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Anand, Vishy (2787) – Topalov, Veselin (2817) [E04]
World Championship (2), 25.04.2010
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 a6 We have a Catalan. Interesting choice of opening.
6.Ne5 c5 7.Na3 cxd4 8.Naxc4 Bc5 9.0–0 The position is even and we are still in book. 0-0 is normal here for Black.
9…0-0 10.Bd2 Nd5 We are still in book. White is down a pawn but he has plenty of compensation. Black’s Queenside is still not developed yet. The idea of Nd5 is to limit the strength and mobility of White’s Bishop on g2.
11.Rc1 Nd7 When your position is cramped, exchange pieces to free up space.
12.Nd3 Anand obviously did not want to help Topalov open up his position. That is why he avoided exchanging pieces.
Here are the comments from my sister Sofia for the following 5 questions:
1. Who do you think will win the match? Topalov.
2. What is your final score prediction? 7-5.
3. How would you describe the strengths and weaknesses of each player? I think Topalov is more ambitious.
4. Does playing in Sofia give Topalov an advantage (home crowd) or disadvantage (too much distraction with the national media, family and friends)? I think playing on home court is an advantage. It’s more pressure on one hand, but on the other hand Anand must feel the whole country is against him. It would be the same in India, the other way around.
5. Do you think the age difference between Topalov (35) and Anand (40) is significant? What do you think is an optimal age in a professional chess player’s career. 5 years in this age is not a big difference, physical and mental fitness plus ambitions are the main things that can make a difference between two giants like Anand and Topalov.
13…Qe7
Now is the interesting moment for Anand. His pieces are fully developed. He has excellent space advantage. But now what? What is his plan to capitalize on it?14. Qb3 Black has a few decent options here. 14…Rb8 or 14…b6. He has to find a way to develop his Bishop to b7.
14…Rb8 I do not have my database in front of me but this resemble a game between Gulko and Shulman around 2 years ago. You may want to check that one out. Anand needs to be careful here. Just as I mentioned yesterday in game 1, when you sacrifice a pawn, you better maintain the initiative for compensation. If not, you will end up defending a worse endgame with a pawn down which is not a pleasant situation. Knowing this, Anand is taking a lot of time here. The unusual thing is I would have expected this to still be a part of Anand’s home preparation. I hope he did not forget the analysis.
15.Qa3 I do not understand Anand here. Is this home preparation? Why would he trade Queen and free up space for Black when he is a pawn down? Yes, Anand still has some compensation for the pawn. But this surely cannot be what Anand was hoping for with his first White of the match.
15…Qxa3 Of course Topalov would exchange Queens to open up his position.
16.bxa3 The idea of this move is to keep his Knight on c4 active while opening up the b file. However, I think Black is perfectly fine here. 16…Nc5 is possible here.
16…N7f6 A fine move although I prefer Nc5 a little more.
17.Nce5 This is the type position which Kramnik, Karpov, or Petrosian would be comfortable with as Black. Topalov is not. He likes open positions where he can be very creative. I believe that this is the strategy for Anand and his team, to put Topalov in an uncomfortable position while hoping that he would be impatient and do something risky.
17…Re8 18.Rc2 The idea is to double up the Rooks.
18…b6 Topalov had to do this to free up the b7 square for his Bishop. White now has only one logical move 19.Bd2.
19.Bd2 Now Black can get his Bishop to b7. Of course next for White has to be to double up his Rooks.
19…Bb7 20.Rfc1 Now Black to love to trade Rooks. However, it does not work right now because once the Rooks are gone, White can play Nc6 trapping the a7 Bishop. Therefore, b5 must be played before Topalov can put his Rook to c8.
20…Rbd8 The idea of this move is to allow his a7 Bishop to go back to b8.
21.f4 Another unexpected move from Anand. This is to cement his Knight on e5 but it also creates potential weak holes for himself. Just like in Poker where the little video cameras can show the hands of the players, I wish there is a camera which can show what goes on in Anand’s mind right now. Did he forget his home prep? Was he surprised by Topalov’s choice of opening? Is he playing for the win or just hanging on not to lose this one?
21…Bb8 22.a4 a5 Black could have also played 22…Bd6.
23.Nc6 Bxc6 24.Rxc6 h5 24…g6 or 24…Rd6 are both playable. The position is still even here. Anand is still down a pawn but he has enough compensation with space advantage and better coordinated pieces as well as a Bishop pair. Anand can probably play R1c4 to try to win back the d4 pawn. However, Black can indirectly defend that pawn with Ba7.
25.R1c4 Ne3? I do not like this move. It seems that Topalov lost his patience. Now White can gain an edge with 26.Bxe3 dxe3 then 27.Rxb6. Anand would get his pawn back with much more active pieces. If 27. Rxb6 Ba7 28. Rb1. This stops 28…Rxd6 29.exd3 e2+ no longer works as the Rook will defend the back rank.
26.Bxe3 dxe3 27.Bf3 Anand is afraid of the complication. He chose a safer continuation.
27…g6 Once again, Topalov is provoking Anand to take the pawn on b6. I think Anand is a little gun shy because of what happened yesterday.
28.Rxb6 Anand is now ready to call Topalov’s bluff. He wants Topalov to show what he has in his sleeves. Objectively speaking, White is better here. This is a crucial game for both players. If Topalov wins, the match is just about over psychologically for Anand. But if Anand can win this game, the edge shifts back to Anand as he knows he can win with this type of position and Topalov’s risky style does not work in closed position.
28…Ba7 Tough choice for Anand here. 29.Rb7, 29.Rb3, 29.Rb1 are all playable. White has an edge but Topalov finally has opened up the position.
29.Rb3 It clearly seems that Anand is being very cautious. He wants to play for 2 results and not taking any unnecessary risk.
29…Rd4 Topalov played this nearly immediately. This is a part of Topalov I am not comfortable with. He did the same against Kramnik. He played too fast on some moves and it was costly. I prefer 29…Re7 first to defend the 7th ranked.
30.Rc7 Bb8 31.Rc5 White has a solid advantage here. But Anand is in a mild time pressure. He has about 16-17 minutes for 12 moves.
31…Bd6 32.Rxa5 Now Topalov sacrificed a pawn for counter play. Anand did not hesitate to take this time. Topalov’s Rook can get to c8 now for some play.
32…Rc8 For the first time in the match, Anand has chances to win. Topalov has to work very hard to hold this.
33.Kg2 It is only logical that Topalov would play Rc2 here. He has to try or else he will lose because of the deadly a pawns.
33…Rc2 34.a3 It is difficult for Topalov to hold. The a pawns are too strong. The only thing that comes in my mind now is 34…Nd5. Here is a possible continuation 34…Nd5 35.Bxd5 Rxe2+ 36.Kf3 Rxh2 37.Kxe3 Rxd5 38.Rxd5 exd5 39.a5 Ra2 40.a6 Bxa3 41.Rb7 Bf8 +=
34…Ra2? After 35.Nb4 White is close to winning.
35.Nb4 +- Bxb4 36.axb4 Now White has a pair of connected passed pawns and a winning position.
36…Nd5 37.b5 Now it would take a miracle for Black to hold this. He is down in material and on time.
37… Raxa4 38.Rxa4 Rxa4 39.Bxd5 exd5 40.b6 Ra8 41.b7 Rb8 42.Kf3 d4 All these moves were cranked out immediately as they were all nearly forced. This is a totally lost endgame for Black.
43.Ke4 1-0 This was the same problem Topalov had against Kramnik. He lost positions where he shouldn’t because he was impatient. I feel that 25…Ne3 costs him the game. He should have played 25…Ba7. He needs to control this problem if he wants to win this match. The edge is now back to Anand with this big win.
Vishy!!! a brave choice. No on would have expected a Catalan defence! form you.
I would like you to win this game.
Congrats to Sofia for actually picking a winner, rather than saying it will be basically 6-6.
/Vishy!!! a brave choice. No on would have expected a Catalan defence! form you./
Even as White Vishy is playing a “defense” against Topalov. A brave choice indeed.
So is this new ground for Anand? He’d still be in his prep but not Topolov? Interesting psychology to play a slow squeeze like the Catalan against Topolov whose less comfortable in such positions.
that was a win for black in 30 moves
http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=4650
best wishes juiceboat
The Catalan Opening or Catalan System is interesting! I like this system. Maybe Anand looked at the Kramnik – Topalov games from their WC match! I think it’s a good choice by Anand. Whether he’ll have the success against Topalov that Kramnik had using it who knows? The Catalan is very technical, (perfect for Kramnik), if Anand can grind Topalov over a long period with it, Topalov could lose focus!
I don’t see much compensations for White, he is a pawn down and has slightly weakened his pawn structure.
Do you even see a way for equality ??
I believe Anand will have to struggle for a draw !
By the queen exchange, Anand is probably trying to stall any future attacking chances Topalov may have…the same strategy that Kramnik used against Kasparov in 2000. He is keeping some initiative with queens off the board, isn’t that a good strategy against someone like Topalov?
Yes I think its good strategy. The position looks pretty even – Anand with small initiative and black with no major weaknesses. Remember Anand would have studied these positions for months.
Nigel Short: I am speechless. 15. Qa3 is a shockingly bad move. White has no winning chances whatsoever after this. Black wasn’t threatening anything, so why exchange off the queens, ruin your pawn formation and make things easy for Black all at one go? And this dubious decision has come VERY early in the game.
Short is being silly. One hopes tho that Anand’s preparation for these positions is very good – before Topo can get his pieces organised.
Anand had already spent more than 20 minutes when he played Qa3 so I don’t think it’s preparation or it’s really bad preparation.
I can’t believe that, but I agree with Nigel Short !
Nigel Short: 21.f4 is another weird move. Rather antipositional, weakening e3. I don’t think he can afford to many concessions when a pawn down.
Where can i read Nigel Short comments? Thanks!
21. f4 seems again to have a psychological tad in it…it’s like saying to Topalov that he won’t be allowed to have two connected forwarded central pawns – a usual pattern in many of his recent wins.
21.f4 is a nice move directed against a later e5 which would protect the pawn d4. White is still at least OK.
21.f4 is a nice move directed against a later e5 which would protect the pawn d4. White is still at least OK.
It looks like Anand is gunning for the Q-side. Topalov may have re-direct his pieces to the Q-side, perhaps force an exchange of Rooks?
Lets hope its not bad prep which would be disappoining. If its not then we should get a lesson on how o exploi a tiny edge.
I think Nigel Short is correct, move 15 Qa3 was bad. The exchange helps Black. Also the doubled pawns are weakening. There was no concrete reason to do this. Kramnik would never weaken himself like this in the Catalan. I don’t think Anand is well prepared, he actually spent a fair bit of time thinking about this move. I’m enjoying these games, but I am confused (as are many people) by Anand’s play in both games. I like both Anand’s opening choices, but it’s the way he’s mishandled them that’s odd? Anand is usually very good in the opening.
I don’t Rxb6 is good move for white. That is a win for black as RxD3 followed by Bxa7
The position after 27 moves is very comfortable for Anand, and requires patience from Topalov.
I think Svidler’s analysis of 15 Qa3 was right: Anand is taunting Topalov by suggesting that his endgame is weak.
Yes,Nigel Short is very unprepared here and he can make only general conclusions that Anand has noticed in 2 or 3 seconds.It would be better for Nigel just to watch the game and not to try to speak too much :).
Why not Ra6?
if Rxd3 Rxa7 and the a pawn will fall next
Anand’s boa constrictor’s play has been alliviated somewhat around the 28th move ! Top can breathe now…
Anand is PROVING he is the better player.
This game the two are playing chess. Yesterday it was a computer program that won the game. now they are forced to think and play for themselves
Umesh:
> Why not Ra6?
Which move do you have in mind? 22…Ra6 or 40 … Ra6??
Nigel Short: I would go so far as to say that Topalov is objectively busted.
this is so dangerous either one could still win. very complex game in my mind. computers give white the edge but it is so complex to find the computer moves and there is much danger on the board.
Weird after saying that Qa3 was a misake and f4 created too many weaknessess not Short says blacks busted. I guess its a problem commentating live.
Now we finally see the real Anand smoking the pretender Topalov. I think Danialov needs to go check the pipes in the Anand bathroom or hope the volcano erupts again, raining the ashes of Bobby Fischer down on Sofia.
The Anandconda is at work!!!
Anand is playing a lot like Capa, first he exchanges the queens of topalov to shun him of any complications, he also penetrates with the rooks, gets them on open files and finally he gets a passed pawn.
The passed pawn is a criminal, it should be kept under lock and key. Which he also does for the topalov’s pawn on e3
typo: 34…Ra7 should be Ra2
And thanks, Susan!
This is chess at its best!!!! Bravo Vishy.This has been a lesson for all of us in how to win games without influencing people.
move 34 for black is Ra2 not Ra7
Shane H said…
/Weird after saying that Qa3 was a misake and f4 /
After Anand’s Qa3
Short felt that Topalov gave back what ever advantages he had with moves like:
16. … N7f6
and
25. … Ne3
Rybka gives +5 for Anand on that stupid Rxa4 and Topalov proves he is not as good a chess player.
Most of them commented about Qa3…but that has really given the way for Vishy!
Shows the skill to foresee this 15-20 moves ahead!
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am much happier than yesterday!
Thanks Susan, you are sweet.
Short predicts an Anand win. After the game is over.
Susan Polgar for President.
The chess community wants a world champion not just to find out who is the strongest player, but also hopes that it will promote chess positively. For the latter reason, chess fans overwhelmingly support the contestant who is more sportsmanlike and well-behaved. I hope the outcome of this match will not disappoint such fans.
Vishy has showed great imagination and he showed why he is a world champion and one of the greatest in history of chess.
That was a good game for Vishy, even if in the early middlegame there were some peculiar moves. Topa must however learn to deal with the Catalan, because plans that involve constant attack, not considering the subtleties of this opening are really doomed. You are right, Susan, this happened also in the match against Kramnik, that’s why I wrote he must learn how to deal with this opening, especially as black.
Fantastic game! A surprise tactic from anand!
That’s a great result for Anand. Both games so far have been very exciting. Topalov does seem to lose his focus in long grinds. Karpov’s and Kramnik’s styles work well against Topalov. It seems Anand has noticed this too! As for this being Capablanca like? No, Anand was helped by Topalov’s over zealousness. Capablanca like Smyslov always played the strongest move based on a concrete evaluation of the position. 15Qa3 was not the strongest! I guess Topalov will go away thinking he should’ve had a draw here.
Let all the apologists for the enormous 60% high-draw-rate in chess tell us again that — this WCChamp match so far would be just as “exciting and interesting” if these first two games had been drawn, instead of the games being so wonderfully decisive.
Huge win for Mr. Viswanathan!
I believe that Anand is his first name, the same way that Albert Einstein’s first name was Albert.
The confusion arises because in countries like India and China the family surname is often written in front the personal first name.
Vishy long ago decided to let people use Vishy as his first name, without him bothering to correct them.
His Indian friends of course address him by his personal first name “Anand”. Or so I have read.
Susan, for PGN convenience, it would be more convenient if you put { } around your commentary / annotations.
Also, Fritz rejects 0-0 for castling (with zeros), and requires the correct standard of O-O (upper case letters).
Thanks for your live commentary Susan.
GeneM
Who do you think will win the match? GM Anand of course !
2. What is your final score prediction? 7-4 last game is will not be played.
3. How would you describe the strengths and weaknesses of each player? I think Topalov is more ambitious but Anand is far more superior. Topalov is a risky player v.s Anand Positional play is far better than his opponent.
4. Does playing in Sofia give Topalov an advantage (home crowd) or disadvantage (too much distraction with the national media, family and friends)? I think playing on home court is an advantage but also you have to consider a lot of people around the world cheering for Anand to win specially in Asia.
5. Do you think the age difference between Topalov (35) and Anand (40) is significant? What do you think is an optimal age in a professional chess player’s career. 5 years in this age is not a big difference, I think the reflexes is going low but not the strength ( Proven by Korchnoi, Torre and others) I think retirement age is 70.
topalov lost. yaaay!
I have nothing against topalov, but I hate danialov.
If 15.Qa3 was awful, which it might have been, imagine what Anand will do to Topalov once he starts making good moves!
Amazing, that the supposed Topalov weakness (of not playing well in simple positions, etc) has not been addressed properly by his team of seconds, trainers, or even by his pedantic manager, Danailov!
It speaks volumes about them, doesn’t it?
Finally a plain game of chess.
Are their teams revealed?
@IM Young: I like your answers !
GeneM, why are praising Anand’s father???
Because that is what you do by calling him Mr. Viswanathan – that is his father’s name. You are trying to be smart, but you are not. You can’t call him any other way than Mr. Anand or by his full name – Viswanathan Anand.
Mr. Viswanathan is just wrong wrong WRONG!!!
Very impressive! Mr Anand! way to milk that cow!
Mike Magnan
Looks like Mr Anand is settling in….despite his critics.
Nice win by Anand! I am sure now VT would be longing for blood in his next white game. In any case things have become much more interesting.
One thing to note here is that in both the games critical mistakes were made around move 24…hardly a prescient of anything however.
Vishy what a treat! Imagine being a pawn down and further weak pawn structure because of Qa3 and imagine the enormous pressure he would have been if he had lost it..what a genius! that i call is “gutsy”!!
Vishy would win: 9-3
I am sure that Anand is going to win this match.