Anand-Topalov WCh, g12

I hope Anand plays the Black Knights Tango.

I think Anand should go for a sharp game but use a deviation fairly early to put Topa off his preparation. Given Anand's show in past few games, it seems a slow grind will inevitably lead to a blunder - hats off to Topalov here for really piling on the pressure and making almost no obvious blunders of his own. I have to say its advantage Topa at this point.

There is no safe way for Anand. Topalov has the attacking abilities to win in a sharp Semi-Slav. Topalov has shown he can build up enough pressure in a slow Kramnik Slav.
Conclusion: The choice is easy for Anand - play whatever suits you best.
If he has another opening prepared, this would be a good time to lead Topalov into new territory.

I agree Anand should avoid being squeezed in a inferior position. He needs to play for all 3 resultsn. Grunfeld seems better in that respect. Most importantly, he should bring in his novelty before Topalov does. That will help with time and confidence. If Topalov over stretches, it comes with a risk and could backfire.

No off-day chatter? ;-)

Btw love the fundraiser banner. Karpov, Kasparov and Carlsen, yeah, whatever, but we'll also have special guests!

What has been surprising is that in this match most of the novelties (all games except 8), brilliancies (game 2,4), risky initiatives (10,11), blunders (1,9) have come from Anand, whereas these are things one would expect from Topalov. He has been relatively passive and un-Topalov like in his play so far. His only blunders were in game 9 (they both did) and his only novelty came in game 8. He has been more solid and less adventurous than what is expected of him. While everyone has been talking about how Anand has been Kramnik-like, this adaptability of Topa seems to have been ignored.

Kapalik

Anand is in trouble.

Could we please stop these disrespectful descriptions: Anand plays like Kramnik versus Topalov and played like Topalov versus Kramnik. He is too great a player to be someone emulating players who are at best his equals. In particular stating that Anand plays, has played or will play like Topalov is ridiculous. You want to see tactics and exchange or positional sacrifices ? Go look up Anands collection of best games or some of his Bundesliga kills.

If only this match would go on forever. Haven't had this much chess fun in a very long time.

I'm a little disappointed with Anand's play, truth be told. It's all very well trying to exploit your opponent's perceived weaknesses, and he did very well with a couple of Catalans, but with Black he hasn't impressed. Anand is a tactical wizard, I think at least as much as Topalov. A couple of times he's eschewed calculating long lines for "principled" positional play (that last manic endgame being a notable exception) that has led him nowhere, and a couple of times he's blundered in fairly simple tactics, even allowing for a memory lapse in Game 1. Come on Anand, you're better than this!! Let's see you produce one of your signature brilliancies with your back to the wall, and carry home the crown in style!

Hi,

I have been following this site ever since the WC and love the way Mig writes his columns, very straightforward and no-nonsense approach. I also like the comments of various individuals like d_tal, ovidiu, thomas and few others.

I wish Anand all the best. I agree Anand failed to convert his chances in this match, if he had trophy would be his at this time. At the same time, we need to recognize Topalov's fighting abilities. The games have clearly shown who has played better chess. If Anand is on song, I think Topalov wouldn't stand a chance simply of his all round play. I really think Anand will come out with all fire tomorrow and take on Topalov and I'm hopeful Anand is going to win this trophy. I admire Anand not only for his wonderful chess skills but also for his modest and unassuming behaviour. He though a giant in chess is also a gentle champion, who is never disrespectful of anyone. A role model for any sportsman to emulate on being humble in glory.

Wishing you all the best Anand! May HE give you the power to concentrate for the whole game.

Thanks,

I am pretty sure we will see something new again tomorrow by Anand to avoid all prep of Topalov... is one day enough to prepare Benko/Volga Gambit?

I guess most chess enthusiasts agree that 12 classical games are too short for a WC match. On the other hand, computer enhanced modern chess takes its toll and most players would get tired after about 8 games.

A convenient approach could be to decide the WC in a split match of 8 games each leg, for a total of 16 classical games. This approach could provide broader media coverage, potentially more sponsors, better quality of chess, comeback possibility, etc.

I hope either Anand or Topalov score the full point tomorrow and avoid deciding the match on rapid time controls.

I love this assumption that Anand is better than Topalov. Based on what? Topalov has been consistently higher rated than Anand for years. Anand has not managed to prove his superiority over Topalov in this match, thus far. And even if he wins tomorrow, you'd have to bear in mind it was a narrow win. Anand's result in the Kramnik match could have just been a peak in form.

A champion is a lot more convincing when he is rated number one. If Topalov were to win tomorrow, he could easily be number one on the next rating list. If Anand wins, then he has beaten Kramnik and Topalov in a match but not Carlsen and his lower rating always suggests that there is someone he would lose to in a match. He has not proved himself simultaneously as the most effective player generally. Just a case of primus inter pares, at least until he beats Carlsen.

>A champion is a lot more convincing when he is rated number one.

This argument has been going on for years; at least since Petrosian was king. In Botvinnik's time I don't think one heard it so much, although he wouldn't have been ranked world number one by any stretch in most of the 1950's.

It's cobblers, of course. How big a plus score you can make against van Wely and his ilk has very little to do with who is truly the best player in the world. A better guide - equally only a guide, but a better one - would be who loses the fewest games. That's what always shows true class. Sad but true.

I remember Kramnik showing admirable perspective about the rating list when he was first top of it, in 1996 or so. He said he was quite excited for about fifteen minutes but by the next day he'd forgotten about it. I suspect Carlsen is the same, with his excellent observation that it'd be time to worry about winning the world championship once he was the best player in the world.

I personally don't assume prima facie that Anand is better than Topalov, I think the answer to that is best provided in this match. Proof is in the eating and all that. However I believe that Anand is better than some of the play he's shown in this match. At least used to be better perhaps. This is based on my understanding of Chess (i.e. not much) and my memory of his play in certain types of positions in the past. People like Svidler for example who are very careful with usage of the word genius in Chess, unhesitatingly call Anand a genius. For an example of what I'm talking about, I remember a game against Kasparov (I think in the match he lost but not 100% sure, could have been a tournament, maybe Wijk An Zee), where he played an incredible move, I think Nc6 (!!) as black where it didn't look possible in a variation that Kasparov had exhaustively analysed at home. Despite that, Kasparov had never even considered that move, and Anand came very close to equality in a crazy Q endgame though he eventually lost. I have seen nothing remotely approaching that brilliance in this match. Perhaps it's credit to Topalov, but he seems to be so nervous and so fidgety, I wonder whether he's in the best of health. If somebody can remember that game against Kasparov that I'm talking about (I remember a memorable Mig On Chess article on it) I would love a link!!

I agree. Play the Gruenfeld and play for a win. I think Anand should be the one who deviates first or he will be walking into Topalov's AK47 home preparation.

So far Topalov has not shown anything special with white and Anand better keep it that way.

As for the rapid game, I think Topalov certainly has the edge. Past is past and clearly Anand is not the super fast player he was years ago. I think it is ridiculous to say Anand has a huge edge in rapid games. Based on the current speed of play, Topa is the one to watch out for.

All that being said, I hope Anand wins!

>I love this assumption that Anand is better than Topalov. Based on what?

Exactly! Better rapid/blitz player? No doubt. Otherwise, based on what? The result in the match so far? The lifelong results they have against each other? Their ELO peaks? Periods of time as number 1 in the rating list or some other form of "objective" dominance? Their overall results in tournaments in the past 10 years?

And a final question to all fans of Anand: who is the better player - Anand or Aronian? ;)

Curious why everyone automatically assumes Topalov is going to play 1.d4. He must know his chances in the rapid are not very good, and that he should probably be approaching this game as a must win.

Vasiliev at Chesspro has an interview with Danailov ("to be in Sofia and not interview the most famous manager in world chess would be absurd"). The second part is about Danailov's candidacy for the ECU - and how he'd make it a professional body with commercial sponsors, like UEFA. But the first part is more interesting, even if there's nothing new. It's a crying shame Vasiliev didn't confront Danailov on his comments about Russian chess. See, e.g. here: http://tinyurl.com/28j5ymn

- Silvio! When before the match began you declared that Veselin Topalov would play according to Sofia Rules did you think that it would bear fruit when Anand, forced to play each game to the end, would start to tire and that eventually that would tell?

- No, we didn't think about that. Because we didn't know how Anand would react. He's often played by Sofia Rules, including three times in Sofia as a participant in our M-Tel Masters super tournament, and he's never complained. He only rejected it because he's rejected all our proposals on principal.

- Could you tell us exactly which proposals?

- It doesn't make any difference. All of them, Anand rejected literally all of our proposals. That was his fundamental position: to always do the opposite of what we proposed. Sofia Rules are the future of chess. In the given case we insisted on the rules, but not because of one particular player. It's a conception and global approach to the future of our game.

I look at it as a business man, promoter and manager. We have a product we need to sell. In order to sell the product we need Sofia Rules, we have to have uncompromising games, such as those that we've had here. You've seen the match - can you really compare it to the monstrously boring match between Kramnik and Leko in Brissago? Or when in London Kasparov and Kramnik agreed to a draw after 14 moves. It's simply embarrassing! It's shameful for chess! We want to make chess a professional sport so we need to have clear professional rules. The success of this match has been that every game has been played to the end, from which everyone wins.

- Your computer guys have told me that the match has attracted twice as much attention as Topalov-Kamsky and three times as much as the M-Tel Masters tournament. Are you satisfied?

- And three times more than the match in Bonn. I'm pleased that we've produced a great advert for chess across the whole world.

- All the conversations about "cheating", I think, have stopped, as FIDE's supervisor Georgios Makropoulos told me that here they've installed a powerful Russian system which doesn't only exclude the transmission of any signals, but also pinpoints the source of such signals, if they exist.

- Those who were expecting scandals here, some kind of spy stories - we've already demonstrated that they're simply petty people, not worth talking about.

http://chesspro.ru/_events/2010/at7.html

Mig, if you ever bother to read this rubbish, and if you possibly have time with all the stuff going on in your life, could I ever so kindly ask you if you remember a Kasparov-Anand game where the players were respectively ranked #1 and #2 at the time, which Kasparov won, and on which you wrote a wonderful MoC article? It is pathetic I can't remember when this game was played, who played white or what the opening was. However I do remember you wrote something along the lines of "They can't see me right now, but I am applauding both players.." and "This is the kind of game one expects when the World #1 plays the World #2".
I just remember that Anand played this amazing move in the face of some thundering prep by Kasparov, which was Ivanchukian in the way it surprised Kasparov.
Pretty please? :-)

Kramnik offers an interesting appraisal of the match in Zeit Online. Unfortunately my German is not accurate enough to offer an acceptable translation. See http://www.zeit.de/sport/2010-05/kramnik-schach-wm-anand-topalow

There can only be two explanation to the odd play by Anand in this match -- some strange blunders and missed wins. Its either he is not the player he was previously or its all part of the plan. I am sure it is the second. It is as I imagined that Anand is just playing around giving the illusion to Topalov's team that he has chances over the board to avoid off the board Danailov tactic. If he wins game 12 as black, then this will be obvious.

This fide grand prix that started today has received no media coverage due to this match. I looked to see if any game used some opening ideas from this match but no.

A bad start for Ivanchuk losing to Gashimov in a anti-Marshall. Leko not surprisingly drew in 18 moves even in a tournament where draws cannot be agreed. He managed to repeat moves.

Topalov is likely to play e4.

Well there is one way that Anand has shown himself to be clearly superior to Topalov and it is the reason we are even playing this match today. Anand beat Kramnik where Topalov failed.

The end.

I'm not sure the rest of the match is going to resolve the dispute Who Is the Strongest Player, Anand or Topalov? It IS possible for the stronger player to actually lose a match with only one game left and the weaker player can win. On any given Sunday (or Tuesday).

Thomas, thanks for doing that little dig-up. Inspite of being a lifelong anand fan, I too thought topa does better ratings wise. theres hardly any difference.

All those complaining about 12game match, you should imagine Kramnik-leko playing a 16 or 20 game match. Fact is, this match has been so dramatic/exciting that people cant get enough of it. However I agree with 2-phase match. Its like betting after seeing flop/river. will add to the excitement.

Thx for posting Kramniks interview. Thought his views were (surprisingly)objective. I too believe that all the action in the match has been purely becoz of Anand. Wonder what happened to allof Topa's prep..

One thing I agree with Topa is abt his accusation of Anand not moving an inch to do something for the match. So many individuals/corporate houses in India can easily sponser a million-dollar duel. What were you doing Anand? Is it becoz all the media/attention/pressure in India is too much to handle? Anand never did well while playing in India.

The special curtain may not be necessary if it goes to tie breaks and that will enable the video clarity to be better. Considering the smaller time, trying to signal and get moves from audience is out of the equation.

I am also hoping that if it goes to tiebreaks, the official site will somehow increase its bandwidth capacity as there will be too many people following the video and chances of crashing.

Well ok, we still have game 12 and we may not have the rapids. But I just want this match to go longer :) even though I am an Anand fan. It will be a sudden lull in the chess world after this match.

Before I write anything here, I must first say that I am mildly supporting Anand to win this match. I am first and foremost, a fan of chess, and not only of Vishy Anand. I like other players as well. But it would be almost perfect justice if Vishy were to lose his title tomorrow. He has proven to be a far from impressive world champion. He soundly defeated Kramnik in a short match, but it seemed that it was primarily due to crack pre-match preparation. I am willing to go along with Vlad's opinion that Vishy has been playing the best chess of his life, but he remains only third ranked at the moment. The problem is that there are other players as good as he, and I would include Kramnik in that list, though Vishy has dominated him of late. Topalov has slightly outperformed Anand over the last few years as evidenced by the rating list. Carlson is currently ranked #1, and he will likely improve faster than anyone else. Maybe Anand is just taking his brief turn as world champion amongst the trio of Kramnik, Topalov, and Anand. Carlson will destroy them all when he next enters the championship qualifiers. I'm spoiled in that I grew up during the time of dominating world champions such as Kasparov, Karpov, and Fischer. The world champion should indeed be the higest ranked player in the world, and not #3. One of my heroes, Vishy Anand doesn't deserve to be the champion if he loses tomorrow. His recent tournament results have been atrocious. Kasparov, Karpov, and Fischer always dominated tournaments, whether they were hiding preparation or not. I even think that Viktor Korchnoi had better results than Anand if you factor in rating inflation and computer-enhanced play. Somebody said that Petrosian and Botvinnik were not the highest rated players when they became world champion. Well, Botvinnik had the world champion cycle totally rigged. He was always guaranteed a rematch; and Petrosian actually become champion by beating who? Botvinnik! But for the most part throughout chess history, the world champion has also been the top ranked player in the world: Lasker, Capablanca, Alekhine (for much of his career, anyway) Botvinnik (for a time) Spassky, Fischer, Karpov, and Kasparov.

Current state of predictions for tomorrow's game at crestbook.com...

Topalov - Anand 1:0, 21 votes (including Shipov's)

Topalov - Anand 0.5:0.5, 18 votes (+1 for "the game won't take place"!)

Topalov - Anand 0:1, 12 votes

Hey guys!
12th game will be also a draw no matter what these two players try.Don't you see why?It is Topalov's sad fate to draw WC matches and lose in tie breaks!Hehehe.

Though it may not be clear who is the better player, there is no doubt Anand has afar bigger fan base than Topalov.

Sorry guys, i'll post off topic here because it's the only place i like to share. Plus, one could ever find there is a link with the wcc match : did anyone see the weird game Kurajica-Efimenko yesterday (Bosna 2010, R5)? They played 194 moves! Last pawn capture : move 68. Then a R vs R+N ending. Any explanation?
Sofia rules are for little boys.
Let's hope for a good result tomorow

>>"What a casual statement. First of all that statement is totally incorrect. Sponsors in India will rather put money on cricket especially with the current season showcasing the IPL (if you dont know about this, then dont comment such things)"

Harish, I KNOW what I am talking about. The India he left for Spain is much different from the India today. I stop as I dont think this is the right place/time to extend the discussion.

"So many individuals/corporate houses in India can easily sponser a million-dollar duel. What were you doing Anand?"

For the world champion to stage the match at home would really be unsporting.

Fully agree with the last post on match intervals.

Excellent comments, Senthil and Iceberg. Yes, it is possible that computers have narrowed the gap between the absolute best and his nearest contenders. We cannot rule that out. We'll have to see if someone like Magnus can create some separation in this computer age. If he can, then we still can return to a "great champions" era.

Great that we have a close match, the one in Bonn was decided a little after it started, now anything may happen.
Tomorrow I will be looking for GM commentary again, lately I find thisa one best especially having the fact Kosteniuk herself will comment http://games.chessdom.com/topalov-anand-game-12-live
Chesspro will also be fine, but my understanding there is not good. According to official site Zurab is not there, so not much to expect.

I feel like they should have played the rapids/blitz on the first day and used the winner of that to determine draw odds (which is what is effectively is) before the start of the Classical match.

This way at least both players know where they stand vis-a-vis the Classical match and adapt their strategies accordingly. Under the current system, determining the winner at the end based on the rapids seems like more of a lottery.

The other advantage is we'd be guaranteed the extra rapid games in any case. Would also introduce some interesting strategies in terms of what openings to play/show for the opening rapids.

Would in some ways be like qualifying in F1...having pole position is an advantage, but does not guarantee victory and all race contenders can optimize strategy based on where they end up in qualifying!

I will suggest - or rather point out - something else: In the past there was a clear number 1, but currently we have a clear top 5 - whenever one, two or more of them participate in a tournament it is surprising if someone else wins in the end.

The only other one "who could always win" is Ivanchuk. "In a good month", he can play at their upper level, form and arguably luck (surviving time troubles) permitting. But in a bad month, he plays like, for example, the current Kamsky ... .

Did such a situation - five players of roughly equal strength - occur earlier in chess history? Maybe with an unprecedented total number of players, it's simply very improbable that _a single one_ is the very very best??

It has been a great match...oh, and thank you for the answer to the ICC GOTD trivia! It pays to read the dirt!

@Mig:"..12 games is just too short to give the champion draw odds".

I'm an advocate of draw odds, so how many games should a match be for it to be considered 'fair' to the challenger to have draw odds for the champion?

All Anand needs is a calm 'gayatri chant', which he does btw.

My personal, completely irrelevant, opinion:
Probability of a win by Topalov: 45%
Probability of a draw: 30%
Probability of a win by Anand: 25%

If draw:
Probability of Anand winning tiebreaks: 65%
Probability of Topalov winning tiebreaks: 35%

If my calculations are vaguely accurate, that makes Topalov the 56% to 44 % favourite.

I have no problem with the games being decided in the rapids (of course a longer match would be preferable, say 24 games for traditions sake). If you (the player) have a problem with it, win it in the classical control.
Anand should play something solid tomorrow, preferably something new though and ideally something with an early novelty with some real bite to it. The main thing will be to play chess. With black get equality then go from there. After all it's easier to win from an equal position than an inferior one.

Patzer's opinion: 1.d4 d5 and active solid play.

Botvinnik Semi-Slav, Moscow Variation, even Tartakower QGD (does Anand even play this?), even the bishop sac line of the Ne5 mainline Slav, even Manhattan Variation (Kramnik game 8). It is less fearsome to run into Topalov's prep when the openings are sound and active; it is easier to hold the draw playing for the win.

Anand needs the initiative as much as Topalov does: the strange endgame in game 11 suggests as much.

The Grünfeld would be an excellent choice if Topalov were not expecting it....

7.5 hours to magic time!

To those (e.g., Mig) who think they are going to see a different Topalov tomorrow: don't hold your breath. I think Topalov has already summoned his "tremendous energies" in this match with no avail.

Tomorrow whoever gets to play his novelty first will win. Psychologically both seem quite stable to me, although the pressure on Topalov is much higher. So, it comes down to home preparation, plain and simple.

Anands last day as champion, the beginning of Danailovs reign. Good luck to Magnus in his battle versus the dark.

PaddyPower.com is giving following odds for winning world championship
Topalov 3/4
Anand 20/21
If today is a draw it will be interesting to see the odds see-saw

I think Anand is going to attack with Black. This can yield two results (Draw OR WIN) .

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I am not sure Anand's advantage is as big as many seem to imagine if the game moves to rapid and blitz. Remember most top players do not reveal their real preparation in rapid games as they do not count for FIDE ELO rating points. If there are rapid games in this championship, the games will be based on deep preparation and I think both will have equal chances. Preparation will play a big role.

Iwonder what kind of excuses will be invented by the many Anand fans if Topalov takes the title. It will be something to see....

I'm quite impressed by Anand's play so far. It is not just me, great players too have opined on those lines during this match, his opponent Topalov too seems to highly respect his play. Anand would have retained the title by now if not for the 3 unlucky moments (not to take any credit away from Topalov), but it happens. But Anand is so cool.

Few things in general that Anand needs remember.

1. Remember to play a whole different defense, or a whole different setup.
2. Take Topalov out of theory at a very early phase of the game.
3. Take time but not lag too much on time. Shouldn't be a focus but if possible pressurize Topalov on the time front.
4. Last regulation game, so stay focussed till the end.

Go Anand Go!! The championship is yours!!

Pirc Alert please don't disappear from here should Anand resign today.

But I must say I haven't had so many tingling sensations as today...the anticipation is killing me. Can these guys start!!!

PircAlert -

I am an Anand fan too.
That said, please... stop... posting!

Goat

I have had it with all these Anand fans choking up this forum. The last month or so has been an absolute torture for me. I cannot believe I have been force-fed on such copious quantities of stomach churning curry.

Finally comes the day when these ABCD's can be shut up for a long time to come. A toast to the end of an error that has been the Anand reign.

If possible Anand should surprise his seconds for any possible preparation leak out benefitting his opponent. Non-aligning Anand win is not good for politicians, so Anand should watch out. Are the curtains drawn out? Are the jammers in place? Lets play!

Anand About his final game on twitter :

I just want to go there and play my best chess tomorrow, I am not even thinking about the result, what is destined to happen will happen.

Danailov interview: http://videos.chessdom.com/danailov-wcc-europe-echecs

For once, I found little to object in Danialov's interview..he would do himself a big favour if he were this normal on more occasions..

20 minutes to game time and the coffee is still brewing.

anand's latest tweet, does show today we r going to see changed and fearless anand

Queens Gambit (Declined?) Good choice Vishy (I hope :-))

It is a QGD.

QGD Lasker! Been waiting for years for this to be played in a WCh match.

Vishy just needs to prepare e5 or c5, solve his bad bishop, nice draw and onto the rapids :-)

He's a cunning one, Vishy. Who if anyone called this?!

Interesting that the super-GMs almost never go 13...e5, which always seems very theoretically healthy to me. All I know about what's played is that Karpov beat Yusupov in it and Kramnik almost beat Kasparov and then lost to Deep Blue. Black has a piss-poor score in this line, in fact. Although since then there's been some Bologan game showing a new way to avoid the worst of the troubles with some pawn sacrifice. No doubt Shipov will be telling us all about this in a minute. I'd have been happier with 13...e5....

I'm not sure about this 16 Qc2 - is that the older move? I have an idea there's some two-step with Qa4 and then Qc2 which is supposed to be more annoying. All in Sadler. Anyone got that to hand?

A very good choice actually IMHO. It's just the sort of line where a micro-innovation might be enough to score a painless draw, even if you wouldn't want to be using it all the time and if, like that Slav endgame, you can't stick to it for a whole match. I'm rather surprised Topalov didn't go 5 Bf4. I'd have thought that suited him more - in fact didn't he play this in San Luis?

16.Qc2 was played by Karpov, Yusupov went 16..a5, 16..Nf6 may be novelty

c7 looks very weak as an invasion point. Presume Topalov gets a stranglehold on c file.

Now I like Anand's Bishop. It is the equalizer and maybe we will see more games in the rapid session.

I suspect Topalov will have quite a think on move 19. I don't see how he keeps a workable plus here.

GM Shipov after Black's N-f6:

It's a rare continuation which was used only by Polish GM Grabarczyk. I should mention that in Anand's team there is also a Polish GM Voytashek. Black is ready to pay for displacement or exchange of White's strong bishop by pawns weaknesses.

Does anyone know who are all on Anand's team?

c file is only half open. this is ultra solid for both colors. if the minor pieces come off, then its guaranteed draw.

Good result of opening for Anand. The King is still alive.

I'd be more worried about c5!

It's possible ...Nf6 was Bologan's move. I remember it involved some pawn sacrifice somehow, though I'm not sure Black's offering one here exactly.

GM Kosteniuk at Chessdom mentions the following game:

There was one interesting game played in this line which the players are still following between Kulaots and Grabarczyk: 19.b3 Bb7 20.Qf4 Bxf3 21.Qxf3 Rfd8 22.Rfc1 Rd2 23.R1c2 Rbd8 24.g3 Rxc2 25.Rxc2 Rd5 26.Kg2 Qd6 27.h4 a6 28.Rc4 Rd2 29.Ra4 Qd3 30.h5 f6 31.g4 Kh7 1/2-1/2 as we can see from this game Black was able quite easily to make a draw.

And Topy in no mood for a draw.

To humour this patzer. Qc2, Rc1 gobble c pawn. Does Black use B-b7xf3 to create pawn weaknesses or does black hang on to the bishop. Does white have anything else?

Looks like a good start for the world champion. Vishy has a more playable game as black now than he has had in a while. Good chance for extra innings.

Don't let Ulf Andersson hear you saying that, Harish!

Hmm. Grabarczyk's a Berlin fan. Sounds about right!

19...B-b7 played offering the c5 pawn. Anand appears to have prepared this line.

now Ba6 by black though I amnt great into chess, wondering what-if Nc4?

Sorry, database went down again under the comment load. Back up and should be fine from now on.

22. Rf2 and suddenly the computers and Shipov think black's on top if Vishy finds the fairly obvious plan of doubling on the d file...

Come on, 21...Qg5 nothing fancy now !

Now after White's R-f2, Rybka gives a line with R-d7 where eval changes to =-/+ in favor of black

Actually various plans seem to work - black can tie white down & the bishop, pawn and rooks work very well together - with the queen able to threaten checks and taking on e3. Still only a small edge, but it looks very uncomfortable for white. I guess the main point is that white can't take the c pawn without unpleasant things happening...

whats anand thikin for so long..no obvious moves other than d file

Nice to see Shipov also wondered about provoking e4! His conclusion was that Anand probably thought - on e3 you can take the pawn in some lines, whereas on e4 it's unlikely.

Back in that chair and move Anand ! Time is runnng.

after K-g2 could black play B-d3?

c4 now would create a strong pawn-bishop pair.

Bd3 fireworks???

Anand played B-d3; He can potentially follow that up with Q-g5 attacking e3 pawn and if f4 then Q-d5+ introducting holes for his bishop

Rybka gives e4 in response to Q-g5 line that leads to wholesale exchanges and black should be very comfortable

In computer lines black seems to force the exchange of all the pieces other than the queen on d2 for a draw. Probably still some room for white to get over ambitious and come under a serious attack, though.

Topy still has some chances here after Qc1..aiming for a setup with e4, b3 and Nc4 (~Ne3-Nd5 if not B:c4)

Admittedly Qc1 neatly avoids that whole line :)

The Chesspro commentator's pretty critical of ...Bd3. The problem here will be if Vishy tries to play too safe. Instead of ...Bd3 there was ...h5 (or ...e5) and the commentator's point was that Topalov was quite likely to blunder in trying to defend his kingside (push pawns when he shouldn't). So even if it wasn't objectively better it might well have worked.

It must be psychologically tough to retreat the bishop again, though that's what the computers recommend to avoid giving white the advantage...

Now after Q-c1 here is one line:

c4; N*c4 B*c4; R*c4 R-d1; Q-c2 R-a1 threatening Rd8-d1 as well as the pawn on a2

Shipov mentions ...h5, h4, giving up the c5 pawn for the attack.

Hard for me to assess this position w/o and engine, but I don't see either side managing to gain much of an advantage here. So far, the Vish has done a great job of getting this match into extra games, where conventional wisdom has him as the favorite. Hard to see any decisive result from the current game.

26. Nc4 now, I guess.

I doubt if Topalov will repeat

Just force the repetition and off to rapids.

Good play by Topalov to keep the tension and give Anand the chance to blunder, though just returning to d3 with the bishop would leave white to show that he's got some sort of constructive plan.

Anand should still play B-d3 and keep Topalov constricted; Might be the way best wayy to play; Or potentially follow-up with h5, h4 plan

Although I always wince when people say "X played this game like Kramnik/Tal/Kasparov/etc" - the top players are a lot more versatile than most people think - Toppy's play here reminds me of a player I would never have associated him with: Petrosian. This odd rope-a-dope setup, going backwards in order to strike, etc.

I love the way Topalov keeps the position dynamic

With the number of blunders Anand has made in this match, I think it was unwise to go for 26...Bb6 to keep the game alive.

A wrong rook moment there for Vishy!? He gave up the d file very easily. Anyway, both players are refusing to settle for a draw... they must just love unbearable tension :)

Eventually white will commit and try to get the N on d6 with Na5, Nc4, then e4 and e5.

Is Topalov playing with Vishy's mind? The same light-squared brought his downfall in game 8.

Just want to stick a quick congrats to both players for playing aggressive, fighting chess overall in this match. How many times have we seen Anand push for something in a balanced position where he could easily take a draw? These guys seem fearless. This is by far the most interesting world championship match I have watched.

The big question must be whether Vishy's going to feel free to throw his kingside pawns forward, despite it being the final game. Though after he put the bishop on that diagonal I think he's probably obliged to if he wants to justify it.

28..Na8, probably intending e5-e4

29...g5, Vishy (or perhaps ...f5). Now's not the time for half measures!

The more I look at it, the more I like Black's position. Isn't this a Tartakower rather than a Lasker btw? This is very typical of a QGD Tartakower I would have thought, with activity on the long diagonal and threats against White's king providing long term compensation for space and p-structure. I must say that I think Black looks too comfortable too early here! What did Toaplov do wrong? Is it that easy to equalise in the QGD? :-)

Ok, 29...e5's not a terrible start :)

On the web cam Vishy had a moment's hesitation before continuing ...f5, though the last time he did that was game 4, so it's not necessarily bad!

30...f5....way to go Mr. Anand...kick that Bulgarian in the b"lls.....

Wow! Topalov took the f pawn...

And took again!!! It should be over...

Topalov took on f5. The man has guts.

The WEasel took the bait !!

The K will walk out to h3 - very double-edged!

The better chances lie with Vishy in this position. If white plays 30. e4, then ...f5 looks very dangerous for white.

Anand's got all the time in the world to calculate ...Qe4+ - did Topalov only look at ...Bxe4+!?!?

Wow!! Rybka jumps to -3.28 in favor of Black. What is happening?

Is Black winning? Wow!!

I can't believe this. Stockfish +4.6 for black!

now he took in e4 ... either he has guts and a complete genius or his safety valve sensor has stopped working.

Topalov has blundered. Will Anand spot this and retain his world title is the question here.

Or maybe he missed ...Rd4 threatening mate on g4? After the king goes to h3.

To Dimi, Manu, Mondo and other patzers ...
thats the way the cookie crumbles :)

Rybka: R-d4 by Black

crazy Topalov, he has the courage of a kamikadze, I was writing a comment with "now 31.Nd2 seems forced, 31..fe4 32.N:e4 B:e4 33.f:e4 Rd4 etc.) when I saw 31.e:f5 !??...now it's wild

wow, my live feed was dilatory and I was a few moves behind. The game has really opened up now. Topalov definitely has some balls, but there was also a forced nature to his position.

I'm not watching the video... When did Topalov's body language change? May be mishanp can tell us since he is on site...

Ok so Lasker was what it took to win with Black :)

Rd4. Qe8 next

Ultimately Topa's 'Sofia Rule' bounced on him very badly.

He still has to find ...Qe8 & ...h5, so it's not totally trivial - but surely easy for someone of Anand's class.

If Anand can find the key move Qe8, this should be easy for him.

Anand plsss plsss dont misss qe8.i am a novice and i dont miss it..u r a super gm..plssss

Move 34...Qe8....Topalov is toast, I think.

Vishy nodding serenely on the web cam :)

34..Qe8!! Vishy!!

Anand found Qe8. The game's not over yet, so I don't want to jinz Anand, but wow, what a meltdown by Topa.

Anand just played Qe8.

So much for Topalov's ability to "summon tremendous energy" and his "mental toughness" and other BS. Topalov is human. He was under a lot of pressure. He cracked. Game, set, match Anand.

He found Qe8. :-) if Anand blunders now and lose i bet there will be some heart attacks accross the internet land.

Anand playes Q-e8;

White has to play g4 then black plays h5;

Anand has plenty of time too;

rofl........ my theory will be proved today :)

The whole match was part of Anand's plan

"Sofia Rule"..."Sofia Rule"..."Sofia Rule"..."Sofia Rule"

Danailov's advice cost Topa another WC match!

Was ..Qe8 the only winning move?

Well, he still has to play ...h5, but nobody above maybe 1800 would miss such an obvious continuation after Qe8. Anand has a tiger by the tail.

Hotep,

Maliq

Who would say that the decisive blunder was Topalov's?

...h5 played with no hesitation at all - and Vishy goes for a drink! You wouldn't envy Topalov now... though perhaps there's still time for a localised power cut!? :)

Topalov, new World champion after 35. ...h5!

Man, the white position looked terrible even if you miss the key moves! Too exposed! What was Topa thinking??

I would win this game as black now.

after K-h4 36... Qd8+ 37. f6 {Rybka Aquarium (0:00.16)} {-5.30|d11} {Black has a decisive advantage})
* {[*]}

The rook on a3 is a far-away mute spectator.

Breaking news : Danailov is leading a private army with clear intention to invade India, calling for justice after Anand cheated to keep his wc title

36...g5 looks interesting. I don't see how Topa survives this. Very well played by the Vish.

Poor Topalov pressed too hard!

After g5+ Rybka gives: (37. fxg6 Qxg6 38. Qf1 Rxg4+ 39. Kh3 {Rybka Aquarium (0:00.00)} {-2.97|d14} {Black has a decisive advantage})

Vishy played g5. Does he know the en passant rule?

Vishy, please don't delay only moves... (37...Qxg6) Surely the tension can't lead to both of them making incredible blunders...

Topalovs pieces getting bi* slapped.

Yes, he took only one minute to play fxe4. That's just bizarre really.

Time to resign...

After Q*g6 if Q-g1 then black can play R-h7

wow jus look at them ... their mannerisms are unreal

29...e5 deserves a !!! Very few people - if any - were looking for it. Topalov himself must have been planning for 29..g5. Six moves later, it all looks over for Black.

Rybka gives

(38. Qf1 Rf7 39. Rxf7 Rxg4+ 40. Kh3 Bg2+ 41. Qxg2 Rxg2 42. Rf4 Re2 43. Nf1 Qe6+ 44. Kg3 Rxb2 45. Re3 Qxa2 46. Rf5 Rg2+ 47. Kh3 c4 48. Re8+ Kh7 49. Rxh5+ Kg7 50. Re7+ Kg8 51. Re8+ Kf7 52. Rhe5 c3 53. R5e7+ {Rybka Aquarium (0:01.40)} {-3.75|d17} {Black has a decisive advantage})

..Six moves later, it all looks over for Black. Topa must be wondering what hit him.

I doubt this is so obvious OTB as it seems to us with computers. 36...g5+ already wasn't the most clinical. Is it so obvious what follows after 38 Qf1 Rxg4+ 39 Kh3? It's not obvious to me, though obviously White isn't happy.

Even I can calculate this: Rxg4+ Kh3 Bg2+ Nxg2 ( Qxg2 Rxg2 -/+) Rg4+ and Qg4

Vishy's not gonna see the Rybka Rf7 move.

Toppy completely lost his sense of danger (so much for the Petrosian association). After 30.e4, black's attack is automatic.

Topalov's blunder happened with 32.fxe4??. He should have played something like 32.Kh3, though Black looks comfortable. It would probably have been better for Topalov to play 31.Nd2 instead of helping Black open lines with 31.exf5?!

AAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNDDD!!!!!!!!

Oddly the game still only seems to end in a Queen v. Rook + Knight ending where black wins because of the passed pawn and mating threats.

I fear that Vishy will not see the computeresque Rf7 and Topa will squirm out of this.

He may indeed see Stockfish Bc6 which seems more obvious to find and still puts him on a -2,82 at 21 ply.

Anand has to be careful. There are lots of tactical tricks involved. One mis-step and it could turn the other way.

Either R-f7 or R*g4+ and then R-f7 the game is winning for Anand

Would 36..Qd8 have closed this out faster?

Do you guys see the video? Doesn't work for me...

Tons of curry getting spilled on every corner of New Dehli in honor of the greatest indian player since the immortal Mahatma Gambit!

Or even worse Rybka has a line where white still has a pair of rooks. After the blunders Topalov's gone back to playing precise chess and shouldn't have to resign any time soon (I'm tempted to add, or at all, but surely Vishy will convert this!!).

Sophia Polgar alias "Zsuzsa" Polgar just can't get over the fact that her favourite Topa blundered. She thinks it is the biggest blunder in the final game, in the history of Chess

Aruna Anand, overcome with joy, carefully shines the red dot on her forehead in anticipation of her winnning husband's return to their love nest.

Shipov: Black has a great number of ways to win. But, it seems, not a single short one. It's a good job this wasn't taking place in time trouble!

If only Anand can find Rf7, it should be over.

Shipov and Ipatov (Chessdom) both like the human 39...Re7 - ah, and Anand's just played it.

Can it, Irv. This is no time for racism, even from you.

Susie P obviously hasn't studied the Steinitz-Tschigorin matches very closely, or was it the penultimate game where T allowed mate in two in a winning position?

"I can barely stand the tension. Come on Vishy! You can do it! Kill him! Rip him limb from limb!" -- Nigel Short :)

Hey this is NOT combinations 101, there are some tricky moves to find. I mean 39. ... Re7 isn't all that straightforward is it?? Having said that, what kind of insanity must possess you to go for this line for a pawn???

After the contiuation R-e7 Anand chose Rybka gives

(40. Rf8+ Kh7 41. Rh8+ Kxh8 42. Qf8+ Qg8 43. Qh6+ Rh7 44. Qf6+ Rhg7 45. Qh6+ Qh7 46. Qxh7+ Kxh7 47. Nxg4 hxg4+ 48. Kg3 c4 49. Rc3 Bd5 50. Re3 Kh6 51. Re2 Rf7 52. Re5 Bf3 53. b3 cxb3 54. axb3 Kg6 55. b4 {Rybka Aquarium (0:00.55)} {-3.04|d17} {Black has a decisive advantage})

Anand will take the Prize money, World Championship Title and give a goodbye kiss to Bulgarian PM, BCF, Danailov and Topalov.

I dont know about you guys, but for a 2800+ player to be treated like this is embarrassing. Party over for White. One of Topalovs fans get the lights on the way out.

Why not Qg5?

Hi,

I am novice...curious about the response to 39...Qg5

Thanks.

saw Topalov shake his head in disgust on the live video feed after Anand played Qe8 when he realized the implications of his pawn capture.

Can you losers PLEASE stop with the petty name calling, assorted bigotry and asinine crowing?

If Anand messes this up I am never playing chess again.

A heart-stopping moment on move 40... Stockfish at Chessdom initially gave ...Kg7 as throwing away the win (instead of ...Kh7) - but a little more thought and Vishy's ...Kg7 is fine too :)

My jaw dropped when he played Kg7. I'm glad to hear it's okay...!

after K-g7 Rybka: 41. Nf5+ Kh7 42. Rg3 Rxg3+ 43. hxg3 Qg4+ 44. Kh2 Re2+ 45. Kg1 Rg2+ 46. Qxg2 Bxg2 47. Rf7+ Kg6 48. Rg7+ Kxf5 49. Rxg4 hxg4 50. Kxg2 Ke4 51. Kf2 Kd3 52. b3 a6 53. Kf1 Ke3 54. Kg2 Ke2 55. a3 a5 56. a4 {Rybka Aquarium (0:01.27)} {-4.70|d16} {Black has a decisive advantage})

Do you know we may be witnessing the end of Topalov's chess career. This will finish him off. Maybe he will never recover from this. I expect to see him plummet in the ratings. Surely he is going out of top 4 within a few months. And with Carlsen & Co coming in this was probably his last shot at the world championship.

Rybka's line at Chessok now ends with a pawn ending with level pawns! Though it's won for black.

Saw it as soon as I posted. Nice. :-)

ok, maybe there are no quick winning lines for black, but Vishy is having all the fun nevertheless.

Crude stuff, Irv.

This was complex, but even I can see that the mating motifs with ...Rh4+ and Qg4++ are too much for White to withstand now. The issue is why give Black an unnecessary N check by moving 40 ...Kg7 rather than 40. ...Kh7 ?

(41... Kh7 {Rybka Aquarium (0:00.28)} {-5.10|d18} {Black has a decisive advantage})

Rybka is telling Kg7 is better than Kh7. But equal pawn ending where black wins easily. Has Anand calculated all the lines to pawn ending. I doubt it but if he has calculated it it is really something incredible.

On 40...Kh7 I was trying to puzzle out the effects of Rh8+ followed by Qf8+, but that didn't seem to be the problem.

Danailov has taken 40 trips to the toilet in the last 17 minutes...

Anand playing his moves quickly; He has seen the winning line

I think even I could win as Black from here.

does anyone know how FIDE round their Elo points? Will they make Vishy's 2799.8 as 2800 on the next list? Or floor it to 2799?

Btw, this is what I meant by saying I was slightly disappointed with Vishy's play up to now, he seemed to avoid going in for long forced lines, preferring quiet positional lines. No such thing here, calculated precisely and went for it! Great stuff!! All started with 29. ... e5!

Interesting. With Topa's king locked in that corner he's in a kind of zugzwang where a lot of moves are bad.

Holy crap! Anand is gonna bag this!

This is a vicious beating, here. Topalov got taken to the woodshed.

A dramatic end to a wonderfully dramatic match. It only adds to Vishy's accomplishment to beat such a great player as Topalov.

Wonderful display by Anand but have to hand it to Topalov for being so difficult to put away as well ....... Wasnt that what Kasparov and others said distinguishes the real elite. Thought he behaved terribly in Elista but I've been impressed with him this match

I dont think Anand is "enjoing this moment". In such a situation you have to try to stay calm and not think about the importance of the game.
Just think about the position and play it.

If the job is done its time for celebrations...
I'd be so glad by the way...

a4? Really? Now he just loses the b pawn with ...Qxb2!

Please let it be Carlsen vs Topalov, 1-0

Bulgarian PM will put Topa and Danailov in the border reagion factory to work lifelong and re-pay the prize money.

a5 from Anand? Come on man...grab that b pawn and queen away...

Zsuzsa Polgar: "40...Kg7? Incredible! Anand is letting Topalov back in the game!"

I really like how Topalov is fighting it out.

Anand needs to be careful not to fall victim to a surprise mate. His king is boxed in to a corner.

Zsuzsa Polgar: "40...Kg7? Incredible! Anand is letting Topalov back in the game!"

Awfully nice of you to criticize someone who is offering live analysis without Rybka.

Do you also critique at concert pianists on youtube?

Shipov mentions there's a chance for a fortress for white - if he can give up the knight for the c pawn and then put the rook on the 4th rank. Perhaps explaining why Vishy's suddenly taking his time...

Check out 47. Rf7+ instead of Kxg2. At first sight, that looks like either perp check or winning for White.

I think Anand is eliminating chances of blunders; These are the WCh nerves;

Topalov cannot defend the b pawn; If R-b6 then Q-g4+;

Would it be o.k if Anand stood up and slapped Topalov in the face at this point?

Susan is devasted at finding Topalov in this position and the patzers she has eating out of her hands are imploring her to support Anand for once.

It's quite hilarious what's going on there :-)

Three players at 2800+:

Carlsen 2813
Topalov 2804
Anand 2800

I think it's a first!

Despite the result Topalov has played close to his best in this match. Vishy's age is beginning to show, but his class prevails eventually. Hopefully the Vishy fans will be modest in victory and Topalov fans won't be too bitter and use ifs and buts. He's behaved well enough here.

How does the 8-player candidates tournament look like? Just two more spots remain (Topalov, Kramnik, Aronian, Carlsen, Kamsky, Gelfand, +2 others)? One of the spots to be decided in the ongoing gp event and the last one being the organizer's nominee? Kinda hard to keep track with so many rule changes.

Watch for the lights going off...do you think Anand would notice if Topa sneaked in a white queen onto the board?

Jonas is right, also possibilities of a B vs N endgame which is easily winning?

If R-b6 by White then Black plays Q-c2 winning the a4 pawn and then look to queen either of the pawns

I guess I will need to read this thread again when I have more time, such nice, hilarious and interesting comments :).

Definitely not nice comments at times.
"Its not over until its over"
Let the better player today win the championship :)
I hope this is the last 12 game world championship.

I kinda liked 54...h5 but Vishy looks winning anyway. White's pieces are uncoordinated.

now threatening h4; this is over; either white has to give up a piece or get mated

Indians and modesty don't go together...Anand's victory will be blown out of proportion. You gotta be kidding me...I wish I was in a chennai watching this game live...it will be like a riot over there.

Qxb2+. it's all over for white now. in normal tournament it is a good time to resign now.

I think Topalov is not going to resign as long as he has a rook on the board. So, why doesn't Anand take the b2 pawn and exchange the queen for the R+N? Surely Topalov will resign at that point.

Nice maneuvering by Vishy to get the b-pawn. Now trading Q for R+N (if possible/necessary) is a winning option.

Personally I'm very grateful to Susan and any other commentator who takes the time to do a little analysis during an important game. How many championships in the past did I have to wait a day before I even saw the moves let alone much analysis? And I expect anyone who's doing instant analysis to make some mistakes - I always just assume caveat emptor unless it's a Kasparov.
It's a little unseemly to be beating up on a commentator's analysis who isn't hear to defend themselves. Even if you think there's good reason to not like their personality or some other character trait, I wish we wouldn't discourage them from giving their opinions.

"I kinda liked 54...h5 but Vishy looks winning anyway. White's pieces are uncoordinated."

I meant 54...h4.

When one enters events like these, s/he has to be prepared to lose or win. No matter the result, I am astounded the en-masse lack of class exhibited here and really you should think how it reflects on you. Because life goes on.

D.

Qg8. Looks all over even to me now.

IT IS OVER!!!

Hurrah

Topalov resign...ANAND RETAINS HIS TITLE.......................LET THE CELEBRATIONS BEGIN!!!!!!!!

Official site is showing 0-1

Congrats Vishy!
Well played Topalov!!
Thanks for entertaining 12 games

Congratulations to Anand, his team and India for retaining the title. Pretty good match overall !

Vishy Anand is the World Champ!! Kudos

0-1...Topa resigns! Good fight man...too bad you have a punk biatch manager...

Great finish by Vishy! Overall, I think he played pretty well throughout the match (now in retrospect.) Topalov likely played his best. Anand deserved the title.

Nice to see them chat amicably in the end.

I guess the result is fair, as Anand had more promising positions than Topalov over the course of the 12 games.

Excellent match!

Instant (as in written well before Topalov resigned) game and match recap up here:

http://www.chessninja.com/dailydirt/2010/05/final-game-set-match-anand.htm

Champagne for celebrating or drowning your sorrows thataway!

0 - 1. Congratulations to Anand. An amazing match.
Have to say Topalov played extremely well as well. It was a very close match, and
it could have gone the other way. I gained new respect for Topalov.

Still wonder what Topalov was thinking when taking f5 and e4.

That was awesome. I think the word 'choke' is overused in sports, but what the heck was Topalov thinking during moves 30-32?

Sad how it ended. Topalov looked at the Anand-Topalov banner, closed his eyes with his finger and thumb at the bridge of his nose, and then resigned. He was a fighter but class won out in the end.

Wonderful ending. I like how they lingered over the board, animatedly talking about the game, and shook hands twice. Giving a hint to their fans out here?

And there it is. Congratulations Vishy!

Topalov psyched himself out. He is admitting in the press conference he was trying to avoid tie breaks with Anand.

Topa won the first game, Anand won the last (and with Black). Nice :)

Wow.. The Chennai Super King went and conquered!

Congratulations, Anand! There is no stopping for you. Absolutely!!

This has gotta go down as one of the greatest world championship matches of all time.

I am a total Anand fan but I must say Topalov is one hell of a fighter. But Anand is just a genius.

Tomorrow Anand will start preparing for the WC match next year :-). Poor man :-), doesn't he ever get a chance to rest?

I think Topa was nervous from the start..Anand played fairly quick in the last 3 games.I think the lost game against Topalov while defending was a kick in his back

Logic prevails ...

Kramnik wins against Topalov
Anand wins against Kramnik
Therefore Anand wins against Topalov

Congrats to Anand for successfully defendig his title. I follow chess but not able to follow much these GM level moves :) - still want to make a comment. To stay on top for around 2 decades, that too in an era that saw some of the greatest names (Yes, I do agree Kasparov was greatest of them all)..that certainly isn't easy. Topalov and Kramnik both had higher peaks than Anand had, but not that continuity. Anand, sometimes, stumbles near the end- but he's easily managed to beat both Topalov and Kramnik, when it mattered most. People still remember that loss of Kramnik against Anand. In today's game too, though Anand missed some easy chances, but people couldn't see the sharp attack coming right in the middle of game- which suddenly changed the weight of game in favour of Anand. Weldone Anand. You truely are a champion. You deserve this win!!

Later on tonight I want to relax and re-read this thread...stuff on here was pure entertainment.

woohooo..time for a big celebration..

What a great match its been. As I said earlier, most of action/novelties were from Anand and he truly deserves to be the champ. I would have been heartbroken if he lost this becoz of couple blunders in previous games after so much action.

Thanks Topa. You were my second fav.player till toiletgate happened. Love that fighting spirit. And yeah, Why crib so much about sofia rules. Nobody seems to remember players playing it safe and accepting draws in complicated/unexplored positions.

Congratulations to Anand for a very convincing win! Topalov fan here, but I think it is undeniable Anand was better in this match. This was probably the most exciting match since the days of Karpov-Kasparov.

Many thanks to Topalov as well for making this what Anand called his toughest match experience. May we always experience such fighting chess at the World Championship level.

I hope all Anand fans will finally give Topalov credit for helping create this absolutely fantastic match.
!

I am glad that this is over. I had midterm on a game day and I was worrying more about this match than my exam :). I guess I can have my life back now, lol.

i copletely stopped working today...:)..Hope boss doesnt find out..even if he does i ll offer him QGD

Anand can now be considered the dominant player of the Kasparov-Carlsen interregnum.

anyone can please update what topalov and anand s reactions are..and whats the current rating after this..in classical matches i guess now its 14-14 anand topalov

Congratulations to Anand and his team - and to the Bulgarian organisers who did a wonderful job of promoting both Chess and Bulgaria. And amazing job Mig of an instant analysis!!

I have a feeling the problems over the volcano delay would have been sorted had Anand and his team communicated a bit more with the organisers earlier. Wonder what Nigel Short has to say - I found his (reported) earlier comment that Anand was a middle aged flabby Indian offensive and racist, but perhaps it was out of context?!

The world championship with (pseudo) Sophia rules actually made the games long, hard fought and interesting. So Topalov and Danialov were right IMO on this point.

This was she said initially:

"40. Rf8+ The last hope for Topalov is for Anand to blunder with 40... Kg7 41. Nf5+ Kh7 42. Rg3 =+

40...Kg7? Incredible! Anand is letting Topalov back in the game!"

It was only afterwards that she edited it to that Black was winning anyway - i.e. it took a while for her engine to see it.

Congratulations to Anand and his team and commiserations with Topalov and his team. This was a truly engaging match of the very highest quality. Both players and their teams can be justly proud of providing high class entertainment and instruction to many fans. And I think both GMs still have a lot more in the tank (i shudder to think of the unused TNs) and will play important roles in the next 2 WCC cycles. Bravo.

Worthies, allow me this childish glee...again light footed bishop wracked havoc on h1-a8 route for opponent, securing title for Anand. Black magics? :-)

I have been cheering for Anand but Topalov has played very well and kept very close.

But Topalov threw away today's game with those pawn grabs. Were those moves still in prep? Here is a humble Hypothesis - Topalov played those pawn grabs from prep, a computer told him it was okay, and this is a case of the materialistic computer grabbing pawns where humans immediately knew better.

I must also admit being a complete convert to the Sophia Rules, and I now find 14 move draws much more noxious. Anand and Topalov did a BIG BIG favor for professional chess - I hope the chess powers recognize it and begin to enforce similar rules throughout the professional chess world. No embarrassing GM draws between these two! Nothing embarrassing to explain to our non-chess friends. Just do it. A BIG sporting improvement!

Well nice to see we got to the right outcome :-). I'm not sure tho I'm so taken with Anand's approach to the match. Blunders the first game - wins in Catalan a la Kramnik - and then a series of games in very tight closed positions in which both made errors.

I was interested in Kasparov's comment that QGD was a good opening for Anand - as it allowed him to play his best chess (something like that). I wonder if Anand really was determined to not let Topolov play his best suite (sharp positions with good prep) and in doing so got too many positions in which he wasn't at home either.

"How does the 8-player candidates tournament look like? Just two more spots remain (Topalov, Kramnik, Aronian, Carlsen, Kamsky, Gelfand, +2 others)? One of the spots to be decided in the ongoing gp event and the last one being the organizer's nominee? Kinda hard to keep track with so many rule changes."

I wonder how this will compare with San Luis 2005, and Mexico 2007?

Kramnik didn't play in 2005, Topalov didn't play in 2007, but Carlsen didn't play in either.
This Candidates' tournament looks to be stronger than the previous Tournament World Championships.
Gelfand has shown with his World Cup victory, and =2nd in Mexico that he can be a factor.

Kamsky has some time to prepare--I still think that he is better than his showing in the Match against Topalov, but his openings are the weakest of the group.

Aronian seems to be in his best form ever, but he's had problems with consistancy. Still, he seems to have improved over the past couple of years.

Radjabov seems to have the best chance of getting 2nd Place in the Grand Prix. He's currently in second place with 363.3. His two best scores (150 points in Sochi, and 153.3 points in Elista), effectively give him a 30 point cushion over Wang Yue. Gashimov is in 3rd Place, and addition 10 points behind. After 3 rounds of the Astrakhan Grand Prix tournament, Gashimov is co-leader at +1, so things are looking good for an Azerbaijani qualifying for the Candidates....

Ivanchuk, Jakovenko, and Leko are the Dark horses for the 2nd GP spot, while Mamedyarov and the rest are already Mathematically eliminated.

We will know soon enough who is the 2nd Place finisher in the GP.

Has the venue for the Candidates' Tournament been set yet? Obviously, that could give us some insight as to who would likely be the "Wild Card" invitee....
Last I read, Baku, Azerbaijan, is set to be the host of the Candidates' competition (whatever its Final Form), much to Aronian's discomfort. So, maybe BOTH Radjabov and Gashimov get to play in the Candidates, or perhaps Mamedyarov, who is the highest rated Azerbaijani amongst the three...