WCh G12: Anand beats Topalov, retains world title
Viswanathan Anand retained his world title today in Sofia, Bulgaria by beating his opponent Veselin Topalov in the 12th and last match game with the black pieces. The Indian won the world title in a tournament in 2007, and now successfully defended it twice in a match. Video added.
For all the match details, rules and regulations we refer to our large overview article here. Here's a summary:
The match will take place April 21 - May 12 in Sofia, Bulgaria. Venue is the Central Military Club in Sofia, Bulgaria. The match will consist of 12 games, and if necessary, a 4-game rapid tiebreak, if necessary 5 2-game blitz matches and if necessary 1 sudden death game. The classical games will be played in pairs of 2, so there will be a rest day after every 2 games. No postponements are allowed. Topalov has White in games 1,3,5,8, 10 and 12.
Schedule
| April 24 – 17.00 EEST (16:00 CET) - Game 1 April 25 – 15:00 EEST (14:00 CET) - Game 2 April 26 – Rest Day April 27 – 15:00 EEST (14:00 CET) - Game 3 April 28 – 15:00 EEST (14:00 CET) - Game 4 April 29 – Rest Day April 30 – 15:00 EEST (14:00 CET) - Game 5 May 1 – 15:00 EEST (14:00 CET) - Game 6 May 2 – Rest Day May 3 – 15:00 EEST (14:00 CET) - Game 7 |
May 4 – 15.00 EEST (12.00 UTC) - Game 8 May 5 – Rest Day May 6 – 15:00 EEST (14:00 CET) - Game 9 May 7 – 15:00 EEST (14:00 CET) - Game 10 May 8 – Rest Day May 9 – 15:00 EEST (14:00 CET) - Game 11 May 10 – Rest Day May 11 – 15:00 EEST (14:00 CET) - Game 12 May 12 – Rest Day May 13 – Tie breaks |
The time control for each game is 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, 60 minutes for the next 20 moves and then 15 minutes for the rest of the game with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting after move 61. The Chief Arbiter is Panaqiotis Nikolopoulos (Greece). The Deputy Chief Arbiter is Werner Stubenvoll (Austria). The total prize fund is 3 million Euros: 2 million for the players, 400,000 for FIDE taxes and 600,000 for organizational costs. The winner will receive 1,2 million Euros while the loser receives 800.000 Euros.
Score
|
Anand, V
|
2787
|
0
|
1
|
½
|
1
|
½
|
½
|
½
|
0
|
½
|
½
|
½
|
1
|
6½
|
|
Topalov,V
|
2805
|
1
|
0
|
½
|
0
|
½
|
½
|
½
|
1
|
½
|
½
|
½
|
0
|
5½
|
Videos
If you can't see all videos in the player above: this is a cache problem of the browser. We've contacted blip.tv about the problem. Please remove your cache files and try again. Here's the game 12 video separately:
Game 12
Today already fourty minutes before the game, while the players were just about to leave their hotels, already a big amount of TV camera, single-lens reflex cameras, and other digital cameras, and dozens of media people operating them, were waiting in the theater room of the Central Military Club. A game that could be all-decisive, is on the program.
For the 6th time Topalov opened with 1.d4, and Anand went back to 1...d5. But no Slav this time. No, the World Champion chose the opening that has been played the most in World Championship matches: the Queen's Gambit Declined. The variation with an early ...Ne4, named after the second World Champion Emanuel Lasker, is known as passive but solid. A bit like the Slav ending Anand used three times, but with the queens still on the board.
Anand will certainly be satisfied with a draw. Topalov on the other hand will certainly be pressing today, but it remains to be seen how much risk he's prepared to take. Many locals in Bulgaria will regard another draw as a loss for their hero, since Anand's legendary record in rapid chess is known here too...
After a quiet middlegame Anand went both ...e5 and f5. Topalov then seemed to crack under the pressure. He took two pawns very quickly, which simply led to a devastating attack for Black. Anand didn't chose the quickest win, allowing Topalov to reach a RN vs Q ending, but the result was never in doubt. And so Anand decided the match in his favour with the first win for the black pieces in the very last game.
At the press conference Anand praised his opponent's fighting spirit. "It was the toughest match I played so far. The games were all long and tough fights." He called the organization "superb", and didn't mind playing in Sofia "as soon as the chess started".
To the question why Topalov took on f5, the Bulgarian answered briefly: "I took a risk, and I was punished." Although clearly disappointed about the result, he said he was satisfied about the level he played.
Some of Topalov's answers were difficult to understand because just after the game ended, a thunder storm had started in Sofia...
The seconds of both players arrived at the venue. As it turned out, Anand had the same group of helpers as in Bonn: Peter Heine Nielsen, Rustam Kasimdzhanov, Surya Ganguly and Radoslaw Wojtaszek. We already knew that Topalov worked with Jan Smeets, Erwin l'Ami, Ivan Cheparinov and Jiri Dufek.
On Wednesday I'm doing a private interview with Anand, so if you happen to have a brilliant question, drop it below in the comments!
Game viewer by ChessTempo

A Queen's Gambit Declined this time...

...a Lasker Defence to be specific

Viswanathan Anand, here explaining the game...

...and Veselin Topalov probably thinking about the mistakes over and over again
Links (we keep updating this!)
- Official website
- Games in PGN via TWIC
- Rules & regulations (PDF)
- The Week in Chess with analysis by IM Malcolm Pein and reports by Mark Crowther
- Anish Giri annotating for Chessbase
- Europe-Echecs, also reporting from Sofia
- GM Ian Rogers blogging for the USCF
- Rogers' articles for Crikey (all together)
- GM Kevin Spragget blogging
- GM Susan Polgar with live commentary
- Chessdom (also live commentary)
- Crestbook (GM Sergey Shipov, live commentary in Russian)
- GM Dejan Bojkov analysing the games
- Die Zeit's coverage
- Kramnik interview in Die Zeit
- Schwatt und Weiss (Georgios Souleidis blogging for Der Westen)
- Entwicklungsvorsprung (Georgios Souleidis' blog)
- Schach Welt (live audio commentary & chat with GM Jörg Hickl and IM Ilja Schneider)
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Comments
JR
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
Aren't you guys somewhat too early with changing the URL of this page ;)
http://www.chessvibes.com/reports/wch-g12-anand-beats-topalov-retains-wo...
xtra
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
still, it is completely winning. But I guess Topalov still has some small chances to save the draw (chances that Anand might blunder right back at him that is).
Guillaume
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
Yes, that sounds a bit premature. He was also looking very good until his 40th move in a previous game.
chess
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
Anand has the wrong bishop, field a1.
Andres
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
Seems that there is no defense against Rxe3 and then Rh4 + and 42. Qg4 ++ ?
rdecredico
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
Keep the fat lady in the closet.
chess
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
40.Qd1 was also better and last chance
Vovo
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
Great match and champions last game! Whoever wins shall be well deserved WChampion. Such playing stule makes chess exciting. Do you agree?
Vovo
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
... style...
chess
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
Anand must win the white a pawn
jussu
3 years 2 weeks ago
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55...Qxb2 and I think it is about time to begin stretching our legs for standing ovations
Suneet
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
Anand retains his Crown :D
...and I retain my bragging rights :P
Hortensius
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
He did it!!
Arvin
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
Anand is winning, and I don't think White can survive here. It's too early to congratulate Anand, but he is winning. White's queenside pawns are weak. If he is able to create a passed pawn on the queenside, then game is over.
chess
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
ok bravo for Anand, Topalov can play in the candidates.
Murali
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
Congrats, Vishy
chess
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
interesting what topalov said on board to anand over the mistake?
KingTal
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
jajajajajaj :D ANAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAND!
A true world champion! :)
lets see what Danailov will say...hahaha
buri
3 years 2 weeks ago
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Have you guys considered opening an official YouTube channel for all the videos you guys make? I think it would be a great idea! Great coverage like always!:)
32fxe4
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
Congratulations Anand from Dominican Republic
chess
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
Carlsen against Anand in one two years?
shashwat
3 years 2 weeks ago
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congrats anand.. topalov is a good fighter but anand is better overall
buri
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
ANAND WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
chess
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
I would say mistakes decide the games.
bhabatosh
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand !!!!!
you did it yet again ...........
Arvin
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
By the time I finished my recent post, Topalov had already resigned. Congratulations, Vishy, for retaining your title!! You truly deserved this! What a great match this was!
Ravi
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
Wow.......Vishy kept his nerves and came good. Deserving victory as to me Vishy looked dominant all through the championship with some great moves away from the general theories. No words...for his humbleness all the way. I expected Topalov to be more aggressive today but i believe Topalov lost it in the middle game. Never mind, he would get his chance again but for now and till 2012 (if i am not wrong) Vishy is the deserved champion. Exciting Championship. Thank you for Chessvibes for providing all the macthes and videos with some analysis. Thank you and enjoy the finish.
Suneet
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
I am wondering how the Organizers will react... it will be so sorry to see sad military faces in the closing ceremony. Hope they dont allow Danialov to say anything, dont want to hear a teary rant from him.
...and don't worry Anand, giant celebrations awaits at home!!!!! :D
Ravi
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
Hope to get to know the seconds now for both the players. Next champoionship would be cracking....guess its between Vishy & Carlsen. Young blood over experienced head.....finger's cross.
chess
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
even a volcano did not stop Anand:)
hmmm
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
Deceptive double-dealing Danailov duplicitously denied delays.
Suneet
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
I had the great fortune to personally wish him 'All the best' for this match! I am replaying that moment again over again in my head right now, replacing 'all the best' with 'Congratulations' :D . wish I can meet him again :)
Hail the King Vishwanathan Anand!
chess
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
go 69:)
Garnoth
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
A well deserved result in my opinion, I think Topalov got too afraid of the tie-breaks and just had a melt-down. Who will be his next challenger? My money is on either Kramnik or Topalov!
jan van der marel
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
I would love to see the face of Mr. Danailov when Topalov resigned. Any pictures made?
rdecredico
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
Congrats to the Champ~!
chess
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
Carlsen or Aronian:)
siva
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
Haha! Expected victory. I congratulate Anand for his victory. Also, to mention here that Topalov is a great opponent.
As I have been mentioning in my previous posts for game 8 and 9, that
a) Center command
b) Offence
will make Anand win against Topalov. This proved successful today.
Also, I mentioned that Topalov would make mistakes in crunch. That also is seen today. I think anyone following my posts will know.
I was knowing this before hand that once the above rules applied slowly or steadily Anand would win. Also for game 9, 10 comments, somenbody was arguing with me that Topalov is better and my analysis wrong. I don't want to take names. They themselves are seeing my analysis come true. Mr.Thomas wherever u are, I want to tell u that I am a scientist by profession.
I take this opportunity to thank Mr.Philip Robar for the wonderful book "Improve your chess". This book can give any mighty player some food for thought.
Cheers Anand we love u. You r simply the best in the world.
Rothschild
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
Anand-Carlsen 2011.... 5-7 ;-)
chess
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
Anand could win in two games, one draw game he lost. so he was at the end better.
Pozzi
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
Congratulations ANAND our World Champion!!!!
Who would have bet on a victory with black today? Great game!
chesster
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
Thanks to the two GMs Topalov and Anand for having brought about some exciting plays over the match!
Thanks to anand-topalov.com for bringing the games live - i think the site also served as a good advert for Bulgarian chess and Danialov ;)
Thanks to chessvibes.com for everything - and of course the videos!!!!
Congratulations to World Champion Anand!
Arne Moll
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
What an impressive game (and choice of opening) by Anand. He's truly the best match player in the world!
joe
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
DISASTER for topalov and the sinister danailov! The match went perfectly for Anand. He was lucky not to lead by two points at any time and won at the very last game. No room for the sinister danailov and topalov to create another controversy to destabilize Anand. Anand beat them on their own turf. What a humiliation for them! Well deserved and congrats to Anand! Only chance for topalov to challenge and win in the future is to get ride of the sinister danailov, apologize to Kramnik, and get back to chess matters only no politics.
Krish
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
CONGRATULATIONS for the TIGER! Excellent blow at the right time!!
KingTal
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
Great Anand, but the next champion will surely be Carlsen!
btw: its 6.5 - 5.5 and not 5.5 - 5.5 like its above
siva
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
@AljechinsCat
please correct your comments on me in the Game 9 discussion.
what have you to say now??
cheers
Guillaume
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
Congrats Vishy! A very impressive win for a worthy World Champion.
I almost feel sorry for Topalov. Did he missed something obvious in the game? He seemed pretty agitated in the short post-mortem. But anyway, at least he showed he could lose a World Championship honorably.
Veselin, all you need to do now is come back to your senses and get rid of Danailov!
wibble_wobble
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
Yay anand wins just like i predicted(ok not exactly how i predicted but still). yay.
Willem
3 years 2 weeks ago
Permalink
The score box on this page still gives 5,5 - 5,5
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