Game 4 of FIDE WCC: Anand vs. Topalov

A masterpiece of creative attacking chess. Absolutely brilliant.

I know it's only the fourth game but I think this is my favorite so far as well. I just hope Anand can hold on to or even strengthen his lead.

Originally posted by JDChess
I know it's only the fourth game but I think this is my favorite so far as well. I just hope Anand can hold on to or even strengthen his lead.

I think Topalov is starting to realise that Anand is a lot more versatile than perhaps he gave him credit for. Personally i think Anand has got Topalov worked out, Topa's going to have to find some resources from somewhere petty quick!

still too early in the match.
i'm sure both players have a "plan b" in stock.

Originally posted by Gatusso
I am really hoping for dxc6, saccing his knight for great positional compensation!

I hope that neither of the contestants log on here at RHP, read some of these comments and apply them, then someone here gets banned for helping a game-in-progress! 😛

23. Nxh6 and 25. e5 sound like something Kasparov would play. What an attack - and what a game.

Wonderful refreshing game in a WC match.

The Knight sac does suggest itself but take nothing away from Anand
He slipped in a couple a cracking pressure moves in that one.

Hope Topo can can comeback with a cracker with White and keep the match alive.
Anand is brilliant but can kill games stone dead without breaking sweat
and if he slips into that mode v a demoralised Topolov to see out the
remaining games then we may have seen the last of the fireworks.
Hope not.

Originally posted by greenpawn34
Wonderful refreshing game in a WC match.

The Knight sac does suggest itself but take nothing away from Anand
He slipped in a couple a cracking pressure moves in that one.

Hope Topo can can comeback with a cracker with White and keep the match alive.
Anand is brilliant but can kill games stone dead without breaking sweat
and if he slips into that ...[text shortened]... lov to see out the
remaining games then we may have seen the last of the fireworks.
Hope not.

Personally i think Topalov is quite possible the worst person in the top 20 to become WC, it would be terrible for chess. I think Anand is not only a stronger player, but is a genuine gentleman and an excellent representative of Chess to the World. Vishy Vishy Vishy!!! 😀😀

Originally posted by Marinkatomb
Personally i think Topalov is quite possible the worst person in the top 20 to become WC, it would be terrible for chess. I think Anand is not only a stronger player, but is a genuine gentleman and an excellent representative of Chess to the World. Vishy Vishy Vishy!!! 😀😀

I still can't understand how people dislike topalov just because kramnik messed with his head successfully. chess wise topalov & magnus are the only top level GMs playing exciting chess. how can you prefer draw-seeking dullards to that? regardless of how solid their dull chess might be.

that said, anand's been great so far. why can't he play like this always??

I simply can't understand why Topalov is playing the QGD as black. Why not a king's indian? Grunfeld? Benoni? Hell even the Dutch!

Originally posted by wormwood
I still can't understand how people dislike topalov

Yes, his games are interesting but the point is people disliking Topalov as a person and not his games.

For example, his decision to now make draw offers via the arbiter. Is that really good for chess? Why didn't he just ask Anand directly? It's behaviour like that which is annoying, not the moves he makes on the board.

The catalan is just SO good! maybe the best opening in the world!

Originally posted by Varenka
Yes, his games are interesting but the point is people disliking Topalov as a person and not his games.

For example, his decision to now make draw offers via the arbiter. Is that really good for chess? Why didn't he just ask Anand directly? It's behaviour like that which is annoying, not the moves he makes on the board.

I think they asked for sofia rules, but anand's corner refused. so they did it this way. I can't see how fighting against wimpy draws can possibly be anything but GREAT for chess. it brings out more exciting games, which we've seen already in these 4 games (have 3/4 WC games ever been decisive before?). and even when the game really is drawn, we mere mortals get to see it played far enough for even us to understand why it's drawn. which is also simply great for the audience. topalov should get a MEDAL for the idea.