Viswanathan Anand retains World Chess Championship.
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Anand returned to the Gruenfeld defence in Game 10: the result is 5:5
The 10th game FIDE World Chess Championship saw a return to the Gruenfeld Indian defence, which Viswanathan Anand temporarily archived after the defeat in the first game of the match.
This time he chose a different continuation and played 10...b6 instead of Na5.
After the full pieces' development of both sides, Topalov advanced his d-pawn to the 5th rank, which prompted a double Rook exchange on the c-file.
Black obtained good play with timely pawn advances, e6 and f5.
Later, Anand surrendered Bishop's pair in order to trade the Queens and head into an endgame where Topalov once again held a passed d-pawn. However, Black had it firmly blocked and the play revolved around the neighboring diagonals.
Topalov could not make progress and Anand started rolling his own pawn majority on the queenside. After numerous pawn exchanges, the game evaporated into a draw, which was signed on move 60.
Saturday is rest day, the next game is taking place on Sunday, 15:00 local time.
http://www.anand-topalov.com/en/news&article_id=108.html
The 10th game FIDE World Chess Championship saw a return to the Gruenfeld Indian defence, which Viswanathan Anand temporarily archived after the defeat in the first game of the match.
This time he chose a different continuation and played 10...b6 instead of Na5.
After the full pieces' development of both sides, Topalov advanced his d-pawn to the 5th rank, which prompted a double Rook exchange on the c-file.
Black obtained good play with timely pawn advances, e6 and f5.
Later, Anand surrendered Bishop's pair in order to trade the Queens and head into an endgame where Topalov once again held a passed d-pawn. However, Black had it firmly blocked and the play revolved around the neighboring diagonals.
Topalov could not make progress and Anand started rolling his own pawn majority on the queenside. After numerous pawn exchanges, the game evaporated into a draw, which was signed on move 60.
Saturday is rest day, the next game is taking place on Sunday, 15:00 local time.
http://www.anand-topalov.com/en/news&article_id=108.html
nandu
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Final assault at World Chess championship
Mumbai: A surefire formula for success in cricket is to win the toss, bat first, put runs on the board, have the opposition under pressure. Viswanathan Anand can do that at the World Chess championship in Sofia in the next few days, and he doesn't even have to worry about the toss factor.
"He will do much better than the Indian team in the West Indies," quipped Nigel Short, analysing Anand's chances against Veselin Topalov. "I cannot stick my neck out but he has the experience, ability and desire to win the match," the former world championship challenger told DNA from Athens.
In the last set of two games (11th and 12th), the defending champion will start with whites first — something that is akin to batting first in cricket — and a full point on Sunday could give him a decisive advantage. It will then put Topalov under pressure to catch up in the final game on Tuesday. Anand has the resources to defend his lead with blacks.
One more pressing reason for Anand to clinch the issue on Sunday itself is his none-too-impressive record in the tie-breaks at the world championship. Although he is known to play fast — he is also the rapid world champion —Anand could not replicate his speed-play at the worlds in tie-break rapid games against Gata Kamsky in 1994 and Anatoly Karpov in 1998.
"I would not say tomorrow (Sunday) is his last chance but it is surely the best chance," said Short. "In such a match, you can expect him to win with white pieces," the English Grandmaster said.
Anand's two wins have come with white pieces and he has been quite strong in defending with black pieces. His two losses have been because of blunders rather than any great imagination by Topalov. "He has played very high quality chess but committed a few blunders," observed Short. If not for those cardinal errors, Anand perhaps would have sealed the match by now. So far, Anand has shown a lot of variety in opening and solidity in defense.
The other important factors in the last two games would be the openings. What opening Anand will choose is a point of immense interest. He has so far opted for d4, a surprise start that paid him rich dividends against Vladimir Kramnik in Bonn in 2008, although in 90 per cent of his games, he starts with e4. In the 11th game, he can perhaps surprise Topalov with his usual King pawn opening rather than the Queen pawn. And with black pieces in the 12th game, Anand may go for Nimzo Indian.
Short, however, is not too concerned about the choice of openings. "It boils down to the play on the board," the English GM remarks. "Anand has been playing safe chess as he seems to have lost confidence in his calculations." One hopes the world will see the real Anand in the next two games - the champion who calculates the combinations better and faster than any chess player in the world.
http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report_final-assault-at-world-chess-championship_1380776
Mumbai: A surefire formula for success in cricket is to win the toss, bat first, put runs on the board, have the opposition under pressure. Viswanathan Anand can do that at the World Chess championship in Sofia in the next few days, and he doesn't even have to worry about the toss factor.
"He will do much better than the Indian team in the West Indies," quipped Nigel Short, analysing Anand's chances against Veselin Topalov. "I cannot stick my neck out but he has the experience, ability and desire to win the match," the former world championship challenger told DNA from Athens.
In the last set of two games (11th and 12th), the defending champion will start with whites first — something that is akin to batting first in cricket — and a full point on Sunday could give him a decisive advantage. It will then put Topalov under pressure to catch up in the final game on Tuesday. Anand has the resources to defend his lead with blacks.
One more pressing reason for Anand to clinch the issue on Sunday itself is his none-too-impressive record in the tie-breaks at the world championship. Although he is known to play fast — he is also the rapid world champion —Anand could not replicate his speed-play at the worlds in tie-break rapid games against Gata Kamsky in 1994 and Anatoly Karpov in 1998.
"I would not say tomorrow (Sunday) is his last chance but it is surely the best chance," said Short. "In such a match, you can expect him to win with white pieces," the English Grandmaster said.
Anand's two wins have come with white pieces and he has been quite strong in defending with black pieces. His two losses have been because of blunders rather than any great imagination by Topalov. "He has played very high quality chess but committed a few blunders," observed Short. If not for those cardinal errors, Anand perhaps would have sealed the match by now. So far, Anand has shown a lot of variety in opening and solidity in defense.
The other important factors in the last two games would be the openings. What opening Anand will choose is a point of immense interest. He has so far opted for d4, a surprise start that paid him rich dividends against Vladimir Kramnik in Bonn in 2008, although in 90 per cent of his games, he starts with e4. In the 11th game, he can perhaps surprise Topalov with his usual King pawn opening rather than the Queen pawn. And with black pieces in the 12th game, Anand may go for Nimzo Indian.
Short, however, is not too concerned about the choice of openings. "It boils down to the play on the board," the English GM remarks. "Anand has been playing safe chess as he seems to have lost confidence in his calculations." One hopes the world will see the real Anand in the next two games - the champion who calculates the combinations better and faster than any chess player in the world.
http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report_final-assault-at-world-chess-championship_1380776
nandu
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Anand snatches draw in Game 11 of World Chess Championship
CHENNAI: Viswanathan Anand's endgame skills came to the fore at a crucial juncture in Game 11 when he pulled off a fighting draw from what looked like a lost position in the World Chess Championship at Sofia on Sunday.
After giving a pawn in a dead position, the computer and the analysts favoured Veselin Topalov to walk away with the game but the Indian world champion had seen till the end where he could get a draw despite being a pawn down.
After 65 moves, Anand got the draw leaving the 12-game series locked at 5.5-5.5. The world champion plays black in the last game on Tuesday after a day's rest.
The English Opening from Anand with white looked a boring draw for the major part before the Indian took a big risk by giving a pawn to leave the position unclear after 50 moves.
Playing the waiting game in the penultimate tie, Anand's ploy was to make Topalov take risks while still building small advantages in the position.
By move 31, Topalov removed one of Anand's bishops but he had to see off a threat of the rooks penetrating into the seventh rank through the Queen-bishop file.
In a minor tactical exchange, Topalov decided it was better for him to exchange the Queens. The game looked a draw when Anand sacrificed a pawn allowing Topalov good counterplay. But Anand had his own counter on the Kingside.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ld-Chess-Championship/articleshow/5911433.cms
CHENNAI: Viswanathan Anand's endgame skills came to the fore at a crucial juncture in Game 11 when he pulled off a fighting draw from what looked like a lost position in the World Chess Championship at Sofia on Sunday.
After giving a pawn in a dead position, the computer and the analysts favoured Veselin Topalov to walk away with the game but the Indian world champion had seen till the end where he could get a draw despite being a pawn down.
After 65 moves, Anand got the draw leaving the 12-game series locked at 5.5-5.5. The world champion plays black in the last game on Tuesday after a day's rest.
The English Opening from Anand with white looked a boring draw for the major part before the Indian took a big risk by giving a pawn to leave the position unclear after 50 moves.
Playing the waiting game in the penultimate tie, Anand's ploy was to make Topalov take risks while still building small advantages in the position.
By move 31, Topalov removed one of Anand's bishops but he had to see off a threat of the rooks penetrating into the seventh rank through the Queen-bishop file.
In a minor tactical exchange, Topalov decided it was better for him to exchange the Queens. The game looked a draw when Anand sacrificed a pawn allowing Topalov good counterplay. But Anand had his own counter on the Kingside.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ld-Chess-Championship/articleshow/5911433.cms
Just now Anand won the 12th game and the world championship......
final position of board of game 12th.
final position of board of game 12th.
Vishy Anand retains world title
May 11, 2010 21:58 IST
Viswanathan Anand [ Images ] won the World Chess Championship, beating Veselin Topalov in the final game of the 12-game tournament in 56 moves, in Sofia (Bulgaria), on Tuesday.
The Indian Grandmaster won by a point: 6.5 - 5.5 to retain the title he won in 2008.
Anand lost the first game unceremoniously against Topalov but drew level in the second in trademark manner.
The Indian won the fourth game to open up a one point lead before the Bulgarian beat him for a second time in the eighth game.
The remaining games ended in draws.
Anand held the FIDE World Chess Championship from 2000 to 2002, at a time when the world title was split.
The 40-year-old became the undisputed World champion in 2007 and defended his title against Russian Vladimir Kramnik [ Images ] in 2008, thereby becoming thee first player in chess history to have won the world title in three different formats: knockout, tournament, and match.
The Spain-based Indian had a fair share of excitement in the build-up to his title defence with the volcanic ash across Europe forcing him to undertake a 40 hour journey by road to get to Sofia.
Topalov, meanwhile, had won a play-off of challengers against Gata Kamsky in February last year to earn the right to challenge Anand.
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congratulations to the master, what a championship this was!
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nandu
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Anand retains World Chess Championship title
World champion Viswanathan Anand on Tuesday retained the World Chess Championship title by wrapping up the final game against Veselin Topalov of Russia here.
Anand achieved an improbable win playing with black in the final game to retain the world title by 6.5-5.5 margin after the end of the 12th and final game here.
Experts over the world had predicted that Topalov, at his worst, will draw the last game under normal time control and then the match will be headed in to the rapid tiebreaker.
However, it was not to be as Topalov, trying to look for complications, went haywire in a slightly difficult position and could not recover as Anand kept dealing one lethal blow after another to notch up his fourth world title in 11 years to remain the undisputed king of the game once again.
Anand, thus became the first official world champion in recent history to win two back-to-back matches in world championships against different opponents.
Vladimir Kramnik can also lay his claims for that but for the fact that the match he won against Garry Kasparov in 2000 was not played under the official FIDE flag.
If the last game was any indication, Anand had indeed reserved his best as he knew Topalov will go all out for a win.
The reason for Topalov's unwarranted aggression was probably based on the fact that Anand is by far regarded as the best rapid chess player in history and Topalov does not have any great reputation in the faster version of the game.
Naturally, the Bulgarian wanted to avoid the tiebreaker.
Anand came up with another opening surprise as he went back to the basics. The Queen's Gambit declined as black has a solid reputation and it stood up for Anand's quest as the Indian ace went for the rock-solid Lasker variation.
Topalov, tried to create complications earlier but when the game headed towards a perfect balance, the Bulgarian lost his cool. The decisive moment of the game came on the 32nd move when Topalov simply lost his cool and blundered.
http://beta.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/article427490.ece
World champion Viswanathan Anand on Tuesday retained the World Chess Championship title by wrapping up the final game against Veselin Topalov of Russia here.
Anand achieved an improbable win playing with black in the final game to retain the world title by 6.5-5.5 margin after the end of the 12th and final game here.
Experts over the world had predicted that Topalov, at his worst, will draw the last game under normal time control and then the match will be headed in to the rapid tiebreaker.
However, it was not to be as Topalov, trying to look for complications, went haywire in a slightly difficult position and could not recover as Anand kept dealing one lethal blow after another to notch up his fourth world title in 11 years to remain the undisputed king of the game once again.
Anand, thus became the first official world champion in recent history to win two back-to-back matches in world championships against different opponents.
Vladimir Kramnik can also lay his claims for that but for the fact that the match he won against Garry Kasparov in 2000 was not played under the official FIDE flag.
If the last game was any indication, Anand had indeed reserved his best as he knew Topalov will go all out for a win.
The reason for Topalov's unwarranted aggression was probably based on the fact that Anand is by far regarded as the best rapid chess player in history and Topalov does not have any great reputation in the faster version of the game.
Naturally, the Bulgarian wanted to avoid the tiebreaker.
Anand came up with another opening surprise as he went back to the basics. The Queen's Gambit declined as black has a solid reputation and it stood up for Anand's quest as the Indian ace went for the rock-solid Lasker variation.
Topalov, tried to create complications earlier but when the game headed towards a perfect balance, the Bulgarian lost his cool. The decisive moment of the game came on the 32nd move when Topalov simply lost his cool and blundered.
http://beta.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/article427490.ece
nandu
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Anand showed determination and courage: Father
New Delhi, May 11 (PTI) It was Viswanathan Anand's dogged persistence that played a major role in his retaining the World Champions title, says Viswanathan Iyer, the proud father of the chess wizard.
Anand retained the World Chess Championship following a stunning victory from black pieces in the title deciding game against Veselin Topalov in Sofia, Bulgaria.
"When he lost the first game itself, it was a big upset.
But he got back into the game very quickly and each and every game showed his talent," he said.
Not only beating Topalov but reaching the venue for the battle was a big challenge for Anand as volcanic ash in European skies disrupted the air route and he had to take a tiring road route to reach Sofia.
"It was an ordeal. He couldn't get there by flight as it was cancelled and had to travel by road.
New Delhi, May 11 (PTI) It was Viswanathan Anand's dogged persistence that played a major role in his retaining the World Champions title, says Viswanathan Iyer, the proud father of the chess wizard.
Anand retained the World Chess Championship following a stunning victory from black pieces in the title deciding game against Veselin Topalov in Sofia, Bulgaria.
"When he lost the first game itself, it was a big upset.
But he got back into the game very quickly and each and every game showed his talent," he said.
Not only beating Topalov but reaching the venue for the battle was a big challenge for Anand as volcanic ash in European skies disrupted the air route and he had to take a tiring road route to reach Sofia.
"It was an ordeal. He couldn't get there by flight as it was cancelled and had to travel by road.
nandu
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My toughest game, says world champ Anand
New Delhi: Moments after retaining the World Chess Championship title, Vishwanathan Anand told CNN-IBN that the 12th and the final game against Bulgarian Veseline Topalov was the toughest ever in his career.
"It's certainly the toughest match I have ever played. I certainly can't recall any other experience like this. Even during the course of the tournament, it wasn't that any one player was dominating. I knew it would eventually come down to the question of whose nerves held up and I am relieved that it was me," he said.
"I wasn't thinking of records, I was more keen on just staying alive. Topalov is an incredibly tough opponent and to have prevailed is definitely nice. This match took a couple of years out of my life.
"Preparing for a world championship is all about choosing the right direction. Sometimes, you are spot on but most of the times, it doesn't go that well and then you have to adapt and work during the match and change course.
"He managed to surprise me by his attitude towards this match. Earlier, he was hit and run, but this time he stood his ground and kept playing the same openings. Luckily we coped.
"His strategy for the game was to play every game till there was only king left or till a draw looked like the only result possible. Somehow, this puts a lot of pressure. I was putting 4-5 hours every day and on top of that there was the pressure of doing the openings. The flipside is that he puts a lot of pressure on himself as well, so I knew the right approach," he added.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/my-toughest-game-says-world-champ-anand/115113-5-23.html
New Delhi: Moments after retaining the World Chess Championship title, Vishwanathan Anand told CNN-IBN that the 12th and the final game against Bulgarian Veseline Topalov was the toughest ever in his career.
"It's certainly the toughest match I have ever played. I certainly can't recall any other experience like this. Even during the course of the tournament, it wasn't that any one player was dominating. I knew it would eventually come down to the question of whose nerves held up and I am relieved that it was me," he said.
"I wasn't thinking of records, I was more keen on just staying alive. Topalov is an incredibly tough opponent and to have prevailed is definitely nice. This match took a couple of years out of my life.
"Preparing for a world championship is all about choosing the right direction. Sometimes, you are spot on but most of the times, it doesn't go that well and then you have to adapt and work during the match and change course.
"He managed to surprise me by his attitude towards this match. Earlier, he was hit and run, but this time he stood his ground and kept playing the same openings. Luckily we coped.
"His strategy for the game was to play every game till there was only king left or till a draw looked like the only result possible. Somehow, this puts a lot of pressure. I was putting 4-5 hours every day and on top of that there was the pressure of doing the openings. The flipside is that he puts a lot of pressure on himself as well, so I knew the right approach," he added.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/my-toughest-game-says-world-champ-anand/115113-5-23.html
