Topalov,Veselin (2805) - Anand,Viswanathan (2787) [D17]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 7.f3 c5 8.e4 Bg6 9.Be3 cxd4 10.Qxd4 Qxd4 11.Bxd4 Nfd7 12.Nxd7 Nxd7 13.Bxc4 a6 14.Rc1 Rg8 15.h4 h5
In game three, Anand had played 15...h6, and had found himself with a boxed in bishop as well as a stymied kingside after Topalov had continued with h5 and g4. This time Anand doesn't plan to let this happen.
16.Ne2 Bd6 17.Be3 Ne5 18.Nf4 Rc8 19.Bb3 Rxc1+ 20.Bxc1 Ke7 21.Ke2 Rc8 22.Bd2
22.Rd1 Rc6 23.Be3 Bc5 24.Bd2 f6 25.Nxe6 Rxe6 26.Bxe6 Kxe6 27.f4 Bxe4 28.fxe5 Kxe5 and this game has almost no chances at all for White. – Nigel Short.
22...f6 23.Nxg6+
Obviously Topalov analyzed taking on e6 in depth, but not only does it lead to nothing, it only gives Black chances to swipe the game away from him. For example, if he took it with 23.Bxe6 Black would play 23...Rc2 24.Rb1 Nc4 25.Bxc4 Bxf4 26.Rd1 Rxb2 recovering the pawn with an active game. If White took instead with 23.Nxe6 Anand could follow-up with 23...Bf7 24.Nd4 Bxb3 25.Nxb3 Rc2 26.f4 almost forced. 26...Nc6 27.Rb1 Rc4 and again Black would recover the pawn with an active game.
23...Nxg6 24.g3 Ne5 25.f4 Nc6 26.Bc3 Bb4 27.Bxb4+ Nxb4 28.Rd1 Nc6 29.Rd2 g5 30.Kf2 g4 31.Rc2 Rd8 32.Ke3 Rd6 33.Rc5 Nb4 34.Rc7+ Kd8 35.Rc3 Ke7 36.e5 Rd7 37.exf6+ Kxf6 38.Ke2 Nc6 39.Ke1 Nd4 40.Bd1 a5 41.Rc5 Nf5 42.Rc3 Nd4 43.Rc5
Despite saying he would not offer any draws, Topalov obviously sees nothing better than repeating moves without committing hara-kiri.
43...Nf5 44.Rc3 1/2-1/2
Analysis on Chessbase
Friday, April 30, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Anand takes the lead 2.5-1.5
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 a5 Kramnik's favourite line. As he himself said, he scores equally well with both sides in this position. As yesterday, the players follow a game from the Elista match.
7.Qc2 Trying to recover the pawn as quickly as possible, but I can tell you right out, in this game Anand was unable to win the pawn back. That said, I don't think he really regrets it. [7.0-0 is another main-move. White wants to develop first and try to recapture the pawn later. I myself scored a nice victory here with white, but perhaps I should switch to 7.Qc2 after seeing this game.]
7...Bxd2+ [7...Nc6 is the old approach. Black's idea is 8.Qxc4 Qd5! but apparently Topalov wasn't satisfied with another endgame.]
8.Qxd2!? At first sight it seems more logical to take the bishop with the knight, developing another piece, but White wants to apply pressure on the future b5 pawn, which can be done from a3, where the knight is headed. [8.Nbxd2 b5 9.a4 c6 10.0-0 0-0 And now White is unable to attack b5, though he keeps some compensation after let's say 11.b3!? ]
8...c6 Preparing b5. Black has to stick to his pawn, to justify his play. It is also logical, since he is undeveloped and the good bishop is exchanged. This position has nothing in its favor other than the extra pawn.
9.a4 Attacking the b5 pawn which is not there yet. [9.Ne5 is too naive. 9...b5! 10.Nxc6 Qc7! And White is unable to benefit from some kind of X-ray. (10...Qb6?? 11.Ne7! Bb7 12.Nc8! is a beautiful trap, but for this to work both players would need to cooperate.) ]
9...b5 As said, Black already has to stick to his pawn.
10.Na3!N A strong novelty. Anand just wants to develop without winning back the pawn. Now, in order to protect the pawn, Black is forced to place his pieces in awkward positions. I think Topalov was out of book at this point, whereas Anand's preparation had probably just started! [Before, everyone, as if collectively hypnotized, tried 10.axb5 cxb5 11.Qg5 winning back the pawn, but Black achieves equality after 11...0-0 12.Qxb5 Ba6 This position was reached in the Elista match. Kramnik (White) won, but it had nothing to do with the opening.]
10...Bd7 Looks extremely ugly to me, but what else is there? As mentioned more than once, Black is forced to stick to his pawn. [10...Ba6 fails to 11.Ne5 Nd5 12.Nxc6! Nxc6 13.axb5 and White wins the pawn back with a large edge.]
11.Ne5 Nd5 12.e4! It is a little more precise than 0-0, since after [12.0-0 0-0 13.e4 Black also has the option of 13...Nb6!? 14.axb5 cxb5 15.d5 Be8 ]
12...Nb4 13.0-0 0-0 14.Rfd1 [14.d5!? was also possible, but had no independent value. White would have to play Rfd1 anyway.]
14...Be8 A questionable moment, but I think other options were no good as it were. [For example 14...Qe7 planning to avoid the immediate d5, but here 15.Nxd7! Qxd7 16.d5! Rd8 17.Qg5! and Black is still undeveloped and already under heavy pressure. 17...h6 18.Qh5 Nd3 19.b3 ; 14...Qc7 is the same. 15.Nxd7! ]
15.d5! Now that everything is ready, the expected breakthrough is executed.
15...Qd6 16.Ng4 Now the threat is e5, and Black is still undeveloped. [16.dxc6 is nothing, since Black will return the piece. 16...Qxe5 17.axb5 c3! 18.bxc3 N4xc6 19.bxc6 Bxc6 with equality.]
16...Qc5 At first I liked this move very much, since I couldn't find a way for White to proceed. But Vishy found a strong and simple reply. [16...exd5 17.exd5 f5! was another option that is in fact safer (though one that you could only find with the help of a powerful engine next to you...). Still, White keeps some advantage in the endgame after 18.dxc6 (18.Ne3!? in fact leads to a forced draw, but only if you have analyzed it deeply- 18...f4! 19.gxf4 Qxf4 20.dxc6 N8xc6 21.axb5 Rd8 22.Nd5 Nxd5! 23.Bxd5+ Rxd5 24.Qxd5+ Kh8 25.Nxc4! (25.bxc6 Qxf2+ 26.Kh1 Qf6!-+ ) 25...Nb4 26.Qd4 Qg5+ 27.Kh1 Bxb5 28.Ne5 Nc6 29.Qc5 Qf4! 30.Nd3 Qf3+ 31.Kg1 Qg4+ 32.Kh1 Qf3+= ) 18...Qxd2 19.Rxd2 Bxc6 20.Ne5 Bxg2 21.Kxg2 Re8 22.f4 bxa4 23.Naxc4 N8c6 But to be honest I guess that Black should hold this, even if it is not the most pleasant ending.]
17.Ne3
17...N8a6?! It is very hard to call this logical move a mistake, but I simply must find fault with at least one move by Topalov! By the way, he played it almost instantly! [17...Nd3! was very very risky, but in order to get some counterchances Black should have gone for this. Black's idea would be to transfer the knight to e5. 18.b3 (After the simple 18.dxc6 Nxc6 19.axb5 Nce5 20.Nexc4 Nxc4 21.Qxd3 Nxa3 22.Qxa3 Qxb5 Black equalizes.; 18.Qc2!? Ne5! ) 18...Nxf2! The whole idea, and even though I really didn't believe in it, I couldn't find a refutation. 19.Qxf2 (19.Kxf2 also makes sense) 19...cxb3 White has a big choice, but either way, Black's pawn mass on the queenside and bishop on g2 seem very poor. Even though Black is undeveloped, White can hardly take advantage of this temporary state of affairs. 20.Rd3 bxa4 21.Qb2 ]
18.dxc6 bxa4 To be honest here I was actually quite disappointed with White's position, since it seeems as if Black has developed and solved his problems. The truth, however, is that all his pieces are awkwardly placed, and even though Black is developed, his position lacks harmony. [18...Bxc6 19.axb5 Bxb5 20.Naxc4! Bxc4 21.Rac1 is also much better for White. Black has stupid knights and a weak pawn on a5.]
19.Naxc4 Bxc6 20.Rac1
20...h6?! The position is already very unpleasant for Black. It is true he doesn't have any useful moves at his disposal, however the move Topalov played is also weakening (though it isn't obvious yet). With precise play I guess that Black could still hold the position together. [Perhaps 20...Qe7! would be the right move for Black. Now he wants to develop his rooks into play, not minding that White finally recaptures the pawn. 21.Nxa5 (21.Nd6!? Qa7! with idea Nc5. The only difference with the game is that there is no weak pawn on h6. Black holds, though White is better of course.) 21...Bb5 22.Nac4 Rfd8 23.Nd6 Rab8 and white is obviously better, but maybe not so much.]
21.Nd6 Qa7? The decisive mistake. Now the queen is saved, but the king is not. [21...Qg5! was already the only way to stay in the game. However white already has a big advantage.]
22.Ng4! Played quickly by Anand. Now he threatens Nxh6 and if Black tries to prevent it, White would simply prepare the decisive sacrifice with Rc4!
22...Rad8 Loses immediately, but it seems that it is already lost. If you are a fan of beautiful variations and mates then I advise you to check the alternatives! [Safer seemed 22...f6 avoiding the immediate Nxh6, but here White still wins with 23.Rc4! preparing e5. For example 23...Rad8 24.e5 Bxg2 (24...Bd5 25.Bxd5 Nxd5 26.Nxh6+! gxh6 27.Qxh6 Qh7 28.Rg4+ Kh8 29.Qd2! Qa7 30.h3!! the most beautiful and strongest way. Now White threatens Rh4+ Kg8 Qh6 Qg7 Rg4! which can't be avoided.) 25.exf6 h5! 26.fxg7 Qxg7 27.Kxg2 Nd5 28.Nh6+ Kh7 29.Nhf5 Rxf5 30.Nxf5 exf5 31.Qxa5 Qb7 32.Kh3! with a big advantage for White. Black has a weak king and no way to consolidate.; 22...Nc5 Didn't help either: 23.Rc4! for example 23...Nb3 24.Nxh6+! Kh7 25.Qf4 gxh6 26.e5! Bxg2 27.Nf5!! exf5 28.Qxf5+ Kh8 29.Qf6+ Kh7 30.Rh4 with mate!; 22...Kh7 also looks safe, but here 23.Rxc6! Nxc6 24.e5 Ne7 25.Be4+! Ng6 26.h4! Nc5 27.Bb1 Nb3 (27...h5 28.Qg5! ) 28.Qe2 h5 29.Nh2 Nd4 30.Qxh5+ Kg8 31.Ng4 Rad8 (31...Rab8 32.Nf6+! ) 32.Rxd4!! Qxd4 33.Ne4! mating!]
23.Nxh6+!! Simple, yet beautiful! Vishy played it very quickly. For a player of his caliber, it's a piece of cake to find such a move! (Green with envy)
23...gxh6 24.Qxh6 f6 [24...Qe7 doesn't help either 25.e5 Bxg2 26.Rd4 is mate in 11.]
25.e5! The strongest and most elegant!
25...Bxg2 26.exf6 There is no way for Black to defend.
26...Rxd6 27.Rxd6 Be4 28.Rxe6 Nd3 29.Rc2! It is also pretty important to not blunder into a mate yourself
29...Qh7 30.f7+! Qxf7 31.Rxe4 Qf5 32.Re7 1-0
[Comments by GM Giri]
7.Qc2 Trying to recover the pawn as quickly as possible, but I can tell you right out, in this game Anand was unable to win the pawn back. That said, I don't think he really regrets it. [7.0-0 is another main-move. White wants to develop first and try to recapture the pawn later. I myself scored a nice victory here with white, but perhaps I should switch to 7.Qc2 after seeing this game.]
7...Bxd2+ [7...Nc6 is the old approach. Black's idea is 8.Qxc4 Qd5! but apparently Topalov wasn't satisfied with another endgame.]
8.Qxd2!? At first sight it seems more logical to take the bishop with the knight, developing another piece, but White wants to apply pressure on the future b5 pawn, which can be done from a3, where the knight is headed. [8.Nbxd2 b5 9.a4 c6 10.0-0 0-0 And now White is unable to attack b5, though he keeps some compensation after let's say 11.b3!? ]
8...c6 Preparing b5. Black has to stick to his pawn, to justify his play. It is also logical, since he is undeveloped and the good bishop is exchanged. This position has nothing in its favor other than the extra pawn.
9.a4 Attacking the b5 pawn which is not there yet. [9.Ne5 is too naive. 9...b5! 10.Nxc6 Qc7! And White is unable to benefit from some kind of X-ray. (10...Qb6?? 11.Ne7! Bb7 12.Nc8! is a beautiful trap, but for this to work both players would need to cooperate.) ]
9...b5 As said, Black already has to stick to his pawn.
10.Na3!N A strong novelty. Anand just wants to develop without winning back the pawn. Now, in order to protect the pawn, Black is forced to place his pieces in awkward positions. I think Topalov was out of book at this point, whereas Anand's preparation had probably just started! [Before, everyone, as if collectively hypnotized, tried 10.axb5 cxb5 11.Qg5 winning back the pawn, but Black achieves equality after 11...0-0 12.Qxb5 Ba6 This position was reached in the Elista match. Kramnik (White) won, but it had nothing to do with the opening.]
10...Bd7 Looks extremely ugly to me, but what else is there? As mentioned more than once, Black is forced to stick to his pawn. [10...Ba6 fails to 11.Ne5 Nd5 12.Nxc6! Nxc6 13.axb5 and White wins the pawn back with a large edge.]
11.Ne5 Nd5 12.e4! It is a little more precise than 0-0, since after [12.0-0 0-0 13.e4 Black also has the option of 13...Nb6!? 14.axb5 cxb5 15.d5 Be8 ]
12...Nb4 13.0-0 0-0 14.Rfd1 [14.d5!? was also possible, but had no independent value. White would have to play Rfd1 anyway.]
14...Be8 A questionable moment, but I think other options were no good as it were. [For example 14...Qe7 planning to avoid the immediate d5, but here 15.Nxd7! Qxd7 16.d5! Rd8 17.Qg5! and Black is still undeveloped and already under heavy pressure. 17...h6 18.Qh5 Nd3 19.b3 ; 14...Qc7 is the same. 15.Nxd7! ]
15.d5! Now that everything is ready, the expected breakthrough is executed.
15...Qd6 16.Ng4 Now the threat is e5, and Black is still undeveloped. [16.dxc6 is nothing, since Black will return the piece. 16...Qxe5 17.axb5 c3! 18.bxc3 N4xc6 19.bxc6 Bxc6 with equality.]
16...Qc5 At first I liked this move very much, since I couldn't find a way for White to proceed. But Vishy found a strong and simple reply. [16...exd5 17.exd5 f5! was another option that is in fact safer (though one that you could only find with the help of a powerful engine next to you...). Still, White keeps some advantage in the endgame after 18.dxc6 (18.Ne3!? in fact leads to a forced draw, but only if you have analyzed it deeply- 18...f4! 19.gxf4 Qxf4 20.dxc6 N8xc6 21.axb5 Rd8 22.Nd5 Nxd5! 23.Bxd5+ Rxd5 24.Qxd5+ Kh8 25.Nxc4! (25.bxc6 Qxf2+ 26.Kh1 Qf6!-+ ) 25...Nb4 26.Qd4 Qg5+ 27.Kh1 Bxb5 28.Ne5 Nc6 29.Qc5 Qf4! 30.Nd3 Qf3+ 31.Kg1 Qg4+ 32.Kh1 Qf3+= ) 18...Qxd2 19.Rxd2 Bxc6 20.Ne5 Bxg2 21.Kxg2 Re8 22.f4 bxa4 23.Naxc4 N8c6 But to be honest I guess that Black should hold this, even if it is not the most pleasant ending.]
17.Ne3
17...N8a6?! It is very hard to call this logical move a mistake, but I simply must find fault with at least one move by Topalov! By the way, he played it almost instantly! [17...Nd3! was very very risky, but in order to get some counterchances Black should have gone for this. Black's idea would be to transfer the knight to e5. 18.b3 (After the simple 18.dxc6 Nxc6 19.axb5 Nce5 20.Nexc4 Nxc4 21.Qxd3 Nxa3 22.Qxa3 Qxb5 Black equalizes.; 18.Qc2!? Ne5! ) 18...Nxf2! The whole idea, and even though I really didn't believe in it, I couldn't find a refutation. 19.Qxf2 (19.Kxf2 also makes sense) 19...cxb3 White has a big choice, but either way, Black's pawn mass on the queenside and bishop on g2 seem very poor. Even though Black is undeveloped, White can hardly take advantage of this temporary state of affairs. 20.Rd3 bxa4 21.Qb2 ]
18.dxc6 bxa4 To be honest here I was actually quite disappointed with White's position, since it seeems as if Black has developed and solved his problems. The truth, however, is that all his pieces are awkwardly placed, and even though Black is developed, his position lacks harmony. [18...Bxc6 19.axb5 Bxb5 20.Naxc4! Bxc4 21.Rac1 is also much better for White. Black has stupid knights and a weak pawn on a5.]
19.Naxc4 Bxc6 20.Rac1
20...h6?! The position is already very unpleasant for Black. It is true he doesn't have any useful moves at his disposal, however the move Topalov played is also weakening (though it isn't obvious yet). With precise play I guess that Black could still hold the position together. [Perhaps 20...Qe7! would be the right move for Black. Now he wants to develop his rooks into play, not minding that White finally recaptures the pawn. 21.Nxa5 (21.Nd6!? Qa7! with idea Nc5. The only difference with the game is that there is no weak pawn on h6. Black holds, though White is better of course.) 21...Bb5 22.Nac4 Rfd8 23.Nd6 Rab8 and white is obviously better, but maybe not so much.]
21.Nd6 Qa7? The decisive mistake. Now the queen is saved, but the king is not. [21...Qg5! was already the only way to stay in the game. However white already has a big advantage.]
22.Ng4! Played quickly by Anand. Now he threatens Nxh6 and if Black tries to prevent it, White would simply prepare the decisive sacrifice with Rc4!
22...Rad8 Loses immediately, but it seems that it is already lost. If you are a fan of beautiful variations and mates then I advise you to check the alternatives! [Safer seemed 22...f6 avoiding the immediate Nxh6, but here White still wins with 23.Rc4! preparing e5. For example 23...Rad8 24.e5 Bxg2 (24...Bd5 25.Bxd5 Nxd5 26.Nxh6+! gxh6 27.Qxh6 Qh7 28.Rg4+ Kh8 29.Qd2! Qa7 30.h3!! the most beautiful and strongest way. Now White threatens Rh4+ Kg8 Qh6 Qg7 Rg4! which can't be avoided.) 25.exf6 h5! 26.fxg7 Qxg7 27.Kxg2 Nd5 28.Nh6+ Kh7 29.Nhf5 Rxf5 30.Nxf5 exf5 31.Qxa5 Qb7 32.Kh3! with a big advantage for White. Black has a weak king and no way to consolidate.; 22...Nc5 Didn't help either: 23.Rc4! for example 23...Nb3 24.Nxh6+! Kh7 25.Qf4 gxh6 26.e5! Bxg2 27.Nf5!! exf5 28.Qxf5+ Kh8 29.Qf6+ Kh7 30.Rh4 with mate!; 22...Kh7 also looks safe, but here 23.Rxc6! Nxc6 24.e5 Ne7 25.Be4+! Ng6 26.h4! Nc5 27.Bb1 Nb3 (27...h5 28.Qg5! ) 28.Qe2 h5 29.Nh2 Nd4 30.Qxh5+ Kg8 31.Ng4 Rad8 (31...Rab8 32.Nf6+! ) 32.Rxd4!! Qxd4 33.Ne4! mating!]
23.Nxh6+!! Simple, yet beautiful! Vishy played it very quickly. For a player of his caliber, it's a piece of cake to find such a move! (Green with envy)
23...gxh6 24.Qxh6 f6 [24...Qe7 doesn't help either 25.e5 Bxg2 26.Rd4 is mate in 11.]
25.e5! The strongest and most elegant!
25...Bxg2 26.exf6 There is no way for Black to defend.
26...Rxd6 27.Rxd6 Be4 28.Rxe6 Nd3 29.Rc2! It is also pretty important to not blunder into a mate yourself
29...Qh7 30.f7+! Qxf7 31.Rxe4 Qf5 32.Re7 1-0
[Comments by GM Giri]
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Game 3 Drawn
1.d4 Topalov, very expectedly, decided to hit on the same spot again.
1...d5 And this time Anands opts for a solid Slav, rather than a crazy Grunfeld.
2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 Not the Moscow Line, which is a trademark of Anand.
5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 7.f3 c5 8.e4 Bg6 Anand chooses the solid variation that Kramnik played against Topalov in their match in Elista. It is actually funny that Anand seem to follow what Kramnik played back then in 2006 – yesterday Catalan, today this rock solid but passive Slav.
9.Be3 cxd4 10.Qxd4 Qxd4 11.Bxd4 Nfd7! 12.Nxd7 Nxd7 13.Bxc4 a6 [13...Rc8 is another line, avoiding the 14.Rc1 idea, deserves attention. 14.Ba2 (14.Bb5!? ) 14...a6 ]
14.Rc1
14...Rg8!N A very logical move, which turned out to be a novelty. Now Black plans Bd6, Ke7, f6, Rgc8, Bg8, etc. White actually has to hurry up and do something against it, which is not easy, since his knight on c3 is misplaced. [Earlier people played 14...Rc8?! but then White gets a big advantage with 15.Ne2! Rg8 16.h4 h6 17.Kf2 the point being that 17...Be7? is losing to (17...Rc6 18.b4! ) 18.h5 Bh7 19.Bxe6! Rxc1 20.Bxd7+! ]
15.h4 h6 16.Ke2 [16.Kf2 Makes sense having the e2 square for the knight. But Topalov had another knight route in mind.]
16...Bd6 17.h5 Bh7 Here I was actually wondering if Topalov had prepared anything at all. White seems to be unable to stop the black development... But the next move of Topalov proved that I was wrong!
18.a5! This move seemed a little bit strange to me at first sight, since I couldn't figure out the white plan after Bb4, as well as the simple Ke7 and so on. However Topalov had an answer to both.
18...Ke7 Safe and solid, Anand just concentrates on his plan. [18...Bb4 is challenging but dangerous. White has three interesting possibilities: 19.Nb5!? is the most spectacular, and in all the following complications Black is in danger, though maybe he holds with precise play. There are a lot of possible lines, but I just give main: (19.Na4! Bxa5 20.Nc5 is the simplest. The black king is stuck in the centre, but Black is still solid and he has an extra pawn.; 19.Rhd1!? Bxa5 20.Nb5! axb5 21.Bxb5 here black seems OK after 21...Ke7 22.Bc3! Nb8! 23.Ra1! Bxc3 24.Rxa8 Bxb2 25.Ra7 Kf6 26.Rxb7 g5 27.hxg6 Bxg6 28.Ke3 e5 with a dead knight, but counterplay) 19...axb5 20.Bxb5 Rxa5 21.Bxd7+ Kxd7 22.Rhd1 Rb5 23.Be5+ (23.Bb6+!? Ke7 24.Rc7+ Kf6 25.Rxb7 Bc5 26.Bd8+ Rxd8 27.Rxb5 Bd4 28.b4 g6! with an unclear position.) 23...Ke7 24.Rc7+ Ke8 25.Rc8+ Ke7 26.Rc7+= ]
19.Na4 f6 just following the plan. [19...Rac8 was clever, trying to avoid b4, but after let's say 20.Bd3! White keeps up the pressure, for example 20...f6 21.Bb1 Rgd8 22.Nb6! ]
20.b4! White does something active quickly, before Black manages to get all his pieces into play (Rgc8, Bg8-f7) [20.Nb6 Doesn't give White anything, as long as Black is a very little bit careful. 20...Nxb6 21.Bxb6 Rgc8 22.Rhd1 Rc6 (22...Bg8 23.b3 Bf7? 24.Rd3! Bxh5 25.Rcd1 Rc6 26.Rxd6! Rxd6 27.Bc5 Rad8 28.Ke3 ) 23.b3 Rac8 24.Rd3 Bb4! 25.Rcd1 Rd6 equalizing]
20...Rgc8 Again, Anand doesn't get distracted by anything, he simply makes his moves. [20...Bxb4 objectively, was also too risky 21.Rb1 Bxa5 22.Rxb7 (22.Nc5!? b5 23.Bxe6 Nxc5 24.Bxg8 Bxg8 25.Bxc5+ Kd7 and Black has compensation, but White has the exchange.) 22...Rgb8 23.Bc5+ (23.Rhb1 Rxb7 24.Rxb7 Kd6! ) 23...Ke8 24.Rxb8+ Rxb8 25.Bd6 with an unclear position, but White should be better.]
21.Bc5 Actually I was expecting a different piece to be sent to this square. [21.Nc5!? is interesting, but probably Black holds here as well. 21...Bxc5 looks dangerous, but in fact it may be good (21...Nxc5 Is most logical, but white keeps winning chances after 22.bxc5 Bxc5 23.Bxe6! Kxe6 24.Bxc5 ; 21...Rc7!? ) 22.bxc5 Nxc5 Now I didn't find a way for White to achieve anything, for instance (22...Rc7+/= ) 23.Ba2 Nd7 24.Bb2 Bg8 25.Ba3+ Ke8 26.Rhd1 b5! 27.axb6 Nxb6 28.Bb3 Rxc1 29.Rxc1 Rc8 30.Rxc8+ Nxc8 31.Bc4 ]
21...Bxc5 22.bxc5 Rc7 [22...Rc6 made sense, trying to win a tempo, which will be usedul in case White plays Nb6, but here White goes 23.Rhd1! with the idea 23...Rac8 24.Rxd7+! Kxd7 25.Nb6+ Rxb6 26.cxb6 Bg8 27.e5! with an edge.]
23.Nb6 Rd8 24.Nxd7 Simple and safe, but from Topalov I expected a move like Bd5! [24.Bd5!? is beautiful and tricky. Black shouldn't take anything now, not d5, not c5 and not b6, but play 24...Ne5!? (24...Nxc5 25.Bxb7! ; 24...Nxb6 25.axb6 Rcd7 26.Bc4! ; 24...Nb8!? ) 25.f4 Nd3! 26.Kxd3 exd5 27.f5! dxe4+ 28.Kxe4 Ke8! with equality]
24...Rdxd7 25.Bd3 Here I actually realized what Topalov was planning. He wants to play c6, change the pawn to a b-pawn, and try to attack the remaining weak a6 pawn. The position is quite unpleasant for Black.
25...Bg8 [Anand should have perhaps been more activebut perhaps he saw his was safer. 25...f5!? This was advocated by Garry Kasparov, who was watching the game from a hotel room in Oslo.; 25...Rd4!? seemed to force a draw, but White has a resource 26.c6! Ra4 27.Rb1! Ra2+ 28.Ke3 bxc6 29.Ra1 Rxg2 30.Bxa6 Still keeping some chances.]
26.c6 Rd6 27.cxb7 Rxb7 28.Rc3 Bf7
29.Ke3 [29.Rhc1! immediately also made sense and was probably a better try, since it is risky to take the pawn. 29...Bxh5 (29...Be8! 30.Rc7+ Rd7 is holding 31.Rxd7+ Bxd7 32.Bxa6 Ra7 ) 30.Rc7+ Rxc7 31.Rxc7+ Rd7 32.Rc8 ]
29...Be8 30.g4 [30.Rhc1!? wouldn't change much after 30...Bd7! ]
30...e5 31.Rhc1 Bd7 32.Rc5 Bb5! The final touch. Now Black's last problem, the pawn on a6, is gone, and it is time to agree to a draw. It is funny that Anand equalized today without any of his pieces being on the opponent's half of the board.
33.Bxb5 axb5 34.Rb1 b4 35.Rb3 Ra6 36.Kd3 Rba7 37.Rxb4 Rxa5 38.Rxa5 Rxa5 39.Rb7+ Kf8 40.Ke2 Ra2+ 41.Ke3 Ra3+ 42.Kf2 Ra2+ 43.Ke3 Ra3+ 44.Kf2 Ra2+ 45.Ke3 Ra3+ 46.Kf2 1/2-1/2
[Analysis by GM Giri on Chessbase]
1...d5 And this time Anands opts for a solid Slav, rather than a crazy Grunfeld.
2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 Not the Moscow Line, which is a trademark of Anand.
5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 7.f3 c5 8.e4 Bg6 Anand chooses the solid variation that Kramnik played against Topalov in their match in Elista. It is actually funny that Anand seem to follow what Kramnik played back then in 2006 – yesterday Catalan, today this rock solid but passive Slav.
9.Be3 cxd4 10.Qxd4 Qxd4 11.Bxd4 Nfd7! 12.Nxd7 Nxd7 13.Bxc4 a6 [13...Rc8 is another line, avoiding the 14.Rc1 idea, deserves attention. 14.Ba2 (14.Bb5!? ) 14...a6 ]
14.Rc1
14...Rg8!N A very logical move, which turned out to be a novelty. Now Black plans Bd6, Ke7, f6, Rgc8, Bg8, etc. White actually has to hurry up and do something against it, which is not easy, since his knight on c3 is misplaced. [Earlier people played 14...Rc8?! but then White gets a big advantage with 15.Ne2! Rg8 16.h4 h6 17.Kf2 the point being that 17...Be7? is losing to (17...Rc6 18.b4! ) 18.h5 Bh7 19.Bxe6! Rxc1 20.Bxd7+! ]
15.h4 h6 16.Ke2 [16.Kf2 Makes sense having the e2 square for the knight. But Topalov had another knight route in mind.]
16...Bd6 17.h5 Bh7 Here I was actually wondering if Topalov had prepared anything at all. White seems to be unable to stop the black development... But the next move of Topalov proved that I was wrong!
18.a5! This move seemed a little bit strange to me at first sight, since I couldn't figure out the white plan after Bb4, as well as the simple Ke7 and so on. However Topalov had an answer to both.
18...Ke7 Safe and solid, Anand just concentrates on his plan. [18...Bb4 is challenging but dangerous. White has three interesting possibilities: 19.Nb5!? is the most spectacular, and in all the following complications Black is in danger, though maybe he holds with precise play. There are a lot of possible lines, but I just give main: (19.Na4! Bxa5 20.Nc5 is the simplest. The black king is stuck in the centre, but Black is still solid and he has an extra pawn.; 19.Rhd1!? Bxa5 20.Nb5! axb5 21.Bxb5 here black seems OK after 21...Ke7 22.Bc3! Nb8! 23.Ra1! Bxc3 24.Rxa8 Bxb2 25.Ra7 Kf6 26.Rxb7 g5 27.hxg6 Bxg6 28.Ke3 e5 with a dead knight, but counterplay) 19...axb5 20.Bxb5 Rxa5 21.Bxd7+ Kxd7 22.Rhd1 Rb5 23.Be5+ (23.Bb6+!? Ke7 24.Rc7+ Kf6 25.Rxb7 Bc5 26.Bd8+ Rxd8 27.Rxb5 Bd4 28.b4 g6! with an unclear position.) 23...Ke7 24.Rc7+ Ke8 25.Rc8+ Ke7 26.Rc7+= ]
19.Na4 f6 just following the plan. [19...Rac8 was clever, trying to avoid b4, but after let's say 20.Bd3! White keeps up the pressure, for example 20...f6 21.Bb1 Rgd8 22.Nb6! ]
20.b4! White does something active quickly, before Black manages to get all his pieces into play (Rgc8, Bg8-f7) [20.Nb6 Doesn't give White anything, as long as Black is a very little bit careful. 20...Nxb6 21.Bxb6 Rgc8 22.Rhd1 Rc6 (22...Bg8 23.b3 Bf7? 24.Rd3! Bxh5 25.Rcd1 Rc6 26.Rxd6! Rxd6 27.Bc5 Rad8 28.Ke3 ) 23.b3 Rac8 24.Rd3 Bb4! 25.Rcd1 Rd6 equalizing]
20...Rgc8 Again, Anand doesn't get distracted by anything, he simply makes his moves. [20...Bxb4 objectively, was also too risky 21.Rb1 Bxa5 22.Rxb7 (22.Nc5!? b5 23.Bxe6 Nxc5 24.Bxg8 Bxg8 25.Bxc5+ Kd7 and Black has compensation, but White has the exchange.) 22...Rgb8 23.Bc5+ (23.Rhb1 Rxb7 24.Rxb7 Kd6! ) 23...Ke8 24.Rxb8+ Rxb8 25.Bd6 with an unclear position, but White should be better.]
21.Bc5 Actually I was expecting a different piece to be sent to this square. [21.Nc5!? is interesting, but probably Black holds here as well. 21...Bxc5 looks dangerous, but in fact it may be good (21...Nxc5 Is most logical, but white keeps winning chances after 22.bxc5 Bxc5 23.Bxe6! Kxe6 24.Bxc5 ; 21...Rc7!? ) 22.bxc5 Nxc5 Now I didn't find a way for White to achieve anything, for instance (22...Rc7+/= ) 23.Ba2 Nd7 24.Bb2 Bg8 25.Ba3+ Ke8 26.Rhd1 b5! 27.axb6 Nxb6 28.Bb3 Rxc1 29.Rxc1 Rc8 30.Rxc8+ Nxc8 31.Bc4 ]
21...Bxc5 22.bxc5 Rc7 [22...Rc6 made sense, trying to win a tempo, which will be usedul in case White plays Nb6, but here White goes 23.Rhd1! with the idea 23...Rac8 24.Rxd7+! Kxd7 25.Nb6+ Rxb6 26.cxb6 Bg8 27.e5! with an edge.]
23.Nb6 Rd8 24.Nxd7 Simple and safe, but from Topalov I expected a move like Bd5! [24.Bd5!? is beautiful and tricky. Black shouldn't take anything now, not d5, not c5 and not b6, but play 24...Ne5!? (24...Nxc5 25.Bxb7! ; 24...Nxb6 25.axb6 Rcd7 26.Bc4! ; 24...Nb8!? ) 25.f4 Nd3! 26.Kxd3 exd5 27.f5! dxe4+ 28.Kxe4 Ke8! with equality]
24...Rdxd7 25.Bd3 Here I actually realized what Topalov was planning. He wants to play c6, change the pawn to a b-pawn, and try to attack the remaining weak a6 pawn. The position is quite unpleasant for Black.
25...Bg8 [Anand should have perhaps been more activebut perhaps he saw his was safer. 25...f5!? This was advocated by Garry Kasparov, who was watching the game from a hotel room in Oslo.; 25...Rd4!? seemed to force a draw, but White has a resource 26.c6! Ra4 27.Rb1! Ra2+ 28.Ke3 bxc6 29.Ra1 Rxg2 30.Bxa6 Still keeping some chances.]
26.c6 Rd6 27.cxb7 Rxb7 28.Rc3 Bf7
29.Ke3 [29.Rhc1! immediately also made sense and was probably a better try, since it is risky to take the pawn. 29...Bxh5 (29...Be8! 30.Rc7+ Rd7 is holding 31.Rxd7+ Bxd7 32.Bxa6 Ra7 ) 30.Rc7+ Rxc7 31.Rxc7+ Rd7 32.Rc8 ]
29...Be8 30.g4 [30.Rhc1!? wouldn't change much after 30...Bd7! ]
30...e5 31.Rhc1 Bd7 32.Rc5 Bb5! The final touch. Now Black's last problem, the pawn on a6, is gone, and it is time to agree to a draw. It is funny that Anand equalized today without any of his pieces being on the opponent's half of the board.
33.Bxb5 axb5 34.Rb1 b4 35.Rb3 Ra6 36.Kd3 Rba7 37.Rxb4 Rxa5 38.Rxa5 Rxa5 39.Rb7+ Kf8 40.Ke2 Ra2+ 41.Ke3 Ra3+ 42.Kf2 Ra2+ 43.Ke3 Ra3+ 44.Kf2 Ra2+ 45.Ke3 Ra3+ 46.Kf2 1/2-1/2
[Analysis by GM Giri on Chessbase]
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Anand Strikes Back, Score 1-1
Anand,Vishwanathan (2787) - Topalov,Veselin (2805) [E04]
[Annotations by Giri,Anish]
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 No Nimzo today. Against Kramnik Anand used Nimzo and it brought him a point and a good position in game 2. 3...d5. Topalov doesn't go for the safe Queen's Indian, but rather for a sharp Ragozin or Vienna. 4.g3. No! Anand goes for a calm Catalan, which was and still is a great weapon of another world champion – Kramnik. 4...dxc4 5.Bg2 a6!? The idea of this line is to save the pawn by any means. 6.Ne5. 6.0-0 is another main line, which is a real pawn sacrifice. 6...c5 7.Na3. 7.Be3 Nd5 8.dxc5 Was played recently by other Catalan players, Bacrot and Wang Yue. 7...cxd4 8.Naxc4 Bc5. 8...Ra7 is another possibility, with the idea b6. I remember it from the game Wang Yue-Van Wely from Corus 2009, where black equalised without problems. But I guess Anand had an improvement there. 9.0-0 0-0 10.Bd2 Nd5 11.Rc1 Nd7 12.Nd3 Ba7 So far both players played logical moves, but from here White has a big and wide choice. 13.Ba5. A questionable decision. 13.Qb3!? Made sense, since later on Black was threatening b6, attacking the bishop on a5. But perhaps Anand has analyzed this position deeply and came to conclusion that it is better to include Ba5 Qe7. If 13...Nc5 then simple 14.Nxc5 Bxc5 15.Ne5 and White keeps up the pressure. 13...Qe7 14.Qb3 Rb8. Preparing b6. Now white had a big choice and I am afraid Anand chose not the best move, though later it worked out well for him. After 14...b6 White has 15.Bb4 Nc5 16.Qa3 Bb7 17.Bxd5! Bxd5 18.Nxb6! Bxb6 19.Bxc5 Bxc5 20.Rxc5 With some pressure and edge. 15.Qa3?! As I said, later it worked out well for Anand. At the time I doubted the objective evaluation of the move, but after seeing the whole game I was wondering – maybe it was pure genius, from a psychological point of view!? 15.Rfd1! Is the move I like most. Now Black doesn't have a very useful move, since 15...b6 falls into 16.Bb4! Nc5 17.Qa3 Bb7 18.Bxd5! Bxd5 19.Nxb6! Bxb6 20.Rxc5! Bxc5 21.Bxc5 Qb7 22.Bxf8 Rxf8 23.Qb4 With advantage for White. 15...Qxa3 16.bxa3 N7f6?! logical, but the more logical 16...Nc5! was the move. I think White would have to fight for the draw, and I am curious what Anand wanted to play here and what Topalov was afraid of. 17.Nce5! Now I liked the white position again, though I think he has no objective advantage. 17...Re8! preparing b6 and Bd7. 17...b6 18.Bb4!; 17...Bd7 18.Nxd7 Nxd7 19.Bxd5 exd5 20.Rc7+/=. 18.Rc2. 18.g4!? looks interesting too. 18...b6?! objectively must be okay, but I think if there is no need to weaken the c6 square, then why to do it?! I prefer 18...Bd7! not weakening c6. Now the best white can do is 19.Nxd7 Nxd7 20.Rfc1 N7f6 21.Ne5 which should be around equal. White has two bishops and good pieces, while black has an extra pawn and a solid position with no weaknesses. 19.Bd2 Bb7 20.Rfc1. Stronger than the immedeate Nc6. In general Anand plays very well from now on, without forcing things too much, just improving the position, no caring that he is a pawn down. 20...Rbd8 21.f4 Bb8 22.a4 a5 23.Nc6 Now that White has made all the useful moves, it is time for this exchange. 23...Bxc6 24.Rxc6 h5?! A strange, impulsive and weakening move, although again, objectively it is not a mistake. 24...h6 would be played by a more patient defender. 25.R1c4 25.Bf3!? Immediately pointing at the h5 pawn. 25...Ne3? Now the real mistake comes. I think Topalov got tired of making moves without any idea. He wanted to force things. However there was another way... 25...Ng4! Fits perfectly with h5. If Topalov could have played it, I would have to give h5 an exclamation mark! 26.Bf3 e5! 27.fxe5 Nxe5 28.Nxe5 Bxe5 29.Kf1 should be aroung equal, with Black having no problems after 29...h4! 26.Bxe3 dxe3 27.Bf3!? 27.Rxb6 Was of course another option, but Anand is trying to confuse Topalov, offering him a difficult choice between giving up the h5 and b6 pawn. And he also perhaps didn't like 27...e5!? 27...g6? 27...Nd7 was I think better, but White had a pleasant advantage there as well. Still it was way better than what Topalov go in the game. 28.Bxh5 e5! being the idea. 28.Rxb6. Now there is no e5, and the a5 pawn is extremely weak. 28...Ba7 28...Re7 Trying to defend a5 with Bc7 was better. Surprisingly White is unable to win the pawn by force, but obviously he still has a big advantage. 29.Rb3! So that Topalov can forget about any Rxd3. 29...Rd4 30.Rc7 Bb8 31.Rc5! The pawn on a4 is untouchable due to Bc6 and White wins the a5 pawn. 31...Bd6 32.Rxa5 Rc8. Black is getting active, but it won't give him anything. White has a good protection of the key d3 and e2 squares and the a-pawn should decide the game in White's favour. 33.Kg2. I love these moves. I can imagine how disgusted Topalov must be with his position now. 33...Rc2 34.a3. The mean World Champion, who already gave the pawn once in the opening, doesn't want to give it now anymore. And he is right... this will be the decisive pawn! 34...Ra2?! 34...Nd5 It was necessary to still try to complicate the matter a bit, but White is winning anyway. 35.Nb4! All suporters of Anand were now very relieved when they saw the black king standing on g8, not g7... 35...Bxb4 35...Rxa3 36.Rxa3 Bxb4 37.Ra8+! is what I meant with my previous comment. 36.axb4 Nd5 37.b5! The a4 pawn doesn't matter anymore, while it's colleague runs! 37...Raxa4 38.Rxa4 Rxa4 39.Bxd5! Killing the knight. The arising ending is the most winning rook ending I ever saw in my life. 39...exd5 40.b6 Ra8 41.b7 At the end the decisive factor is – the a-pawn! The little a-pawn that was standing on a2 at the beginning of the game. 41...Rb8 42.Kf3 d4 43.Ke4 A great comeback by the World Champion, though I must add that it was obviously not without help from Topalov. 1-0.
http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=6281
http://www.chessbase.com/news/2010/sofia/games/giri02.htm
[Annotations by Giri,Anish]
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 No Nimzo today. Against Kramnik Anand used Nimzo and it brought him a point and a good position in game 2. 3...d5. Topalov doesn't go for the safe Queen's Indian, but rather for a sharp Ragozin or Vienna. 4.g3. No! Anand goes for a calm Catalan, which was and still is a great weapon of another world champion – Kramnik. 4...dxc4 5.Bg2 a6!? The idea of this line is to save the pawn by any means. 6.Ne5. 6.0-0 is another main line, which is a real pawn sacrifice. 6...c5 7.Na3. 7.Be3 Nd5 8.dxc5 Was played recently by other Catalan players, Bacrot and Wang Yue. 7...cxd4 8.Naxc4 Bc5. 8...Ra7 is another possibility, with the idea b6. I remember it from the game Wang Yue-Van Wely from Corus 2009, where black equalised without problems. But I guess Anand had an improvement there. 9.0-0 0-0 10.Bd2 Nd5 11.Rc1 Nd7 12.Nd3 Ba7 So far both players played logical moves, but from here White has a big and wide choice. 13.Ba5. A questionable decision. 13.Qb3!? Made sense, since later on Black was threatening b6, attacking the bishop on a5. But perhaps Anand has analyzed this position deeply and came to conclusion that it is better to include Ba5 Qe7. If 13...Nc5 then simple 14.Nxc5 Bxc5 15.Ne5 and White keeps up the pressure. 13...Qe7 14.Qb3 Rb8. Preparing b6. Now white had a big choice and I am afraid Anand chose not the best move, though later it worked out well for him. After 14...b6 White has 15.Bb4 Nc5 16.Qa3 Bb7 17.Bxd5! Bxd5 18.Nxb6! Bxb6 19.Bxc5 Bxc5 20.Rxc5 With some pressure and edge. 15.Qa3?! As I said, later it worked out well for Anand. At the time I doubted the objective evaluation of the move, but after seeing the whole game I was wondering – maybe it was pure genius, from a psychological point of view!? 15.Rfd1! Is the move I like most. Now Black doesn't have a very useful move, since 15...b6 falls into 16.Bb4! Nc5 17.Qa3 Bb7 18.Bxd5! Bxd5 19.Nxb6! Bxb6 20.Rxc5! Bxc5 21.Bxc5 Qb7 22.Bxf8 Rxf8 23.Qb4 With advantage for White. 15...Qxa3 16.bxa3 N7f6?! logical, but the more logical 16...Nc5! was the move. I think White would have to fight for the draw, and I am curious what Anand wanted to play here and what Topalov was afraid of. 17.Nce5! Now I liked the white position again, though I think he has no objective advantage. 17...Re8! preparing b6 and Bd7. 17...b6 18.Bb4!; 17...Bd7 18.Nxd7 Nxd7 19.Bxd5 exd5 20.Rc7+/=. 18.Rc2. 18.g4!? looks interesting too. 18...b6?! objectively must be okay, but I think if there is no need to weaken the c6 square, then why to do it?! I prefer 18...Bd7! not weakening c6. Now the best white can do is 19.Nxd7 Nxd7 20.Rfc1 N7f6 21.Ne5 which should be around equal. White has two bishops and good pieces, while black has an extra pawn and a solid position with no weaknesses. 19.Bd2 Bb7 20.Rfc1. Stronger than the immedeate Nc6. In general Anand plays very well from now on, without forcing things too much, just improving the position, no caring that he is a pawn down. 20...Rbd8 21.f4 Bb8 22.a4 a5 23.Nc6 Now that White has made all the useful moves, it is time for this exchange. 23...Bxc6 24.Rxc6 h5?! A strange, impulsive and weakening move, although again, objectively it is not a mistake. 24...h6 would be played by a more patient defender. 25.R1c4 25.Bf3!? Immediately pointing at the h5 pawn. 25...Ne3? Now the real mistake comes. I think Topalov got tired of making moves without any idea. He wanted to force things. However there was another way... 25...Ng4! Fits perfectly with h5. If Topalov could have played it, I would have to give h5 an exclamation mark! 26.Bf3 e5! 27.fxe5 Nxe5 28.Nxe5 Bxe5 29.Kf1 should be aroung equal, with Black having no problems after 29...h4! 26.Bxe3 dxe3 27.Bf3!? 27.Rxb6 Was of course another option, but Anand is trying to confuse Topalov, offering him a difficult choice between giving up the h5 and b6 pawn. And he also perhaps didn't like 27...e5!? 27...g6? 27...Nd7 was I think better, but White had a pleasant advantage there as well. Still it was way better than what Topalov go in the game. 28.Bxh5 e5! being the idea. 28.Rxb6. Now there is no e5, and the a5 pawn is extremely weak. 28...Ba7 28...Re7 Trying to defend a5 with Bc7 was better. Surprisingly White is unable to win the pawn by force, but obviously he still has a big advantage. 29.Rb3! So that Topalov can forget about any Rxd3. 29...Rd4 30.Rc7 Bb8 31.Rc5! The pawn on a4 is untouchable due to Bc6 and White wins the a5 pawn. 31...Bd6 32.Rxa5 Rc8. Black is getting active, but it won't give him anything. White has a good protection of the key d3 and e2 squares and the a-pawn should decide the game in White's favour. 33.Kg2. I love these moves. I can imagine how disgusted Topalov must be with his position now. 33...Rc2 34.a3. The mean World Champion, who already gave the pawn once in the opening, doesn't want to give it now anymore. And he is right... this will be the decisive pawn! 34...Ra2?! 34...Nd5 It was necessary to still try to complicate the matter a bit, but White is winning anyway. 35.Nb4! All suporters of Anand were now very relieved when they saw the black king standing on g8, not g7... 35...Bxb4 35...Rxa3 36.Rxa3 Bxb4 37.Ra8+! is what I meant with my previous comment. 36.axb4 Nd5 37.b5! The a4 pawn doesn't matter anymore, while it's colleague runs! 37...Raxa4 38.Rxa4 Rxa4 39.Bxd5! Killing the knight. The arising ending is the most winning rook ending I ever saw in my life. 39...exd5 40.b6 Ra8 41.b7 At the end the decisive factor is – the a-pawn! The little a-pawn that was standing on a2 at the beginning of the game. 41...Rb8 42.Kf3 d4 43.Ke4 A great comeback by the World Champion, though I must add that it was obviously not without help from Topalov. 1-0.
http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=6281
http://www.chessbase.com/news/2010/sofia/games/giri02.htm
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Topalov Draws First Blood
Topalov,V (2805) - Anand,V (2787) [D86]
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bc4 c5 8.Ne2 Nc6 9.Be3 0-0 10.0-0 Na5 11.Bd3 b6 12.Qd2 e5 13.Bh6 cxd4 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.cxd4 exd4 16.Rac1 Qd6 17.f4 f6 18.f5 Qe5 19.Nf4 g5 20.Nh5+ Kg8 21.h4 h6 22.hxg5 hxg5 23.Rf3 [Everything was looking dangerous, but basically okay for Black. The only defense looked like 23...Bd7 followed by Rg3 and then maybe Kf7. However Anand blunders. - Chessbase] 23...Kf7?? 24.Nxf6! 24...Kxf6 25.Rh3 Rg8 26.Rh6+ Kf7 27.Rh7+ Ke8 28.Rcc7 Kd8 29.Bb5 Qxe4 30.Rxc8+ 1-0
http://www.chessbase.com/news/2010/sofia/games/sofia01.htm
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bc4 c5 8.Ne2 Nc6 9.Be3 0-0 10.0-0 Na5 11.Bd3 b6 12.Qd2 e5 13.Bh6 cxd4 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.cxd4 exd4 16.Rac1 Qd6 17.f4 f6 18.f5 Qe5 19.Nf4 g5 20.Nh5+ Kg8 21.h4 h6 22.hxg5 hxg5 23.Rf3 [Everything was looking dangerous, but basically okay for Black. The only defense looked like 23...Bd7 followed by Rg3 and then maybe Kf7. However Anand blunders. - Chessbase] 23...Kf7?? 24.Nxf6! 24...Kxf6 25.Rh3 Rg8 26.Rh6+ Kf7 27.Rh7+ Ke8 28.Rcc7 Kd8 29.Bb5 Qxe4 30.Rxc8+ 1-0
http://www.chessbase.com/news/2010/sofia/games/sofia01.htm
Thursday, April 08, 2010
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