Topalov Becomes Top Rated Chess Player in the World

The latest World Chess Federation ratings have been released, and for the first time in about a decade, Garry Kasparov is not at the #1 spot. The new #1 player is Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria, who leads Viswanathan Anand of India by 1 point! Topalov is at 2804, Anand at 2803. Because Kasparov has not played a tournament game since March 2005, he has been removed from the list of active players, even though his last published rating was 2812.

I can not stress enough how amazing ratings above 2800 are. To be a grandmaster you need to be ranked above 2600. "Super Grandmasters" are players who reach 2700. Only four people in the history of international chess ratings have ever been rated over 2800: Kasparov, Anatoly Karpov, Topalov and Anand. MadProfessah's rating is 2320, but I am no longer an "active" player.