Thursday, May 06, 2010

Anand - Topalov Game 9 Live World Chess Championship, 2010


  • 9:49 AM: Ranjan [Event "World Chess Championship"]
    [Site "Sofia / Bulgaria"]
    [Date "2010.05.06"]
    [Round "?"]
    [White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
    [Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
    [Result "*"]
    [WhiteElo "2787"]
    [BlackElo "2805"]
    [Annotator "Robot 4"]
    [PlyCount "30"]
    [EventDate "2010.05.06"]
    [EventRounds "12"]
    [EventCountry "BUL"]

    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 c5 6. Nf3 d5 7. O-O cxd4 8. exd4
    dxc4 9. Bxc4 b6 10. Bg5 Bb7 11. Re1 Nbd7 12. Rc1 Rc8 13. Bd3 Re8 14. Qe2 Bxc3
    15. bxc3 Qc7 *

  • 9:52 AM: Ranjan White is marginally better off

  • 9:57 AM: Ranjan Gligoric played 16. c4 here in a 1968 game against Portisch. Gligoric went on to win the game

  • 10:01 AM: Ranjan For sure, Topalov didn't expect this line from Anand. He would have been hoping for another Catalan, and now he has to deal with this Rubinstein Variation of the Nimzo Indian defense.

  • 10:06 AM: Ranjan 16. --- Nh5 Topalov is taking way too much time here. Clearly, showing signs of unanticipated position.

  • 10:08 AM: Ranjan The immediate threat here is Nf4

  • 10:13 AM: Ranjan Sharp play by Anand. Goes for 17. Ng5, inviting the Black knight to f4, but then Anand would reply with Bh7+, and then bring the Queen to further attack and make inroads in the black defense

  • 10:16 AM: Ranjan 17. --- g6 18. Nh3

  • 10:18 AM: Ranjan Even position

  • 10:21 AM: Ranjan e5 break expected

  • 10:21 AM: Ranjan 18. --- e5 played by Topalov

  • 10:23 AM: Ranjan Anand's pieces are wildly placed; the only saving grace is perhaps the Bishops pair

  • 10:26 AM: Ranjan Topalov has to open up the centre. An interesting continuation could be the idea to push f5 followed by e4

  • 10:27 AM: Ranjan 19. f3

  • 10:28 AM: Ranjan Note that Anand is quite willing to exchange his Queen for two rooks at e8, if Topalov wants to capture the d4 pawn with his e pawn

  • 10:30 AM: Ranjan It may be difficult to follow the board with just the notation. The LIVE board updates can be seen at www.anand-topalov.com

  • 10:33 AM: Ranjan 19. --- Qd6 putting pressure on the centre. The d4 pawn needs protection, furthermore, Black's rook at c8 controls the half open c-file.

  • 10:37 AM: Ranjan 20. Bf2 expected, or a wild 20. g4

  • 10:41 AM: Ranjan The speed at which Anand was playing till 18. Nh3, clearly indicated solid home preparation, yet now he is using a lot of his time. I wonder, did things go as per calculated possibilities?

  • 10:43 AM: Ranjan Fritz 12 calculates Anand,V - Topalov,V, World Chess Championship 2010
    2r1r1k1/pb1n1p1p/1p1q2p1/4p2n/3P3B/2PB1P1N/P3Q1PP/2R1R1K1 w

    Analysis by Fritz 12:

    1. = (0.18): 20.Qb2 a6 21.a4 exd4 22.Rxe8+ Rxe8 23.cxd4 Ndf6 24.Re1 Rxe1+ 25.Bxe1 Nd5 26.Bd2 Qd7 27.a5 b5 28.Ng5 Nhf4
    2. = (0.15): 20.Bf2 Qa3 21.Qc2 Ba6 22.Bxa6 Qxa6 23.Qb3 Nhf6 24.Rcd1 Qc4 25.Qxc4 Rxc4 26.dxe5 Rxe5 27.Rxe5 Nxe5 28.Bd4 Ned7 29.Nf4 Nc5

  • 10:45 AM: Ranjan 20. Bf2 played

  • 10:46 AM: Ranjan Topalov now has just less than an hour for his next 21 moves, Anand has an hour an 15 minutes for his 20

  • 10:51 AM: Ranjan Anand seems to lack space over the board; whereas Topalov's pieces are positioned quite flexibly

  • 10:53 AM: Ranjan 20. --- ed4 surprise surprise. I was hoping that Topalov won't go for this one.

  • 10:55 AM: Ranjan 21. Qe8+ Re8 22. Re8+ Nf8

  • 10:58 AM: Ranjan I would prefer the Bishop at f2 to capture the d4 pawn now

  • 11:04 AM: Ranjan

  • 11:05 AM: Ranjan Very interesting position here

  • 11:08 AM: Ranjan Whether the White's Black bishop captures at d4 or the c3 pawn does, Black could play Nf6, followed by Ne6, keeping a very tight grip over the centre and defending his king too.

  • 11:09 AM: Ranjan 23. cd4

  • 11:11 AM: soumen08 I would capture with the pawn, a future Nf6 by black would have me move the bishop again otherwise

  • 11:13 AM: Ranjan The connected a and b Black pawns are looking vicious already

  • 11:16 AM: Ranjan As expected, Topalov plays 23. --- Nf6 attacking the White rook at e8, and realigning the Knight centrally, rather than at the flank

  • 11:17 AM: Ranjan Anand brings back his Rook at e8 to e1 - 24. Ree1 Ne6

  • 11:21 AM: Ranjan Now let us go back and relook the cd4 move. Though it had it's plus, as rightly pointed here by soumen08, the negatives will haunt us now, coz the d-passer has to be given away, and the block that it provided along the b-file while at c3 is also gone.

  • 11:22 AM: Ranjan 25. Bc4

  • 11:26 AM: Ranjan Very interesting position again. Need to post a pic here

  • 11:28 AM: Ranjan

  • 11:29 AM: Ranjan The immediate Black capture at d4 is prevented by Bc4, as the Rook at c1 would move to d1, and Black loses. Also Bc4 attacks the Knight at e6, where it is solidly placed.

  • 11:31 AM: Ranjan But there is a possible continuation where the Knight captures at d4 - 25. --- Nd4 26. Rcd1 Nf3+ , just a wild thought

  • 11:33 AM: Ranjan 25. --- Bd5

  • 11:35 AM: Ranjan 26. Bg3 Obviously planning to bring the Knight at h3 back into action via f2

  • 11:36 AM: Ranjan 26. --- Qb4

  • 11:40 AM: Ranjan 27. Be5 Nice move by Anand

  • 11:43 AM: Ranjan The position looks hot, so full of tactical choices

  • 11:44 AM: Ranjan Fritz 12 calculates Anand,V - Topalov,V, World Chess Championship 2010
    6k1/p2n1p1p/1p2n1p1/3bB3/1qBP4/5P1N/P5PP/2R1R1K1

    Analysis by Fritz 12:

    1. = (0.00): 28.Bxd5 Nxe5 29.Bxe6 Qxd4+ 30.Kf1 fxe6 31.Rc8+ Kg7 32.Rc7+ Kg8 33.Ng5 Qd3+ 34.Kg1 Qd2 35.Rc8+ Kg7 36.Rc7+ Kg8
    2. = (-0.03): 28.a3 Qa4 29.Bxd5 Nxe5 30.Bxe6 Qxd4+ 31.Kf1 fxe6 32.Rc8+ Kg7 33.Rc7+ Kh6 34.Re4 Qa1+ 35.Re1 Qb2 36.Re4 g5 37.Rxa7 Qb1+ 38.Re1 Qd3+

  • 11:50 AM: Ranjan Relooking at Topalov's Qb4, could have gone for Qd7 to further strengthen his position.

  • 11:52 AM: Ranjan 27. ---Nd7

  • 11:52 AM: Ranjan 28. a3 -- The reason why i was already relooking at Blacks's Qb4

  • 11:55 AM: Ranjan Will it now be Qb2 or Qa4 from Topalov? Would prefer Qb2

  • 11:55 AM: Ranjan 28. --- Qa4

  • 11:57 AM: Ranjan Action in the centre 29. Bd5 Ne5

  • 11:59 AM: Ranjan 30. Be6

  • 12:02 PM: Ranjan 30. --- Qd4+

  • 12:02 PM: Ranjan 31. Kh1

  • 12:03 PM: Ashu Anand is clearly losing... :( Topalov's e5 knight is menacing

  • 12:04 PM: Ranjan @Ashu - the position is very much equal, and whether Anand is "clearly" losing or not, definitely cannot be said now

  • 12:06 PM: Ranjan Both players have 27 minutes, Topalov has to make 10 moves, and Anand has to make 9 more moves.

  • 12:08 PM: Ashu Ng5 is next by Anand? Looks the most plausible move to get the knight out of the rim of the board to the action point

  • 12:09 PM: Ranjan 31. --- fe6

  • 12:09 PM: Ranjan Expecting Ng5, finally the Knight should play

  • 12:12 PM: Ashu Actually to me Ng5 looks an active way of coutnering the threat of the fork on d3... @ Ranjan, hope for the best for Anand :)

  • 12:14 PM: Ranjan 32. Ng5

  • 12:15 PM: Ranjan 32. --- Qd6

  • 12:15 PM: Ashu yeah thr comes Ng5 :)

  • 12:17 PM: V Ne4, next for anand?

  • 12:17 PM: Ranjan Anand's Knight can capture the e6 pawn now

  • 12:18 PM: Ranjan Ne6, Rc8, h4 and Ne4 are the candidate moves for Anand

  • 12:18 PM: Ranjan Anand goes for 33. Ne4

  • 12:18 PM: V If Ne4 is next for anand, Qd6 should move, Anand can then make Nf6 for check and may be use the rook subsequently to trap topalov, hypothetical ofcourse.

  • 12:21 PM: Ranjan 33. --- Qa3

  • 12:22 PM: Ranjan Expecting the rooks to spring into action

  • 12:25 PM: Ranjan 34. Rc3

  • 12:25 PM: Ashu see what Ne4 does here is creates a good blockade at the centre for black's e pawn. The knight here can't be dislodged by a black pawn, also black does not have any other piece other than the knight to force the knight out of e4... and thr comes Qxa3 from Topalov... position continually deteriorating for Anand

  • 12:27 PM: Ranjan 34. Rc3? Why? Anand had a draw with Rc7, Rc8+

  • 12:28 PM: Ranjan 34. --- Qb2

  • 12:29 PM: V Nice move by anand moving Rc3, I think topalov might play safe with queen for now and pull back or not, this match is well poised now

  • 12:29 PM: V Anand cannot risk moving his Rc3 to Rc1 now, Black Nd3 with Qb2 could be potential game over for anand!

  • 12:30 PM: Ranjan Expecting Rc8+ now

  • 12:31 PM: Ranjan 35. h4

  • 12:32 PM: Ranjan 35. --- b5

  • 12:32 PM: V Sorry, I was wrong. Got too involved!

  • 12:32 PM: Ashu Doubling of rooks on the c file... Rc7 wud have left the rook hanging at c7... and Rc7 would have lost the game as Black would have opened up white's defence with a knight sac on f3.. analyze the position, u will see for yourself what havoc the queen cud have caused if Anand had left the rook at c7 unsupported

  • 12:33 PM: Ranjan 36. Rc8+ Kg7

  • 12:34 PM: Ranjan 37. Rc7+ Kf8

  • 12:37 PM: Ranjan 38. Ng5

  • 12:39 PM: Ranjan 38. --- Ke8

  • 12:40 PM: V Anand has a very good chance here

  • 12:40 PM: V Ne6 next for anand?

  • 12:40 PM: Ranjan Ne6 or Ra7 or Rh7

  • 12:40 PM: Ranjan even f4 possible now

  • 12:41 PM: Ranjan 39. Rh7

  • 12:41 PM: Ashu Rh7 looks more probable

  • 12:43 PM: Ranjan Why Rh7? Why not Ra7? Note to self: check

  • 12:43 PM: Ranjan 39. --- Qc3

  • 12:49 PM: Ranjan 40. Rh8+ Kd7

  • 12:51 PM: Ranjan

  • 12:52 PM: Ranjan Timers have been reset. One hour added to both clocks.

  • 12:52 PM: Ashu sniff sniff... do I smell a White Win by any chance?

  • 12:52 PM: Ashu Next is Rd1+ ? :)

  • 12:53 PM: Ranjan Anand,V - Topalov,V, World Chess Championship 2010
    7R/p2k4/4p1p1/1p2n1N1/7P/2q2P2/6P1/4R2K

    Analysis by Fritz 12:

    1. = (-0.22): 41.Rh7+ Kc6 42.Re4 Kb6 43.Re7 b4 44.Rxe6+ Nc6 45.Nf7 Ka5 46.Kh2 b3 47.Ne5 Nxe5 48.R4xe5+ Kb4 49.Re4+ Kc5 50.R4e5+ Kd4 51.f4 Qc7 52.Rxg6
    2. = (-0.22): 41.Rd1+ Nd3 42.Ra8 Kc7 43.Ne4 Qd4 44.Re8 Qd7 45.Ra8 Kb6 46.Rb8+ Kc6 47.Rd2 Kc7 48.Rg8 Qh7 49.Rc2+ Kb6 50.Rb8+ Ka5

  • 12:54 PM: qwerty He wants to attack for behind with da 2 rooks isnt it?

  • 12:54 PM: V Re1 to Rd1 net for anand for check?

  • 12:54 PM: Platanito he want to attack the king from behind i think

  • 12:56 PM: Platanito I dont want another draw

  • 12:57 PM: Ranjan 41. Rh7+ Kc6

  • 12:59 PM: Ranjan 42. Re4

  • 1:01 PM: Ranjan Anand seems to be trying too hard. Re4 apparently doesn't seem to do much save to keep the rook supported. However, coupled with Ne6, the two rooks may cause adequate discomfort to Topalov

  • 1:03 PM: Platanito WHat do you expect from this game, Ranjan?

  • 1:04 PM: Ranjan @Platanito A draw if Anand plays very well

  • 1:05 PM: Ranjan But with Topalov's attitude and the Sofia Rule, we have seen many drawn positions being played on and on, given the pieces on this board, Anand has to play very sharply to keep it at a draw.

  • 1:06 PM: Ashu now I sense an Anand win... Anand is gradually reducing the effective playing area... he is craeting a position in which his King is safe and Topa's king is at the centre!

  • 1:06 PM: Ranjan @Ashu Right. I agree totally about the reduction in playing area for the Black King.

  • 1:07 PM: Platanito I agree with you Ranjan

  • 1:11 PM: Ranjan 42. --- b4

  • 1:12 PM: Ranjan Expecting Ne6 now

  • 1:12 PM: Platanito whoa... b4

  • 1:13 PM: Ranjan @ V Ne5????

  • 1:14 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan Y not Ra7?

  • 1:14 PM: Ashu Now Anand's knight must head to d4 via e6

  • 1:14 PM: V Nxe5 for anand?

  • 1:15 PM: Ranjan Anand's Knight could also head for e6, f4 and d5, but will he get that much time?

  • 1:15 PM: Platanito loses a piece

  • 1:19 PM: Ashu after Ne6, the threat of Rc7+ looms large for Topalov

  • 1:19 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan Ra7

  • 1:20 PM: Ranjan A possible continuation is 43.Nxe6 Kb6 44.Nf4 Qc1+ 45.Kh2 Nc6 46.Nd5+ Kc5 47.Nf4 Kb6

  • 1:23 PM: Ranjan Whereas the previous continuation keeps an even keel, another continuation 43.Re7 Kd5 44.Kh2 Qc5 45.Rxe6 Nd3 46.Re8 Qc7+ 47.g3 Qa5 48.Re3 Kc4 49.Rc8+ Kd4 50.Re7 Qa2+ 51.Kh1 Qa1+ 52.Kh2 Qb2+ 53.Kh1 Nf2+ favours Black slightly

  • 1:23 PM: Dd How does it look for White?

  • 1:25 PM: Platanito complicated i think

  • 1:26 PM: Dd Not another draw I hope

  • 1:28 PM: Ranjan After having a long hard look, Anand plays 43. Ne6

  • 1:28 PM: Sam Slight advantage for black?

  • 1:28 PM: Ranjan @ Sam almost equal

  • 1:30 PM: V Black queen seems to be in trouble, no?

  • 1:31 PM: Ranjan The Black Queen is in no trouble, coz the Black King can move to b6 or d5 immediately. Also, b3- b2 - b1=Q doesn't take long

  • 1:32 PM: Sam Would 33Nxe6 have been better for white? Did i miss something there?

  • 1:32 PM: Ranjan @Sam Ne6 has been played

  • 1:33 PM: Sam i am talking of move 33 Nxe6 instead of 33 Ne4

  • 1:34 PM: Ranjan @Sam ok, and yes, i preferred it too, scroll down and see, it was my first candidate move

  • 1:34 PM: Ranjan Topalov moves 43. --- Kb6

  • 1:35 PM: Platanito I think the rook is going to d4-d7, i see this plan stronger that checking with the knight, obiously f4 is called for

  • 1:39 PM: Ashu Ok interesting sequence: 44. Nc7 threatening Nd5 fork... and evenRxb4, Qxb4, Nd5 fork... some possibilities - but hope Anand finds a forced sequence

  • 1:40 PM: Ranjan For once, my prediction seems correct. Anand plays 44. Nf4

  • 1:42 PM: Ranjan Topalov delivers a check at a1 44. --- Qa1+ to get away from the Knight fork with his king at d5

  • 1:42 PM: Ranjan Anand moves his King to h2; 45. Kh2

  • 1:42 PM: Ranjan 45. --- a5

  • 1:43 PM: Ranjan I am going into analysis for the endgame. Will post as soon as i am done.

  • 1:44 PM: Ranjan would appreciate comments and suggestions

  • 1:54 PM: Ranjan 46. h5 gh5

  • 1:54 PM: Zorgan 46. h5

  • 1:54 PM: Ramesh 46-h5

  • 1:54 PM: Chobes Blacks pawn look like they will storm home surely?

  • 1:54 PM: Platanito This game rememberme the one Kramnik-Anand MExico 2007, semislav

  • 1:55 PM: Ranjan Expecting Rh5

  • 1:56 PM: Ranjan 47. Rh5 played by Anand

  • 1:56 PM: Ranjan 47. --- Nc6

  • 1:58 PM: Ranjan The position seems to slightly favour Anand now

  • 2:00 PM: Ranjan

  • 2:01 PM: Ranjan The Black King looks exposed

  • 2:01 PM: Ranjan Fritz 12 calculates Anand,V - Topalov,V, World Chess Championship 2010
    8/8/1kn5/p6R/1p2RN2/5P2/6PK/q7 w - - 0 1

    Analysis by Fritz 12:

    1. +/- (0.73): 48.Nd5+ Kb7 49.Re6 Qb1 50.f4 Qd3 51.Rd6 Qc2 52.Rd7+ Ka6 53.Rh6 Kb5 54.Rb7+ Ka4 55.Nb6+ Kb3 56.Rc7 Qe4 57.Rcxc6 Qxf4+ 58.Kg1 Qd4+
    2. +/= (0.59): 48.Re6 Qg7 49.Nd5+ Kb7 50.Reh6 Qd4 51.Rg6 Nd8 52.Rd6 Nc6 53.Rd7+ Kb8 54.Rhh7 Kc8 55.Ne7+ Kxd7 56.Nf5+ Ke6 57.Nxd4+ Nxd4 58.Ra7 Nc6

  • 2:03 PM: Ranjan So, as of now Fritz 12 also favours Anand

  • 2:03 PM: Ranjan 48. Nd5+ Kb7

  • 2:06 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan Anand inching closer..

  • 2:06 PM: Ranjan Anand has barely 15 minutes on the clock compared to Topalov's 40

  • 2:08 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan Rh7

  • 2:08 PM: Ranjan @Karthekeyen Hopefully Rh7

  • 2:10 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan Anand, Whr r u? Watz on?

  • 2:11 PM: yuval at move 60 they get another hour?

  • 2:11 PM: V How many moves must anand make before the time clock?

  • 2:12 PM: Jacky 8 min left for anand

  • 2:12 PM: Ranjan The time control for each game shall be: 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, 60 minutes
    for the next 20 moves and then 15 minutes for the rest of the game with an increment of 30
    seconds per move starting after move 61 has been made.

  • 2:13 PM: Ranjan 49. Rh7+ Ka6 50. Re6

  • 2:14 PM: Ashu In pressure situations, there is always more time left than you think you have. And let's not forget, Anand is a master of rapid and blitz chess :) So if he has to think Topalov out, it is now :D

  • 2:15 PM: Ranjan Anand now has 7 minutes and 40 seconds to make his next 10 moves. Topalov has 37 minutes for his 11

  • 2:15 PM: Ranjan Anand in a good position.

  • 2:17 PM: Venkat Anand is in a dominant positon but not sure of the time rules

  • 2:17 PM: Ashu Kb5 is forced I think

  • 2:18 PM: Venkat no q c1

  • 2:19 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan I think Topalov is playing with Anand's time pressure...

  • 2:20 PM: Ranjan @ Karthekeyen yes, quite possible and Anand is using all of Topalov's time to make his own calculations

  • 2:20 PM: Venkat Topolove has not been moving is Q for quite some time he needs to that to be a little aggressive

  • 2:20 PM: Ashu @ Venkat saar, Qc1 is unplayable for Rc7 by Anand...

  • 2:20 PM: Jacky Qc1 looks bad isn't Rh h6 a good reply winning the knight?

  • 2:21 PM: Ranjan Fritz 12 calculates Anand,V - Topalov,V, World Chess Championship 2010
    8/7R/k1n1R3/p2N4/1p6/5P2/6PK/q7 b

    Analysis by Fritz 12:

    1. +- (1.92): 50...Kb5 51.Rh5 Nd8 52.Rb6+ Kc4 53.Rd6 Nb7 54.Nb6+ Kb3 55.Rd7 Qf6 56.Rxb7 Qd6+ 57.Kh3 Qc6 58.Nd7 a4 59.Rhb5 Qh6+ 60.Kg4 Qe6+ 61.Kg5 Qe3+ 62.f4
    2. +- (3.26): 50...Qa2 51.Rxc6+ Kb5 52.Rb6+ Kc4 53.Rh5 Qf2 54.Rc6+ Kb3 55.Ra6 Qc5 56.Kg3 Qb5 57.Re6 Qb8+ 58.Kf2 Qa7+ 59.Re3+ Kc4 60.Kf1 Qa6 61.Re4+

  • 2:23 PM: Ranjan 50. --- Kb5

  • 2:23 PM: Jacky As expected Kb5 is played

  • 2:24 PM: Ranjan 51. Rh5

  • 2:24 PM: Ranjan Nb4+ looks good now

  • 2:25 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan ---Kb5... life is getting tougher for Anand..

  • 2:27 PM: Ranjan Nb4+ and Ne7+ both look strong

  • 2:27 PM: Ashu why karthik? on the contrary i sense a win for vishy

  • 2:27 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan Topalov feels the heat... But I donno y...! Ka4 is the lone option.. Should he donate his time to Anand?

  • 2:28 PM: Ranjan regarding time: Topalov knows that Anand can play a game in less than a minute; thata Anand is not going to lose a world championship game on time. Anand will make his moves in time. There is no need for Topalov to rush, coz then he would compromise his own gameplay

  • 2:29 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan True.. Anad is winning.. C my next comment...

  • 2:29 PM: Venkat nb4 will you not sacrifice the knight to king

  • 2:29 PM: Mahen What does an analysis shows by Fritz?

  • 2:29 PM: Ranjan 51. --- Nd4

  • 2:30 PM: Ranjan Nb6+ looks strongest

  • 2:30 PM: Ranjan 52 Nb6+ Ka6

  • 2:32 PM: Ranjan 53. Rd6

  • 2:32 PM: Ranjan Anand has a good chance for a win now

  • 2:33 PM: Ashu Was Rd6 a waiting move? I think Anand is forcing Topalov into a Zugzwang

  • 2:33 PM: Mahen what moves fritz suggest and how much is this game in favour of anand

  • 2:33 PM: Venkat I think so

  • 2:34 PM: Ranjan

  • 2:34 PM: Mahen what moves fritz suggests and how much is this game in favour of anand?

  • 2:35 PM: Ranjan Fritz 12 Calculates Anand,V - Topalov,V, World Chess Championship 2010
    8/8/kN1R4/p6R/1p1n4/5P2/6PK/q7 b - - 0 1

    Analysis by Fritz 12:

    1. +- (2.02): 53...Kb7 54.Nd5 Nxf3+ 55.gxf3 Qb2+ 56.Kh3 Qb1 57.Rhh6 Qh1+ 58.Kg4 Qg1+ 59.Kf5 Qb1+ 60.Ke6 Qc2 61.Rd7+ Ka6 62.Nc7+ Kb7 63.Ke5 Qe2+
    2. +- (2.02): 53...Nxf3+ 54.gxf3 Kb7 55.Nd5 Qb2+ 56.Kh3 Qb1 57.Rhh6 Qh1+ 58.Kg4 Qg1+ 59.Kf5 Qb1+ 60.Ke6 Qc2 61.Rd7+ Ka6 62.Nc7+ Kb7 63.Ke5 Qe2+

  • 2:35 PM: Ranjan Anand has 4 minutes 38 seconds on his clock for his next 7 moves, and Topalov has 19 minutes for his 8 moves

  • 2:37 PM: just another r u saying that fritz gives +2.02 for anand??

  • 2:38 PM: Ranjan @just another yes

  • 2:38 PM: Ranjan It would be difficult for Topalov to hold this position with Black

  • 2:38 PM: Ranjan 53. Kb7

  • 2:38 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan Rh7,

  • 2:39 PM: Ranjan 54.Nc4 Nf3+

  • 2:39 PM: Ranjan 55. gf3 Qa2 56. Nd2 Kc7

  • 2:40 PM: Ranjan 57. Rhd5

  • 2:42 PM: Venkat Why was the black knight scacrifced in move 54?

  • 2:42 PM: just another ufff, guess that's all for topalov

  • 2:42 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan Topalov mentally prepared...

  • 2:42 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan Clever move Anand.. Clever...

  • 2:43 PM: Ranjan 57. --- b3 58. Rd7+

  • 2:43 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan 2 moves to go in 3 min for Anand..

  • 2:45 PM: Ranjan 58. --- Kc8

  • 2:45 PM: Ranjan Not 58. --- Kb8, it would be bad

  • 2:46 PM: Ranjan 59. Rd8+ Kc7

  • 2:47 PM: Ranjan 60. R8d7+ Kc8 (Time control)

  • 2:48 PM: Ranjan 15 minutes added to both players clocks

  • 2:48 PM: Mahen What now?

  • 2:48 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan Its high time Anand focus on his King, to relieve his Knight....

  • 2:48 PM: Ranjan Fritz 12 calculates Anand,V - Topalov,V, World Chess Championship 2010
    2k5/3R4/8/p2R4/8/1p3P2/q2N3K/8 w - - 0 1

    Analysis by Fritz 12:

    1. +- (1.62): 61.Rg7 Qa1 62.Rdd7 Qe5+ 63.Kg1 b2 64.Rde7 Qd4+ 65.Kh1 Qd8 66.Ra7 b1Q+ 67.Nxb1 Qd1+ 68.Kg2 Qe2+ 69.Kg3 Qe1+ 70.Kh3 Qh1+ 71.Kg4 Qg1+ 72.Kh5 Qh1+ 73.Kg5 Qg1+ 74.Kf4 Qc1+ 75.Ke5 Qb2+
    2. +/- (1.25): 61.Ra7 a4 62.Kg3 Qa1 63.Kf2 Qa2 64.Ke2 b2 65.Re5 Kd8 66.Rh5 Qe6+ 67.Kf1 b1Q+ 68.Nxb1 Qc4+ 69.Ke1 Qc1+ 70.Ke2 Qc4+ 71.Ke3 Qb3+ 72.Ke4 Qxb1+

  • 2:49 PM: Venkat The black pawn looks dangerous I agree king has to moved to relieve the knight

  • 2:50 PM: Ranjan 61. Rg7

  • 2:51 PM: Virendra Shahaney anand plans to finish it earlier than you think

  • 2:53 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan I dont think so.. Anand pulls the king out to get exposed...

  • 2:55 PM: Ranjan 61. --- a4

  • 2:55 PM: Ranjan Cannot seem to justify Topalov's a4

  • 2:56 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan Ranjan, But thts better than b2...

  • 2:57 PM: Ranjan I was hoping for the Black Queen to get active

  • 2:57 PM: Ranjan Now Anand shud look at Rdd7

  • 2:58 PM: Virendra Shahaney time for big exchanges

  • 2:58 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan True.. To get it active, he needs to supplement that pawn with this a4

  • 2:59 PM: Ranjan All White has to do now, is protect the Knight by taking the King off the line of the Black Queen's fire, perhaps even protect the Knight with the King as the Rooks rage and deliver a mate

  • 2:59 PM: Ashu and how exactly mr. virendra, if I may ask?

  • 3:00 PM: Ranjan Kg3, Ne4, of course after Rdd7 looks like a good solid plan

  • 3:00 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan Watz left for exchange, Viru?

  • 3:00 PM: ss topalov will win

  • 3:00 PM: Ranjan @ss pls clarify

  • 3:00 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan S.. Kg5 is expected...

  • 3:01 PM: Ranjan @S.. Kg5?

  • 3:02 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan ss.. Perhaps U r looking at the b3 pawn alone...

  • 3:02 PM: ss the pawns will win it for him

  • 3:02 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan Sorry,,, Kg3.. ;-)

  • 3:03 PM: Ranjan Fritz 12 calculates Anand,V - Topalov,V, World Chess Championship 2010
    2k5/6R1/8/3R4/p7/1p3P2/q2N3K/8 w - - 0 1

    Analysis by Fritz 12:

    1. +- (3.08): 62.Rdd7 a3 63.Kg3 Qa1 64.Rc7+ Kb8 65.Rb7+ Kc8 66.Nxb3 Qe5+ 67.Kg4 Qe6+ 68.Kf4 Qf6+ 69.Ke4 Qc6+ 70.Kd4 a2 71.Ra7 Kb8 72.Rgf7 Qb6+ 73.Kc3 Qxa7 74.Rxa7 Kxa7
    2. +- (1.53): 62.Rc5+ Kb8 63.Rd7 Qc2 64.Rdd5 Qb2 65.Kg3 Qa1 66.Nc4 Qg1+ 67.Kf4 Qc1+ 68.Ke4 Qb1+ 69.Kd4 Qa1+ 70.Kd3 Qf1+ 71.Kc3 Qe1+ 72.Rd2 Qe8 73.Ra5 Qc6 74.Kb4

  • 3:03 PM: Ranjan 62. Rc5+ Kb8

  • 3:03 PM: Ranjan 63. Rd5 Kc8

  • 3:04 PM: Ranjan Did Anand miss Rdd7?

  • 3:04 PM: Ranjan 64. Kg3

  • 3:05 PM: Ranjan 64.. --- Qa1

  • 3:05 PM: Ranjan 65. Rg4

  • 3:06 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan Anand again under time pressure?

  • 3:06 PM: just another i can't see any of those pawns winning the game, am Rdd7 is not going to happen

  • 3:07 PM: Ranjan Rdd7 missed

  • 3:08 PM: Ranjan At best a draw now

  • 3:09 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan Draw? After 65 Rg4?

  • 3:09 PM: ss now the pawn push !

  • 3:09 PM: ss topa has the edge

  • 3:10 PM: Ranjan 65. --- b2

  • 3:11 PM: Ranjan Expecting them to agree to a draw any time now

  • 3:11 PM: Venkat anand should have sacrifced the knight to the pawn

  • 3:11 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan ss... U r still thinking only abt those pawns.....!

  • 3:11 PM: ss there it is..

  • 3:11 PM: Venkat It is looking dangerous

  • 3:12 PM: Ranjan @SS and whoever feels that those pawn will win it for Topalov, Rc4+ forces the Black king to the b-file; at c4, the rook is supported by the knight, the d file rook can deliver endless checks to draw the game

  • 3:14 PM: Ranjan 66. Rc4+ Kb7

  • 3:15 PM: Ranjan Anand still thinks there is something there, plays his King to f2

  • 3:16 PM: Ranjan 67. Kf2

  • 3:16 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan Y Kf2? Any one pl explain..

  • 3:16 PM: just another but why anand doesn't make his move!!!!

  • 3:17 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan 66. Rc4 Kb8

  • 3:18 PM: Ashu Kf2 bcoz Anand wants his King to get closer to the enemy king gradually

  • 3:18 PM: just another guess at last everything is pointing to a draw

  • 3:18 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan Y not push his lone pawn now....?Anand?

  • 3:18 PM: ss @ranjan. not if topa plays ka6

  • 3:18 PM: Virendra Shahaney kf2 for avoiding checks

  • 3:18 PM: Ashu how about Nb3 now? (my innovation) just a thot

  • 3:20 PM: Ranjan 67. ---b1=Q 68. Nb1 Qb1 69. Rdd4 Qa2+ 70. Kg3 a3 71. Rc3

  • 3:21 PM: Venkat Told you the knight has to go for the pawn Anand should be relived after that

  • 3:21 PM: Chika Guess Anand lost the plot by allowing the 2nd Queen

  • 3:21 PM: Chika Guess Anand lost the plot!

  • 3:21 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan After 70. it seems to be true,,, a draw!

  • 3:21 PM: just another bye bye pawn

  • 3:21 PM: Ranjan 71. --- Qa1

  • 3:22 PM: Ranjan 72. Rb4+ Ka6

  • 3:22 PM: Ranjan 73. Ra4+ Kb5

  • 3:22 PM: Ranjan 74. Rca3

  • 3:23 PM: Ranjan If Topalov can deliver endless checks, then he can at best draw the game, or else Anand wins.

  • 3:23 PM: Virendra Shahaney anand sees 1 point here

  • 3:23 PM: Jacky is the pawn not enough for the victory? Or is it a rock solid draw?

  • 3:23 PM: Chika I felt he should have attacked the lone Queen instead of concentrating on the King

  • 3:24 PM: Ranjan 74. --- Qg1 75. Kf4

  • 3:24 PM: Ranjan Awesome game this has turned out to be

  • 3:25 PM: Ashu topalov's win chanes = 0

  • 3:25 PM: Virendra Shahaney there are no endless cheks here

  • 3:26 PM: just another Anand's time is going up!!

  • 3:26 PM: just another guess there are not enough checks for topalov getting a draw

  • 3:26 PM: Ranjan 75. --- Qc1 +

  • 3:26 PM: Ranjan Anand needs to look at his clock

  • 3:26 PM: Ranjan under 4 minutes

  • 3:27 PM: Ranjan 76. Kf5

  • 3:27 PM: Ranjan 76. --- Qc5+

  • 3:27 PM: Ranjan 77. Ke4 Qc2+

  • 3:28 PM: Ranjan 78. Ke3

  • 3:29 PM: Ranjan 78. --- Qc1+

  • 3:29 PM: venkat @Ranjan post in the board position if poss...

  • 3:29 PM: Venkat I think it is a draw

  • 3:29 PM: Ashu draw

  • 3:29 PM: ss draw

  • 3:29 PM: Ashu perpetuals!!

  • 3:29 PM: Chika Guess its game over for Anand

  • 3:31 PM: Ranjan 79. Kf2

  • 3:31 PM: Ranjan

  • 3:31 PM: Ranjan 79. --- Qd2+ 80. Kg3 Qe1+

  • 3:32 PM: Karthekeyen Dhanapaulan I remember the drawn World Championship match between Anand & Kasparov whre only the kings wee left on the board finally...

  • 3:32 PM: Virendra Shahaney not yet... he frees his rook

  • 3:32 PM: Venkat Okay atlest I draw for the day....and hope the result of this game is also the same

  • 3:32 PM: James Please, tell me the final result when it's over because I can't follow the game from where I am!

  • 3:33 PM: Ranjan 81. Kf4 Qc1+ 82. Kg3 Qg1+83. Kf4 1/2 - 1/2

  • 3:33 PM: Venkat it is a draw

  • 3:33 PM: Venkat I think topolov did well for a draw

  • 3:33 PM: Venkat they split the point

  • 3:33 PM: ss final result draw

  • 3:34 PM: Venkat 4.5 each now

  • 3:34 PM: Chika they have agreed for a draw

  • 3:34 PM: Ranjan Game 9 Anand- Topalov drawn. Score now 4.5 each after 9 games

  • 3:35 PM: Ranjan Thank you for following the game here with me

  • 3:35 PM: James Thank you for this live coverage! =)

  • 3:36 PM: Virendra Shahaney what went wrong for anand i think 56 Nd2

Saturday, May 01, 2010

Anand - Topalov Game 6 LIVE Commentary

Game 6 of the Anand-Topalov World Chess Championship Match Sofia, 2010 will be played tonight. The game starts at 17.30 IST (GMT +5.30) . Anand will play with White pieces and Topalov has Black.

The score so far: Anand leads Topalov 3-2

White Anand, ViswathanBlack Topalov, Vesenlin

Game 6
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 a6 6. Ne5 c5 7. Na3 cxd4 8.
Naxc4 Bc5 9. O-O O-O 10. Bg5

Deviation from Game 2
10. --- h6 11. Bxf6 Qxf6 12. Nd3

Interesting opening, although Anand is a pawn down, the position is almost equal, coz he has sufficient compensation.

12. --- Ba7

Anand could now bring out the queen rook to c1 or bring out his queen to b3...

13. Qa4

Topalov could consider some quick queen side development now with Nd7, etc. Note 13. --- b5 doesn't help Black because of the g2-a8 diagonal and the rook at a8.

13. ---Nc6
I am checking the merit of 14. Bc6 bc6 15. Qc6 Rb8 16. Qc7

14. Rac1

Though Anand is a pawn down, he was compensated by Topalov's lack of development and the badly placed bishop at a7. But the grip seems loosening. The idea of Qa4 was to prevent Nc6, which Topalov played anyways willing to return the pawn, yet Anand chose not to take the pawn. Perhaps the control of the h1-a8 diagonal cannot be just given away already.

Expecting 14. --- Bd7 now, but Topalov is taking his time, must also be considering other candidate moves.
and yes, he was

14.--- e5 15. Bxc6 b5 16. Qc2 Qxc6 17. Ncxe5

Was that a missed opportunity there after 15. --- b5 ? Anand could have chosen 16. Bb5 ab5 17. Qb5 where it seems White forces a bit better off

17. --- Qe4
Topalov improves his position.

18. Qc6 Bb7 19. Qe4 Be4

position equal
20. Rc2


20. --- Rfe8 21. Rfc1

lining up the rooks

21. --- f6 22. Nd7 Bf5 23. N7c5

The a6 pawn is loose. Black can take the Knight Bc5 or play Bb8 or Bb6

23. --- Bb6 24. Nb7 Bd7

would have thought that Topalov wanted to attack the e2 pawn with Bg4

25. Nf4

Anand is very good with Knights, but can he improve to a winning position?

25. --- Rab8 26. Nd6 Re5

position equal

27. Nc8 Ba5

28. Nd3 Re8 29. Na7 Bb6 30. Nc6 Rb7 31. Ncb4 a5 32. Nd5 a4 33. Nxb6
Rxb6 34. Nc5 Bf5 35. Rd2

looks very very draw

35. --- Rc6 36. b4 axb3 37. axb3 b4 38. Rxd4 Rxe2

Still even, but the position looks livelier

39. Rxb4 Bh3 40. Rbc4 Rd6 41. Re4 Rb2 42. Ree1 Rdd2 43. Ne4 Rd4 44. Nc5 Rdd2 45. Ne4
repeating

45. --- Rd3 46. Rb1 Rdxb3 47. Nd2 Rb4 48. f3

Topalov refusing to walk the drawn lane, Anand complying. Now Topalov looks marginally better, though.

48. --- g5 49. Rxb2 Rxb2 50. Rd1 Kf7 51. Kf2 h5 52. Ke3
Rc2 53. Ra1 Kg6 54. Ra6 Bf5 55. Rd6 Rc3+ 56. Kf2 Rc2 57. Ke3 Rc3+ 58. Kf2 Rc2
1/2-1/2

Anand 3.5 - Topalov 2.5 after the first half of the Match