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WCC / Anand - Topalov; Sophia, Bulgaria, 2010.The chess World Championships were recently concluded. (April 24th - May 13th.) It was a 12-game match, the players went into the final game, all tied up. The
final game is
analyzed (in the box) below. (You will have to scroll down a little bit, it
below the match summary.) [The official site for the match.] [The TWIC initial report for the whole match.] [The CG page on this match, you can also replay all of the games.] [ALL of the ChessBase reports on this match.] [Use Google to search the Internet for any sites, news or reports on this match.] [ The TWIC report on the match.]
************************************************************************************************************** The WCC 2010 ... game-by-game summary, as I see it.I watched just about all of these games - as they were being played. Additionally, I visited almost every link or news story that had any analysis of the games themselves. So I thought you would be interested in a short description of the games ... a sort of "blow-by-blow," of the games themselves. NOTE: Every game was a tough struggle, there was not a single GM draw! (Perhaps because of the "Sofia Rules" that were in effect?) However, it does not matter what the reason was, all that is really important is the end result. ALL of the games were fascinating to watch, not since Fischer-Spassky, 1972 has there been such a match where every game required monumental efforts from both players. (I also did not feel the need to analyze all of these games in detail, as both London's "Chess Centre" website and the "ChessBase" website often featured detailed analysis of the games themselves. Often - this analysis was posted - within just a day or two after the conclusion of each of the individual games.) Click HERE to see the page that has ALL of the ChessBase reports on this event! Please remember that the start of the match was slightly delayed ... because all European air traffic was severely affected by a monstrous ash cloud, as there was a volcano in Iceland that was erupting at the time. [story]
Some things you need to know.Please
remember the following fact - although it is not stated anywhere below.
However, the most important thing to me ... and this is NOT important to other websites ... is that even a "BARE-BONES BEGINNER" should be able to follow the game. In other words, if a person sets up a board and endeavors to follow the game, there should be enough explanations that even a novice will not feel lost. (I think its important to remember that the majority of the world's population will never spend the time on chess beyond learning the basics of how the individual pieces move. This is why I spend so much time on layout and making sure it is obvious what are the actual moves of the game and what the variations are.)
The final game of the Anand-Topalov (2010) World Chess Championship Match. I thought that I would lightly annotate this game and bring it to my fans and all of my readers. [I watched this whole game online ... mainly from the live coverage of the "Chess Games" website. I also had a guest account on ICC and I watched the coverage of the "Play-Chess" server as well. I was in constant communication - with many of my chess friends and students - through my cell-phone, and also the Windows Instant Messaging system. ... ... ... It was a blast!!!] The score was all tied at 5.5 each. It seems apparent - from the way that Topalov conducted this game - that he did not want to face Anand in any kind of quick/rapid chess. I fully expected Topalov to go "all out" in this encounter ... and he did. My goal was to present a simple and streamlined analysis ... and possibly point out those things not mentioned by other annotators. For a detailed look at this game, please see A. Giri's excellent analysis of this game on the CB website. (http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=6327) Additionally, I definitely wanted to look at any lines or variations that perhaps Giri did not cover in his initial article. As well as the goals and ideas outlined above, I also wanted to point out some of the main lines of the Q.G.D. and possibly point the aspiring student in the right direction. (I wanted to give a basic roadmap of all the main lines of the Queen's Gambit Declined. Any chess players - who are really interested in learning the Queen's Gambit - should check out the following page: http://www.angelfire.com/games3/lifemasteraj/capa-alek1_1.html. This might be the most heavily analyzed {single} game on the whole of the world-wide-web.) ********************************************************************************************************* 1.d4, What is the reason that I say this? It seems (to me) that they did not have any really new ideas, and the Queen's Gambit has not been a giant success for Topalov in this match. Further, if GM V. Kramnik could not succeed in defeating Anand after 1.d4, d5; then what chance did Topalov really have? [ Topalov should have tried 1.e4, at least one time in this match. ]
Both sides conduct their opening
while closely observing the four main principles of the
opening.
[ The main line is: 5...0-0; 6.e3 Nbd7; 7.Rc1 c6; 8.Bd3 dxc4;
9.Bxc4, [ For more info and analysis, please see MCO-15, pg. # 595, columns #1 - 6. ] ]
Here Topalov (and his team) should
have seriously investigated 6.BxN/f6. [ A solid alternative was: 6.Bxf6!?, please see the interesting contest:
GM Bu Xiangzhi (2710) - GM Rafael A. Vaganian (2594); [D55]
6...0-0;
7.e3 Ne4;
rnbq1rk1/ppp1bpp1/4p2p/3p4/2PPn2B/2N1PN2/PP3PPP/R2QKB1R; White - 08.
For more analysis and info, please see MCO-15, page # 406, and columns # 31 through 36.
[ A major alternative was to play: 7...b6!?; (The T.M.B. System) ...
The TMB was a favorite of Spassky's ... and later, Anatoly Karpov used it many times -
Click here
to see one web page that I have done about a game where the players used
this line ...
8.Bxe7,
[ RR Instead, after the
continuation of:
8...Qxe7;
9.Rc1 c6;
10.Be2 Nxc3;
[ When I was a teenager, some 35+ years ago, I bought a huge book on the QGD.
Back then the main line was: For an excellent example - by a {former} World Champion - please see the following clash of titans:
GM Anatoly Karpov (2755) - GM Arthur Yusupov (2610); [D56]
11.Rxc3,
[ A second {viable} possibility was: RR
11.bxc3!? Rd8; 12.0-0,
"+/="
*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Both sides continue with their development. The other two main alternatives would be 13...e5; and 13...c5.
14.Bd3 c5;
15.Be4, "+/=" [ Less effective would be: RR 5.dxc5 Nxc5; 16.Ne5, "=" when Black is OK. ]
15...Rb8;
1rb2rk1/p2nqpp1/1p2p2p/2p5/3PB3/2R1PN2/PP3PPP/3Q1RK1; White - 16.
White is slightly better, however, Black has good chances to equalize.
***************************************
Now a DVD on this opening recommends 16.Bc6, while the top choice of the CB/Fritz "Power-Book" is 16.Qa4. << An idea from the Polish player, Grabarczyk, which was probably a surprise for Topalov. 16...a5 was used to be one of the main moves here, as well as Bb7 and Ba6. >> -- GM Anish Giri ( -----> From the CB website. )
Now Topalov chooses to give up his Bishop, however, in return, he saddles Anand with an isolated QBP. "Toppy" chooses to immediately begin stacking up on the Black c-Pawn. [ The alternative was: RR 19.b3 Bb7; 20.Qf4, "+/="
GM Kaido Kulaots (2531) - GM Miroslaw Grabarczyk (2510); [D56]
19...Bb7;
20.Nd2, ("Box?")
[
Instead, after the following moves:
20...Rfd8;
(center / mobility)
1r1r2k1/pb2qpp1/4p2p/2p5/8/2R1P3/PPQN1PPP/5RK1; White - 21.
White has the better structure, Black has good play for his pieces. I see it as a tiny edge for White, Fritz 12 calls it dead even. ************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Now White plays to blunt the Black Bishop ... staring at his King down the long (light-squared) diagonal. 21.f3!?
Ba6N; (Maybe - '!')
Its logical, since White has blocked his Bishop's pathways on one vector, Anand immediately seeks new horizons for his Bishop -
22.Rf2
Rd7;
(Probably - '!')
23.g3?!,
(ANTI-POSITIONAL) "In today's times and in the modern era of chess engines, no one cares anymore for general principles." - GM Nigel Short. [ >/= 23.Nb3 Rbd8; 24.Rd2; "~" - Fritz 12. ]
23...Rbd8;
24.Kg2 Bd3!;
25.Qc1
Ba6; "~" (Unclear?)
26.Ra3!?
Bb7!;
Now Fritz recommends 27.e4!. "+/="
b2r2k1/p1r1qpp1/4p2p/2p5/2N5/R3PPP1/PP3RKP/2Q5; Black - 29...
Now according to the engines ... and I let a few run all night in this position ... ... ... [ </= 29.b3? Rcd7; 30.Nc4 Rd1; "=/+" ]
Black to move here.
b2r2k1/p1r1qpp1/7p/2p1p3/2N5/R3PPP1/PP3RKP/2Q5; White - 30.
The main reason that this move is so good is that:
White's response is pretty much forced in this position.
b2r2k1/p1r1q1p1/7p/2p1pp2/2N1P3/R4PP1/PP3RKP/2Q5; White - 31.
In a difficult position, Black tempts White with the offer a Pawn ... and only an insane man would accept.
Anand is quite happy and in his element.
31.exf5?!;
(Maybe even - '?') [ >/= 31.Nd2[] fxe4; 32.Nxe4 c4; 33.Re3 Rd3!; "=" - Fritz 12. ]
31...e4!;
(attack - light squares)
b2r2k1/p1r1q1p1/7p/2p2P2/2N1p3/R4PP1/PP3RKP/2Q5; White - 32.
This is the current position.
32.fxe4?,
('??' - GM Anish Giri.) According to just about all the chess engines, White is now lost ... and nothing can save Topalov's game. [ >/= 32.Kh3[] exf3; 33.Nd2! Qg5; 34.Qc4+ Rf7; "=/+" 35.Qg4, - Fritz 12. ]
32...Qxe4+;
33.Kh3 Rd4; 34.Ne3[],
b5k1/p1r3p1/7p/2p2P2/3rq3/R3N1PK/PP3R1P/2Q5; Black - 34...
Now Black has many ways of continuing assault, but only one way is best. [ Much worse was: </= 34.Rf4?! Qg2+, "-/+" and the box sees mate. (U20) ]
Black to move. GM A Giri liked this move so much, that - on the ChessBase website - he awarded this move TWO exclams!
35.g4T, (Completely forced. "Box" or
[].)
35...h5!;
(X'ing the Pawn shield.)
36.Kh4!,
(Best!)
b3q1k1/p1r3p1/8/2p2P1p/3r2PK/R3N3/PP3R1P/2Q5; Black - 36...
Once again, it was Black to move, and Anand had to find a good way to continue his attack. [ After the following continuation: </= 36.Rc3? hxg4+; 37.Kh4 g5+!; "-/+" its mate in 13 - according to Fritz. ]
36...g5+!; [ GM A. Giri did not look at this line in his initial article, so I felt that I had to explore it:
Best was: >/= 36...Qd8+!!; 37.f6[]; (Even worse was: </= 37.Kg3? Qd6+; 38.Kh3 Qh6; "-/+")
37...hxg4; 38.Rf5 gxf6;
39.Nxg4 Rh7+; 40.Kg3 Qb8+!; 41.Rf4 Rxf4;
However, this line was much more complicated than what was played in the actual game.
37.fxg6[],
("Forced," or "only move.")
[ The button on g5 is poisoned: </=
37.Kxg5?? Rg7+; 38.Kh4 hxg4; "-/+"
37...Qxg6;
b5k1/p1r5/6q1/2p4p/3r2PK/R3N3/PP3R1P/2Q5; White - 38.
I would not want to even try and defend this position as White.
White to move here. However, (once more); you have to give the "Dark Knight" credit, he continues to find the best defensive moves to try and hold his position together. [ </= 38.Rc3? Rxg4+!; 39.Kh3 Rg7; "-/+" ]
38...Rxg4+!; 39.Kh3[], Forced.
b5k1/p1r5/6q1/2p4p/6r1/R3N2K/PP3R1P/5Q2; Black - 39...
Now what is the best way for the Indian Champ to continue? [ Of course not: </= 39.Nxg4?? Qxg4#. ]
39...Re7!!;
(1st choice - Fritz 12.)
[ RR A nice "fantasy mate" ... that I calculated OTB while watching this game ... was:
40.Rf8+,
(A spite check?)
b4Rk1/p3r3/6q1/2p4p/6r1/R3N2K/PP5P/5Q2; Black, 40...
Once more, Anand has to find the best move in this position. [ RR 40.Qd1 Rd4!; 41.Nf5 Qxf5+!; 42.Rxf5 Rxd1; "-/+" ]
40...Kg7!;
(Take my Bishop, please?!?)
b4R2/p3r1k1/6q1/2p4p/6r1/R3N2K/PP5P/5Q2; White - 41.
Now I believe that the time control had been reached and both players got another hour on the clock.
[ In my opinion, there was no chance any human could find the following continuation for Black;
>/= 40...Kh7!!; 41.Rh8+! Kxh8;
42.Qf8+ Qg8!; 43.Qxe7!? Bg2+!!;
44.Nxg2 Qc8!;
The game now quickly winds down, there is little else of great interest. Now its just a matter of technique ... 41.Nf5+!?,
[ The Bishop on a8 was off limits: </=
41.Rxa8? Rxe3+!; 42.Rxe3 Rh4+!;
43.Kxh4 Qg4#. (Cascade mate.)
The next few moves all appear to
be forced, or are very close to the best that either side can play.
5R2/p6k/8/2p2N1p/6q1/6P1/PP4K1/8; Black - 47...
At this point, I knew that the game was over. The only question in my mind is: "When would GM V. Topalov resign?"
[ RR The K+P endgame after: 47.Rf7+
Kg6; 48.Rg7+ Kxf5; 49.Rxg4 hxg4;
---> Worse, it is so simple, that there
is no chance that Anand might make a
Now Anand wraps things up. 47...Qe2+;
48.Kh3 c4!;
49.a4 a5; 50.Rf6 Kg8!;
51.Nh6+ Kg7; 52.Rb6 Qe4!;
53.Kh2 Kh7;
The main point was that 57.Rd7, is refuted by 57...Qg4+; and then 58...QxR/d7.
8/5Nqk/3R4/p6p/P1p5/6PK/8/8; White - 57.
A wonderful game by Black, who played with a sure hand throughout the whole of the entire contest. A grand game to finish off a well played match, my hearty congratulations to GM V. Anand for successfully defending his title as Chess's World Champion.
Copyright (c) A.J. Goldsby, 2010. All rights reserved.
0 - 1 The analysis of this game was done with the program, CHESSBASE 10.0. (I used MANY different analysis engines, to include Rybka, Deep Junior, etc. However, my main engine - for this game - was Fritz 12.) Click
HERE
... ... ... to go to a website where I analyze many games in detail. (Its
my old, "Game-Of-The-Month" website.) -----> This page is mentioned in an Impala blog entry. Click HERE to return to my home page. Click HERE to go/return to my "Best Games" page. Click HERE to go/return to my "Site Map." page. This page was first prepared in the early part of May, 2010. It was first posted on
Friday; May 14th, at 01:15 AM. Copyright (c) A.J. Goldsby I Copyright (©) A.J. Goldsby, 1985 - 2014. Copyright (©) A.J. Goldsby, 2015. All rights reserved.
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