What is your game 7 prediction? Will Anand continue with 1. d4 or will he try something else?
Game 7 will take place today at 7 am (U.S. central time). The score is 3.5 – 2.5 after 6 games in favor of Anand.
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Vishy Anand – Veselin Topalov
World Championship (game 7)
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Bb4+ Once again another Catalan. However, we have a deviation.
5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Bf4 dxc4 9. Ne5 So far we are still in book.
9…b5 Topalov is offering an exchange right out of the opening.
10. Nxc6 Nxc6 11. Bxc6 Bd7 12. Bxa8 Qxa8 Even though White is up an exchange, his position has weaknesses. += With only 6 games left, Topalov is willing to take bigger chances to even up the score. The potential problem is if he loses, he will be down -2 and the match is basically over.
13. f3 Anand took a bit of time for this move. He has to be careful as his h1-a8 diagonal is very week. f3 gives it a little more protection.
The players were following the Gelfand – Ivanchuk game from Melody Amber (played a few weeks ago – end of March) for the first 12 moves. That game continued with 13. Qc2 Qc6 14. Bg5 Bb7 15. f3 e5 and eventually (on move 33) the game ended in a draw. Therefore, the new move was 13. f3 by Anand according to my database.
13…Nd5 Topalov played this move immediately. It is obvious that Topalov and his team have prepared this. He would not sacrifice an exchange right out of the opening for nothing. The tide is turned a little in this game. Topalov is dictating the position instead of Anand. And it is he who deviated first while putting Anand on the defensive side.
14. Bd2 e5 Topalov is offering another pawn! The idea is to clear up the diagonal for Black’s Bishop to get to h3. Black has plenty of compensation for the material disadvantage. However, it is not without risk. If Black is not successful with his attack, he will be down another game. This is Topalov’s style. It is very different from most players who have played in a World Championship before. Usually players want to hold with Black and try to win with White. In this game, Topalov is going for it even with Black.
15. e4 Once again, Anand took his time with this move. This is less risky than taking on e5.
15…Bh3 Another immediate reply by Topalov and he is again offering to give up more material. If 16. exd5 Bxf1 17. Qxf1 exd4. Black will have an incredibly strong Queenside pawn chain.
Former President of FIDE and current Honorary President Florencio Campomanes just passed away at age 83. I first met him a lot time ago. The last time we saw each other was at the 2008 Dresden Olympiad. My condolences to his family.
16. exd5 Bxf1 17. Qxf1 exd4 18. a4 Qxd5 19. axb5 Qxb5 20. Rxa7 Pretty much forced lines. Black has a pawn for a pieces. However, the b2 pawn may soon fall and that would give Topalov a pair of passed pawns for a Knight. Anand has less than 60 minutes left while Topalov only used a few minutes for the first 20 moves.
20….Re8 If 21. Bc1 then Bc5 22. Ra2 d3+ 23. Kh1 Qb7 and Black is doing fine, perhaps even better. =+ Therefore, I don’t think Anand can do that. I like 21. Kg2 more.
21. Kh1 I still think Kg2 is a little better. This move invites 21…Qxb2. Here is a possible line: 21… Qxb2 22. Qe1 h6 23. Rxe7 Rxe7 24. Qxe7 Qxb1+ 25. Kg2 Qb2 26. Qe8+ Kh7 27. Qe4+ Kg8 28. Qe8+ Kh7 29. Qe4+ Kg8 30. Qe8+ 1/2-1/2
21…Bf8 Topalov spent more than 15 minutes for this move. He once again avoided the strongest line which would lead to a draw to go for an inferior but more complicated line. Anand is taking a lot of time again for this next move.
22. Rc7 The best move. I think Black has to play 22…d3 here to protect the c4 pawn. However, this allows White to play Bc3 to block the pawns. I think Topalov may regret 21…Bf8.
22….d3 23. Bc3 Now this may be a possible continuation: 23…Bc5 24. Nd2 Qb6 25. Be5
Rxe5 26. Rc8+ Bf8 27. Nxc4 Qe6 28. Rxf8+ Kxf8 29. Nxe5 Qxe5 30. Qxd3 +=
23…Bd6 24. Ra7 Amazingly, I think Topalov has to pause for 1 move and play h6. Then he can freely bring his Rook and Bishop into play. However, this is an un-Topalov-like move.
24…h6 I am impressed! He actually played it. It is the most logical move but it is a difficult move for Topalov to make. Anand has played well so far. He can play brilliantly and he can be patient enough to take time to neutralize Black’s attack. I think this is a quality which Anand developed over the years with age and experience.
25. Nd2 Now Topalov MUST play Bb4 to maintain any pressure and compensation for the material disadvantage.
25…Bb4 Both players are facing tremendous pressure. Anand knows that if he can win this game, he basically has the match in his hand. On the other hand, it would be devastating for him and the momentum of the match would reverse immediately if he loses.
Topalov is down a game. He understands that every game is now do or die. If he loses another game, he will have virtually no chance to come back as he would have to beat Anand twice just to have a rapid playoff.
Anand is in a mild time pressure. He has about 20 minutes for 15 moves.
26. Ra1 Now another must sequence for Topalov 26…Bxc3 27. bxc3 Re2 = Otherwise, he will have problems.
26…Bxc3 27. bxc3 Re2 28. Rd1 Now 28…Qh5 29. Qg1 Qe5 = Here is another line:
29. Ne4 Now 29…f5 is coming. Anand has about 15-16 minutes for 11 moves. Topalov has more than 35 minutes. 29…f5 30. Rd2 fxe4 31. Rxe2 dxe2 32. Qxe2 exf3 =
29…Qc2 Just as before, Topalov is choosing an inferior line to maintain a complicated position. Other lines would have lead to simpler draws for Anand.
30. Rc1 Topalov can force a draw at will with Rxh2+
30…Rxh2+ 31. Kg1 Rg2+ It looks like a 3-time repetition again. If 32. Qxg2 Qxc1+ 33. Qf1 d2 34. Nxd2 Qxd2 35. Qxc4 =
32. Qxg2 Qxc1+ 33. Qf1 This is still equal.
33…Qe3 If 34. Qf2 then Qc1+ =
34. Qf2 Qc1+ 35. Qf1 I have to believe that Topalov allow a repetition soon. He has no win and it is risky to keep playing inferior moves. In addition, he will have 3 games with White in the final 5 games. So it is better to accept truce to fight another day.
35….Qe3+ 36. Kg2 So Anand repeated a few times to gain time to make time control.
36…f5 37. Nf2 Kh7 38. Qb1 Now Topalov has to be careful not to lose. I think he over pushed. He could have sealed the draw before and decided to repeat moves too late.
38…Qe6 39. Qb5 g5 40. g4 Anand made time control with about 5 minute to spare. 40…fxg4 is must as 40…f4 is losing. It allows White to play Ne4.
40…fxg4 += 41. fxg4 I believe this game is still heading for a draw. However, Topalov has to work harder than he would have liked to.
41…Kg6 How to make progress for White? It is not easy.
42. Qb7 This is a tricky move by Anand. The threat is Qe4+ to exchange Queens for an easy win. Topalov MUST play d2 or he will lose. A nice shot by Anand to provoke a possible blunder from Topalov.
42…d2 43. Qb1+ Kg7 I was asked if I am pro-Anand or Topalov. Neither. I have known both of them for over 20 years. I consider both of them friends. I am rooting for an exciting match.
44. Kf1 If 44…Qe3 45. Qb7+ Kg6 46. Qc6+ Kg7 47. Qd7+ Kg6 48. Qd4 Qe1+ 49. Kg2 Qe2 +=
44…Qe7 This is a good move as well.
45. Kg2 Qe6 46. Qd1 Qe3 47. Qf3 Qe6 += I do not see a win for White. Having said that, White can keep on maneuvering his pieces and Black must play accurately every move. Otherwise, it is over.
One of Topalov’s strengths is he is fearless. He is not afraid to lose. He plays very aggressive chess. From this strength, his weakness is he often over pushes and he sometimes mis-evaluates his position.
Anand is a very opportunistic player. In this game, he was very patient and when the fireworks subsided, he went for the win.
48. Qb7+ Kg6 49. Qb1+ Kg7 50. Qd1 Qe3 51. Qc2 Black can play either 51…Qe2 or 51…Qf4.
51…Qe2 52. Qa4 A simple 52…Qe3 is fine. White cannot let go of the d1 square because Black has Qxf2+
52…Kg8 This is fine too. Same concept. White cannot make progress.
53. Qd7 Kf8 It is up to Anand now to repeat moves to draw this game.
54. Qd5 Kg7 55. Kg3 Qe3+ 56. Qf3 Qe5+ 57. Kg2 Qe6 += As I mentioned above, I simply do not see any winning line for Anand other than a catastrophic blunder by Topalov.
58. Qd1 I believe this is the 3rd time we reach this position. Let me go back and double check. Yes, it is a 3-time repetition. A daring opening choice for Topalov. A well played all around game for Anand. 1/2
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He will play d4 again for sure.
As far as Anand is concerned maintaining the lead is more important than taking high risk and increasing the lead. Hence he may continue with the known devil D4. His strategy would be solid play and capitalize any mistakes. However Topalov would platy safe this time and wouldtry to strike back in next with white.Anand could even draw all the rest of the games and still win.
No, I think he will play e4 and go after Topa the way he did with Magnus in Leon.
Vishy – Magnus
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Bf4 O-O 8. Qd2 Nd7 9. O-O-O Nc5 10. h4 Bg4 11. h5 Re8 12. Bc4 c6 13. Bxd6 Bxd6 14. Qxd6 Qxd6 15. Rxd6 Bxf3 16. gxf3 Rad8 17. Rd4 b5 18. Rhd1 Rxd4 19. cxd4 Nd7 20. Bd3 Nf6 21. d5 cxd5 22. Bxb5 Re5 23. c4 Kf8 24. c5 d4 25. b4 a5 26. a3 axb4 27. axb4 Nd5 28. Rxd4 Rxh5 29. c6 Ke7 30. Rxd5 1-0
He’s doing fine with D4 ..no reason to change..though I can see C4 or NF3 with a E4 right at the end..
Topalov needs to solve this slow positional moving…he’s I think not ready to meet such a slow grind..
Anand will not deviate at this point where he enjoys 1 point lead. For sure, he will play d4.
1.d4 again for sure
it all going Anand way, why change a successful formula ?
A win is important here for Anand- I have a hunch that he’ll try some surprise opening…may be e4.
Topalov will bring in some novelty and will try to push Anand. Something he has not done till now. This will be the most interesting game of the Match.
Dear Susan, I can’t wait for todays game and your comments! I am a very poor chess player but still excited about this tournament.
Please keep up your great work!!
All the best from Hamburg, Germany
Alexander
I’m hoping for 1.e4! 😀
Today topalov will equalize de score. Maybe we will se bold and complex KID.
1d4! It’s been the main White opening in the last few WC matches! It avoids the coma inducing Petrov and Ruy Lopez Berlin Defence! It’s important for such evenly matched players to score with the White pieces!
I’d have to say that today is a good day for Anand to strike another win. After a rest day and having the goal of clinching the match result he would do well to push a little more today to try and win.
Even if he still has a comfortable advantage to make it to the end of the match fine.
These 2 guys playing a tiebreak would be a horrible outcome. Either one would need to stand out so we were sure it couldn’t have gone the other way. 🙂
d4 and Anand trying to come up with some surprise so Topalov does not make it like in game 6, ceding back any advantage to regain equality.
Ultimately it doesn’t matter that Anand just draws this one as it’s Topalov’s problem to win a game.
Anand might have been feeling the increasing pressure of both Topalov improving his game as the match advances and the match coming to the final outcome. Topalov will have the final White of the match so until the very end Topalov will press Anand, and it would have been in Anand’s own self-interest to shorten the match some just to avoid bad surprises towards the end and extra suffering.
Anand, surprise us but don’t lose! 🙂
Anand will play 1.d4 and I hope Topalov plays the King’s Indian.
Anand may try e4 today and opt to strike down the Najdorf. If he does go d4, we will see another Catalan. The onus would be on Topalov to avoid playing into Anand’s preparation.
I feel Topalov has solved his problems with the Catalan and there is no need for him to try to force the issue with Black. He will try to strike back with e4 tomorrow.
Alternatively,I expect some kind of g6 opening from Topalov today.
Another Catalan, I’m a bit disappointed 🙁
There’s a buzz on the aduio feed from Sofia – and no video.
Is that others’ experience too?
Is Chessbase still broadcasting its near-real-time tracking of the game?
wow! Topalov sacrificed an exchage right in the opening! Is this part of a Catalan line? We are in for a game now!
Woot! This is getting interesting, some pretty sharp play from Topalev, he’s starting to grow on me.
This is quit risky play from Topalov. I think Anand will ride off the storm and win in the end with the extra exhange – 1-0. And then it will be very diffucult for Topa to change the outcome of the match.
Seems that Anand could end up in trouble unless he forces an exchange of queens.
His knights are not active and his kingside is weak. The d4 pawn will be a target soon. He has to generate some play on the queen-side.
Kudos to Topalov to try to force something here. Like him or not, the guy is a fighter and plays exciting chess.
Topalov rules, whether win or draw or loose
Anand is going to get bulldozed today 🙁
Nice fightback by Topa!
Susan, could we say that Anand is playing for the final, defending his exchange up, and Topalov wants to play for the middlegame, exploring the white’s weekness????
You think Anand has not prepared for this??? The sac is an obvious possibility. The game should be very entertaining, but there’s no reason to think Topalov has any edge except at pleasing fans.
Susan. Could we say that Anand is playing for the final, becuse his exchange up, and Topalov is playing for the middlegame, exploring white’s weeknessesss???
I predict e:d5 from Anand, which leads to forced simplification and a risk-free position, according to the latest silicon variations.
Susan’s comment after 14…e5 should be
“… it is NOT without risk”.
I would save the rook. What is the point of accepting an exchange-sacrifice if you are going to give it up at this juncture? Black has a very nice queen-side position, all pieces are active and the pressure on the white king is almost unbearable. I’d be surprised if Anand can pull out a draw here.
Topalov’s playing very energetically, I like that! With his lead in development it’s important to play moves that don’t give White time to develop his queenside. Topalov’s moves are forcing White to think, all White wants to do is develop his queenside. Exciting play by Topalov!
how about white nc3?
Nigel Short: It is exceptionally disconcerting to be groping along while your opponent is blitzing out all his moves. Kramnik bluffed me at the London Classic last year by flashing out some bollocky variation which left him with no more than equality, but I was so psyched out that I was unable to calculate more than two move variations.
18.a4 and 1-0. And we can all go home and drink coffee 😉
Where are black’s winning chances now??? He traded his dangerous attacking bishop, and now he’s down a piece for 2 pawns.
I would say that the torture begins now for Topalov.
Attack is over, and painful defense begins now.
It’s difficult for white to make progress, but Anand is extremely patient.
I predict 1-0 in 35.
Nigel Short: The computer evaluations for white are slowly dropping all the time. This would suggest that Topalov made an excellent practical choice.
Getting worried for Anand 🙁
I think Topalov has not chosen the right guy to try this. Anand will find the good moves.
Topa is still in preparation territory. He has used up only 3 mins compared to Anand’s nearly 1 hour! Scary.
Late in the middle game, and Anand hasn’t developed his queen’s knight yet.
Topalov is playing fast, as if he is still in home prep. If so, I am NOT impressed that he sacced a piece for this losing position. Anand can play the rest of the game blindfold.
Topalov has only thought for 3 minutes here.
The problem with these home prep games is that are a nuisance to have the player attend the game the result is already known and when a second will do just as well.
In the new system Topalov should have stepped down after the rook sac and let Danialov do the mop-up operations.
This will keep him fresh for the next game. Why really have the player at the board actually? He is just going to get bored.
This is obviously home preparation frem Topalov. In general I think it´s sad that many chessgames today is decided in front of computers. It´s no longer enough to be a great chessplayer, you also has to be great with computeranalysis. That´s sad for the game off chess, in my opinion.
Is Kh1 a psychological ploy by Anand? It invites Qb2, which is strong, but which leaves white several easy forced draws. Perhaps Anand is egging Topalov on to play an inferior move, to keep the “struggle” going.
After Kh1, the b2 pawn is taboo because of Qe1, when …Kf8 is answered by Rxe7 and Bb4. I guess that’s the reason Anand put his king on h1 and not g2
Exciting stuff!!!!!!
I think soon Topalov will run out of steam.Being a piece down will prove decisive.Anand has to only bide his time and defend for a while.
May I mention
http://www.thechessmind.net/
where thre is another good commentary?
Qb2 will be a blunder i guess.
Good game by Topalov.
I guess the fact that finally on 21st move topa has put on his thinking cap should calm Anand nerves – though the position is still looks razor sharp.
HAHA.. i was right. Brilliant again. Topalov plays a far inferior move to avoid a forced draw. BF8???? This game is all Anand now.
The clock tells the whole story, who has the edge in this game
Rybka is now showing a line which leads to a pawn extra queen ending for Anand—perfect for torturing Topalov.
Rc7 seems strong for white now. Is Bf8 a blunder? Maybe this is due to a severe zeitnot 🙂
This preparation by Topalov is unimpressive. It compares unfavorably with the positional Q for 2 piece sac which Kasparov played against Karpov in one of their matches. Now THAT was a daring piece of home prep, made without the advantage of computers.
Now 22….. Bc5 is met with 23 b3! and the pawn duo is destroyed! Bingo!
I expect 22. Na3
22Na3 from Anand, my guess?
@ Ramkrishna Kashelkar No, 23.-,Bc5 24.b3,Qb6!
What about 24. … RE2
Are Topalov’s pawns dangerous enough to compensate for his loss of a piece? It seems Anand has them blocked. That dark square bishop of Anand is doing a fine job.
Topalov still has some back rank mate problems. He better give the king an escape square or Anand will liquidate the advanced pawns by playing on the back rank mate threat.
I can’t calculate worth a petty, so maybe somebody can come up with a winning line for Anand? 🙂
For those of us using our phones to follow, can we get a diagram or two?
24………Bxg3?? anyone
I think Topalov has to play g6. Anand’s dark square Bishop is well positioned to hit g7. If Anand brings in mate threats of his own, things can look bad for Topalov.
Bishop exchange and its 0-1.. Mazen Jerman
Nd2 seems to much stubborn than Na3. Still whites queen is not getting active play. Still a scary position for white (for me:)
Any chances 25. Ra5 ?
How crucial will be the time factor here in this game? Does Anand has sufficient time to play out the rest of the game? Thanks HH
I was hoping for 25. Qh3
I don’t think too much of 25. Nd2. 25. ….Bb4 now gives Topolov some hope. Still not a win for black, but he doesn’t seem in as much danger of losing this now.
25.Nd2 is draw. He should have played 25.Qh3.
Like Corenovice, I preferred 25. Ra5.
Additional note- now Anand is getting into serious, serious time trouble.
Nxc4 perhaps? Anand seems to be in trouble now.
I hope Anand doesn’t get into time trouble. He’s a fast calculator but still …
Susan say:24…h6! and Topalov play 24…h6!Then Susan say:25…Bb4 and Topalov play 25…Bb4!!Maybe Topalov read Susan Blog )))
Anyway,please take my congrats for your comments,Susan!!
I have to admire Topalov’s uncompromising style but sometimes I think it is not too practical. It is NOT like he MUST win this game. There is still time in the match. We’ll see how it plays out for him.
Re2 not not Rd2 you mean?
I am rooting for Anand. But I am impressed by Topa’s uncompromising style. Makes chess more interesting and exciting.
26……..Bc3
27bc Qb2 looks like trouble for Anand
what is the problem in 28 .. Qb2 for topalov. I think that is a much better line of attack for topalov
Ok, now I think I see Anand’s plan. He sees a solid draw line and didn’t wish to get into anything complicated, even if it had measurable win possibilities. Conservative, but probably the correct strategy up a game.
After 28. Rd1, black’s c-pawn will the a continuous weakness that will keep the black queen at bay.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Draw by repetition coming, whether Topolov wants it or not. He can’t win the c-pawn without giving up his own, and down a piece, the d-pawn is simply not enough to win this position.
I admire Anand’s calculating power. I could never have seen this position after 25. Nd2. I still don’t like his 25th move, but he made it knowing how the game would turn out.
and i have a feeling that you should be following tictactoe not chess.
Wow, maybe I spoke too soon. 29. Ne4 doesn’t seem like a good move to me- it removes the threat of Nc4 for a move. Can’t black now attack the c-pawn of white, and then play f5 to drive the knight away?
Anand is fighting against time.
He will contend with draw.
However, if the game proceeds beyond 40 moves, he will look for makeing best use of the position
the game looks wining for topalov!
I missed Rd2 in the one line and Rc1 in the one Topolov actually played. Now, I think, if black doesn’t just play Rg2/Rh2 + giving threefold repetition, white just harrasses the black queen with the rook since c3 is protected by the knight. With both the queen and the rook attacked at the same time, I see no path forward for black.
Certainly, even Topolov wouldn’t insist on playing out a dead even queen and pawn endgame would he- the one that arises after 36. ….d2?
Topalov is great fighter!!!!
It looks like Topalov wanted draw with Rxh1+, Rg1+
But Anand avoided the draw by exchanging
And Topalov had to find another 3-move repeatition!!!
why not 35.Kg2 f5 36.Qd2???? ….forcing queen exchange whith 37.Nxd2….possible win for white????
Anand is a great player!!!!
I continue to be surprised. Now, I think Anand is toying with Topalov. He could have forced Topalov into the queen pawn endgame, but instead enticed him to continue to make inferior moves. I see only a slight edge for white, but still, why do this?
Wow, 39. …g5
After 41. fg4, black has run right up to the edge of losing this. If white can find a way to exchange the queens, it might be curtains for black. Honestly, I don’t see how white can win this unless Topalov continues to play stupidly, but he has now thrown away every certain draw that I can see.
Its a real treat to watch an endgame like this one !!!!! well done Anand and well played Topalov
Topalov had a good chance in this game. I feel he messed it up for himself.
Now both of them have almost equal time.
Anand is fighting very hard for a draw. Go Anand!
Ok, Anand played 41. fg4, now I think 41. ….Kg6 is a must, otherwise the queens might be exchanged by force leaving black with a clearly inferior position.
Topalov succeded in leaving his own king exposed. What a dobious plan.
A nail biting game in progress. Great for chess. I think both are playing for the win although Anand seems to be better off in this position.
Folks do check out http://chessisjoy.blogspot.com/
Topalov has got it all worked out – He knows he will win in the end. It’s all worked out!
Go Anand Go….Exchange Queens and annhilate him
Though I would love to see Anand take this game considering how Topalov played the end of it, I just can’t see a really good plan for white after 41st moves. Topalov always has d2 in reserve, and I think this will allow him to force a draw at some point if his position gets any worse.
In Morelia 2006 , Topalov playing black held the draw against Aronian after putting pressure and blunderging in the first phase of the game.
he did that for more than 60 moves so I think he will hold but of course it was completely unnecessary to keep on playing
susan how about 42. Qb7? Please comment
Anand is better than before it seems. I have a complaint against Susan, she gives a impression sometimes that is so ProTopalov. I can understand her preference but she brings it in during objective analysis.
What about 42. Qb7?
Qb7 with the idea of Qe4 and exchanging queens; then Ne4-d2xc4
Anand played 42. Qb7. To my amateur eye, d2 is now forced.
i believe exchange of queens here will give adv. to white..
Topalov effort to fight to the end must be applauded, but i am starting to think that he over-pushed and is in danger of losing after 42.Qb7
It is not clear to me. Exchanging the queen looks favorable to black. Black can exchange g pawn by force. And white need to work hard for a draw. By the way I’m not an expert in endgame 🙂
wonder what would have been the outcome had white tried 42.QC5 (with the view of Qd4) instead of Qb7. Susan, can you throw some light on this?
This is an easy win for Ananad
how about Qd1 and then to e2?
Susan, is it a matter of technique to win the d2 pawn?, or is it unclear?
Perhaps 45. Ne4 to try to win the d pawn?
Topalov will be in a zugzwang position soon
After 44. ….Qe7, I still see nothing more than a draw out of this. What can white do other than return the king to g2? After 45. Qd1 Qe3 and the king is forced back to g2 anyway.
” I have a complaint against Susan, she gives a impression sometimes that is so ProTopalov. I can understand her preference but she brings it in during objective analysis.”
how do u seem pro-topalov? To me u seem to be pro-Anand…..
Anand forced the pawns separation, and now Topi has 2 weaknesses, d2 and c4. Black’s Queen is overworked and cannot protect both pawns and the King.
Nd1-e3 and White will force a mate with a Queen and a Knight, who cares if Topalov will promote the pawn 🙂
Unless he wants to make a losing move, I think Topalov has run out of string. I suspect he must allow the draw within a couple of moves.
Its a draw, same postion at move 49)Kg7 has been repeated thrice.Isn’ti t photographic postion?
Why topa didn’t claim?
Topalov’s strategy albeit a little risky today was good. It put VIshy on the defense with the White pieces. It would have been easy for a lesser caliber player to have gone astray amidst the complications. Now Topalov will have 3 whites with 5 games remaining to try and bring the match back to even. He is going to come out guns a blazing and VIshy will be under immense pressure with the black pieces tomorrow.
Do you think that this matchup is a modern day Botvinnik-Tal? Vishy is a precionist and Topalov always plays for complications even if they are not the most correct moves on the board.
Anand should manage to put the Knight on e3. Sound chess should conquer risky chess 🙂
LOL! Clearly, with 51. Qc2, Anand is tweaking Topalov’s nose.
Susan, you’re correct, Topalov does play aggressive chess, but he does so from quite solid openings, which to me doesn’t make sense? I wouldn’t play a Caro-Kann and then start making aggressive moves, I’d just play a Sicilian! Fischer played aggressive with Black, but he always used counter-attacking systems! I’m not sure if Topalov’s opening choices match his natural strengths?
I think Anand does not want to go for the winning position immediately; First, patience is very important in the endgame and second Anand is enjoying torturing Topalov.
There was a threefold repetition after black’s 43, 45 and 49th move
Now, after Kg8, Anand can play Qd7 and it’s getting closer to a zug-zwang position
susan — do u think Topalov’s sofia rule of draw, has boomeranged?
There was a threefold repetition after black’s 43, 45 and 49th move
Maybe, Qd4 and Kg3 is the winning position?
Ok, guys, it is ok to agree to a draw here.
common, Nd1-e3!
computer evals anybody?
Don’t understand why didn’t Anand try Nd1-e3
It would be so much simpler if they could just offer a draw rather than figure out a way to repeat moves.
Seems today as if both sides have something to crow about. Topalov managed to escape with 2 draws from 2 consecutive games as black, with one game having the initiative practically the whole time. It’s likely that Vishy saw having two consecutive whites as a golden opportunity to put the match away—but he couldn’t do it.
On the other hand, every draw gets Vishy closer to retaining his title. And even if Topalov does draw even by Game 12, he will enter a rapid playoff with Anand as a clear favorite at that shorter time control.
It will be interesting to see what Topalov has prepared as white. If he is willing to take the kind of chances he took today as black, then I’m sure his prep as White will be very exciting.
Just my $0.02.
Boo Anand! You could have won this.
Hope you win 3 straight after the break.
The game might have been drawn.
But Anand clearly has the edge psychologically. He has shown topalov, he IS an aggressive player like topalov.
Susan, you are the best commentator. It gives me great joy to watch these wonderful games coupled with your comments. You are a fair judge of players and I always felt your comments are fair to both the players and not at all biased towards anyone. Keep up the great commentary. Will be looking forward for tomorrow’s game.
Thanks again!
Of course a lot of uninteresting people will criticize Topalov but it was a very interesting game from both players
-Very interesting preparation by Topalov who could have equalized by 21…Qxb
-an excellent reaction from Anand to topalov’s surprise with exd5 Qxf1 and a4!
-Then of course Topalov made some dubious moves on purpose
-And finally he held the position without too much problem
-and Bb4 was a good equalizing move
So it was not perfect but highly interesting
Of course it has to be precised that 21..Qxb2 could have equalized easily so it was all about what Topalov decided
At the end of move 49. Qb1+ Kg7, Fritz immediately concludes the game announcing it as a draw by threefold repetition. Yet the game continued.
jMac said…
It would be so much simpler if they could just offer a draw rather than figure out a way to repeat moves.
They CAN offer a draw. “Enforcing” the Sofia rules is totally self-imposed by Topalov. He made a statement before the match, that he will neither offer, nor accept a draw offer. In fact, he stated he won’t even react, if Anand offers a draw.
Let’s face it, Topalov’s self imposed Sofia rules result in far more exciting games, even if one ends up 0.5-0.5. Surely more exciting than if they shake hands after the 22nd move (for example).
I will be very interested in the analysis of Anand’s 25th move. After that point, black was able to force the exchange of the bishops, and I didn’t see any real advantage for white that Topalov didn’t just give back trying to extend the game.
Susan,
Did Anand miss a win with 42.Qa4. Some sites suggest it is a win, but I do not see anything more than a big advantage that Topalov can hold with accurate play.
– Uddipan
Thank you, Susan!
Antonio said…
There was a threefold repetition after black’s 43, 45 and 49th move
Also:
Anonymous said…
At the end of move 49. Qb1+ Kg7, Fritz immediately concludes the game announcing it as a draw by threefold repetition. Yet the game continued.
Monday, May 3, 2010 12:03:00
They are both correct. I wonder what would have happened, if one of them goes ahead and ends up winning the game. Who’s responsibility to detect such situation (they play on despite the rules according which it was a draw after the 49th move)?
Susan, I believe that you are not unbiased, you want to appear unbiased. If you were indeed unbiased, you would criticize topalov for his lack of sportsmanship or at least you would have criticized his manager.
Being on the fence no matter what happens is not the same as unbiased.
Susan,
During a live commentary perhaps the Comment Moderation should be disabled. That would allow a more dynamic conversation among those who follow the game, your commentary and each others remarks. The moderator still would have the authority to delete any post which is offending in any way.
it’s only a draw if someone claims it. if no one claims, the game may continue.
Easily one of the most exciting world championship games ever!
Wonder if it’s a good idea for white to give up the light squared bishop in this variation. Seems to give Black too much play/initiative, no?
This was a brave performance by Topalov. How many players would have been willing to go down a piece that early in a game? Not too damned many. I criticized Topalov for his play after about move 32 or so, but only because he was fishing for a blunder that Anand was never going to make in a pretty dead draw position.
However, even at that, it was actually nice to work through all the variations that could have arisen had either player goofed. All in all, I kind of like the “Sofia rules”.
And those of you criticizing Ms. Polgar- you are nuts, nuts, nuts. Enough said.
In reply to Uddipan, GM Sergey Shipov found 42.Qa4! on his computer while doing live commentary at his Crestbook.com site—which is all in Russian. Dennis Monokroussos and ChessVibes.com have noted this, and Dennis has extended Shipov’s lines somewhat in his posted analysis here (then click the words “Right Here”). I’ve added a comment there confirming with a different engine (a private version of Toga II) that Black is in some kind of trouble…
KW,
Wow. That line looks good for white. At the end of the analysis line, it was hard for me to see a useful move for black that wasn’t completely passive protecting c4. White’s king seems to finally come in for the defense against the d-pawn, which was the critical limiting factor for white all along after d2- his king was helpless to help.
Honestly, though, only an an engine could find a move like 42. Qa4.
KW, thanks for sharing that analysis! — 42. Qa4.
May have been missed due to psychological factors — fatigue + having parried the massive onslaught.
Susan, enjoying your analysis/commentary. Don’t worry about a few people complaining. It just means the match has gotten interesting, and fans are getting into it! 🙂
Update—Shipov himself found a likely draw, which commenter Andrey there noted from Shipov’s video. It shows the dangers of thinking a +1.50 verdict from an engine really means the “+-” label that goes with it. I’m supposed to be writing my second final exam of the day and a paper rather than analyzing :-), but anyway I agree with the current thinking that 42.Qa4 gives no more than a draw.
Now the game is over and we all knowwhat did anand play and what did topalov planned!
But one thing is clear unless the cool guy of India makes a blunder like in game 1 This self imposed sofia ruleman is not going to be the WC.
All said and done the WC stuff always behave erratically. Fischer, kasparov, Morphy and many. Anand and Spassky are exceptions.