Vesselin Topalov, 30, became World Chess Champion in Argentina this month.

The Bulgarian master was born on March 15, 1975 in the northeast port city of Russe. He joined the local chess club at the age of seven and six years later won the World Under-14 championship in Aguadilja, Puerto Rico.

Topalov became a grand master in 1992.

He began 2005 by climbing to third place on FIDE's world ranking list, then upheld this position by tying for first at the Linares supertournament with Garry Kasparov. Two months later Topalov won the international MTel Masters (2005) event by a full point over Viswanathan Anand.

Vesselin Topalov answered questions of Petya Bondokova


Q: What personal qualities have made you a world chess champion?

A: Mainly persistency. You must never give up if you want to be world champion.

Also, as a child I used to play chess for pleasure and I still enjoy the game. Results are not always favourable; sometimes you lose an important game. But I am pleased with what I do.

Q: What is your unique style?

A: I am definitely very aggressive. That is what everyone says, everyone knows it. Bur I don't think that you should change your style is it has been successful. And I also believe that every chess player must strive to win.

Q: Does playing chess give adrenaline, like in physical sports?

A: The physical side is also important in chess, especially during major tournaments. But psychological strength is more important. As well as the desire to win.

Q: Do you have a favourite chess piece?

A: My favourite pieces are my own pieces - no matter black or white. The ones I have left to play with - those are my favourite.

Q: People usually think about chess players as very serious and reserved people. Is that how you are?

A: No, I don't think I am reserved. But it is normal to be absolutely concentrated during games, and even to totally ignore the rest of the world at that moment.

Q: What do you do for fun?

A: I do what everyone else does. Movies, books. I also like to watch sport games.

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