World Championship 2010

[Jonathan Bryant]

Off we go again. Anand plays the Grunfeld again. Interesting/ballsy choice.

[John Saunders]

I'm looking at the position after 42...Ne8. I can't say I've been riveted by this game so far (particularly when comparing with the excellent game 9) but I suppose Topa might have a sliver of hope here with the two Bs. He can certainly go on torturing Black for a while. Any thoughts?

[LozCooper]

I'm looking at the position after 42...Ne8. I can't say I've been riveted by this game so far (particularly when comparing with the excellent game 9) but I suppose Topa might have a sliver of hope here with the two Bs. He can certainly go on torturing Black for a while. Any thoughts?

I thought black was comfortable/better before allowing Ba6. After that I felt he had to play carefully to draw. Hopefully that is what is now happening.

[John Saunders]

Yes, that's sounds about right, thanks. The dark-squared bishops have just come off (49 Bxa3+ Nxa3) and I'm thinking about 50 Be2 and then Bd3 which might corral the knight, with a view to a K+P endgame. But maybe it is a bit far-fetched. Nigel Short (on chessgames.com) seems fairly relaxed about Vishy's chances.

[Simon Brown]

Looks lost to me after h4.

OK, it's not lost

[Jonathan Bryant]

Aside from anything else it looks like Toppy offered a draw in this game

(and if he didn't he must have accepted one)


[update from ChessVibes:-

"Anand offered a draw here, and after saying something to the arbiter, Topalov accepted. 1/2-1/2"]

[LozCooper]

Funny possible line in today's game. White had the option of 62 Ne6+ Nxe6 63 Rc7+ Nxc7 stalemate!!

[Jonathan Bryant]

And once again Topalov either offers or accepts a draw.

Game 12 is going to be tense

[Arshad Ali]

Game 12 is going to be tense.

I wonder. Topalov is smart enough to not press too hard.

[Jonathan Bryant]

Game 12 is going to be tense.

I wonder. Topalov is smart enough to not press too hard.

No doubt. Gentle pressure for hours on end will make things even more tense.

[TomChivers]

Not sure I agree. Topalov's specialty is vicious novelties, especially with white. Anand's black opening strategy is now clear to all (vary first, earlier rather than later); plus, it hasn't worked - two losses. Anand doesn't seem on form, Betfair now has Topalov as favourite. I wouldn't be surprised by a Topalov victory under 35 moves today.

[Carl Hibbard]

I wouldn't be surprised by a Topalov victory under 35 moves today.

I agree, I really can see some sort of "saved up" novelty today as I don't think Topalov has a hope in the quickplay and he knows it...

[Alex Holowczak]

Hopefully this'll be the last match with rapidplay playoffs; they don't need a match-winner now (no unification to worry about), they can revert to the rule where the defending champion only needs a match draw.

[Arshad Ali]

Topalov's specialty is vicious novelties, especially with white.... I wouldn't be surprised by a Topalov victory under 35 moves today.

You may be right. If I were Topalov, I would have something up my sleeve, something prepared for just this contingency. So Topalov will unleash something nasty and then twist the knife. This is a game not to be missed.

[Ian Thompson]

Hopefully this'll be the last match with rapidplay playoffs;

Agreed. Its not an appropriate way to decide a World Championship. And if it goes down to the blitz Armageddon game it'll be even worse.

they don't need a match-winner now (no unification to worry about), they can revert to the rule where the defending champion only needs a match draw.

This is a big advantage for the defending champion, so I don't think its a good idea when they are playing a match of only 12 games. The rating difference of 18 points (using the ratings in force at the start of the match) means that they would have to play 22 games before Topalov would be expected to win the match.