Viswanathan Anand, playing black in the final game, avoided a decision by rapid and blitz tiebreak. In a balanced Queen's Gambit Declined, the World Champion took a shot at weakening his Bulgarian challenger's king. Veselin Topalov panicked, as in a flash his chances were dashed and the Bulgarian could wrap up his defence. A fantastic final game by Anand who retains his crown.
Showing posts with label World Championship 2010. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World Championship 2010. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
World Championship Game 12: Vishy wins, retains World Championship title!!!
(Game, picture and report courtesy: chessbase.com)
Viswanathan Anand, playing black in the final game, avoided a decision by rapid and blitz tiebreak. In a balanced Queen's Gambit Declined, the World Champion took a shot at weakening his Bulgarian challenger's king. Veselin Topalov panicked, as in a flash his chances were dashed and the Bulgarian could wrap up his defence. A fantastic final game by Anand who retains his crown.
Viswanathan Anand, playing black in the final game, avoided a decision by rapid and blitz tiebreak. In a balanced Queen's Gambit Declined, the World Champion took a shot at weakening his Bulgarian challenger's king. Veselin Topalov panicked, as in a flash his chances were dashed and the Bulgarian could wrap up his defence. A fantastic final game by Anand who retains his crown.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
World Championship Game 11: Another draw...
(Game and report courtesy: The Week in Chess)
The players had a minutes silence before the game in memory of Andor Lilienthal. The first surprise was that Anand opened with the English Opening. This wasn't a bad choice as Anand has tried all along to put his opponent on the back foot by varying but Topalov found a way to equality after around 30 moves. Indeed it looked like Topalov might get to press again but Anand sacrificed his weak b-pawn for activity and a very interesting ending ensued. The position was sharp but after a few adventures a draw was the correct result.
The final game is on Tuesday. If that is drawn they will have one day of rapid and if necessary blitz games to decide the winner.
The players had a minutes silence before the game in memory of Andor Lilienthal. The first surprise was that Anand opened with the English Opening. This wasn't a bad choice as Anand has tried all along to put his opponent on the back foot by varying but Topalov found a way to equality after around 30 moves. Indeed it looked like Topalov might get to press again but Anand sacrificed his weak b-pawn for activity and a very interesting ending ensued. The position was sharp but after a few adventures a draw was the correct result.
The final game is on Tuesday. If that is drawn they will have one day of rapid and if necessary blitz games to decide the winner.
Friday, May 7, 2010
World Championship Game 10: Anand fer the draw...
(Game and report courtesy: chessbase.com)
The Grünfeld was finally back after the disaster in game one – if anything to show Anand's house was in order. The opening went well and he equalized easily, but a very sharp Topalov found a way to lead him astray. A classic endgame with a bishop pair advantage followed. The Bulgarian made inroads and pushed, but a finesse by the Indian put a halt to them and secured the draw. There are 2 games remaining.
The Grünfeld was finally back after the disaster in game one – if anything to show Anand's house was in order. The opening went well and he equalized easily, but a very sharp Topalov found a way to lead him astray. A classic endgame with a bishop pair advantage followed. The Bulgarian made inroads and pushed, but a finesse by the Indian put a halt to them and secured the draw. There are 2 games remaining.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
World Championship Game 9: Draw in 83 moves
(Game and report courtesy: chessbase.com)
The longest game of the match. Anand switched to a Nimzo-Indian, forsaking the Catalan that had served him so well. His choice seemed to be vindicated as Topalov found himself in trouble in an ultra-complicated endgame with an imbalanced position. Anand made it to the winning line more than once, but faltered at the last moment. The Bulgarian's resilience paid off with a draw.
The longest game of the match. Anand switched to a Nimzo-Indian, forsaking the Catalan that had served him so well. His choice seemed to be vindicated as Topalov found himself in trouble in an ultra-complicated endgame with an imbalanced position. Anand made it to the winning line more than once, but faltered at the last moment. The Bulgarian's resilience paid off with a draw.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
World Championship Game 8: Topalov wins, equals the match!
(Game and report courtesy: chessbase.com)
The World Champion had appeared to have recovered from his shock defeat in game one, and seemed to have it all under control. An oversight got him into trouble, and Topalov went hard to work trying to milk the position for all he could. Still, just as it seemed as if Anand had made it safely back to shore, a final blunder sealed his fate. The match is now drawn 4-4, with four games left.
The World Champion had appeared to have recovered from his shock defeat in game one, and seemed to have it all under control. An oversight got him into trouble, and Topalov went hard to work trying to milk the position for all he could. Still, just as it seemed as if Anand had made it safely back to shore, a final blunder sealed his fate. The match is now drawn 4-4, with four games left.
Monday, May 3, 2010
World Championship Game 7: 'nother draw!
Report courtesy: http://www.chessbase.com, Game courtesy: http://www.chess.co.uk/twic/twic.html.
Once more the opening debate continued, and in a second consecutive game with Black, Topalov unleashed a hair-raising line, with only a blindfold rapid game to its credit, leading to a piece sac for a slew of passed pawns. This was more heart-wrenching chess at its best as fans wondered at the outcome.
Once more the opening debate continued, and in a second consecutive game with Black, Topalov unleashed a hair-raising line, with only a blindfold rapid game to its credit, leading to a piece sac for a slew of passed pawns. This was more heart-wrenching chess at its best as fans wondered at the outcome.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
World Championship Game 6: Another Draw, Anand leads by a point
(Game, report and photo courtesy: Chessbase.com)Today's game was unlike any other ever seen in World Championship history. It started off as a normal Catalan, with Topalov deviating from the previous line that had led him to disaster in game four. Then Anand produced a novelty that led to a middlegame pitting his knight pair against Black's bishop pair, and spurred off into a unique sequence of thirteen consecutive knight moves!
Friday, April 30, 2010
World Championship Game 5: DRAW... DRAW... DRAW...
(Game and report courtesy: Chessbase.com)
The players played a hard fought Slav in game five, repeating the opening from game three. This time, we were able to finally see what is expected of World Championship match play, and what makes it so different from tournaments: a war of opening preparation, thematically played, with incremental attempts to improve on earlier play.
The players played a hard fought Slav in game five, repeating the opening from game three. This time, we were able to finally see what is expected of World Championship match play, and what makes it so different from tournaments: a war of opening preparation, thematically played, with incremental attempts to improve on earlier play.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
World Championship Game 4: Anand wins, takes the lead
(Game and report courtesy: Chessbase.com)
Three decisive games in the first four of a world championship match? Who needs drawing rules with such knock-out hungry players? In a second Catalan, with a nothing special novelty, Anand decided it was an eye-for-an-eye when he dropped a knight onto Topalov's king to quickly achieve a spectacular victory of his own. He now takes the lead and it is the challenger who is in crisis mode.
Three decisive games in the first four of a world championship match? Who needs drawing rules with such knock-out hungry players? In a second Catalan, with a nothing special novelty, Anand decided it was an eye-for-an-eye when he dropped a knight onto Topalov's king to quickly achieve a spectacular victory of his own. He now takes the lead and it is the challenger who is in crisis mode.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
World Championship Match Game 3: Game drawn...
(Game and report courtesy: Chessbase.com)
Chess fans were waiting to see what Anand would play after the disaster in game one. Would he repeat the Gruenfeld with some devastating novelty, or would he switch gears? The answer was a rock solid Slav, leaving it up to Topalov to show what he had in store against it. The Bulgarian was unable to crack it, and Anand’s setup was never in any real danger.
Chess fans were waiting to see what Anand would play after the disaster in game one. Would he repeat the Gruenfeld with some devastating novelty, or would he switch gears? The answer was a rock solid Slav, leaving it up to Topalov to show what he had in store against it. The Bulgarian was unable to crack it, and Anand’s setup was never in any real danger.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
World Championship Match Game 2: Anand ties the match 1-1
(Game and report courtesy: Chessbase.com)
Yesterday Viswanathan Anand suffered a painful defeat, casting doubt on his chances at a title defense. So how did he reply: by turtling up and licking his wounds? Not at all – in a dangerous, fighting game the World Champion outplayed challenger Veselin Topalov in positional masterpiece to level the score at 1-1.
[E04] Catalan, open, 5. Nf3
Yesterday Viswanathan Anand suffered a painful defeat, casting doubt on his chances at a title defense. So how did he reply: by turtling up and licking his wounds? Not at all – in a dangerous, fighting game the World Champion outplayed challenger Veselin Topalov in positional masterpiece to level the score at 1-1.
[E04] Catalan, open, 5. Nf3
Saturday, April 24, 2010
World Championship Match Game 1: Topalov for the win!!!
(Game and Report courtesy Chessbase.com)
It was one of the shortest, most decisive opening games in World Championship history. Veselin Topalov rattled off his moves quickly and comfortably, with Anand following suit, until he apparently ran into his challenger's home preparation (or muddled up his own). On move 23 he blundered in a very dangerous position, and Topalov drove his advantage forcefully home.
[D86] Gruenfeld, exchange, classical variation
It was one of the shortest, most decisive opening games in World Championship history. Veselin Topalov rattled off his moves quickly and comfortably, with Anand following suit, until he apparently ran into his challenger's home preparation (or muddled up his own). On move 23 he blundered in a very dangerous position, and Topalov drove his advantage forcefully home.
[D86] Gruenfeld, exchange, classical variation
Thursday, April 15, 2010
World Championship Match stars next Friday, April 23rd, 2010
(courtesy: http://chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=6258)
Next Friday, April 23rd, the World Championship match between Vishy Anand and Veselin Topalov begins in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The time controls for the Anand-Topalov match are 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, 60 minutes for the next 20 moves, then 15 minutes for the rest of the game, with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move 61.
Wednesday April 21 17:00 CET Official opening
Friday April 23 14:00 CET Game 1
Saturday April 24 14:00 CET Game 2
Sunday April 25 Rest Day
Monday April 26 14:00 CET Game 3
Tuesday April 27 14:00 CET Game 4
Wednesday April 28 Rest Day
Thursday April 29 14:00 CET Game 5
Friday April 30 14:00 CET Game 6
Saturday May 1 Rest Day
Sunday May 2 14:00 CET Game 7
Monday May 3 14:00 CET Game 8
Tuesday May 4 Rest Day
Wednesday May 5 14:00 CET Game 9
Thursday May 6 14:00 CET Game 10
Friday May 7 Rest Day
Saturday May 8 14:00 CET Game 11
Sunday May 9 Rest Day
Monday May 10 14:00 CET Game 12
Tuesday May 11 Rest Day
Wednesday May 12 Tie breaks
I hope to follow each game on this bl0g.
Next Friday, April 23rd, the World Championship match between Vishy Anand and Veselin Topalov begins in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The time controls for the Anand-Topalov match are 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, 60 minutes for the next 20 moves, then 15 minutes for the rest of the game, with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move 61.
Wednesday April 21 17:00 CET Official opening
Friday April 23 14:00 CET Game 1
Saturday April 24 14:00 CET Game 2
Sunday April 25 Rest Day
Monday April 26 14:00 CET Game 3
Tuesday April 27 14:00 CET Game 4
Wednesday April 28 Rest Day
Thursday April 29 14:00 CET Game 5
Friday April 30 14:00 CET Game 6
Saturday May 1 Rest Day
Sunday May 2 14:00 CET Game 7
Monday May 3 14:00 CET Game 8
Tuesday May 4 Rest Day
Wednesday May 5 14:00 CET Game 9
Thursday May 6 14:00 CET Game 10
Friday May 7 Rest Day
Saturday May 8 14:00 CET Game 11
Sunday May 9 Rest Day
Monday May 10 14:00 CET Game 12
Tuesday May 11 Rest Day
Wednesday May 12 Tie breaks
I hope to follow each game on this bl0g.
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