2010 World Chess Championship (Anand vs. Topalov)
World Champion Viswanathan Anand will defend his crown against Challenger Veselin Topalov in a highly-anticipated Championship match. This match will features two exciting players likely to bring many exciting theoretical battles. The match will be held in Sofia, Bulgaria and will serve as the final event of the current cycle. This will also be the first time two players of Russian ancestry are not involved in nearly a century.
The cycle started with Topalov winning the 2005 World Championship tournament in Mexico. He agreed to a match with Vladimir Kramnik who was still claiming he had control of the crown. The Topalov agreed to a match and thereafter playing the famed “Toiletgate match.” Kramnik won the 2006 match by a narrow victory and thus unified the line of champions… the FIDE and Brain Games.
The next World Championship event was in the form of a tournament which was won by Viswanthan Anand in Mexico City. Kramnik came in joint 2nd but had a “rematch” clause with Anand.
The Anand-Kramnik match took place in Bonn, Germany, but the Indian would win in crushing fashion. Topalov gained a berth per an agreement that he would have an immediate shot at the title provided he win a challenger’s match. He soundly defeated Gata Kamsky to earn this shot.
Topalov will be facing Anand who has been relatively quiet in tournament play, but will be prepared for this match. Anand may bring Peter Heine-Nielsen and Surya Shekhar Ganguly as part of his entourage charged with defending the crown. If Anand wins this 12-game match, he will certainly solidify his mark in history as a great champion. Meanwhile, Topalov is trying to regain the title. Hopefully, it will be done without controversy.
Viswanathan Anand – World Champion
Photo by ChessBase.com
Media Center
Videos by Europe-Echecs.com.
| Anand |
6½
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| Topalov |
5½
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Links
WCC Site: https://www.anand-topalov.com/
Chessvibes: https://www.chessvibes.com
Chessdom: https://www.chessdom.com
Chessbase: https://www.chessbase.com
The Daily Dirt (blog): https://www.chessninja.com/dailydirt/
Susan Polgar (blog): https://susanpolgar.blogspot.com/
Typo, right?
Yes… definitely a typo. I would not want to jinx this event. We have had a few years of no controversies. I attribute that to Anand.
What would a World Championship be without a controversy? Anand’s request for a postponement has been rejected by the Bulgarian organizers. According to reports, he is on his way by car. All the flights have been grounded and bus tickets were sold out.
Chessdom.com is bringing up-to-date reports and thus far has carried the most extensive on-site coverage. They have been able to get an interview with FIDE Vice-President Georgios Makropolous on the details of the match.
https://interviews.chessdom.com/world-chess-championship-georgios-makropoulos
Very compelling story about Anand’s effort to make it from Frankfurt to Sofia via a van… more than 40 hours!
https://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=6269
Meanwhile, FIDE is mulling over the possibility of postponing the match. Let’s hope their decision is fair and just. Bulgarian organizers did nothing to endear themselves to the chess world by issuing a terse demand. They stated that they were disappointed at Anand’s “derogatory” attitude. Ridiculous.
The World Championship between Viswanathan Anand and Veselin Topalov will be postponed one day. The Opening Ceremonies will take place as scheduled on the 21st.
Anand stated in the press conference:
Topalov:
ChessBase: https://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=6270
Chessdom: https://reports.chessdom.com/news-2010/world-chess-championship-postponed
Vying for my favourite chess player for the world championship, Vishwanathan Anand!!
Anand seems to have alot of support worldwide. Far more than Topalov.
Mehul,
I believe the last poll was something like 80-20. I’m not sure if the “Ashgate” controversy had an impact.
Revised Schedule
April 21 – 11.00 Eastern Standard Time (15.00 UTC) – Official opening
April 24 – 10.00 EST (14.00 UTC) – Game 1
April 25 – 08.00 EST (12.00 UTC) – Game 2
April 26 – Rest Day
April 27 – 08.00 EST (12.00 UTC) – Game 3
April 28 – 08.00 EST (12.00 UTC) – Game 4
April 29 – Rest Day
April 30 – 08.00 EST (12.00 UTC) – Game 5
May 1 – 08.00 EST (12.00 UTC) – Game 6
May 2 – Rest Day
May 3 – 08.00 EST (12.00 UTC) – Game 7
May 4 – 08.00 EST (12.00 UTC) – Game 8
May 5 – Rest Day
May 6 – 08.00 EST (12.00 UTC) – Game 9
May 7 – 08.00 EST (12.00 UTC) – Game 10
May 8 – Rest Day
May 9 – 08.00 EST (12.00 UTC) – Game 11
May 10 – Rest Day
May 11 – 08.00 EST (12.00 UTC) – Game 12
May 12 – Rest Day
May 13 – Tie breaks
https://www.europe-echecs.com/actualites/actualites-topalov-aura-les-blancs-dans-la-1ere-partie-du-match-2069.html
https://www.hindu.com/2010/04/23/stories/2010042361902000.htm
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/chess/7624286/Chess-players-get-silent-treatment-in-1.7m-tournament.html
The “silent rule” that Um hearing is that there is no talk about topy having an advantage merely because he has the white pieces, apparently the traditionalist are beginning to change their minds about this ongoing issue, which has been brought into light by The Chess Drum. As an “Ultramodernist” I anticipate this match to about who plays better as Black! and we can look to see who will execute this Ultramodern “transboard knight” idea better, clearly vishy have done some work in this area, and if topy hasnt done any work with this concept he will simply lose in decisive fashion.
Peter Doggers of Chessvibes just took some photos of the playing hall. Let’s hope that the match will proceed without a hitch.
Chessvibes: https://www.chessvibes.com/reports/world-championship-g1/comment-page-1/#comment-108229
In my opinion, the silent rule is ridiculous. These are two professional players and this is the World Championship. If Topalov does not want to speak to Anand at all during the match, then that is his prerogative, but it is a bit strange.
Game #1 shows Topalov playing 1.d4 and Anand replying with the Grunfeld. Topalov sacrificed a pawn, but the position is a bit unclear. Anand’s king is exposed and pieces retarded, but difficult to break through without necessary risks by Topalov. Anand has just played 23…Kf7 and viewers on ICC are suggesting 23.Nxf6!? Qxf6 24.Rh3 with an attack.
It looked like Topa was playing a 2500 Elo player. Anand needs to style up quickly. He has to forget about this game and go for it tommorow. In these short matched every win means a big point. Topalov must be super confident now.
This game was a psychological disaster for Anand. It’s a long match and Topalov is prone to periodic meltdowns, so it will be interesting. Report coming soon!
Drum Coverage: https://www.thechessdrum.net/blog/2010/04/25/wcc-2010-1-topalov-breaks-out-on-top/
Anand levels the score with a nice positional squeeze in the Catalan. Kramnik has turned the opening into a killing machine and employed it successfully against Topalov in their “Toiletgate” match. Anand apparently studied these games closely.
Drum Coverage: https://www.thechessdrum.net/blog/2010/04/25/wcc2010-2-anand-storms-back-to-even-match-at-1-1/
https://photo.chessdom.com/thumbnails.php?album=topn&cat=10025
In today’s game Anand held a comfortable draw winning some psychological points by playing a line used by Kramnik when he defeated Topalov in 2006 match. Anand soundly defeated Topalov with the Catalan in Game #2.
It was mentioned that neither player shook hands afterwards. This oversight was dismissed after the game, but if Topalov falls behind, look for some issue to surface with respect to rules or some condition.
Topalov actually requested a draw through the Arbiter who went to the board and said nothing as Anand played a move. Topalov insists that match regulation require the player to summon the arbiter, but apparently that is not the case.
well from an Ultramodern perspective it seems Anand’s mastery and comfort level with the Black pieces is much higher than Topolov’s , perhaps, after this is over the traditionalist will say,” Such and such won because they had white” like they have done for centuries, but what the traditionalist cannot conclude, restricted by their bias is the fact that many of the ideas they give for Black players are simply weak or busted, as a matter of fact UM comfortable with the idea topy will lose because of it. For UM science Vishy played a good game 3 for such a bad position. Apparently they not using the “Ashley Rule” in this match. Kasparov hold that down. Peace.
Drum Coverage: https://www.thechessdrum.net/blog/2010/04/28/wcc-2010-3-match-stays-level-after-draw/
Drum Coverage: https://www.thechessdrum.net/blog/2010/04/29/wcc-2010-4-anand-crushes-topalov-for-1/
Is Topalov in trouble??
Photo © ChessVibes.
https://www.hindu.com/2010/04/29/stories/2010042963412100.htm
https://susanpolgar.blogspot.com/2010/04/world-championship-strategy.html#links
Game #5 ended in a draw, but there was a lot of tension in the game until the end. Anand repeated his Slav from Game #3, but deviated with 15…h5. The idea was to stop g4 and the stifling of the bishop on g6. In the end there were some slight chances for Anand, but the game ended in another three-fold repetition.
To: Mr. Georgios Makropoulos
Supervisor of the FWCM
between the World Champion
V. Anand and V. Topalov
Copy to: Mrs. Aruna Anand
Manager of the World Chess Champion V. Anand
Copy to: Mr. Silvio Danailov
Manager of Veselin Topalov
Dear Sirs,
The Organizing Committee of the Match for the World Title in Chess between the World Champion V. Anand and V. Topalov would like to apologize for the inconvenience during the fifth game due to cut in the electricity power supply. It was caused by general failure in the electrical system in central Sofia, which affected also the emergency power generators.
We have taken all the needed precautions to prevent from future incidents till the end of the match.
An official statement by the Ministry of Economy and Energetics and the power supplying company CEZ will be presented to you later on.
Organizing Committee
Ph.D. Stefan Sergiev
Drum Coverage: https://www.thechessdrum.net/blog/2010/05/02/wcc-2010-6-topalov-presses-but-no-point/
https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=115825
Thanks, Shabazz, for the updates. Your consistency and passion over the years is a good example for the rest of us. I am watching the outcome of the games eagerly–wishing good energy to both players, and strong games, and good healthy fighting spirit. And hoping Anand retains the title!
Thank you for providing this web site and a way to view World Championship play. You are the tree and we are the leaves.
Thanks a lot. This has been an exciting match thus far. I have been glad to bring the action to viewers and it is possible through my colleagues from the various sites who work hard to produce the videos and photography that brings this event to life.
We are in for an exciting 2nd half.
Drum Coverage: https://www.thechessdrum.net/blog/2010/05/03/wcc-2010-7-fire-on-board-fizzles-to-draw/
Drum Coverage: https://www.thechessdrum.net/blog/?p=5629
Drum Coverage: https://www.thechessdrum.net/blog/2010/05/07/wcc-2010-9-missed-chances-in-seesaw-battle/
Topalov squeezes Anand, but the Champion was resourceful and secured a draw.
Drum Coverage: https://www.thechessdrum.net/blog/2010/05/08/wcc-2010-10-topalov-charges-but-anand-holds/
I must say I was impressed by Susan Polgar’s coverage. She really seems on form as a commentator. She explains the positions clearly and the choices in the positions. A really good coverage backed by knowledge of the two players. I have learned so much from her.
Susan is a tireless worker. There has been some criticism about her comments, but I truly cannot understand it. Some complain that she is pro-Topalov. I never got that impression, but if she is, so what? I’m pro-Anand, but when I report I have to remain objective. Susan has done more to promote chess than 90% of the people in chess world… and I don’t even know who the other 10% are. Anyway, her live commentary is appreciated.
Yeah Um with Susan on this on brother Shabazz u deserve journalist of the year award, i mean after all if it wasnt for your site the chess world would probably be still be ignorant about this afrocentric genius that has transformed our royal game throughout the world. Its strange topy hasnt shown any real understanding of theses knight ideas. What i find interesting on the traditional sites is that you dont hear any BIG talk about topy having the white pieces, they seem to have CHANGED their idea to topy “pressing with white” instead of topy having an “advantage with white” apparently the scales of justice moves slowly!!! Peace.
Drum Coverage: https://www.thechessdrum.net/blog/2010/05/10/wcc-2010-11-gladiator-battle-but-no-winner/
after a tie by game 11, topalov must have been under immense pressure. it meant game 12 was a must win for topalov as he knew he would have slender chances in beating the fastest chess player in the world in the impending rapid play. you know vishy, son of lightening.but still , good show from imaginative topalov.