AMONG the best chess players in the world are in Sofia for the M-Tel Masters chess tournament, which started on May 11 and ends on May 22.
This competition is part of the tenth birthday celebrations of the mobile phone operator, which is sponsoring the event.
The six participants are among the elite of the world's chess players: Viswanathan Anand (India), Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria), Vladimir Kramnik (Russia), Ruslan Ponomariov (Ukraine), Michael Adams (England), and Judit Polgar (Hungary).
The official programme describes the event as "the toughest tournament in the world in the current year."
Tournament rules provide for the holding of two rounds of seven-hours` time-controlled, classical chess.
"This way, every participant will be able to play two games against the others. If there is a draw at the top, there will be tie-break to determine the winner," organisers said.
The competition, being held at the Grand Hotel Sofia, was launched by Foreign Minister Solomon Passi on May 11.
"I am extremely happy that a dream has come true and the toughest chess tournament of the year will take place in Bulgaria", said Silvio Danailov, the tournament's organising director.
Topalov said: "I cannot predict where I will finish in the competition. I will not be surprised either if I end up first or last. Every chess player performs much better when there is a woman motivating him. Now I am 30 years old, so I thought I should change something, that is why you will see me with a beard in this competition".
Kramnik said: "My performance here does not depend only on me, but also on the form of the other players. The tournament will be very competitive, but I always expect to win".
"I will give my best in Sofia. I had a negative balance against (Gary) Kasparov, so I expected to face him here, but I cannot comment on his decision to retire. All of the six players are very strong, so it will probably be a tough battle right through the end. I am ready to face every one of them and I will do my best to emerge the victor", said Ruslan Ponomariov.
Standings after the fifth round (out of the total of 10 rounds):

1. Kramnik, Vladimir RUS 3 p.
Adams, Michael ENG 3
3.Anand, Viswanathan IND 2.5
Ponomariov, Ruslan UKR 2.5
5. Topalov, Veselin BUL 2
Polgar, Judith HUN 2