Topalov Levels the Score after another Thriller

Topalov,V (2805) - Anand,V (2787) [D17]
Sofia BUL, WCC 2010 Game_8 Sofia BUL (8), 04.05.2010
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 Rc8 Anand changed his defensive set-up, but Topalov seemed prepared for that. 14.Bb5 a6 15.Bxd7+ Kxd7 16.Ke2 f6 17.Rhd1 Ke8


There are only two games in Megabase featuring the position, and both were defended by F. Amonatov: 18.a5N [18.Rac1 was the more recent try, when Black could not hold after: 18...Rc6 19.Na2 Rxc1 20.Nxc1 Be7 21.Bb6 e5 22.Nd3 Bf7 23.Rc1 Bd8 24.a5 Ke7 25.Rc8 Re8 26.Rb8 and later 1–0 Maletin,P (2545)-Amonatov,F (2650)/Novokuznetsk 2008/CBM 126 (49); The other try was: 18.Bb6 Bc5 19.Bxc5 Rxc5 20.Rd6 Ke7 21.Rad1 Be8 22.R6d3 a5 23.Ke3 Bc6 with ballanced position in Bocharov,D (2614)-Amonatov,F (2574)/Voronezh 2007/CBM 118 ext (60)] 18...Be7 [18...Bb4!? might be an improvement for Black, with the idea: 19.Ra4 Be7 20.Bb6 Kf8!? followed by Bg6-e8-c6.] 19.Bb6 Rf8 With the idea Rf8-f7, followed by Be7-f8 and finally Rf7-d7. If Black manages to exchange this rook he will not have any problems. 20.Rac1 f5?! I believe this is the first inaccuracy by Black. He had to proceed with his plan: [20...Rf7!? 21.Na4 Rxc1 22.Rxc1 Bd6 23.Nc5 (23.Be3 Rd7) 23...f5 with good chances for equality.] 21.e5 Bg5 22.Be3 f4?! The world champion missed an important detail. However, the move: [22...Bxe3 which he mentioned at the press-conferense does not really look perfectly safe: 23.Kxe3 f4+ 24.Kf2 (24.Kd4 is harmless for Black- 24...Ke7 25.Ne4 Bxe4 26.Kxe4 g5=) 24...Rf5 25.Re1! Here the idea from the game: (25.Ne4 Rxc1 26.Rxc1 Rxe5 27.Rc5 Rd5 28.Rxd5 exd5 29.Nd6+ Ke7 30.Nxb7 Bd3 is not dangerous at all for Black, as the white king cannot reach d4 square easily-the pawns on g2 and f3 are targets.) 25...Rc5 (25...Kf8!? followed by Bg6-e8-c6 might be Black's best) 26.b4 Rcxe5 27.Ne4± looks awkward for Black; while 22...Be7 23.Na4 Rxc1 24.Rxc1 followed by Nb6 and Rc8 (c7) cannot be recommended for the second player.] 23.Ne4!


23...Rxc1 24.Nd6+ Kd7 25.Bxc1 The mighty knight on d6 and the more active pieces give White comfortable advantage. 25...Kc6 26.Bd2 Logical and good move. Another resonable option is: [26.Rd4 Kc5 (26...b5 27.axb6 Kxb6 28.g3 Kc6 (28...fxg3 29.Bxg5 gxh2 30.Rh4+-) 29.h4 Bd8 30.Bxf4±) 27.Rc4+ Kd5 28.Bd2 Kxe5 29.Nxb7 Be7 30.Rc7 Re8 31.b4± as the king on e5 is vulnerable, White preserves his large advantage.] 26...Be7 27.Rc1+ Kd7 28.Bc3?! [28.Bb4! was much better and natural. White will need this bishop later on b4 and eventually on d6 in some lines. Now: 28...Bxd6 29.Rd1 Rc8 30.Rxd6+± nets a healthy pawn on e6.] 28...Bxd6 29.Rd1! Topalov will have to find only moves in order not to let the advantage slip away: 29...Bf5 [29...Rd8!? trying to exchange the rooks is a good alternative. At first I though that White should be winning after: 30.Rxd6+ Ke7 31.Rb6 (31.Rxd8 Kxd8 32.Bd2 is a draw, as only one extra pawn is not enough to create enough passers. If White wants to go for an opposite-coloured bishops endgame he needs to snatch at least two pawns) 31...Rd7 32.Bb4+ Kf7 33.Bd6 Bf5 34.Kd2 as I saw the plan king going to a7, and then even to c8 if needed. But closer looks shows that Black has good counterplay- 34...g5 35.Kc3 h6 36.Kd4 Kg6 37.Rb3 (37.Kc5 Bd3 and Black threatens Bd3-f1xg2) 37...g4 38.Kc5 Kg5 39.Kb6 h5 and Black has strong counter-chances; 29...Rc8 30.Rxd6+ Ke7 31.Rb6 Rc7 32.Rb4±; 29...Kc8 30.Rxd6 Bf5 31.h4 might lead to the game continuation] 30.h4! Otherwise Black will connect his pawns with g7-g5 and will be out of danger. 30...g6 This is not bad, but Anand could have defended even better: [30...Kc7! 31.exd6+ (31.Rxd6 Rd8 32.Rb6 Rd5 followed by Rd5-b5 should be a draw) 31...Kd7 uses the fact that the g file is open, and if: 32.Bxg7 (32.Be5 keeps practical winning chances for White, as well as good drawish chances for Black after: 32...Rc8) 32...Rg8 33.Be5 Rxg2+ Black takes back the pawn with comfort.] 31.Rxd6+ Kc8 32.Bd2! Why? Why did Topalov need to exchange the rooks when he could have continued the game without the resources that the opposite-coloured bishop endgames always have. I thought that it was much better: [32.Rd4 And now: Passive defense does not save: 32...Rd8 a) However: 32...h6!! With the idea g6-g5 seems to lead to a forced draw thanks to an important tactical detail: 33.Bb4 (33.Rxf4 Bd3+! 34.Ke3 Rxf4 35.Kxf4 Bf1 36.g4 Kd7 37.Bd2 Ke7 38.Kg3 h5=) 33...Rf7 34.Rxf4 Bd3+! Black will win an important tempo to harass the white pawns from behind. As the pawn on h6 stops the manouver Kf4-g5-h6 Black is just in time to build a fortress: 35.Ke3 Rxf4 36.Kxf4 Kd7 37.Bf8 h5 38.Kg5 Ke8 39.Bc5 Kf7 40.Bd4 Bf1 41.g4 Be2=; b) 32...Bb1 33.Bd2 (33.Bb4 Rf5 (33...Rf7 34.Bd6 Ba2 35.Rd1 Bd5 36.Rc1+ Bc6 37.Kd3) ) 33...Rf7 34.Bxf4 Rc7± gives White an extra pawn, but with rooks still on the board, and excellent winning chances.; 33.Rxf4 Kc7 34.g4 Bc2 35.Rf6 (35.Rf7+ Rd7 36.Rf6) 35...Bb3 36.Ke3 followed by Ke3-f4-g5-h6 and Rf6-f7 (or Rf6-f8-h8 if the opponent's rook is on the seventh rank).] 32...Rd8 33.Bxf4 The only move to play for a win. If White does not have a passed pawn, he has nothing to fight for: [33.Rxd8+? Kxd8 34.Bxf4 Bc2 and the bishop is transfered to attack the white pawns 35.Ke3 Ba4 36.Kd4 Bb5 37.Kc5 Bf1 38.g3 Kd7 39.Bg5 Bg2 and the pawns are blocked] 33...Rxd6 34.exd6 Kd7 The arising endgame is far from trivial, and it is a great pleasure to analyse it. 35.Ke3 Bc2 36.Kd4


36...Ke8!! Fantastic move. The idea of exchanging the functions of the defensive pieces is surely not new, but is quite impressive nevertheless. If Black allows the opponent's king to penetrate via f6, White will create a second passer that is more than enough distant from its collegue on d6: [36...Bb3 37.Ke5 Bc4 38.Kf6 Bf1 39.g4 Be2 (39...Bd3 40.Kg7 h5 41.gxh5 gxh5 42.Kh6 Be2 43.Kxh5 Bxf3+ 44.Kh6+- and White wins as there are three lines between the passed pawns) 40.g5 This is what I was thinking should be the right plan during the game but White can win prosaically after: (40.Kg7 Bxf3 41.Kxh7 g5 42.hxg5 e5 43.Bxe5 Bxg4 44.g6 Bf5 45.Kg7+-) 40...Bxf3 I just cannot stand showing you one beautiful line that I discovered: 41.Kg7 Be2 42.Kxh7 Bh5 43.Be5 Kc6 44.Kg7 Kd7 45.Kf7 Zugzwang, black loses the pawn, but this is still not enough- 45...Kd8 46.Kxe6 Bg4+ 47.Kd5 In order to reach progress White must also use the queen's side pawns: 47...Ke8 48.Kc5 Kd7 49.Kb6 Bf3 50.b4 Bc6 (50...Kc8 51.Bf4 Kd7 might actaully save Black; 50...Bd5 51.h5 gxh5 52.g6 h4 53.g7 h3 54.Bf4 and the win is similar like in the main line) 51.h5! gxh5 52.g6 h4 53.g7 Bd5 54.Bf4 h3 55.Bh2 Kd8


This endgame without the a, b and black's h pawn is a theoretical draw. However here White wins after: 56.b5!! axb5 57.a6! bxa6 58.Kc5! and there is no defense against the idea Kc5-c6, d6-d7, Kc6-d6 and mate with the bishop on one of the diagonals: 58...Bb3 59.Kc6 b4 60.d7 Ba4+ 61.Kd6 Bb3 62.Bf4 a5 63.Bg5#] 37.Ke5 Kf7 38.Be3 Ba4 39.Kf4 Bb5 [39...Kf6 is a resource offered by Peter Doggers, but it is not sufficient, as after: 40.Bd4+ e5+ 41.Bxe5+ Ke6 42.Bc3 Kxd6 43.Kg5 Ke6 44.Kh6 Kf7 45.Kxh7 Bc6 46.Kh6 Bd5 White is technically winning: 47.h5 gxh5 48.Kxh5+- then he simply advances the pawns on the king's flank, wins the bishop, and thanks to the fact that there are still b pawns on the board (no fortress with a wrong-colour bishop idea) wins.] 40.Bc5 Kf6 41.Bd4+ Kf7 Here I left the hall, sure that the game should be a draw. I saw only one plan for White- to exchange the his h for the g pawn of the opponent, and then to create a second passer on the f line. But then, the distance between the passers is only one line, and this should be a draw. However, Topalov kept on playing and finally, the world champion erred: 42.Kg5 Bc6 43.Kh6 Kg8 44.h5 Be8 45.Kg5 Kf7 46.Kh6 Kg8 47.Bc5 gxh5 48.Kg5 Kg7 49.Bd4+ Kf7 50.Be5 h4 51.Kxh4 Kg6 52.Kg4 Bb5 53.Kf4 Kf7 54.Kg5 Bc6?? The decisive mistake. Black had to switch the functions of the defenders one more time: [54...Ke8 55.g4 Be2 56.f4 Bd3 57.f5 exf5 58.gxf5 and now the simplest is: 58...h6+ Although the position that arises after: (58...Kf7 59.f6 Bb5 should also be a draw, for example: 60.Kf4 (60.Kh6 Kg8) 60...h6 61.Ke3 Ke6 62.Kd4 h5 63.Kc5 h4 64.Kb6 h3 65.Kc7 Kxe5 66.f7 h2 67.f8Q h1Q=) 59.Kf6 Kd7 hitting the pawn on f5 with a draw.] 55.Kh6 Kg8 56.g4 And Anand resigned due to:[56.g4 Bd7 57.g5 Be8 (57...Bc6 changes nothing as White has many reserved moves 58.Bg7 Be8 59.f4‡+-) 58.Bg7


58...Bc6 59.g6 hxg6 60.Kxg6 Be8+ 61.Kf6 Bb5 62.Bh6 followed by Ke7 and material gains. A painful defeat for the world champion. Topalov finally managed to materialize his playing advantage from the last games. The score is levelled, and as the match is approaching its final phase the most important question is if the players will continue to risk and search for a win in the regular part of the match, or will settle for solid play. I hope that it will be the first option.] 1–0

Great Draw in Game Seven

Anand,V (2787) - Topalov,V (2805) [E11]
Sofia BUL, WCC 2010 game_7 Sofia BUL (7), 03.05.2010
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 Be7 This is new for the match, but not for Topalov himself and probably is the better strategy from him-to change the lines all the time as Anand is relatively new in the Catalan. 6.Bg2 0–0 7.0–0 c6 8.Bf4 dxc4 9.Ne5 b5 More usual is: [9...Nd5 10.Nxc4 Nxf4 11.gxf4 Qc7 12.e3 b6 13.Qb3 Bb7 14.Nc3 Nd7 15.Rfd1І but this is slightly better for White, the last sample being: Sharevich,A (2322)-Kovalevskaya,E (2439)/Kallithea 2008/CBM 126 Extra (59)] 10.Nxc6 Nxc6 11.Bxc6


11...Bd7!N Another strong novelty by Ivan Cheparinov. Ivanchuk used similar sacrifice, but Topalov likes to keep his bishop working on both sides: [11...Ba6 12.Bxa8 Qxa8 13.Qc2 Qc6 14.Bg5 Bb7 15.f3 e5 16.Bxf6 Qxf6 17.d5 Bxd5„ 1/2 Gelfand,B (2750)-Ivanchuk,V (2748)/Nice FRA 2010/The Week in Chess 803 (33)] 12.Bxa8 Anand accepts the challenge, and the following play is quite forced: 12...Qxa8 13.f3 This seems logical as it closes the long diagonal. However, the king's flank is somewhat weakened now. Another possibility is: [13.a3!?] 13...Nd5 14.Bd2 e5 15.e4 Bh3! The point of Black's play, he now sacrifices a whole piece for a pawn, but the strong central pair will give him excellent counter-chances. 16.exd5 Bxf1 17.Qxf1 exd4


18.a4! Everything is correct, Anand needs some air for his pieces. 18...Qxd5 19.axb5 Qxb5 20.Rxa7 Re8 [20...Bc5? 21.Ra5] 21.Kh1 So far Topalov was practically blitzing (while Anand used an hour from his time), spending mere three minutes mainly for technical operations (moving the pieces, writing the moves, pressing the clock, etc.). Now was the first moment that he took his time to decide what to do (and his choice was should he continue, or just force a draw). Two other natural moves must have been analyzed by the Bulgarian's team: [21.Kg2 Bd6 and the play will be similar like in the game with the move Re8-e2 coming a tempo in some lines.Here is a sample line: (21...Qxb2? 22.Qxc4 Qxb1 23.Rxe7+- as the back rank is weak) 22.Qd1 Qxb2 23.Qa4 Rf8 24.Qxc4 Qxb1 25.Qxd4 Bb8 26.Bc3 Qc2+ with perpetual check. ; 21.b3 is another option, that seems to lead to a forced draw: 21...Qb6 (21...d3!?) 22.Rxe7 (otherwise c4-c3 is coming) 22...Rxe7 23.Qxc4 (23.bxc4?! d3+ 24.Kh1 Qb3 25.c5 Qc2 26.c6 h6 and Black is much better as he will soon snck with the white c pawn) 23...h6 24.Qc8+ (24.Qd3 Ra7 25.Be1 Ra1 is too dangerous for White) 24...Kh7 and the players should force repetition of moves: 25.Qf5+ Kg8 as (25...Qg6 26.Qxg6+ Kxg6 27.Kf2 is worse for Black) 26.Qc8+ Kh7=] 21...Bf8 Topalov wants to get the maximum from the novelty. He could drew by simple means: [21...Qxb2 22.Qxc4 Qxb1+ 23.Kg2 Qb2 24.Rxe7 Qxd2+ 25.Kh3 Qh6+ 26.Kg2=] 22.Rc7 Another good defensive manouver by Anand. He is fixing the pawns thus freeing squares for his light pieces for a stable blockade. 22...d3 23.Bc3 Bd6 24.Ra7 h6 25.Nd2


25...Bb4! The only move. The pseudo active: [25...Re2? 26.Qh3 gives White the opportunity to bring his pieces into the game with decisive attack. Among the possible threats is Ra7-a8-h8 and Qxh6xg7 mate. And in case of: 26...Qg5 27.Ra5 Qe3 28.Ra8+ Bf8 29.Qc8 the knight successfully defends the white king and Black needs to go into passive defense.] 26.Ra1! The Indian brings reserves to fight the mighty passer on d3. 26...Bxc3 27.bxc3 Re2 28.Rd1 Qa4! Again rejecting the draw, that was possible after: [28...Qe5 29.Nxc4 Qxc3 30.Nd6 Qc2 (The threat is Re2-f2xh2, and after the exchange of the rooks and the queens Black promotes his pawn. 31.Ne4 only move f5 32.Rc1 fxe4!? (32...Rxh2+ 33.Kg1 Rg2+ 34.Kh1 Rh2+=) 33.Rxc2 dxc2


and White can still make a mistake: 34.Qa1 (34.fxe4? Rd2 35.Qc4+ Kh7 and Black wins as the e4 square is unavailable for the white queen.; 34.f4 should be also draw; while 34.Qxe2 c1Q+ 35.Kg2 e3 leaves some practical chances for Black) 34...exf3 35.Qc3 f2 36.Kg2=; 28...Qb2 might lead to the previous line, or White can force a draw with: 29.Qh3 Rxd2 30.Qc8+ Kh7 31.Qf5+=] 29.Ne4 Qc2 Or: [29...f5 30.Rd2 fxe4 31.Rxe2 dxe2 32.Qxe2 Qa1+ 33.Kg2 Qxc3 34.Qxe4= and White is ready for perpetual.] 30.Rc1 Rxh2+ 31.Kg1 Rg2+ [31...Qb2 32.Rb1 Qc2=] 32.Qxg2 Now it is Anand who rejects the drawish line: [32.Kh1 Rh2+ 33.Kg1=] 32...Qxc1+ 33.Qf1 Qe3+ And again Topalov who insists on winning. But this time it seems that he is very close to crossing the boarder. [33...d2 34.Nxd2 Qxd2 35.Qxc4=] 34.Qf2 Qc1+ 35.Qf1 Qe3+ 36.Kg2 These repetition rejections have also strong psychological impact on the match. Both players want to show their courage, and to stress the fact that they are not afraid. After being into the defensive for the bigger part of the game now it is the Indian's term to play a bit without risk. 36...f5 37.Nf2 Kh7 38.Qb1 Qe6 39.Qb5 g5 40.g4 fxg4 41.fxg4 Kg6 42.Qb7


Shipov proposed a plan for a win after: [42.Qa4!! (not letting the black pawn reach the d2 square). At first I could not find anything convincing after the simple exchange of material: 42...h5 43.gxh5+ Kxh5 But then some computer manouvers clarify the situation: 44.Qa7 Qd5+ (44...Qf5 45.Qd4±) 45.Kf1 Kg6 46.Qe7 Kf5 47.Qf8+ Kg6 48.Qe8+ Kf5 49.Qc8+ Kg6 50.Qg4± and probably Black is really losing.] 42...d2! Now it is draw, that was signed a few moves later. 43.Qb1+ Kg7 44.Kf1 Qe7 45.Kg2 Qe6 46.Qd1 Qe3 47.Qf3 Qe6 48.Qb7+ Kg6 49.Qb1+ Kg7 50.Qd1 Qe3 51.Qc2 Qe2 52.Qa4 Kg8 53.Qd7 Kf8 54.Qd5 Kg7 55.Kg3 Qe3+ 56.Qf3 Qe5+ 57.Kg2 Qe6 58.Qd1 This was another great game from a great match. Topalov made perfect preparation and was pressing for the biggest part of the game. Anand in his term showed his excellent defensive skill and self control, and was even close to winning at the end. The world champion is still leading, but the challenger has one extra game with the white pieces in the remaining five classical games. 1/2

Sixth Game is a Full-Blooded Draw

Anand,V (2787) - Topalov,V (2805) [E04]
Sofia BUL, WCC 2010 game_6 Sofia BUL (6), 01.05.2010
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 a6 6.Ne5 c5 7.Na3 cxd4 8.Naxc4 Bc5 9.0–0 0–0 10.Bg5 Again Anand is the first one to deviate. 10...h6 11.Bxf6 Qxf6N


According to Megabase this logical move is a novelty. The only predecessing game saw: [11...gxf6 12.Nd3 Be7 13.Qd2 Kh7 14.Rac1 Ra7 15.Qf4 Nc6 16.Bxc6 bxc6 17.Qe4+ Kg7 18.Qg4+ Kh7 19.Qe4+ f5 20.Qxc6 and the game was eventually drawn 1/2 Raetsky,A (2399)-Panchanathan,M (2441)/Biel 2004/EXT 2005 (52)] 12.Nd3 Ba7 13.Qa4 Nc6 14.Rac1 e5! Topalov finds a clever way to bring his pieces in the game. He gives back his extra pawn, and is ready to sacrifice another one in order to get rid of the Catalan bishop (remember the troubles he had in the second game because of that piece?) and to occupy the long diagonal with his light-squared bishop. [14...b5 15.Qa3 bxc4 16.Rxc4 Rb8 17.Rxc6 is good for White] 15.Bxc6


15...b5! The point. Weaker is: [15...bxc6 16.Ncxe5 c5 17.Nd7 or even better: (17.Rc2 Bh3 18.Nd7 Bxd7 19.Qxd7 with better prospects for White) 17...Bxd7 18.Qxd7 gives White comfortable edge as he had blocked the isolated pawn pair.] 16.Qc2! Anand rejects the sacrifice, and tries to keep the position blocked. After: [16.Bxb5 axb5 17.Qxb5 e4 Black gets huge compensation for the pawn, and firm control over the initiative. Possible line is: 18.Nf4 d3! 19.exd3 exd3 …20.Nxd3 Bh3 and White must sacrifice the exchange in order to avoid mate.] 16...Qxc6 17.Ncxe5 Qe4 Topalov solved the opening problems, and Anand has nothing but to exchange the queens and play roughly equal game. 18.Qc6 Bb7 19.Qxe4 Bxe4 20.Rc2 Rfe8 21.Rfc1 Both sides have their assets: White-the better pawn structure, and control over the open file, Black-a pair of strong bishops, and more space. If White manages to exchange one of the black bishops (especially the light-squared one) he will have big advantage in most cases, and if Black manages to push away the knights from their blockading positions he will be much better. 21...f6


22.Nd7 With this move Anand started a knight manouver that was widely described as the new Guiness record of the tireless knight. 22...Bf5 23.N7c5 Bb6 [23...Bxc5 24.Rxc5 Bxd3 25.exd3 Re2 26.R5c2 Rae8 27.Kf1 is better for White as he holds the more important open file. The difference between the c and e files was greatly explained by M. Botwinnik in his game against A. Alekhine.] 24.Nb7 Bd7 25.Nf4 Rab8 26.Nd6 Re5 27.Nc8 Ba5 28.Nd3 Re8 29.Na7 Bb6 30.Nc6 The knight keeps on offering itself for a bishop, this time at the price of a pawn. 30...Rb7 Typical Topalov who keeps on fighting. The pawn gain leads almost by force to a draw: [30...Bxc6 31.Rxc6 Rxe2 32.Kf1 Rd2 (32...Re7 33.Nb4 a5 34.Nd5 Reb7 35.Rxb6 Rxb6 36.Nxb6 Rxb6 37.Ke2=) 33.Rc8+ Rxc8 34.Rxc8+ Kh7 35.Rc6


(35.Ke1 with the idea to trap the rook 35...Rxd3? does not work due to the simple: (35...Ba5) 36.Ke2+-) 35...Ba5 (35...Bd8 36.Rxa6± Rxd3? 37.Ke2+-) 36.Rxa6 Rd1+ 37.Kg2 Bc3!? 38.bxc3 Rxd3 39.cxd4 Rxd4= with full equality] 31.Ncb4 a5 32.Nd5 a4 33.Nxb6 Phew. So much work to exchange one of the bishops! And the weaker one! The game continues to ve roughly equal, but Black has to be careful now. 33...Rxb6 34.Nc5 Bf5 35.Rd2 Rc6 36.b4 Of course not: [36.Rxd4? Rec8 37.Rd5 Be6–+] 36...axb3 37.axb3 b4! Temporarily sacrificing the pawn in order to get absolute control over the second rank, but this is not enough for a win, since there is not much material left on the board. 38.Rxd4 Rxe2 39.Rxb4 Bh3 40.Rbc4 Rd6 41.Re4 Rb2 42.Ree1 Rdd2 43.Ne4 Rd4 44.Nc5 Rdd2 45.Ne4


45...Rd3 46.Rb1 Not: [46.Nc5?? Rf3–+] 46...Rdxb3 47.Nd2 The last subtlety. Topalov gets nothing from his pressure than the better half of the point- 47...Rb4 48.f3 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 This was Veselin's first draw in the match as black. He managed comfortably to equalize in the opening, and even tried to play for a win. It looks like that he is back in his usual strenght, and the second part of the match is quite promising for the chess lovers. 1/2

Fifth Game Drawn

Topalov,V (2805) - Anand,V (2787) [D17]
Sofia BUL, WCC 2010 game_5 Sofia BUL (5), 30.04.2010
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


Anand spent some minutes here, obviously trying to figure out what had the Topalov team prepared. Then he went- 14...Rg8 just like in the third game, but after: 15.h4 opted for 15...h5 The idea of placing the pawn on h5 is not new, but it was used usually when the the white king is on e2, and he is deprived from the manouver Ne2-f4. However probably this is the main line that was prepared from the champion. For example he used the same method against Kramnik in their match in Bonn when he did not show his best move in the famous Slav games. 16.Ne2 Bd6 17.Be3 Somewhere around here the electricity stopped. It appeared that there is a problem in the central part of the city, but the actual mistake was made by a worker, who forgot to switch on the reserved generator in advance, and the players had to wait for some fifteen minutes to resume the game. 17...Ne5 [17...Ke7 is not a solution of the problems, as after: 18.Nf4 Bxf4 19.Bxf4 f6 the white bishops force concessions from the black side- 20.Bd2! a5 21.Bb5± and since the a5 pawn is a target White has a powerful threat- 22.Rc7 that is hard to be prevented.] 18.Nf4 Rc8 Topalov is not afraid from the opposite-coloured endgame that can occur after: [18...Nxc4 19.Rxc4 Bxf4 20.Bxf4±


since the black bishop on g6 is excluded, and White has large endge thanks to his superb pieces.] 19.Bb3 Rxc1+ 20.Bxc1 Ke7 21.Ke2 Rc8 22.Bd2 This is inaccurate, and White is throwing away his advantage. After the correct: [22.Rd1!


with the general idea not to let the black bishop get back in the game with: 22...f6? a) 22...Rc6 is the computer defense, when play may continue: 23.Be3! not (23.Bd2? Rb6) 23...Bc5 24.Bd2 Rb6 25.Bc3 Rxb3 26.Bxe5 and Black has serious problems, for example, the piece sacrifice: 26...Bxe4 27.fxe4 Re3+ 28.Kf1 Rxe4 29.Nd3 Bd4 is not enough as White is clearly better here after the simple 30.Bg3±; b) Also no good is: 22...Nc6 as it will gain the bishop pair for White, and break Black's pawn structure. 23.Nxg6+ fxg6 24.Bg5+ Kd7 25.Bf4 e5 26.Be3±; 23.Nxe6 Bf7 24.Nxg7 Bxb3 25.Nf5++- So, after 22.Rd1 Anand would have faced definite problems. After the game continuation he comfortably equalized.] 22...f6 23.Nxg6+ Nxg6 24.g3 Ne5 25.f4 Nc6 26.Bc3 Bb4


The bishops are exchanged, there is a perfect symmetry, and draw is inevitable. 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 Nf5 44.Rc3



Another good defense for the champion, and Topalov is a real danger now, as he has to defend two black games in a row. Any mistake from the challenger might bring the match beyond salvation. 1/2

Anand Wins Brilliant Game Four

Anand,V (2787) - Topalov,V (2805) [E04]
Sofia BUL, WCC 2010 game_4 Sofia BUL (4), 28.04.2010
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 a5 7.Qc2 Bxd2+ 8.Qxd2 c6 9.a4 Yet another know-how by Kramnik. However, after: 9...b5


Anand deviated with a novelty: 10.Na3N Instead in the first game from the match Kramnik-Topalov, Elista 2006 White played: [10.axb5 cxb5 11.Qg5 which is nowadays the main theory. Curiously, the last game in my Megabase is Meier-Wojtaszek from the ETCC in Novi Sad this November. As far as I know Anand allows to his seconds to play the lines that they have studied after the match is over. I wonder when exactly did the world champion start his preparation for the Catalan- for this one, or for the previous?! The move itself is very reasonable, White developes a piece, and puts strong pressure on the opponent's pawns and center. The compensation that appears is quite typical for some lines of QGA and Slav Defense.] 10...Bd7 Black had a choice of giving back his extra pawn in order to speed up his development- [10...Bb7 11.axb5 cxb5 12.Nxb5 0–0 13.0–0 Bd5 14.e3 White is better structurally, but Black's active pieces might compensate this- for example Qd8-b6 and after this even to b7, Nb8-c6, and Rf8-b8. Still, this is quite risky from strategical point of view, as if White manages to win a pawn on the queen's flank, the resulting endgames 5 versus 4 pawns are most often lost. ] 11.Ne5 Nd5 12.e4 Anand temporarily closes his Catalan bishop, but the central break-through d4-d5 will follow soon. 12...Nb4 13.0–0 0–0 14.Rfd1 Be8 15.d5! Typical and strong. Until here Anand had spent only twenty minutes on his clock, a good sign for thorough opening preparation. 15...Qd6! The best defense. [15...Qb6 leaves the queen too far away from the king's flank. White can continue with: 16.dxe6 (16.Ng4!?) 16...fxe6


17.Qd6!! Qxf2+ (17...Nd3 exchanging the mighty knight might be best for Black, although his position is hard to envy after: 18.Nxd3 cxd3 19.axb5 Qxf2+ 20.Kh1 Qxb2 21.Rf1 Bf7 22.e5±; 17...Rxf2 18.Kh1! Rf8 19.Rf1! gives decisive attack for White) 18.Kh1 Qxb2 19.axb5 cxb5 20.Rdb1 Qe2 21.Qxe6+ (21.Rf1!?) 21...Kh8 (21...Bf7 22.Nxf7 Rxf7 23.Rf1+-) 22.Nxb5 and White is clearly on top.(22.Rf1!?) ] 16.Ng4 The Indian keeps the pressure and preserves the pieces on the board. The straightforward: [16.Nxc6 N8xc6 17.dxc6 Qxd2 18.Rxd2 bxa4 19.Nxc4 Bxc6 leads to massive exchanges and almost certain draw.] 16...Qc5 17.Ne3 N8a6 18.dxc6 bxa4 19.Naxc4 Bxc6 20.Rac1 White has a slight edge.


Up to here both the players played their strong and logical moves. Who could possibly immagine that Topalov will riun his position after only three normal moves?! 20...h6 After seeing the course of the game we can advise Veselin to keep his queen close to the king's flank, but there is a danger for it to be cut-off from the game there: [20...Qh5 21.Nd6 Rad8 22.Qd4 Bb5 23.e5; 20...Qe7 is another good after-game advice...] 21.Nd6 Qa7 22.Ng4 This was a move that Zurab Azmaiparashvili was recommending, having in mind the following sacrifice. 22...Rad8


It is even hard to call this move a mistake, although Black is now losing by force: 23.Nxh6+!! A move that even the engines cannot find easily (if at all). 23...gxh6 24.Qxh6 f6 There is no salvation in the other lines neither: [24...e5 25.Qg5+ Kh7 (25...Kh8 26.Qf6+ Kg8 27.Nf5 is mate in four.) 26.Bh3! threatening mate, and Black is forced to part with lots of material: 26...f5 27.Bxf5+ Rxf5 28.Qxf5+ Kg8 29.Qg5++-] 25.e5! [25.Bh3 is another reasonable move, but it leads only to a draw after: 25...Qe7 26.Rxc6 Nxc6 27.Bxe6+ Qxe6 28.Qg6+ Kh8 29.Qh6+] 25...Bxg2 26.exf6!


26...Rxd6 [26...Bf3 27.Qg6+ Kh8 28.f7 or(28.Rc4- Rogers both lead to forced mate) ] 27.Rxd6 Be4 28.Rxe6 Nd3 29.Rc2 Qh7 30.f7+ Qxf7 31.Rxe4 Qf5 32.Re7 In the interview for the Bulgarian National Television D-r Stefan Sergiev, the president of BCF praised highly the game, and gave his respect to the brilliant play of the world champion. There were also many positive reactions from Bulgarian players and fans, as Anand abandoned the passive positional approach and came back to his true active positional style. However, Krasi Kushev, candidate master and leading journalist from BNT reminded us that Topalov is usually playing better in the second part of the events, and we can wait for his come-back after the rest day tomorrow. 1–0

Third Game is Draw

Topalov,V (2805) - Anand,V (2787) [D17]
Sofia BUL, WCC 2010 game_3 Sofia BUL (3), 27.04.2010
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 After the painful defeat in the frst game, it was generally expected that Anand will choose something solid in his next black game. What can be more solid than the Slav? 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 Learning from his previous mighty opponent for the WCC, Anand is using Kramnik's defensive set-up against Topalov. 12.Nxd7 Nxd7 13.Bxc4 a6


Kramnik's invention. Black's plan is simple, albeit slow. Since his only problematic piece is the excluded bishop on g6, he wants to bring it into the game after some manouvers- Rh8-g8, Bf8-d6(b4), Ke8-e7, f7-f6, and finally Bg6-f7. White's has space advantage, and objectevely better prospects, but Black's play is very easy and natural. Moreover, it is fully in accordance with Anand's general plan that I mentioned yesterday-dry positions, preferably with queens off the board. 14.Rc1 [14.Ke2 was the game Topalov-Kramnik, WCC Elista 2006, that was eventually draw.] 14...Rg8 15.h4 White grabs some extra space, and wants to misplace further the bishop on h7, thus making it more difficult for Black to get it into the play. Topalov said at the press conference that had the upper hand, but could not pose the problems that he wanted to. Probably these problems are connected with the manouver Nc3-e2-f4. 15...h6 16.Ke2 Bd6 17.h5 Bh7 18.a5!


Topalov is creative, and invites his opponent into complications. 18...Ke7! Anand correctly sensed the danger. After: [18...Bb4 19.Na4! Bxa5 20.b4! Bxb4 (20...Bd8 is better, but White has good compensation there, too) 21.Rb1 b5 22.Rxb4 bxc4 23.Rxc4 White will practically have an extra piece for long term, for the bishop on h7 is excluded, and the opposite-coloured bishops always favour the attacking side.] 19.Na4 f6 20.b4!? Another attempt to change the character of the game. 20...Rgc8!


But Anand calmly proceeds with his plan and is already fully equalizing the game. After: [20...Bxb4 21.Rb1 Bxa5 22.Nc5!? (22.Rxb7 Rgb8 23.Rhb1 Rxb7 24.Rxb7 Kd6 is unclear) 22...b5 Bad is (22...Nxc5? 23.Bxc5+ Kd7 24.Rhd1+ Kc6 25.Ba3 b5 26.Rd6+ Kc7 27.Bxe6 Rgd8 28.Rc1+ Kb8 29.Rxd8+ Bxd8 30.Bd6+ Ka7 31.Bd5+-) 23.Bxe6 Nxc5 24.Bxg8 Bxg8 25.Bxc5+ White has an extra exchange, and should be better, as the black pawns cannot be advanced easily.] 21.Bc5 Bxc5 22.bxc5 Rc7 23.Nb6


23...Rd8! One more calm and subtle move after which the position will be soon exhausted. Black could have still go wrong after: [23...Nxb6? 24.cxb6 Rc6 25.Bxa6! Rxc1 26.Rxc1 Rxa6 (26...bxa6 27.Rc7+ Kd6 28.Rxg7 Bg8 29.Rg6 wins a third pawn for White and is close to winning for him) 27.Rc7+ Kd6 28.Rxg7 Bxe4 29.fxe4 Rxa5 30.g4±] 24.Nxd7 Rdxd7 25.Bd3 Bg8 26.c6 Rd6 27.cxb7 Rxb7 28.Rc3 Bf7 29.Ke3 Be8 30.g4 e5 31.Rhc1 Bd7 32.Rc5 Bb5 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


It is a fact that the players forgot to shake hands while they were discussing the eventual draw agreement with the arbiter. However, I believe that this was just coincidence, and not on purpose, as some chess fans claim. The press conference was honoured by the former world champion Antoaneta Stefanova. The reasons for this visit are a couple of Spanish journalists who were torturing the interpreters from the very beginning of the match, by asking their questions in Spanish. Since both Anand and Topalov speak fluently this language, the questions were answered in the same way, and remained mistery for the audience. Today Ety translated them in Bulgarian, and after Radislan Atanasov in English, and this was the way they made it. 1/2
This game should ring a bell in Bulgarian's camp as it seems like that the world champion is taking control over the course of the match.

Anand Strikes back in Second

There were a lot of parties this Saturday evening and Sunday, and I could not make it to the venue, which was a pity, since the second game offered another great battle, this time in positional manner:
Anand,V (2787) - Topalov,V (2805) [E04]
Sofia BUL, WCC2010 game_2 Sofia BUL (2), 04.2010
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 The Catalan is a rare bird in Anand's repertoire, but he obviously had prepared it especially for the match. The point is that the resulting positions are rather dry, with slight, but long-lasting positional advantage for White, and no chances for Topalov to show his best sides- creativity and fantasy. 4...dxc4 5.Bg2 a6 6.Ne5 c5 7.Na3 cxd4 8.Naxc4 Bc5 9.0–0 0–0 10.Bd2 [10.b4 is quite an entertaining option- 10...Bxb4 11.Rb1 Bc5 12.Nd3 Be7 13.Nb6 Ra7 14.Qb3 Nc6 15.Bb2 with good positional compensation for the two sacrificed pawns that White eventuall y won in 1–0 Russo,G-De Haro,M/Guarapuava 1992/EXT 1998 (71)] 10...Nd5 11.Rc1 Nd7 12.Nd3 Ba7 13.Ba5 [13.Na5 N7f6 14.Qb3 Rb8 15.Rc2 Bd7 16.Rfc1 Bb5 17.a4 Bxd3 18.exd3 Re8 19.Nc4 Qe7 1/2 Vidit,S (2356)-Venkatesh,M (2462)/Nagpur 2008/CBM 126 Extra] 13...Qe7 14.Qb3 Rb8 15.Qa3!?


Only this move is a novelty, that was evaluated with mixed feelings by both the annotators and the general public. The idea is obvious, White is clearing the d6 square, and is getting rid of the strong defender on e7. On the other hand he exchanges pieces, and doubles his pawns, which are serious drawbacks. But I believe that this is part of Anand's general strategy in this match- he will look for dry positions, with long-lasting initiative as White, and try to force Topalov to defend as long as possible, to torture him. Something similar did Boris Spassky, in his match against Mikhail Tal in 1969. [15.Nce5 Nxe5 16.Nxe5 Qf6 17.Nd3 b6 18.Bb4 Rd8 19.Bxd5 Rxd5 20.Rc7 Bb7 21.Be7 Qf5 22.Qc2 e5 23.Rc1 h6 24.Nb4 d3 25.exd3 Rd7 26.Rxb7 Rbxb7 27.Qc8+ Kh7 28.Nxa6 Qxd3 29.Nb4 Qd2 30.Bf8 Rb8 0–1 Gulko,B (2559)-Shulman,Y (2606)/Tulsa 2008/CBM 124 Extra] 15...Qxa3 16.bxa3 N7f6 17.Nce5 Re8 Profilaxis, for the immediate: [17...b6 is not good- 18.Bb4 Nxb4 19.axb4±] 18.Rc2 b6 19.Bd2 Bb7 20.Rfc1 Rbd8


Topalov is patiently improving his pieces. The strong central pair of knights secures his position, and now he wants to find work for the black-squared bishop via b8-d6, and then eventually to a3 with the idea to fight for the only open file once that he chases away one of the white rooks. On the other hand- Anand has a strong grip on the c line, active pieces, great Catalan bishop, and opportunity to seize the bishop pair at any time by a knight thrust on c6. The position is roughly ballanced. 21.f4 Bb8 22.a4 a5 This move should be good. Indeed, somewhere in the near future White is threatening to advance a4-a5, occupying the c5 square with his knight, followed by a2-a4 (in case that Black replies with b6-b5), and eventually the black pawn on a6 becomes relatively easy target. Now even if Black loses the b6 pawn, the remaining one on a5 is sufficient to stop both the white pawns. Another direction of the game could have been: [22...Bd6 23.a5 b5 24.Nc6 Bxc6 25.Rxc6 Ba3 26.R1c2 Ra8 with compensation for White.] 23.Nc6 A good move, White secures both the bishop pair, and the open file. 23...Bxc6 24.Rxc6 h5 [24...h6 is another way to open air for the king; If Black wanted patiently to repel the white active pieces he could have tried-; 24...Rd6!?


with the idea to exchange one pair of rooks, followed by Kg8-f8-e7-d7 and Rd8-c8. If Anand rejects the offer- 25.R6c4 then strong is 25...Ne3 26.Bxe3 dxe3 and Black is restoring "the bishop ballance" and the position is approximately equal.] 25.R1c4 Ne3? The same plan, but Black not only gives away the extra pawn, he also allows his opponent to preserve both his active rooks. 26.Bxe3 dxe3 27.Bf3?! [27.Rxb6 should be more exact] 27...g6?! also Black does not use his defensive potential, for he had to exchange a pair of rooks: [27...Rd6 28.Rxd6 Bxd6 29.Rc6 Rd8 30.Rxb6 g6 as he can defend the remaining a pawn now. 31.Rb5 (31.Ra6 Bc7) 31...Bc7


White is still slightly better, but Black can defend-in case that Anand comes with his knight for the a pawn, he can counterattack with the rook.] 28.Rxb6 Ba7 29.Rb3 Rd4 30.Rc7 Bb8 31.Rc5 White rooks occupied both the open files, and the bishop cannot defend the a pawn. And since the Catalan bishop controls the a8 square, Black is strategically lost: 31...Bd6 32.Rxa5 Rc8 33.Kg2 Rc2 34.a3 Ra2 [34...Nd5 was a try, and if White wants to promote his pawn as fast as possible, he might let the win slip away- 35.Ra8+ However, after the precise- (Better is-35.Bxd5! exd5 36.Kf3+- and White is winning) 35...Kg7 36.a5 Nc3 37.Ne1 Rc1 38.a6 Rd2 39.a7?! Nxe2! 40.Rg8+ Kxg8 41.a8Q+ Kg7 42.Rxe3 Ng1+ (42...Nxf4+!?) 43.Kf1 Bc5 44.Qe4 Bxe3 45.Qxe3 Nxf3 46.Qxf3 Rxh2 47.a4 Ra2 when the most likely result is a draw.] 35.Nb4 Bxb4 36.axb4


The doubled pawn became a healthy one, and when supported from the rook from behind decides the issue. 36...Nd5 37.b5 Raxa4 38.Rxa4 Rxa4 39.Bxd5 exd5 40.b6 Ra8 41.b7 Rb8 42.Kf3 d4 43.Ke4 The press-conference was brief, just like after the first game, and curiously, Topalov repeated the words of Anand from then- "I simply played badly". The result is equalised, and chess in general is a winner for the moment. 1–0