Vishy Anand (2787 – IND) – Veselin Topalov (2817 – BUL)
Game 2 – LIVE commentary
After losing game 1, Anand is looking to regroup. What will he choose? 1. e4, 1. d4, 1. c4 or 1. Nf3?
31,236 people joined us right here for game 1 LIVE commentary. Game 2 LIVE commentary will begin promptly at 7 am U.S. central time and 8 am NY time.
Here are the 5 questions I asked a number of Grandmasters and International Masters:
1. Who do you think will win the match?
2. What is your final score prediction?
3. How would you describe the strengths and weaknesses of each player?
4. Does playing in Sofia give Topalov an advantage (home crowd) or disadvantage (too much distraction with the national media, family and friends)?
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
Here are the answers from GM Robert Hess:
1) I think Topalov will have much trouble defeating Anand in this match. When you look at Topalov’s match against Gata Kamsky, you can easily recognize that Topalov is always playing to win. This will either allow him to force a rare loss by Anand, or end up being self-destructive. I think Anand is the favorite in this match — his experience and strength have proven him a top player time and time again.
2) I will take a guess and say 6.5-5.5 in favor of Anand (I do think that a 12 game match is far too short, but what can be done). More likely it will be a 6-6 tie, though!
3) Topalov is a fantastic psychological player and tenacious attacker. Anand is incredibly solid and plays almost perfectly when finishing an opponent off. I feel that Topalov is slightly more prone to making mistakes, but also more likely to win a game, simply due to his aggressive nature.
If you look at recent history for both players, Topalov seems to be high on the rise, having hit around 2813 on the rating list and winning Linares. Anand played “normally” in Corus, but it was indeed obvious he was not playing his best chess nor using his best openings (secret for the match). Both parties have fantastic coaches, with perhaps a slight nod toward Anand in my opinion. Should be a great match.
4) Playing in Sofia is a definite advantage for Topalov as he did not have to go through huge travel, especially at a time like this with problems from the volcanic eruptions. Also, it is his hometown, which, while putting some pressure on him, makes it far more comfortable.
5) The age difference is just five years and probably will not be a huge factor in the match. Perhaps I am wrong, but I think they will both be extremely well prepared, especially with their strong seconds joining them in Sofia. As for an optimal age, it is hard to tell. I’d guess in the 30s.
Here is the view from GM Boris Gulko:
1) Chances are equal.
2) 6-6
3) Topalov can be better in openings and he can have more ideas. Anand can be stronger in the middlegame. All will depend of the form of players and some luck.
4) Sofia will be disadvantage for Anand. He will feel that the fans will want him to lose.
5) It’s better to be 35 than 40. 40 is a critical age. Kasparov retired at 40.
I will continue to bring you more comments and assessments from more than 20 GMs and IMs for the next 11 games.
Fantastic gm 1.
40 is not such a critical age for professional go players. There are rare examples of go players winning top titles in their 60’s, and many more examples in their 50’s. I wonder why that is. I don’t think the ability to calculate suffers particularly, and I think older players have better middlegames. The difference is memorization. Pure memorization is a key component to being a strong GM—not so much at all in go.
http://www.thechessmind.net/
has some insightful analysis and background on the match.
This, Mig’s Daily Dirt and the Chessbomb site are all recommended.
Please, tell me is a mistake of yours and the game of today really start two hours earlier than yesterday’s game, like the official schedule states here: http://www.anand-topalov.com/en/results.html – that is 6 hrs. in NY, only in 20 minutes. If it starts 2 1/2 hours ahead… i don’t think i could stay awake!
by the way, go Topalov!!
Thanks for the commentaries, Susan! I was here in 2006 for the WCC 2006. Now I’m back for the WCC 2010.
Anand’s normal opening move with White is 1e4! However, I think he may go for 1d4 in game 2 to avaoid Topalov’s Berlin Defence. It’s important Anand levels the score ASAP and he has a good chance today because he’s got the White pieces! I don’t think Anand’s age is an issue at all! My guess is Topalov I think will play the Berlin Defence against 1e4 and either the Nimzo, Queen’s Indian or Slav-Semi Slav against 1d4. I think he’ll play solid and try to maintain his lead, I don’t expect a Sicilian or King’s Indian. (Although that would be a lot of fun)!
Can the game be seen online? PlayChess doesn’t let guests in broadcast room anymore
AAnswering the last message, you can watch live video at the official page:
http://www.anand-topalov.com/en/live.html
i am watching it rigth now. a rush at the beginning again! hope their video server is good and not get collapsed.
I don’t understand the these new matches. I barely get my chess set out and start analyzing the first move and the game is over. Maybe they need to put some rules in Sofia so that the average player can watch. Either time delay the broadcast or tell the players to slow down.
And now they have 12 game matches in which these guys whip out some prepared lines with maybe 30 mins of real thinking involved and they say it is so difficult. I think they should go back to the old style of 24 games or first to win six. Here the match is over in a week. I miss Spassky-Fischer and Kasparov-Karpov style.
The way is now I need to set up my Rybka and hit self play and just enjoy the game, is same as the World Championship and I don’t have to get up early.