The 2010 World Chess Championship between Anand and Topalov has reached the climax point. With only 2 games remaining in regulation, the score is tied 5-5 with each player scoring 2 wins and 6 draws.
Anand will have White in game 11 and Topalov will have White in the final 12th game.
All games have been hard fought with no short draw due to the self imposed “Sofia rule” by Topalov. There have been mistakes made by both players in this match but overall it is an exciting match.
Will Anand retain his title or will Topalov overtake him in the final few games?
It is Saturday Open Forum. The forum is yours. What would you like to discuss?
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Even though I’m not a Topalov fan at all, I liked game 8. I find opposited=colored bishop endings fascinating.
Who has higher math scores at TT men or women? Susan did u see Daaims picture on the chessdrum , doesnt he look like he’s always up to something? or is it me? I think he be baiting folks and askin tricky ?’s.
Sad news: I just read in another chessblog that a few days ago the famous Andor Lilienthal had passed away at the age of 99. May he rest in peace.
It is very sad that non of the big chesssides seems to remembering him anymore … 🙁
Please Susan bring us some of your memories. I am pretty sure at least one of your family knew him well.
Susan, what do you suggest for a player rated between 2000 and 2200 to sharply improve his play ??
GM Polgar,
what are your views on the coming FIDE elections, the effect on chess of Karpov versus the present president etc. ?
Thank you.
I’m (still) interested, if professional players also have a strategy for there own psychology.
I mentioned before, I get easily too exited in a game, and then I make mistakes.
Should a chess player block all his emotions and focus only on logic?
Now it’s 18:33 in German, and 11:33 am in Texas. how unfortunate, no one here .. :…-( Lunch time?
I published a question, but it’s not visible. It’s about how a player should “handle” his mental state in a game. Is it possible to train or prepare for this?
As one sees this match, many interesting facts comes to light.
1) Both the players have prepared well.
2) Both have strong defending skill
3) Anand has better board understanding(Except when he is under tremendous pressure)and stronger defence skills
4)Topalov has improved the speed and is catching up with Anand( may be by strong preparation)
5)The result of this match would be decided in penultimate round since a win would seal topalov’s crown and a loss would seal Anand’s. A draw would still open up this match wide.
6) Observing the games I feel Luck is on Topa’s side and that makes the whole difference.
7) For Topa it is now or never.
8)The world champions were gentlemen and I would like to see a gentleman asthe Champion.
9) God decides ultimately.
Now with Google account. They have email notification .. 🙂
Anand will win this tournament. The decisive factor will be the rest days before each of the games 11 and 12. He will either draw both and go on to win the tie. Or he will win game 11 and draw game 12. I think from what I have seen it was a great championship so far. Hope the last two games will be as exciting. But Anand will be a deserving winner at the end.
Who else’s commentaries on the Anand-Topalov match do you like?
I’m following Monokroussos on ChessMind, Mig on the Daily Dirt and Pein on TWIC.
Requiescat in Pace
I think this is the strongest and most dramatic world championship match since the Karpov-Kasparov mathces, perhaps the 1986 or 1987 one. The 1990 KK match didn’t have the quality of the past encounters; 1993 Kasparov-Short and 1995 Kasparov-Anand were one-sided affairs; 2000 Kasparov-Kramnik was pretty boring due to Kasparov’s poor form; 2004 Kramnik-Leko had half the games end in short draws, which was pretty disgusting for people getting 1 million dollars in prize fund; 2006 Kramnik-Topalov had plenty of drama but the chess quality was not very high; and 2008 Anand-Kramnik was a one-sided affair decided after the 6th game. So yes – we are witnessing the best world championship match in a generation – well done to both players!
Maybe Susan’s idea is more, that we discuss without her. Hmm ..
I replay the 1st game now,
and read Susan’s comments on it.
😐
Hey, WC champ will be decided in a tie break.Who do you think is gonna win: Anand or Topalov?
Timothée Tournier said…
Susan, what do you suggest for a player rated between 2000 and 2200 to sharply improve his play ??
How about a personal chess trainer. Someone who is really good both at chess and at training.
Lots of GM around here helping people. The young kids all have a GM as a weekly trainer both individually and in group sessions. That gives them 2 per week.
The GM’s around here teach the kids to play full blindfold chess.
If it gets to Thursday (tied 6-6 after 12 games):
Who does the set of tiebreakers favor (given their previous strength in faster formats)?
What about that “Armageddon game”?
Do you ever answer controversial questions like …
“Do you ever answer controversial questions?” ?
The final Saturday before the US Championship. I’m starting to think this is the year for GM Ray Robson.
I’ve read many comments that suggest Anand has missed wins (ending up a draw) or draws (ending up a loss) and so has missed too many opportunities. I think it may be a bit of bad luck for Anand. He is getting closer to winning the match with each game. I think it bodes well for him for the last two games and, if necessary, the playoffs.