Nepomniachtchi accuses former chess world champion of 'donating rating' to Turkish prodigy: 'Chosen very wisely'

Turkish Grandmaster Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus became the youngest player in the history of chess to cross the 2700-rating threshold after thrashing former world champion Veselin Topalov convincingly in a six-game Classical match held in Monte Carlo earlier this month.

The 14-year-old prodigy had defeated 51-year-old Topalov 5-1 at the Clash of Generations III event that was organised by the Monaco Chess Federation in Monte Carlo from 12 to 17 April.

Erdogmus won four out of six games and did not suffer even a single loss despite the massive gulf between the two players in terms of experience, thus entering the 2700-club in the live ratings, although it remains to be seen if he remains there once the official ratings are out.

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Erdogmus' opponent chosen very wisely, claims 'Nepo'

Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi, meanwhile, has accused Topalov of "donating his rating" to Erdogmus, adding that the Bulgarian GM was a "very wise choice of opponent" in order to maximise the Turkish teenager's chances of entering the elite club.

"In the case of Erdogmus’ rating, the opponent was chosen very wisely — specifically to reach 2700," two-time Candidates winner Nepomniachtchi was quoted by RookReview as saying.

The 35-year-old further argued that Erdogmus's journey to the 2700-club would not have been as easy had he been made to compete at the European Individual Championship, which took place from 6 to 20 April in Katowice, Poland and featured compatriot Ediz Gurel, Spanish GM David Anton Guijarro, among others.

"If he were to play, for example, in the European Individual Championship now, it’s far from certain that he would perform very well and improve his rating. But here, essentially, it’s a veteran who barely plays but still keeps a high rating around 2700. This is, of course, a very wise choice of opponent.

"So Topalov basically donated rating to Erdogmus. Of course, you still have to play and win — that’s also important — but the situation itself looks exactly like that," 'Nepo' continued.

The Russian GM likened the situation in Monte Carlo to boxing where opponents are sometimes handpicked in order for fighters, especially those setting their sights on a title match.

"It’s like in boxing: when they want to bring a fighter to a championship fight, they first select convenient opponents for him, opponents he’s highly likely to beat. This, I think, is exactly the case," he added.