Veselin Topalov is a Bulgarian chess grandmaster and former World Chess Champion. He was born in Ruse, Bulgaria on March 15, 1975. From an early age, Topalov showed an aptitude for chess and his talent was recognized by his first coach, Silvio Danailov. Topalov is one of the most successful players in Bulgarian chess history, and hit the peak of his career in 2005 when he achieved a world ranking of No. 1 and won the FIDE World Chess Championship 2005.
Although he lost the title in 2006, he continued to be a formidable player, winning the 2008 Grand Slam Chess Final in Bilbao and clinching the top spot in the FIDE rankings in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Topalov's playing style is characterized as aggressive and unconventional, and he is known for his determination and combativeness.
Aside from his individual successes, Topalov has represented Bulgaria in nine Chess Olympiads, leading his team to a historic first place in 2000. He has also won six Chess Oscar awards, recognition given by journalists and players for outstanding performances. He took a brief break from competitive chess in 2012-13, but returned to participate in the 2014 Chess Olympiad.
His professional career includes controversy over allegations of cheating during the 2006 World Chess Championship, which led to a schism in the chess community over the ethics and sportsmanship of his and his team's behavior. In recognition of his achievements, he was awarded the Order of Stara Planina, the highest Bulgarian state honor in 2005.