Veselin Topalov (2812 – BUL) – Vishy Anand (2791 – IND)
Game 1 – LIVE commentary
What will it be? 1. e4, 1. d4, 1. c4 or 1. Nf3?
GM Fabiano Caruana shared with me the following about this match: “Anand and Topalov are about equal in strength, so it’s difficult to draw any immediate conclusions. I believe the match will be very close, and probably will be decided (or at least largely influenced) by how well the players were prepared beforehand.”
When asked about how playing in Sofia would effect the match, GM Caruana responded: “It’s also difficult to say what effect the location of the match will have on the players; this is a very individual thing and affects different players in different ways.”
As of the age difference, he said: “Although Topalov is a few years younger than Anand, this won’t necessarily be of any importance for this specific match. More important is the relative physical condition of the players.”
I will continue to bring you the comments, opinions, and assessments from many different Grandmasters and International Masters in every game.
Photo courtesy from our friends at Chessdom
[Event “World Championship”]
[Date “2010.04.24”]
[Round “1”]
[White “Topalov”]
[Black “Anand”]
[ECO “D87”]
[WhiteElo “2812”]
[BlackElo “2791”]
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 It is interesting that Anand is employing the Gruenfeld in the first game. A surprising choice in my opinion.
7. Bc4 c5 8. Ne2 Nc6 9. Be3 O-O 10. O-O Na5 11. Bd3 b6 12. Qd2 e5 13. Bh6 cxd4 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. cxd4 exd4 16. Rac1 = Topalov against Kamsky in the 1st game of their match in 2009 played 16. f4 and that game ended in a draw as well.
I am not sure if there is a transmission delay at the start or not but it seems that the first 16 moves were cranked out within the first 6-7 minutes!
16…Qd6 Magnus Carlsen as Black against Karjakin in 2008 played 16…Bb7 and it was a draw. Therefore, it seems that Anand did not want to duplicate the move by Magnus. He chose to play something new.
17. f4 f6 18. f5 Qe5 Topalov sacrificed a pawn early. However, he has plenty of compensation for it. His pieces are fully developed while Black’s pieces are not coordinated yet. Anand has to be mentally ready to be patient and defend against Topalov’s all out attack in most if not all games. This is why I think this match will be very exciting. It fire versus ice! In this position, both 19. Rf3 and 19. Nf4 are good options. Black has to be careful not to allow Topalov to exploit his weakness on the Kingside.
19. Nf4 Black can just ignore it and develop his Bishop to d7 or he can chase the Knight away with g5.
19…g5 Now Topalov has 2 main options, Knight to d5 or h5. Both are OK although I would predict Topalov to get his Knight to h5 as it will give him more flexibility. The Black Bishop can chase his Knight easier on d5.
20. Nh5+ Kg8 = Now Topalov can open up the Kingside even further with h4. There is no advantage for White. However, any slight inaccuracy by Black can shift the balance of the game immediately. This is why many players fear Topalov because he is simply relentless. He is not afraid to lose and he goes for the win in every game.
21. h4 h6 Anand’s plan here is simple. Hold off White’s attack, trade pieces to go to the endgame with a pawn up.
22. hxg5 hxg5 I have to assume that this is all home preparation for both players. It is very rare to see moves being played this fast in world championship competition. Now the main plan for White is to get his Rooks to the h file. He does not have much else.
23. Rf3 Anand is taking a lot of time for his 23rd move. He knows what Topalov wants to do. The question is how to defend it since 3 of his pieces (Rook on a8, Bishop on c8, and Knight on a5) are out of play at the moment. The 1st game is one of the most critical games in any world championship match. No matter how well any player prepared, there will always be jitter. No one wants to dug a big hole right from the start. It does not mean that you cannot come back after losing the first game. I did in my world championship match in 1996 and Fischer did the same in his match in 1972. We both came back and won convin
GM Alex Onischuk recently shared with me his sentiment about this match: “I think the chances are equal (considering that they play in Sofia, Topalov is 5 years younger, Vishy has more match experience, etc.), the one who will be in better form, or maybe just will be luckier will win the match.” I agree with both GMs Onischuk and Caruana. I also think the match will be very very close.
I would like to thank both GMs Caruana and Onischuk for their comments. I have many more interesting comments and assessments from 20+ others very strong players. I will publish them one at the time during the LIVE commentary of the 12 games.
23…Kf7 A very suspicious move. This allows 24.Nxf6. It seems that he completely overlooked this dangerous threat.
24. Nxf6!! Now it seems that Anand is in serious trouble. If 24…Kxf6 25. Rh3 Bd7 26. Rh6+ Kf7 27. Qxg5 Rg8 28. Rh7+ Rg7 29. Rc7 +-. If 24…Qxf6 25. Rh3 Kg8 26. Rc7 Bxf5 27. exf5 Rf7 28. Qc1 +-. This is a stunning development!
24…Kxf6 After around 25 minutes, Anand took the Knight with his King. I expect 25. Rh3 for White now. It is obvious that Topalov is not afraid to take chances. He sacrificed a pawn right out of the opening and now a Knight.
25. Rh3 nearly immediately.
GM Lev Psakhis just sent me a note. “I think that the difference in age is not important (strong nerve system is much more valuable) and for sure Topalov is getting some advantage because of fact that match is played in Sofia.” Thank you Lev for your insight.
25…Rg8 and Topalov immediately played 26. Rh6+ Kf7 Now White must follow through with 27. Rh7+
27. Rh7+ Topalov has a decisive advantage here. This game may be over very soon. If 27… Kf8 28. Qb4+ Ke8 29. Bb5+ and it’s over. If 27… Ke8 28. Bb5+ Qxb5 29. Qxd4 the mate comes soon. If 27…Kf6 then 28. Rcc7 and it is also over. If 27…Rg7 then 28. Rxg7+ Kxg7 29. Qxg5+ Kf8 30. Qd8+ Qe8 31. Qxd4 and White has a decisive advantage. Anand is running out of options.
27…Ke8 Now 28. Bb5 will lead to a victory shortly.
28. Rcc7 This is not as strong as 28. Bb5 but it also wins easily.
28…Kd8 Now once again 29. Bb5 is the knockout punch. But Topalov needs to slow down and take his time now. Even though his position is winning, he is down a piece. Therefore, an inaccuracy by him may cost him the game. Time to clamp down and close out the brilliant game and not time to get excited and play fast.
29. Bb5! A decisive move! The problem for Black is his pieces cannot move. His Rook on a8, Bishop on c8 and Knight on a5 are all useless and out of play. I expect a resignation shortly. This is devastating for Anand. But he is very experienced and I am sure he will regroup quickly.
29…Qxe4 30. Rxc8+ Anand resigns! Topalov leads 1-0.
1. a3 :)))))))
Bc1-f6 !
Who are Anand’s seconds ? The suspense is killing me 🙂
e4 In Fischer style, I hope 🙂
i think first game will be d4. anand will play the slav
1)d4
1.d4 for sure
1.d4 for both players much probably.
Topalov will play 1.d4 in all games,as he did before against Kramnik
Well, as far as I know, Boyko Borisov (Bulgarian PM who’ll make first move) is e4-player…
A Dust Indian maybe.
Personally, I’d choose Nc3 instead 😉
But seriously, I could imagine that Topalov really tries something out of the ordinary, to get some psychological advantage.
1.c4 Topa has had success with this
i m j a lafferty and i wud play 1. g4
1.e4 for sure at least in 3rd game 😉
1. b3
will be d4
will be Slav
1.d4!
Apropos of comment 1. I used to find that in blitz chess one could get away with 1 c4 2 Bg5 rather often. I don’t any advantage of this system, but it’s fun to see the opponent’s embarrassment after you move your d pawn, when he realizes he missed that.
Maybe Topalov could be bold and play 1 Bg5.
I recommend it.
1. e4 vishy responds with a rare sicilian line
1. d4 again vishy reponds with some rare opening just like kramnik cant wait to see
Wow a new idea , c4, Beegirlfive, usin tricks!!!
I think Topalov will start game 1 with 1d4! If not then 1e4! Anand would respond with either Semi-Slav, Nimzo or QGD Ragozin against 1d4 or Ruy Lopez against 1e4! I’d like to see Anand play the Najdorf against 1e4, but I don’t think he’d use it in the first game.
f4
very fast moves till now, are they both in preparation or is it some kind of double bluff?
Wow, already the board lights up!
Susan Um predicting a win for vishy by 3 points!, topy chess is outdated, he hasnt adjusted to the new chess.
Sacrifice on f6 coming possibly?
23. … Kf7 played. Now Rybka gives 24. Nxf6 as winning …
Dunno, but Anand’s Kf7 seems kinda panicky.
Yuck,
I won’t watch another game.
If this is the form Anand brings to the match, why bother?
I think the point about physical condition was obvious—Anand is clearly fat and out of shape (in fact, he’s never looked in decent shape at all), which gives Topalov a big edge in that crucial area.
Anand probably still isn’t recovered from the 40 hour car ride.
The 40 hour drive from Germany to Bulgaria obviously took something out of Anand here. I think they should disqualify this game and start Game 1 in three more days, as Anand requested. No doubt Danialov will use even such a God given event as a volcano to his advantage. Winning over the board is something the Topalov team never tries to specialize in. There needs to be an immediate protest by the Indian government here, immediate !!!
Nice call on Topa’s f6 knight sacrifice, anon.
Anon 10:17:00 AM, you sound like a pathetic idiot. Already making excuses for Anand for poor choice of opening.
Well, that was over quickly.
Vishy Anand is suffering from the same effects that Barcelona FC suffered in their European Champions League match 1-3 loss against Inter Milan:
SEVERE FATIGUE FROM ROAD TRAVEL
Anand should resign, then regroup to quickly strike back in game 2.
You were right, Susan, this match is gonna come down to prep.
Dear Susan,
Anand will play …25. Qf5 !!
And do not forget, he wins !! All you grandmasters talk on the web about Topalov’s win. We will see.
Topalov missed 28. Bb5+, sacrificing a second piece and winning even quicker. 🙂
Qxc7…..
Anand is in trouble now, but do not forget he is a kind of magician and will play till the very last move..
Susan, something most be wrong about black’s move 27 and 28. There must be a typo, king cannot move to the same position…
If Qxb5 then Anand is up 2 pieces, if Topalov makes a mistake then Anand wins. If he does not, then Anand still loses the game, but with a huge material advantage. That has to mea something.
From the live feed, it seems that Anand resigned by just sacrificing the queen at f5. Or was that a mistake in the live feed.
Game one goes to topalov.
Anand just sacrificed his Queen for a pawn! What is up with that? Maybe some kind of a trick?
Why not 29. Qxc7 ?
Ok, a mistake it appears, he played Qe4, but Rc8 wins immediately.
if 29.Qxc7 then it’s 3 moves to mate.
30. Rce7 would have led to quick mate. 30. Rxc8 (as in the game) Kxc8 31. Qc1+ Nc6 32. Bxc6 Qe3+ 33. Qxe3 dxe3 34. Bxa8 only gives a clear (and also winning) advantage …
A psychological trick? Idea: I’m winning in any way I want …
30. e:f5
— is the correct notation, not 30. e:f6
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this match is not chess match. This is match of preparations, this is just a matter of who is more lucky! Today Topalov was lucky because his home preparation kept the game balancaed until Anand blundered as a child!
May be tomorrow roles will be changed, but in either case this game is nothing for me. Here is no chess. Chess is dead!
As usual Topa sacrifices again. This champ will always deliver beauty to the chess fans.
Congrats for the win
Where have gone all Anand’s pathetic fans? Anand’s been crushed down like a patzer.Elo difference surely tells.
some of the comments, the last indeed, look funny after 3 more games