World chess championship: Anand’s decisive masterstroke
Topalov’s aggressive style made for a classic match. But in the final game, Anand was just too good for him
Ronan Bennett & Daniel King
The Guardian, Tuesday 18 May 2010
World championship matches were once truly epic in scale. Alekhine and Capablanca (1927) slugged it out in 34 games over 10 weeks, while Kasparov and Karpov made the first move of their first extraordinary encounter on 10 September 1984. It ended when Karpov turned over his king on 9 February the following year, after 48 games.
Things are different today. Rule changes, the emergence of computers – putting an end to adjournments – and the struggle to find sponsorship have led to a more compressed format. In Sofia, Anand and Topalov played 12 games over a little more than two weeks. And while the games were watched by thousands online, the event was barely mentioned in the non-chess media.
The compensation for the diminished scale and interest was in the chess itself, which was thrilling. Topalov is an uncompromisingly aggressive player. He promised to bring the fight to Anand and this he did. The match went to the wire, with the two contestants level as they went into the 12th game.
Here is the full article.
Susan, have you heard if Magnus Carlsen is going to be challenging Anand anytime soon?
anand is briliand
The match or the result didn’t get any media attention from the non-chess media. Well, that was expected!! First of all, the lat two championships have practically been imposed by FIDE with participants who don’t appeal to the media: Anand, Kramnik, and Topalov. Aside from Anand story, what was there to say about Kramnik and Topalov? There really wasn’t any interesting story to sell. And then we must add although there have been 4 tournaments since 2006…now we go back to the ridiculous 2-3 years cycle where the World Champion can hide with the title behinds FIDES skirt. If FIDE wants more media attention to the WCC tournaments…they must the event credible, interesting, and appealing to sponsors.
The title should be fought over every 2 weeks. Everyone will be WCC then!
Susan,
When do you plan to post the match analysis – part2. Its been long long overdue.
joist,
It should actually be at least once a year. I know some chess players like the idea of having the WCC evry 2-3 years, but they forget chess is not only a sport….is a business. And it needs to be run as such. FIDE needs serum of new energetic ideas so that our game can enjoy more world exposure. Think about the many benefits that it could attain: better prizes for chess players, more GM’s having real chances at a the WCC, etc. I really don’t understand how can anyone support the current FIDE president or Karpov for that matter. We really need new blood with a new vision ahead of FIDE.
I somehow don’t think there is going to be any more SP analysis of the match.