Though the World Chess Championships in Sofia managed to start relatively on time (after the possibility of delay), the wild antics of our top Chess players can still create a brouhaha.

Bulgarian challenger Veselin Topalov requested that there be no conversation during play [1], a request that has “rocked” the Chess community and drawn cries of “insane” and “sheer provocation”. (source) Topalov is not called the “Bad Boy” of Chess [2] for nothing!

Anyhoo, Topalov won the first game in an upset, but defending champion Viswanathan Anand came back to win the second game. Further bulletins as events warrant.

[1] A request usually made to prevent endless offers to draw from an annoying opponent.

[2] I kid you not. He really is called the “Bad Boy” of Chess.