention?

[weev]

This is not definitive proof of cheating, but the manager is standing in the eyeline of the player, purposly, and making signals. We needed another camera running focussing on the player. He did indeed seem to be making signals, not as he watched the game but as he was staring at his player. I think its a cheat in a way more than a friends nod when he likes your direction of play.

[hrvyklly]

Hmmm. Not convinced, but it would explain his sudden leap up the rankings - he's good, but he's no Fischer.

[tundrablues]

most suspicious is pulling his cell phone out right after a move, this was said to happen after every move, who is he calling, and why is he wearing glasses which he is rarely seen in?

[gugunda]

Only Ray Charles can see cheating here, come on guys you can`t be serious!May be Danailov is cheating by breathing, how about the internet wire.

[divrozhkov]

serously guys. ignore danailov and look at the other poeple in the video. they are doing much more that could be called cheatig. people tying shoelaces, tapping their head, the lady in white is totally suspicios.

it is just ridiculous how the whole chess machiery tries to chrush topalov just because he is brilliant and doe snot belong to the clique that runs the show.

[jonrosbif]

How much money do you earn per year??? Not much is my guess because of your lack of reasoning ability. Ambiguous signaling does not rule out signaling! Just knowing if a person's position is "good, bad or even" helps a HUGE amount in chess because it adjusts how you analyze the position. If you are behind but originally thought you were even, your brain can think defensively and will be a lot more careful.

[RubbaStampMe]

I hate chess but I heard about this scandal and was expecting to see some cheating! All I see is some nervous guy, who's wot?! Shuffling? Leaning his head in hand?

Isn't he like the most hated guy in chess as well? Sounds like a witch-hunt! Get over it!

[VKramnik]

it seems danialov was giving the sign of "0" around his mounth and then "1" on his neck. Cheater Topi

[jonrosbif]

I assure you, there are signals that are 10x less noticable than this. There are so many body parts and so many unique motions and so many unique durations/ranges of motion that there's an exponential amount of potential cues.

[kikoo7777]

evidence. topalov was cheating. but did it all the time ?

[hellopoodle]

While this video in no way constitutes *proof* of cheating, I do find it a little suspicious. The finger to the neck doesn't have to translate to "Capture on c4 with your bishop." It could mean something as simple as "Offer a draw, you can't win here" and that would be cheating.

One-way mirrors (or similar solutions) are the only answer here; otherwise, these chess matches will continue to have a cloud of suspicion hanging over them.

[spidermanav1]

Well, its very easy to communicate so many things with body signs. I have no doubts from this video that the manager is signalling moves.

[Zhukov101]

People sack their managers all the time. If this cheating allegation was true, and Danailov was later sacked for whatever reason, he could spill the beans and Topalov would be finished as a chess player.

[SharkBite55]

The frequent phone calls placed by Danailov during the games do indeed arouse suspicion. Were all the calls placed but to one phone number and what were the timing of these calls? Surely he wouldnt object to sharing his phone records.

I'd like to give Topalov the benefit of the doubt but something just doesn't seem right.

[whichoney]

what the hell? I was expecting something more than that. so what if the guy put his hands to his cheek and holds his chin, I do that all the time in tournaments. maybe he is a nervous person who has to move around a lot. admittedly though, the cellphone calls after every move are peculiar, id like to hear what that is about, but so far this is hardly evidence of anything sinister.

[Juliani57]

Topalov plays fighting chess but still makes mistakes, he has always made them, including the last tournament. I think though that Topalov was convinced that Kramnik cheated. That is why he started playing faster, believing that this is better than anything else, while still knowing that Kramnik is better in Rappid and Blitz games than he is! Topalov did not have any better options.

[rocean214]

install signal breaker at the venue. isnt it a good idea?

[foolish90210]

Many people dont stop to realize what it takes to be here he is, he could never survive on cheating, as a matter of a fact, Topalov is probably playing stronger than most chess engines out there, and if his moves havent matched any engine then whats all the hoolah about? Ill tell you, its because he accused Kramnik and started this phsycological warfare, look forget it, increase security, and enjoy the damn game!

[taljechin]

When will we see the video from January this year? I don't remember anyone accusing them of cheating in January 2006...

[SamhainBreslau]

This tape is nothing but a slight paranoia. Dainiken has also proofs for his 'theories'.

[eurabio]

I would love to hear a proof. By the way its Danailov, and its weird you trust so much a player like topalov who repeatedly has stated that money is the most important thing in chess for him.

[Juliani57]

A good reason to play and not hide!

[vibovitold]

so did the great Fischer :) little surprise here, it's a very hard full-time work, actually more than full-time (as Kramnik himself said in one interview, he's sometimes working 20h out of 24; and every week new 1000-1500 games are published, and he has to play them all out - and this is merely one thing to tick off from the list), why would they do this for peanuts

[moromets]

this is total paranoia, but as they say when your paranoid, that might NOT mean that you are NOT followed

[Chessbum]

The gray haired lady in the white sweater at the beginning of the video. There is something very suspicious about her! You know she can't really be interested in a chess game.

[Juliani57]

I would prefer a network cable over scratching! What do you say?

[eurabio]

5. i know he is guilty. its just a matter to proof it. like when the police investigate a crime, they usually know who is guilty(with about 95% of the times they are correct) the only problem really is to get enough evidence to proof it without a doubt.

6. the video isnt great, it would have been better to see both of them at the same time. but we who where there, know what we saw.

[eurabio]

3. in san luis i saw the same thing. in one move he scratches, only scratches. in an other move he reaches his neck repeatedly, only the neck doesnt scratch doesnt do another thing. its obviuos that is a type of signal for each move.

4. why dont put a one way mirror?

well thats neet. thats expensive but... that happened in elista, and topalov lost. he also told that now kramnik was cheating, bla bla bla...

[eurabio]

some points:

1. what could the signaling mean?

the technical matter really is no problem. there are a lot of languages and codes based on body signs that exists and can be inveted. its really naive to think that the signalling doesnt mean anything.

2. other people in the video are scratching etc.

please, its quite diferent. you can see they do it naturally, not starring to someone.

[Juliani57]

Facts are that

1. Ilyumzhinov: [to give the core of very lengthy answer, full of reminiscences of the crisis] If you break open a wall, any wall, you'll find tubes, cables, metal works, etc.

2. Kramnik doesn't want to play with Topalov

3. Topalov is out of the WCC tournament

[dragonknightps]

This video is not proof BUT Seconds should not be allowed that close to the Players :( if I was his opponent I would have protested and asked for him to be removed from the area.

[zluvu4ever]

I do think that Danailov is a schmuck for accusing Kramnik of cheating...however...this video proved nothing.

[Chessbum]

This certainly hasn't convinced me!

[drolive1]

This is by no means a proof!

[Snootwaller]

If that's really a secret code then it's up to the accusers to crack the code. Does touching his neck mean "move the bishop?" In that case then show me all the times when Topalov moved a bishop right after Danailov touched his neck. Can't do it? Then SHUT UP.

[majdq8]

My god !!! If this is proof of cheating ... then I think everyone in the crowd was cheating. Especially that white haired little old lady. She looked damn more suspicious than Danilov. Let's get real ... all this shows is that people are getting paranoid about cheating.

[SaudadeOfSunday]

This video isn't "proof" of anything. Hell I fidget worse than that when I'm playing a game. Would it not be reasonable to expect a manager to be nervous if his star is playing such an important match? God this reminds me of 9/11 conspiracy theorists..

[dramas79]

This is certainly not proof. However, I used to play Dumb Charades myself when I was a student and it is very easy to signal moves and lot more using simple gestures. However, it is difficult to prove. Seeing the video I feel that the scratching is not "natural" and is rather deliberate. Use a 1 way mirror is what I say!

[candidatemaster]

I dont believe this. These ara counter-attacks by the kramnik fans and other companies.

[bibafortuna]

i know in base ball they have a coach on the sidelines that scratches his balls for signals

it may seem normal to all of us but not so...

but didnt topo lose to kramnak for the title ...

so we must get to the bottom of all this cheating

that is my hunch that there both cheating somehow

when huge purses of money are invovled ..look at all

the bastards in sports making all that shitload of money..makes me sick to my stomach

[Liberazione1605]

He's cheating, period.

[uzeromay]

That being said, hard evidence is required to prove the point and this video while perhaps suggestive to some is not hard evidence of anything. Lots of people have strange nervous habits, nervous tics, or simply mannerisms that are natural to them but if scrutinized could look pretty odd. As Topalov's manager, it is natural for him to study intently his player's performance and probably, it is reassuring for Topalov to notice his manager's there for emotional support.

[uzeromay]

Please see Ray Keene's comments on how a small hint can help hugely at the critical moments (anyone who has played a high functioning computer like Fritz knows what it is like just to see a position evaluated as a plus for one side or the other; the better the player you are, the more meaningful). Others have spoken about how different signals can mean different things that can be highly helpful; parts of the face can signify files, exchanges, etc.

[diegoami]

Why don't they just intercept Danailov's calls ?

[Juliani57]

Because they know what he's talking about: salads, vodka, wiskey, you know, the usual stuff....

[PrUnEJuIcEtHeThIrD]

I'm sick of these cheating accusations. Top players in the world like Topalov do not cheat. They don't even need to cheat. What Danailov did wasn't very good evidence. I mean sure he was doing some suspicious finger movements and some walking around, but even I do that all the time. It means little. There is no sign that Danailov was lookin at a computer here.

[flolupo]

Looking at the beginning of the video I thought, that doesn't mean anything. But then, a couple of gestures are VERY unusual. I think something is fishy.

[jimtrowbridge]

This just goes to show how far a witch hunt will go to try to "incriminate" someone. Follow ANY individual in the crowd and you will see "suspicious" behaviors. Members of the witch hunt, including the merely gullible, ought to be ashamed. If anyone is cheating this kind of silliness is not evidence of any kind.

[Juliani57]

I aggree, that is the most terrifying thing!

[eurabio]

5. i know he is guilty. its just a matter to proof it. like when the police investigate a crime, they usually know who is guilty(with about 95% of the times they are correct) the only problem really is to get enough evidence to proof it without a doubt.

6. the video isnt great, it would have been better to see both of them at the same time. we who where there, know what we saw.

[eurabio]

3. in san luis i saw the same thing. in one move he scratches, only scratches. in an other move he reaches his neck repeatedly, only the neck doesnt scratch doesnt do another thing. its obviuos that is a type of signal for each move.

4. why dont put a one way mirror?

well thats neet. thats expensive but... that happened in elista, and topalov lost. he also told that now kramnik was cheating, bla bla bla...

[eurabio]

some points:

1. what could the signaling mean?

the technical matter really is no problem. there are a lot of languages and codes based on body signs that exists and can be inveted. its really naive to think that the signalling doesnt mean anything.

2. other people in the video are scratching etc.

please, its quite diferent. you can see they do it naturally, not starring to someone.

[crisis87]

He did some weird gestures. Danailov thinks hes smarter than everybody. I hope he gets caught and goes to jail.* for me what he did in Elista is enough but this is better...

[Zhukov101]

What could he possibly be signalling with those movements? A Queen sac leading to a forced mate in 18? Innocent until proven guilty, and this proves nothing.

[smithers3]

a. I don't see anything suspicious.

b. Put up 1 way glass and problem solved.

[eurabio]

some points:

1. what could the signaling mean?

the technical matter really is no problem. there are a lot of languages and codes based on body signs that exists and can be inveted. its really naive to think that the signalling doesnt mean anything.

2. other people in the video are scratching etc.

please, its quite diferent. you can see they do it naturally, not starring to someone.

[Juliani57]

Sorry for the triple posting, my bad.

[Juliani57]

This is evidence is far outstretched. I would actually say that the amount of Danailov's gestures are way below the average, notice the other spectators, say the lady in white, they make way weirder movements. Many people make a lot more gestures, especially when they are thinking. I would say that I do at least twice the scratching than Danailov. I even caught myself doing it while writing this text. These accusations look dirty to me.

[Juliani57]

This is evidence is far outstretched. I would actually say that the amount of Danailov's gestures are way below the average, notice the other spectators, say the lady in white, they make way weirder movements. Many people make a lot more gestures, especially when they are thinking. I would say that I do at least twice the scratching than Danailov. I even caught myself doing it while writing this text. These accusations look dirty to me.

[Juliani57]

This is evidence is far outstretched. I would actually say that the amount of Danailov's gestures are way below the average, notice the other spectators, say the lady in white, they make way weirder movements. Many people make a lot more gestures, especially when they are thinking. I would say that I do at least twice the scratching than Danailov. I even caught myself doing it while writing this text. These accusations look dirty to me.

[ScarianX]

Bless him... He had an itchy nose... and then he tapped his neck for that kind of guilty itch when you're telling someone how to play chess...

And why did he keep going backwards and forwards?

[talbotnivik]

I see other people in the video touching, scratching, and rubbing their faces and heads. Are those people giving Topalov signs also. All of Danailov's movements are natural postures of idleness. Topalov may be cheating but this video does not prove anything but that Danailov does not like to remain standing in one position.

[clarialvarez]

its true topalov ist a fake... his noob he cant get the gm title he only is nationla master his a noob

[Rombizio]

If someone can prove that this behavior occurred during the whole game and on many other games, this can be used as evidence of cheating. Otherwise, it does not prove much. Though I personally believe it is possible.

[alicsan]

This is a footage from previous year's Corus. A Dutchman taped it and he didn't want to be involved in any legal stuff since he thought this is not a weighty enough evidence. He only showed it after the articles about Topalov's cheating in german newspaper. See articles on chessbase.

[chessbuff]

rumor is very often premature fact. Investigation is necessary to clear names or to catch culprits. danilov and tooalov should push for an investigation.

[Chessboy]

RichardPryoris thats not really true. Yes chess has millions of permutations but normally when a player is to move there are a limited number of plausible continuations. Even merely signalling which piece should be moved, or the key square would be sufficient to put a player of Topalovs calibre at an unbeatable advantage. That said however, the footage is extremely inconclusive.

[dehiguey]

Ivanchuk is showing playing Topalov in Wijk aan Zee 2006.

[RichardPryoris]

What could he possibly be signaling except that either White or Black is ahead according to a computer. Chess has so many possible moves that it's just not possible to cheat this way.

[Turlock1977]

Because it's been spotted that the same things were happening at last years Corus. DUUUUUUHHH!

[apnyawde]

None of the top players receive extra help. They often have to decide a championship in 5 minutes games that become impossible to pay attention to any gesture from any place. Another issue, please.

[poderchenko]

Why at the beginning of the video is showed Topalov playing with Ivanchuk? Ivanchuk didn´t participate this year at Corus!!!

[sebafloyd1]

because this video is from the last year!!!

[sch0bert]

is interesting that I meet Danailov in Mexico the last year and Topalov was passing a very bad time because he lost many games. And the interesting thing is that Danailov passed most of the time outside the hall...

[poderchenko]

And why at the beginning of the footage is Topalov playing with Ivanchuk, if the second player didn´t participate this year at Corus. The person who edited this video is doing fishy things.

[poderchenko]

I don´t see anything unusual. It´s sad that some people want to harm chess.

[Chessboy]

Interesting but how would you ever really prove anything?

[Adlershof]

Topalov and Danilov are clearly cheating. Danilov could not see the board or the screens, but only Topalov's face. The should be banned

[stringisback]

This is so difficult to make any judgment on such a video. This is why, I believe, Danailov is so confident. His gestures are too "common" to be ever interpreted as cheating signs. The cheating proof on such a behaviour is impossible to prove.

But but but... the guy that filmed the video was amazed by Danailov gestures when he didn't know who he was.

[Darksmile1234]

What are we looking at?

[Dionyseus82]

That video showed nothing.