No Handshake between Anand and Topalov

exactly. 

nobody watching wants to "hate on" any player. its just when someone decides to be a poor sport everyones going to dislike the player. other than the Sofia homers I think most would agree on that.

all I can say is this: if this is what Topalov is like while challenger, I cant wait to see him as (official) champion..  or can I?

wonder if another Catalan will surface next game

ninevah, I'm not trying to insult you, but I think that if you don't admit that you have at least some bias in this matter, you're kidding yourself. Topalov is making an ass of himself, and destroying the sportsmanship of the game. I mean honestly, what kind of person makes it so that his opponent can't even OFFER him a draw? Now only that, but no communication whatsoever, on or off the board?

Topalov is being a jerk, plain and simple. He's trying to use cheap psycological tricks which are, needless to say, not working. He has no respect for his opponent, the world champion, no respect for the game, and no respect for common decency. You shake hands at the end of every match. Period.

Topalov, I don't care if you're a whiny little 35 year old spoiled brat who's parents didn't hit you enough when you were little, grow the hell up.

well said.

In one of my blogs I wrote that chess is missing "that strong player, full of charisma, who was not camera shy...I think we have found him...Topalov. I certainly support Anand winning these games...but Topalov winning these games, might be just what the doctor ordered to shake -up the chess world...the head lines might read..."The Dark Side Prevails!"...of course, I am only looking at the marketing potential for such a result.

With them getting younger all the time you'll probably get youself arrested....

The fact that I'm supporting Topalov in this match doesn't make any of my arguements weaker. As long as you challenge my arguments than my personality, you can lead a civilized discussion.

As you might have read, Topalov said he won't talk to Anand ONLY and ONLY during the game. The choice to turn a small weirdness into a big scandal instead of concentrating on chess does, indeed, increases the publcity of the sport, though.

OK, I'm out of here.

"ilikeflags"...you have me confusing you for "afaf"...the picture of course.

yes...maybe it was your "riveting syntax"

Well, they simply forgot the handshake (or maybe both were unwilling to shake hands.)

That being said, some of the announcements Topalov made - like not wishing to talk to his opponent at all - once again seem to aim at unnerving his opponent. I had been hoping to see a clean match with an atmosphere of good sportsmanship, so lets hope this will not continue to decend until it reaches toiletgate level.

Its a shame really - Topalov plays good chess but I simply cannot get myself to become a fan of someone with his manners. Even worse, imagine him becoming world champion. He could never be such a well-mannered and gentlemanly sportsman as Anand is, and would not be a very good representative for the game.

Nixda, that is exactly why it may be good for chess...everyone hates the bad guy...but he keeps us "revitted" to the show. Without him...the movie would be boring.

Topalov "All handshakes must go thru the arbiter first."

OK, Anand said it.

anand should just go and verbally offer the draw by announcing out loud "i'm offering a draw" just to piss topa off

and all of this thread just about "the case of the missing handshake" 

Does that mean that Anand shakes the arbiter's hand and then the arbiter shakes Topalov's hand?  Or do they need to get the arbiter to agree to the hand shake before they actually do it?

I am glad that Topalov's tricks don't seem to be working, Anand is the more experienced match player and the only person whom Vesko is confusing with psychological warfare is Vesko himself, lol.

Lol .

 EXACTLY!!! He is just being a big jerk. What is this! Its the World Championships not just some little kid tournament. Shaking hands show professionalism and kindness. Topalov, I guess he doesn't have any of that. His parents should have taught him better. Even in a kid tournament we give eachother a thumbs up. Topalov didn't even do that. Well Anand will give him the treatment he deserves.

Heh... Kudos to Anand for ignoring the draw offer! Sort of a sign that he isn't intimidated by Topalov's foolishness. Way to go, totally rooting for Anand!