Anand-Topalov World Chess Championship (2010)

MATCH STANDINGS
Anand-Topalov World Chess Championship Match

Viswanathan Anand	6.5/12	(+3 -2 =7)	[view games]
Veselin Topalov	5.5/12	(+2 -3 =7)	[view games]

WCC Overview

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HISTORY OF THE WORLD CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

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Anand vs Topalov, 2010
Sofia, Bulgaria

After defeating Gata Kamsky in the eight-game challenger match, Bulgarian grandmaster Veselin Topalov once again found himself preparing for a World Championship title match. The match took place in Sofia, Bulgaria from April 24 to May 13, 2010. The title match was mostly following the format of Anand-Kramnik 2008 and Kramnik-Topalov 2006 in that 12 games would be played, with a series of successively faster tiebreak rounds if needed. Topalov demanded that the match be played in silence, in the style of the "Sofia Rules" which require draws to be mitigated by an arbiter.

Vishy Topalov 2010
Anand defends his title in enemy territory.

According to FIDE regulations, reigning champion Viswanathan Anand had the right to refuse Sofia as a suitable location, as that would give Topalov the "home field" advantage. However, Anand raised no objections. The match was delayed due to air travel disruptions caused by the eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull, which offset the entire schedule by one day.¹

The match was grueling and dynamic, with five decisive games, and some unexpected surprises in the openings. Topalov got off to a great start, demolishing Anand's Grunfeld in the first game in only 30 moves. Anand struck back in game two demonstrating his mastery of the Catalan opening, and in game four took the lead, but the ever-aggressive Topalov seemed to have a psychological edge even while trailing. Tied 5.5 apiece, Anand chose the drawish Lasker Defense of the Queen's Gambit for the last game, and quickly equalized. In an effort to create winning chances, Topalov captured the pawn offered by Anand. Topalov soon found himself defending against a sharp attack and lost, thereby ending the match without the need for tiebreaks.

"Vishy" once again defended his title. In a post-match interview Anand mentioned that in addition to his normal team of seconds, he also received help in preparation from Magnus Carlsen, Garry Kasparov and Vladimir Kramnik.

click on a game number to replay game 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Anand 0 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ 1

Topalov 1 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ 0

FINAL SCORE: Anand 6½; Topalov 5½
Reference: game collection FIDE World Chess Championship, Sofia, 2010

NOTABLE GAMES [what is this?]

    · Game #4     Anand vs Topalov, 2010     1-0
    · Game #12     Topalov vs Anand, 2010     0-1
    · Game #2     Anand vs Topalov, 2010     1-0

¹ Wikipedia article World Chess Championship 2010

page 1 of 1; 12 games

Game Result Moves Year Event/Locale Opening
1. Topalov vs Anand 1-0 30 2010 Anand-Topalov World Chess Championship D86 Grunfeld, Exchange

2. Anand vs Topalov 1-0 43 2010 Anand-Topalov World Chess Championship E04 Catalan, Open, 5.Nf3

3. Topalov vs Anand ½-½ 46 2010 Anand-Topalov World Chess Championship D17 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav

4. Anand vs Topalov 1-0 32 2010 Anand-Topalov World Chess Championship E04 Catalan, Open, 5.Nf3

5. Topalov vs Anand ½-½ 44 2010 Anand-Topalov World Chess Championship D17 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav

6. Anand vs Topalov ½-½ 58 2010 Anand-Topalov World Chess Championship E04 Catalan, Open, 5.Nf3

7. Anand vs Topalov ½-½ 58 2010 Anand-Topalov World Chess Championship E00 Queen's Pawn Game

8. Topalov vs Anand 1-0 56 2010 Anand-Topalov World Chess Championship D17 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav

9. Anand vs Topalov ½-½ 83 2010 Anand-Topalov World Chess Championship E53 Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3

10. Topalov vs Anand ½-½ 60 2010 Anand-Topalov World Chess Championship D86 Grunfeld, Exchange

11. Anand vs Topalov ½-½ 65 2010 Anand-Topalov World Chess Championship A29 English, Four Knights, Kingside Fianchetto

12. Topalov vs Anand 0-1 56 2010 Anand-Topalov World Chess Championship D56 Queen's Gambit Declined

REFINE SEARCH: White wins (1-0) | Black wins (0-1) | Draws (1/2-1/2)

< Earlier Kibitzing · PAGE 138 OF 406 · Later Kibitzing>
Apr-26-10		MaxxLange: I tend to agree with GM Hess. Knowing when to make a draw is a big part of chess...

Apr-26-10		theodor: <<Landzhev>: ... Do people actually feel better if they convince themselves it's all preparation so Topalov still couldn't be a REAL winner? Not even gonna get into the question of what's so wrong with good preparation, because this game was not a display of that. Anand also played confidently and quickly before he blundered. It happens.> if you'r in Sofia, phone me: 0897 90 64 27, and explane to me your point - I didnt get it!

Apr-26-10		chancho: Anatoly Karpov to stay in Sofia for two days when he arrives there on May 2: http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?...

Apr-26-10		yalie: <chancho: Anatoly Karpov to stay in Sofia for two days when he arrives there on May 2> ilyumzhinov cannot be happy about this. is Danailov trying to have the cake & eat it too? is there some discord between FIDE and the organizers (so Danailov is bringing in Karpov to get some leverage)?

Apr-26-10		chancho: <yalie> Good question.

Apr-26-10		Albertan: The poll I created at my blog to allow those of you who are following the World Chess Championship, to give your view on who would win the match, is now closed. Here are the final results of the poll:Who will win the 2010 World Chess Championship? Anand: 47 votes: 63% of the votes Topalov: 27 votes 36% of the votes Thanks to all of you who participated in the poll!

Apr-26-10		support anand: <yalie: <chancho: Anatoly Karpov to stay in Sofia for two days when he arrives there on May 2> ilyumzhinov cannot be happy about this. is Danailov trying to have the cake & eat it too? is there some discord between FIDE and the organizers (so Danailov is bringing in Karpov to get some leverage)?> I think the organizers are trying to play Karpov and Ilyumzhinov against each other, so that Ilyumzhinov support their decisions in the event of any dispute during the world championship match, in the hope of getting the Bulgarian support.

Apr-26-10		MaxxLange: Christ, you are probably right

Apr-26-10		laskersteinitz: This match couldn't be off to a better start. I look forward to seeing how it all unfolds. I thought 12 games was a good number before the match started, and I still think it's an adequate number. Anybody out there who has changed their mind regarding the length of this match?

Apr-26-10		micartouse: <laskersteinitz> I think 12 games feels rushed, although I haven't objectively thought out rationale for an "optimal" number. 18 or 20 seems more fitting for an important match. 12 seems like the absolute minimum to keep it classy.

Apr-26-10		Vollmer: I haven't changed my mind . I still think 12 is too few . 18 would be much better . Just my opinion .

Apr-26-10		hedgeh0g: Maybe I'm just imagining it, but occasional subtle hints suggest that, with the exception of Bulgaria, the world is rooting for Anand in this match (myself included).

Apr-26-10		MaxxLange: As an average American, I can't find either India or Bulgaria on the map, and I don't really care if one or the other country wins. I simply demand free entertainment, which I am getting.

Apr-26-10		pinoy gramps: correct, i myself is a huge fan of anand but i think part of me admires topalov as well due to his fighting nature which brings exciting games. i don't know if topalov has any mongolian blood in him as i can remember genghis khan empire has stretched as far west reaching austria. if this is true then i'm sure iluzhinov himself has a brother in topalov.

Apr-26-10		MaxxLange: both have supporters, all over the world

Apr-26-10		Blunderdome: I thought twelve was too few and still think it's too few. I suppose 24 is impractical, and even 20 makes the match run a whole month. Sixteen? I also resent the possibility of rapid tiebreaks. Let the champion keep his title in case of a tie.

Apr-26-10		tsj2000: This match is more of a Danailov vs Anand Match. 1.Danailov is trying to upset Anand in various ways blaming him and his wife for everything. 2.Danailov is using this silence clause, to use the wearing Anand with long games strategy, hoping that Topalov will have more energy than Anand in later part of the match. 3.Sofia rules are not FIDE rules, but Danailov is using the oncoming FIDE election to make FIDE guys agree with him.When they dont heed, he is setting them up for trouble(Karpov visiting for 2 days) 4.Danailov is not worried about what the world says(If he was, he would have changed by this time). He would like to win by hook or crook. I like Topalov for his attacking chess, but he is trying to act as a saint when he is not and it is clear that he has colluded with Danailov Good luck Danailov

Apr-26-10		LucB: < Let the champion keep his title in case of a tie. > I agree. I'm assuming this is a decision that FIDE made. Does anybody know why this is now the case?

Apr-26-10		Check It Out: <MaxxLange: As an average American, I can't find either India or Bulgaria on the map, and I don't really care if one or the other country wins. I simply demand free entertainment, which I am getting.> He says with tongue in cheek...

Apr-27-10		laskersteinitz: You can't find India on the map? Bulgaria I can understand, but India?

Apr-27-10		yalie: <laskersteinitz: You can't find India on the map? Bulgaria I can understand, but India?> for the average american, that is par for the course:) but the great thing is they mean no disrespect ..

Apr-27-10		NewLine: LOL. They always mistake America for India...

Apr-27-10		amadeus: Bulgaria is near to Turkey, so it won't be difficult next time.

Apr-27-10		HeMateMe: I know an exchange student from India, and although he doesn't play chess, he is following the match and can contribute to a conversation about it. He said that "a lot people don't like Danailov, and I don't like him either." It occurred to me that maybe the most Indians following the match are the ones not living in India?

Apr-27-10		Bigfatpatzer: Turkey?? What does this have to do with Thanksgiving?

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