1. Joined
    13 Aug '07
    Moves
    49837
    09 May '10 15:53
    Originally posted by enrico20
    Yes but what happened in game 6 and game 7? Why was Anand behind on the clock while Topalov used his home preparation? Was the Catalan really good in those games for Anand? If anything he is more tired for the remainder of the match and Topalov intends to press him very hard.
    But he won his previous 2 games with the catalan, so why not try it again? And he has clearly learned from the games 6 and 7, he is playing other variations now.

    This game is a clear draw I think, I dont see any side winning this...
  2. timed out again
    Joined
    25 Apr '08
    Moves
    3102
    09 May '10 16:02
    Originally posted by Gatusso
    But he won his previous 2 games with the catalan, so why not try it again? And he has clearly learned from the games 6 and 7, he is playing other variations now.

    This game is a clear draw I think, I dont see any side winning this...
    Also here the opening has not been a success for Anand. Barring blunders, the game looks drawn but one wonders other than the Catalan what else Anand had prepared.
  3. timed out again
    Joined
    25 Apr '08
    Moves
    3102
    09 May '10 16:322 edits


    ... and Topalov gobbles up Anand's pawn on b5 and has two passed queenside pawns.
  4. Standard memberclandarkfire
    Grammar Nazi
    Auschwitz
    Joined
    03 Apr '06
    Moves
    44348
    09 May '10 16:34
    Originally posted by enrico20
    [fen]8/p4k2/1p3p2/1n3P2/r5PK/5N2/3R4/8 b - - 0 1[/fen]

    ... and Topalov gobbles up Anand's pawn on b5 and has two passed queenside pawns.
    Does anyone get the point of Anand's 49. Rd2?
  5. Joined
    04 May '05
    Moves
    2621
    09 May '10 16:36


    Yea - was just wondering about 49.Rd2 in the above position.
    Anand's title could slip here....
  6. timed out again
    Joined
    25 Apr '08
    Moves
    3102
    09 May '10 16:381 edit
    I could only guess that Anand wants to place the rook on d7 and then with f5 have some counterplay but his knight and king are far off. Anand will tell us after the game.
  7. Standard memberclandarkfire
    Grammar Nazi
    Auschwitz
    Joined
    03 Apr '06
    Moves
    44348
    09 May '10 17:05
    Well, it seems Anand has recovered, so a draw still seems very likely
  8. Standard memberJonathanB of London
    Curb Your Enthusiasm
    London
    Joined
    04 Nov '07
    Moves
    4259
    09 May '10 17:11
    Originally posted by enrico20
    Did Anand stop playing 1. e4 completely? This is his last white and he should have attempted e4 rather than too many catalans I would think.
    I guess he decided before the match that he wasn't going to play 1. e4 at all - probably expecting some serious Toppy preparation against King's pawn openings.

    As for today's opening ... I assume you do know that this *isn't* a Catalan? I actually thought it was quite a clever choice.

    Seemed to fit his match strategy of obtaining quietish positions where he could hope to grind away in += positions. I liked White's position around about moves 20-25 but admittedly coudln't see how to improve it. I suppose Anand couldn't either.



    Games 6 and 7 were definitely a key turning point in the match though. Anand had had everything pretty much his own way in games 2-5 and I was expecting him to win at least one more game with those Whites. Topalov obviously had other ideas.
  9. timed out again
    Joined
    25 Apr '08
    Moves
    3102
    09 May '10 17:25
    Originally posted by JonathanB of London
    As for today's opening ... I assume you do know that this *isn't* a Catalan? I actually thought it was quite a clever choice.
    I would assume you have attempted to read my posts before jumping in with "this isn't a Catalan"? Did I say it was? Perhaps read my posts twice.
  10. Standard memberJonathanB of London
    Curb Your Enthusiasm
    London
    Joined
    04 Nov '07
    Moves
    4259
    09 May '10 17:28
    Calm down dear.
  11. timed out again
    Joined
    25 Apr '08
    Moves
    3102
    09 May '10 17:39
    So tentatively it looks like this:-
    01 Topalov-Anand 1-0 (Grunfeld)
    02 Anand-Topalov 1-0 (Catalan)
    03 Topalov-Anand 0,5 (Slav)
    04 Anand-Topalov 1-0 (Catalan)
    05 Topalov-Anand 0,5 (Slav)
    06 Anand-Topalov 0,5 (Catalan)
    07 Anand-Topalov 0,5 (Catalan)
    08 Topalov-Anand 1-0 (Slav)
    09 Anand-Topalov 0,5 (Nimzo)
    10 Topalov-Anand 0,5 (Grunfeld)
    11 Anand-Topalov 0,5 (English)

    What will Topalov open with in the last game?
  12. Standard memberchessicle
    The Chessicle
    Scotland?
    Joined
    19 Feb '05
    Moves
    177191
    09 May '10 17:411 edit
    They both have to accept the draw - any try from either side for a win loses.

    eg 64 Rc8+ Kg7 65 Rc7+ Kf8?! 66 Rc8+ Ke7?? 67 g7 Rxf4+ 68 Kg6 Rg5+ 69 Kh7 and the g-pawn promotes 1-0
    or 64 Rb7? Rxf4+ 65 Kg3 Rg5+ 66 Kany a6! and 67 Rb5 and the b-pawn promotes.

    Edit: or not - 66 a6 Rxb3!
  13. Standard memberchessicle
    The Chessicle
    Scotland?
    Joined
    19 Feb '05
    Moves
    177191
    09 May '10 17:42
    It's drawn.
  14. Standard memberclandarkfire
    Grammar Nazi
    Auschwitz
    Joined
    03 Apr '06
    Moves
    44348
    09 May '10 17:48
    1.e4 would be great for the next game! Rather unlikely though. I'd say a grunfeld or queen's indian is more likely.
  15. Standard memberJonathanB of London
    Curb Your Enthusiasm
    London
    Joined
    04 Nov '07
    Moves
    4259
    09 May '10 17:48
    Originally posted by enrico20

    What will Topalov open with in the last game?
    My guess would be 1. d4

    I don't see Anand wanting to defend a slightly worse Slav ending for hours and the Grunfeld seems a bit risky for a do or die game.

    Topalov's had much the better of his White games so no reason to switch. Of course by that logic changing to 1. e4 would be the last thing Anand would expect and therefore a good idea! I don't think it will happen though.
Back to Top

Cookies help us deliver our Services. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn More.I Agree