Viswanathan Anand retains world title
29 October 2008, 13.01 CET | Last modified: 11:08 | By Peter Doggers | Filed under: Reports | Tags: Live games, Match
Update: video added.
Viswanathan Anand has retained his world title by drawing Vladimir Kramnik in the 11th game of the World Championship match in Bonn, Germany. The final match score is 6?Ǭ?-4?Ǭ? for Anand.
It was a task he had never managed to do before: beating Viswanathan Anand with the black pieces. And after his opponent switched to his long-life weapon 1.e4, Vladimir Kramnik couldn’t do it today either. At the press conference the Russian said it was a “difficult day” for him: “It was not easy to prepare for e4 and d4, trying to find forced wins for Black against all these moves.”
He was reasonably satisfied with reaching the Najdorf, because “at least we had a game – it was not easy to just get a game”. But he managed, although then Kramnik soon had to work on his own, because a few moves after Anand’s 6.Bg5 he was out of theory – he actually found 9…Qc5 behind the board.
Black’s seemingly anti-positional 12…exf5 was his only chance, Kramnik said, because “otherwise White simply gets very easy play”; he mentioned the standard moves Kb1 and g3 + Bh3, pressing on e6. “So I decided to mess things up.” However, Anand reacted very well, calculated very well, and forced a liquidation to an ending that White simply cannot lose. “Miracles happen, but very rare, unfortunately,” Kramnik finished his statement about the game.
After the game Anand said he was “happy, but at this point probably more relieved than happy. Obviously it’s really nice to just have the title. Vlady was really pushing me in the last few games. With White I was really hoping to have the world championship title in the evening but I wasn’t sure, you never know.”
With this official and undisputed World Championship, Anand has won every big event that has been organized during his career. In fact, he’s the first player to have won a world championship in three different formats. In the year 2000 Anand won the FIDE World Chess Championship which was a knockout event, in 2007 he won the World Chess Championship which was a tournament of six players, and now he has won a World Championship match. If he didn’t yet belong to the list of great names starting with Steinitz, Lasker and Capablanca, he now sure does – nobody can deny it anymore. After all, today Anand has beaten the man who beat Kasparov.
Thanks to his 11 games in Bonn, Anand is also the new world’s number one on the live rating list (for the top ten see the column on the far right) – he shares a virtual rating of 2791 with Topalov but tops the list because of actually having played games in this period.
Today Anand, who will turn 39 on December 11, won the most important prize of his career. It all started in 1983 when he won the National Sub-Junior Chess Championship with a score of 9/9. He subsequently became the youngest Indian to win the IM title at the age of fifteen, in 1984. One year later he became champion of India and in 1987 he became the first Indian to win the World Junior Chess Championship. In 1988, at the age of eighteen, he became India’s first Grandmaster.
Ever since he won the super tournament of Reggio Emilia in 1991, ahead of Kasparov and Karpov, Anand has been among the world’s elite. Among his colleagues he became known as the fastest player in the circuit and this was confirmed by him winning the unofficial world championship of rapid chess many times.
In the year 2000 Anand won the FIDE World Chess Championship in Tehran after defeating Alexei Shirov in the final. In the same year Garry Kasparov lost his world title to Vladimir Kramnik in London.
In 2002 Ruslan Ponomariov took over the title of FIDE World Champion and in 1995 Anand finished shared second with Peter Svidler at the San Luis World Championship tournament, behind Veselin Topalov. One year later Topalov lost his title against Kramnik, in a match that decided the first undisputed World Championship since 1993.
In September 2007 Anand became World Champion again by winning the FIDE World Championship Tournament held in Mexico City. He finished on 9 / 14 which was a full point ahead of Vladimir Kramnik and Boris Gelfand. Kramnik had agreed to participate in this tournament after FIDE had given him the right, if he wouldn’t finish first, to automatically challenge the new World Champion.
This eventually resulted in the Anand-Kramnik match held in Bonn 14-29 October, that was dominated by the Indian from the start. After two reasonably quiet games he won twice with Black in games 3 and 5, and then scored another full point in game 6. In the final phase of the match Anand lost his concentration in a few games and even lost game 10, but by easily drawing the 11th game, he reached the unbeatable 6.5 points.
It was Anand’s strategy with the Black pieces that decided the match. It’s possible that the Indian didn’t expect to achieve too much with the White pieces against one of the most solid players in the circuit, and therefore decided to focus the attention on Black. His choice of the sharp Meran positions was a brilliant one and with it he delivered the first major blow in game three. Again under pressure, Kramnik blundered in game 5 and this second blow led to the Russian playing his weakest game, number six, where he lost an ending that he would have drawn in most other situations.
Being 3 points down in a 12-game match is another way of saying: it’s just hopeless. But it can only be admired how Kramnik managed to fight back in subsequent games – he finally started to feel confident, finally started to come up with theoretical novelties and simply… finally started to play on his normal level. But it was too late – Anand’s narrow escape in game 9 earned him a valuable half point and then for Kramnik it was clearly a mission impossible to score 3 out of 3 against this kind of player.
Anand’s victory was based on a combination of excellent preparation and playing almost flawlessly. A deserved champion who has deservedly entered the famous list of World Championship match winners.
Here’s the 11th and final game of the match, in which I included some notes by co-editor IM Merijn van Delft as well:
Match score:
| Name | Nat. | Rtg |
G01
14/10 |
G02
15/10 |
G03
17/10 |
G04
18/10 |
G05
20/10 |
G06
21/10 |
G07
23/10 |
G08
24/10 |
G09
26/10 |
G10
27/10 |
G11
29/10 |
G12
31/10 |
|
| Anand | IND | 2783 |
?Ǭ?
|
?Ǭ?
|
1
|
?Ǭ?
|
1
|
1
|
?Ǭ?
|
?Ǭ?
|
?Ǭ?
|
0
|
?Ǭ?
|
6?Ǭ?
|
|
| Kramnik | RUS | 2772 |
?Ǭ?
|
?Ǭ?
|
0
|
?Ǭ?
|
0
|
0
|
?Ǭ?
|
?Ǭ?
|
?Ǭ?
|
1
|
?Ǭ?
|
4?Ǭ?
|
Here's our playlist of videos. If the game 11 video is not appearing, please remove your “temporary internet files” and / or press (Ctrl-)F5.
Links:
- Official website
- Foidos
- Game commentary at TWIC, Crestbook, Chesspro and Chessdom
- Videos by Europe-Echecs
- Mig Greengard blogging
- GM Ian Rogers blogging
- Dennis Monokroussos blogging
- Games in PGN provided by TWIC
(Note that the comments below this article started during our live coverage of the game)
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I think Anand will play 1.e4
We (indians) are waiting Vishy, go chak de
And what do you think Kramnik will play to that, Merijn? How about a Sveshnikov?
I also have the feeling Anand wil play 1.e4 .Kramnik wil not respond with e5, I predict.
Maybe some sort of Sicilian Scheveningen with a 2…e6 move order to prevent all Bb5 lines.
No reason for anand to change his opening. We’re gonna see another d4
)
Yes, I agree.
1. d4
1. … f5
Leading to Leningrad Dutch.
I join the Sicilian camp. Don’t exactly know which line, but I think both have prepared something special. They have only used up the preparation for one or two lines, so both should have some more prepared from before the tournament.
when will game start?
what about DAY LIGHT SAVING TIME today for germany? any one knows?
It will start at 10am EST
I think e4
Karpov is playing now at http://www.europe-echecs.com/articles/a-la-une-8e-rencontres-du-cap-d-agde-un-departage-d-anthologie-1451.html
I think Anand will stick to 1.d4 which has served him quite well in this match. Switching to 1.e4 might actually play into Kramnik’s deep preparations in Sveshnikov. Anand just has to hold his nerves to get thro’ this game. Let’s hope he does it.
To indians,
I have been in India last September. I observed that chess is not very popular there.
I was in NewDelhi (Lodhi Garden), Aghra, and no body plays chess!!!
All the best Anand… get it over today itself.. not just with a draw, but with a victory!!
Anand will play 1.d4 and Kramnik will go for the benoni like he did against Leko. Thats about the only chance to stir things up.
If Anand goes 1.e4, Kramnik will play the Paulsen, like his second Rublevski
@Popuscu
Yes! 90% Indians play, talk, eat, walk and sleep CRICKET! Isn’t that funny!?
to erpizn, lol lol
I predict 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 (probably a modern Benoni or English)
hello every one
Kramnik will never play Svesnikov, because White can force a draw easily
well i think anad will surprise every one with 1.C4
It’s e4!! whoohoo
Hi Faisal! Good to see you around!
“If one need to secure a game with white then he would play 1.Nf3 (Russian school)”
Its an e4 from anand! definitely drawn game and won match?
Hi Merijn, you predicted better than me!
I didn’t dare to mention the najdorf, but was definetely hoping. This might be a good fight!
1. …, c5.
Kramnik goes for it again !
Nasty!
I guess they don’t consider 3.Bb5+ a forced draw
I think nobody predicted a Najdorf. After 6.Bg5, White has many forced draws, but Kramnik know them of course!
I guessed it right e4
Najdorf with Bg5, one of Anand’s specialities. He scored a nice win with this line with the black pieces against Shirov earlier this year in Morelia.
1…c5 Kramnik took about 2 minutes to respond with c5.
2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 It is obvious that Kramnik is going for broke employing one of the sharpest openings.
Can one confirm to me that the poisonned pawn of the najdorf sicilian have been deeply analysed and the final word of theory states that is a dead draw???
I am not sure.
These days, top level players avoid 16,Bg5 du of the pourcentage of draws.
[Valejo-Kasparov 2003, Svidler-Grishuk 2008 ....]
[I mean 6.Bg5] in my previous mesage
I find it a strange (risky) opening choice by Anand. He showed some nerve weakness in the last 2 games.
Again Anand comes with a different move 9.Qd2 is the preffered move
Is 9.f5 one of the main lines in Najdorf?
is there a chat window on chessvibes?
Popuscu: Your observation is correct. Also every Indian is mad about sports, but no one plays anything – everyone is glued to watching sports on TV
And as someone mentioned earlier, it is always Cricket – a braindead but heavily glorified game, and very often compared to chess by (equally braindead and comatose) commentators who know neither sports (that is the quality of most of our commentators).
Yay. Some exciting opening for the final game of the match.
to Tyche,
with 9.f5 Anand is still in Theory.
BUT 9.f5 is a rare continuation (may be for this reason Kramnik is thinking now).
Anand to castle on the queen side, rybka says the score is equal; but strategically i favor the position for anand as black king going to remain in the centre
@KK
Nice choice of words for correct description! I was stuck with the phrase “dumb game” for explaining cricket, but i guess you won!
Is there some forced draw with Nxe6 fxe6 Qh5
Where does white develop his bishop – on e2 or on d3?
is this Qc5 a novelty ?
To Tyche
I think white bishop will be placed on e2 , coz d3 is likely to be taken by queen also the pawns in the d3 diagonal make the bishop less effective there
to KK,
your pseudo name (KK) recalls me something: Boby Fischer had problems with the “K” players like: Korchnoi, Karpov, Kasparov !!!!
Here another interesting remark by Susan Polgar on her blog:
‘8…gxf6 9.f5 White also has many other options such as 9.Qd2, 9.Be2, 9.Qf3, etc… If Anand wins or draw with ease, he will look like a genius for employing 1.e4 to shock his opponent. On the other hand, if he loses in a sharp game, he will be questioned for his decision to play aggressively instead of going for something quiet when he needs only 1/2 point to retain his title. If I am Kramnik, I would be happy to have a chance to score in a sharp opening, especially when a draw is no good for me.’
To M R Ali
Qc5 was also suggested by Rybka;
Kramnik somehow is playing the same moves suggested by Rybka in the last three games including this one
to Ali,
with Qc5 we are still in theory, but in one of the most rare continuations.
Very interesting possibilities ahead , the game is on the razor edge should see how it goes on
10.Qd3 A logical move It clears the way for White to castle Queenside. It also protects the f5 pawn. 10…Bh6 is now a logical move to prevent White from castling.
Kramnik playin Black has a quit negative results with the najdorf sicilian: 1 win, 3 draws and 4 loses …
I appreciate Anand for playing sharp aggresive lines even at this stage of the match; attack is the best form of defence . He is a true sport
Interesting to note that Anand is already falling back on time.
Qd2 also prevents Qe3 by black if the knight on d4 is moved
There are three GM games with this position in chessbase. Two won by white, one draw.
Kramnik has already made 3 Q moves. Shouldn’t white be able to exploit this tempii to gain an edge in development and obtain some initiative?
Polgars assessment:
‘In my opinion, Black has already equalized. Black has a good presence in the center and the Bishop pair. White’s pieces are not optimally coordinated. I think Black has a comfortable position.’
11. …Qe5 is a prepared (at home) move. A human would play 11. ..Qa7 preparing b5.
Bringing the qeen in the center shows that Kramnik is well prepared even in this rare variation.
kramnik seems more agressive than anand… hope anand does not blunder at any stage…
To tyche
similarly white has made three moves by g1 knight , so its equal
To Sander
Good info dude
to DoctorSpock,
do you mean Polgar who beaten Korchnoi in this blitz game :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9k5oBgaZGI
White looks to be in advantage , as the pawns in the centre covering the black king looks very volatile.
Sander,
Do you mean that there are 3 games with black playing 11. … Qe5 ?
To Popuscu:
Fantastic film! Unsportif Kortsnoi. He would lose may more times from het, after this event.
But this is Sopia. I quoted her older sister Susan, who lives in the USA and has a fantastic chess school called SPICE.
To Popuscu.. Boby?Fischer may have had problems with Korchnoi but not with Karpov or Kasparov cause he didn’t play them…but of course your remark was ironically intended…
At this moment (12.0-0-0) only the reply 12. ..Bd7 has been played on high level. But I wouldn’t be surprised if Kramnik goes for something new.
Popuscu, where did you find so fast Kramniks results in the Najdorf?
Anand looks outstanding.. Good luck anand. :=)
At club level, I would much rather be white than black — if black pushes Q-side pawns the King is stuck in the middle — castling king side is out for black — white has a simple plan of Qf3, Bd3 g4 etc;
12.O-O-O White basically offers the f5 pawn sacrifice. The compensation for White is to be able to break up black’s center pawn chain while opening up the critical e file. I would not take it. I prefer either 12…Bd7, 12….Rg8, or even 12…b5 better.
Kramnik just played exf5. Doesn’t this weaken d5 terribly and allow ,for example, Nd5, and not to mention, opening of the e-file?
ANAD AGAIN CHOOSED TO PLAY SHARP OPENING WITH A PAN SAC I DONT UNDERSTAND HE NEED JUST ADRAW THEN WHY HE WANTS TO PLAY AG REESIVELY?
Ali
Wow, just like I expected
Novelty exf5
Take a look at Kramnik’s pawn stucture(if any) , king’s akward position in the middle and the undeveloped pieces . Its advantage white
Black is not so comfortable as Polgar suggests: White tends to have the safer king and white square pressure, which adds up to the famous +=
pawn sac by anand coming up
Polgar:
‘12…exf5 A very brave Kramnik! Bravo! Whatever happens, no one can say that Kramnik backs off from a tough fight. This is not a blunder. It is a playable move, just dangerous.’
to Robert,
KK is my friend in this Forum and I have no bad intentions.
whoa, Kramnik took it! Rybka is on +0.31, but I heard she has problems understanding the Najdorf… am I correct?
Black’s bishops looked cramped…exf5 is the best bet to free them…
exf5…. tough decision by Kramnik! hope anand finds a good attack point!
White should play Queen d5..
to DoctorSpock ,
they are available here
http://www.chesslive.de/
@Ali — I think it is Kramnik being aggressive — he is trying to win his style — take a pawn and let Anand attack — absorb the attack and win the ending — I think this is an exciting game with a position that suits Anand in the middle game
Why not Nd5 here thrit ning Nb6 or Nc7?
Is S Polgar in love with Kramnik?
looks like kramnik is well prepared in this line.
how gud is Re1?
How about exf Bxf5 Qe2, exchanging queens and white has the better ending? I don’t get it, what do you guys say?
here i see 2 weaknesses in blacks camp IQP and double pawn in f file
Rybka says white has advantage with Kb1
ND2 is most apporpiate!@ this jucture!! Correct me please !
12?¢‚Ǩ¬¶exf5.
Very interestingly, Anand is now 17 minutes behind on the clock.
12…exf5 seems to be a novelty compared to Cullip-Le Quang, Oakham 1992. It looks a bit dangerous but hey, that doesn’t matter for Kramnik of course. White should also be careful – what a great game already!
the prise on f5 is in favor of Black:
13.exf5?! Bxf5
if Anand does not capture on f5, does the closure of the center by kramnil (f5-f6) in his favor.??
It is hard to find a plan here … the tactics are very present
Computer has a British sense of humour…
“12… exf5 Novelty of doubtful advantage” at ChessOK-s live computer annotations
http://chessok.com/broadcast/live.php?key=bonn11.pgn&game=0
possible continuation can be exf5 Bxf5 …Kb1 Be7 ….Qf3 …can anybody suggest a diff .idea..
the prise on f5 is in favor of Black:
13.exf5?! Bxf5
if Anand does not capture on f5, does the closure of the center by kramnil (f5-f4) in his favor.??
It is hard to find a plan here … the tactics are very present
If 13.Re1 Bh6+ 14.Kb1 Be6 and the position is unclear.
weird move 13. Qe3…. more risky than safe?
Qe3 what is the idea here ?
13.Qe3 I personally did not expect this move. In addition to clearing the diagonal for this Bishop, the square b6 will be something White would have an eye on.
Qe3? This just doesn’t seem right…
@DoctorSpock
Thanks for copying from Susan’s blog! I expected some position clearer
to ali, 13.Nd5 has a refutation:
13.Nd5 fxe4
it is not fair to cut and paste the commentary of Susan Polgar here.
@ DoctorSpock
Hey, why are you copy-pasting Susan Polgar’s comments at
http://www.susanpolgar.blogspot.com
???
Just curious, no offense.
12…exf5?! quit a shocking move! I very much like the solid 13.Kb1! indeed, with comfortable longterm compensation. But Anand’s truly amazing 13.De3!? may even be stronger. I put my money on Anand
Black might as well consider playing 13…fxe4 since he already played exf5.
Qe3!? The game is becoming very sharp. I predict they will get into time pressure.
is 14. …h5 interesing with the threat of Bh6 ???
@Popuscu
Nd5 Fe4 Qe4 Qe4 Nf6 + and Ne4 waht you say ?
Lots of tactics — black cannot castle q-side yet -qb6,nd5,bxa6etc; so how does Kramnik stop a white central breakthrough? He has to try and exchange queens
can anybody explain why I’m feeling Qe3 is a good move…b6 & d6 are Black’s weaknesses…
is 14. ?¢‚Ǩ¬¶h5 interesing with the threat of Bh6 ???
15. Qb6 !?
There is a possibility , quick exchnage of pieces would lead to a draw ,but i doubt if Kramik plays that line(fxe4 Rd5, Qe6 Nxe4 f5, Nxd6+ Bxd6 , Qxe6 with score 0.00
Fritz is positive about 13. De3. It makes for instance Td5 possible (unless 13. … Le6). On the other hand its now easier for black to play …h5 and … Lh6.
Probably Anand played Qe3 because there is a high chance of draw with forced exchange of pieces
Kramnik is finished…
I agree with Merijn, this is definitely a brave attempt by Kramnik, but perhaps a bit too brave against such a player as Anand.
@ Dr.Spock,
Why shamelessly copying and pasting not only fro Susan’s but also from this site!! Go and take star hike!
to Ali,
nice variation Nd5 Fe4 Qe4 Qe4 Nf6 + .
and then Nxe4 Kc7 :
Kramnik knight would be go to e5 (strong) + he has weak structure of pwans + the pair of bishops… a very complicated position .. it is very dynamic …
kramnik will play Be7
I feel h5 (popuscu) is too dangerous –after Kb1 black is stuck — bh6 is a waste of time with Kb1 and makes Qb6 really dangerous — I agree with doctorspock that Black has to logically play fxe4 and hope for the best
to DoctorSpock,
I considred 5. Qb6 !?. This move would paralyse Kramnik pieces..
“Black is not so comfortable as Polgar suggests: White tends to have the safer king and white square pressure, which adds up to the famous +=”
What exactly does that “+=” mean? Sorry if this is a really dumb question. Does it mean, like in C programming, “greater than or equal to” or something else?
Thanks!
I think the idea of Qe3 is to threaten Rd5 or Nd5, and maybe Bc4. All of which can be prevented by Be6, except this allows the dangerous-looking Qb6.
who is leading in time ?
@Karthik
Yes, I agree. I didn’t get it, but it seems as if black doesn’t go into exchanges, it is simply bad for him, but if he does go into exchanges, the draw is more probable…
Rybka thinks:
13… fxe4 14. Rd5 Qe6 15. Nd4 Nxd4 16. Qxd4 Bg7 17. Rxd6 Qe7 18. Qxe4 Qxe4 19. Nxe4
with +0.13
PS. += (’plus equals’) means white is ’slightly better’. (=+ means black is slightly better and so on: +/- is a clear advantage, +- a winning one, = an equal position (although not necessarily drawn.) The infinity sign means ‘unclear’ but has somewhat gone out of use in this computerized age.)
Kramnik is taking his time.
Understandingly so. He has a tough decision to make. What should he play? Take on e4? Bd7, Be6, Ng7, or h5? The dynamics of the game will change quite a bit with these choices.
kramnik is winning, 13h5 with plan Bh6 or13f4 with plan f5 and Rg8, this time kramnik will usee g file. no castling
Rybka says fxe4 is the best option for black which would lead to a draw , all other moves give good advantage to white. Kramnik has a lot think , luckily i am karthik not kramnik
Bg7, now thats a suprise!
@KK
+= means white is slightly better.
One simple line is fxe4 bc4be3 bxe3 fxe3 nxe4 where white has enough for the pawn because blacks king position is so compromised. Anyway, I predict fxe4 followed by a development of the f1 bishop the next move — fxe4 rd5 is also fine but less exciting for white
This game is too complicated, and it the positional advantages for both players are almost NIL. with 1 percentage point for BLACK.
This is headed for a draw, unless Time Pressure >> Blunder by either!
Polgar Blog is mediocre. & Sounds too political.
I think Kramnik is planning for attack on King, with lot of risks, after clearing the central pawns …
Anand seems to have good advantage with Nd2, Again Bg7 was commpletely unexpected may be Kramnik dares to castle kingside
What’s Rybka’s assessment after 13. …, Bg7?
@Ravi B
Yeah, it is mediocore, to say the least. And as someone mentioned somewhere “hideously self-adoring”. Couldn’t have said it any better.
to robinson, with 13.. Bg7 Kramnik shows his intenstion to castle king side.
because Nd5-Nc7 is annoying.
Thanks Tom & MRT, for the explanation. Now reading analysis makes more sense to me
Possibly Kramnic wont wait for castling … he may go for Be6/ b5(with further pawn push in mind) and f4 followed by f5 may give him clear diagonal. Anand has strong center … but Kramnik needs to take his chances
Rbka 0.32 Nd2
I dont understand what Kramnik is upto — now Bd3 looks natural safe and leaving white with an edge with the obvious threat of rh-e1 or f1, exf5 and black is busted
Rybka likes Nd2 with a compfortable edge in White’s favour, +0.33. Indeed, a very logical move.
Only 1 min 50 sec per move for both players from now on for first time control. Looks like the position is very complicated with too many possibilities.
Hey Spock! Immediately return back to USS Enterprise. And get off Susan’s back!
And that’s an order!
Bg7 what is the idea?
Whoa, against Rybka, it would be over for Kramnik… it ’s on +0.50 now!
14. Nd2 Be6 15. Nc4 Bxc4 16. Bxc4 O-O 17. Rd5 etc
to robinson,
I think that the g file is not of great use for Kramnik because Anand’s king is in the other side.
Should white play Rd5 and kick the Black queen out of that square? This can be followed by Bc4 and Re1 bringing more pressure on the central file? I don’t know, I’m just a beginner. Maybe somebody here can help me out.
rd5 qe2; (qe3 is met by exf5) bd3 seems to leave white with a clear edge
This position is so sharp that the players are almost down to 1 hr each with only 14 moves completed – wow, what an exciting way to finish the championship (I am assuming that Anand would pull through)!
Anyone feel any sacrifices coming up from White soon? Position is extremely dynamic with lots of attacking possibilities, a little limited for Black due to his awkward King and undeveloped pieces. (My last post gave wrong time per move, it is 2.3 mins per move approx).
Do you think kramnik is better off because his central pawn is marching up? Any reason why he did not take Anand’s e-pawn before this? Now what should Anand do after Kramnik’s Rg8?
Anand is again going for a Win rather than a lame draw. Probably Kramnik is luring him to complications. Nowadays players play more outside the board.
OK Kirky. Beam me up.
Hope your not jealous.
I don’t think she is ‘hideously self-adoring.
But about the game:
what about 15. …, Bh6 and 17. …, fxe4?
to KK,
are you comptuer scientist programmer ???
Polgar gives this line:
‘15.Qg3 This is a possible line 15…Rg8 16.Qxd6 fxe4 17.Qxe7+ Kxe7 18.Nxe4 f5 =+. Here are more options: 15…Rg8 16. Qh4 fxe4 17. Nxe4 (17. Qxh7 Kf8 unclear) 17… Be6 18. Nxd6+ Kf8 19. Rd3 =+’
I have quickely calcullated this possibility (may be I am wrong):
15. … Bh6+ 16.Kb1 f4!? (to protect the d7 pawn) 17.Qh4? Bg5! followd by h5
15. … Tg8 16. Dh4 +=. 15. … 0-0 seems too dangerous after 16. exf5.
White is in a safer position ; with time reducing black has greater chance of making a mistake
After 15.Qg3 White are better and Kramnik should be happy with a draw
How abt 15. Qf4?
qxd6 should be a safe situation for anand — qf3 is another choice — I dont see where Kramnik is going with this.
@Spock, The correct line is “Beam me up Scotty”! Anyway the good thing is ur quoting Susan with due credit!
i think positionaly speaking even black simply has a bad position after Bg7!!Where is the latent bishop power or the counterplay against white’s king.All he is left with is the weakness on d5,d6 and doubled f pawns.White has a million of microplans like Bc4,Nd5,ef5,Nd4.Even Kramnik wouldn’t like black’s position!!It doesn’t suit his positional accurate clear cut style of play.Remember how he won two days ago?Well on the other hand it suits the match situation better.There is a scenario that white will overeach his hand,get lost in the labyrinth of opportunities and alternatives.I would estimate that right now Anand has 65-35% chances more.But…. a fierce battle is waiting.Let’s see what happens..
Anand’s 16. Qf4 is inferior to Qh4, I think, because he can’t play Re1 later after the e-file opens up.
Man… why?? Now Kramnik will post his Knight on e5 and command a very nice square. Maybe Anand is trying to activate his white bishop and block the g8/g7 rook/black bishop.
Anand is in a better position
Qf4 is the best choice as per Rybka
why anand didn’t play Qf4 in first place instead of Qg3…its a loss of tempo…
16. Qf4 Be6 17. Td1 and now maybe 17. … 0-0-0 +=.
Nb4 looks interesting to mee what you guy’s say about it?
As i told before , the black king in the centre is asking for trouble ; can become a problem any moment.
what’s the time left for both players
and fritz, hiarc,rybak ’s assessment of the players now.
Popuscu: Just a humble programmer slaving away in India. But still much safer than being in the US
an amusing possibility of draw by repitition
16.Qf4 Nb4 17.Rd4 Nc6 18.Rd5 Nb4 19.Rd4
otherwise Kramnik would play Qe5 centralising again his queen
Had Anand played 16. Qh4, there was an interesting line: 16 … Be6; 17. Bd3! , now black can’t play Bxd5 due to Re1. Now, white threatens exf5.
Willem why 17.Rd1, why not R x d6 stopping 0-0-0 and then Rd1 if necessary?
It’s the first time in the match to watch Kramnik playing so horribly positionally
Bd3 now?
to MG42,
your Idea will allow Kramnik to retain his dangerous e4 pawn by playing f6-f5
Anand is clearly better after Kd6+.
I don’t believe Kramnik can win that.
But he has to win!
The f5 pawn is poisoned…and Be6 is coming
Popuscu, I see what you mean. You are correct. Not looking very good for Kramnik. His queen-side seems much weaker now. No counterplay on the king-side. He needs to do something with that dead bishop on g7.
to MG42 (I continue my previous remark):
if Rxd6 you should consider the pseudo sacrfice …Bh6
Anand should be careful now, lot many possibilities will cause problems sometimes. Bd39suggested by MG42) is best it appears. Eager to see comments of Mr Ali & Poposcu
Black is trying to free his game and now he is left with horrible weaknesses and a bad king. Anand is most probably going to win this.
Why damn hell did Anand play Sc8: ?
I don’t understand 19. N x c8. Exchanging a strong knight for an undeveloped piece, and also bringing the rook into a semi-open file, ready for an attack on the king. I thought N x f5 was better
At the same time Black’s Bishop, Queen & Rook at c8 are waiting like hawks
Anand is playing the right moves its advantage Anand
in place of Kb1 Bc4 was interesing
Oh, crap… Kramnik can’t win this any more, white is just clearly better, well not winning perhaps, but better. The best is a draw for black I guess…
Thanks Popuscu. Good point. I’m just a beginner, so I don’t think deep.
They are playing very fast now. What is the time for each? Why did Anand prefer Kb1 to Bd3?
17….f5? was a blunder
17…Be6!? was way better try to keep his Bishop in the game
light Bishop was a good attacking (a2-g8) and defencing piece
Kramnik is lost..Bd3 and Qf5 or Rf5 is curtains…Where is black’s counterplay?
Okay, but he is still a lot better.
Now at the 20th move the tension has dramatically diminushed.
Thanks Vijayendra is there any chapati???
maybe c3 and then Bd3-Rf5 and Rf1 slaughtering the poor black king on f8!!
If he had Kc1 then he could have bought the Rd1 and chased away the queen. The black queen does not seem to have a nice spot on the board.
At the best kramnik can hope for a draw ; with some forced exchanges with Nc1 Qb4, Nd3 Qxf4, Nxf4.
i am correct to say that kramnik will not castle, now black has penetrated to whites territory
to MG42,
you can follow the game with the clock monitoring here :
http://87.230.38.144/apache2-default/toma/tfd_neu.htm
Sure welcome to India. How do you manage to tell long variations. Small tactic problems are ok for me but not positional stuff. Kramnik played Qe1+ whats your comment?
Continuing the same idea I had, Anand needs g3 to free his back rank pieces and bring out the heavy weapons (Rook) into action.
and now the threat is Rf5 and if Nd8 Bc4 and Qd6+ +-!!
Kramnik has a lor of problems right here.
Perhaps he can still draw if he plays perfect moves.
I don’t believe anybody can win such a position against a beast like Anand.
How to defend against Nb5? It shouldn’t be OK, because Rybka says +046 and 21… Qb4 22. Nd3 Qxf4 23. Nxf4 Be5 24. Nd3
But I don’t understand. Anyone, some help?
sorry, Nb4
Bye Bye Kramnik!!nice to watch you play!!
to robinson,
Ok you got right.
But at the middle game there were many planes: some of them requires casteling even (long or short) and some of them does not require casteling…
Look, Kramnik’s king is slightly out of danger because he is a dark square and anand has got just the light square bishop.
this is a familiar position (sicilian najdorf) for kramnik. three of white pieces are tied down. black can play Ne7 then Be5 or Qd1 with target square c2 and b2. (liporov)
Polgar says Ne7, but why not a more aggressive Nb4?
Qd2! Now after the forced exchange white will press to win the endgame without risk.
Why does Anand offer the exchange of queens?
kramnik would have better playing Qb4 , now white has a good advantage of 0.62 with Qd2
robinson(Saudi Arabia)
Ne7 is correct. now what kranmik plan is to fully utilize his pieces at the maximum
pressure he can give to anand. frowrd the two pawns at the a and b file.
“Why does Anand offer the exchange of queens?”
Not offer, but force (otherwise checkmate). I think exchange to simplify and go for draw at the minimum instead of complicated position where one mistake can lose the game as they are both short of time.
24. … Le3 and 25. … f4=
to MG42 21. …Nb4 is a very big blunder:
21. … Nb4? 22.Be2! Qxh1 23.Qxb4+ Ke8
The Black king will be matted in the center, the Black queen is out of play on h1.
isn’t this a draw?
now this time kramnik can bring his king closer to the center at this situation of ending …knght (black) vs bishop(white)
Kramnik is worse now, maybe he will offer a draw considering the match situation.
Wasn’t 22. Qc7 a win for Anand – or have I missed something?
Draw. It’s all over now !!!
Anand remains world champ! Congrats!
Wasn’t 22.Qc7 a win for Anand – or have I missed something?
ANAND THE MAN!!!!!
Hail the Champion!
Suneet
http://www.suneetsmausil.com/chess.htm
wow! Anand is the WC !!
Yoo Hoo! We r d champions! Way to go Anand!!
Congrats Anand .
Not 22 Dc7, then Dxc1 and Lh6check
@MorpH
22. Dc7? Lxb2! (or Lh6 or Dxc1) -+
It’s all over, Well Played Kramnik, Make way for the king (Anand). Long live the King.
Regards.
Satish(Poland)
congrats, Vishy. I knew you’d crush him today.
Beautiful win!
Hail Anand!!! The 15th World Champion!!!!
congratulations ANAND
Congrats, Anand!!
It’s all over, Well Played Kramnik, Make way for the King(Anand). Long live the King.
Regards,
Satish
Poland
Congratulations Anand. Also compliments for Kramnik. Was an exciting match.
kudoes to vishy anand on his becoming WCC yet again! but kramnik’s opting for a draw is premature. sure, his pawn structure is shattered . still, his pieces are better placed and offer multiple options……. to support the Bishop, f4, pawn moves like b5, connecting the rooks on the c file…… there are jut too many options remaining…
may be the time and psychological factors made kramnik to go for a draw!
Wasn?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t 22.Qc7 a win for Anand – or have I missed something?
Certainly Not ..Be5 and black gets the upper hand with the rook exchanage and the second rook becomes free
congratulations !viswanathan anand .the world chess champion.
Congrats Vishy!! Great win….now the undisputed WC!!!
So it is a draw and Anand retains his title! Congrats Anand.
HI ANAND YOU HAVE SLIGHT ADVANTAGE IF U CONTINUE SURE YOU WILL WIN
ANY WAY U R A PROUD OF INDIA
Great Great win by Viswanathan Anand. I am Very happy for him and very happy to be an Indian.
Vishy joins the line of Wilhelm!!!!!!
Congrats to Anand who has proved that he is the best human player on the planet. Now there only remains Rybka! Anyone for arranging a match?
“but kramnik?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s opting for a draw is premature. sure, his pawn structure is shattered . still, his pieces are better placed and offer multiple options?¢‚Ǩ¬¶?¢‚Ǩ¬¶. to support the Bishop, f4, pawn moves like b5, connecting the rooks on the c file?¢‚Ǩ¬¶?¢‚Ǩ¬¶ there are jut too many options remaining?¢‚Ǩ¬¶”
The problem with Black’s position in terms of playing for a win is he has no way to create a passed pawn. White can eventually force a queenside passer, but Black’s kingside majority, even if he can avoid losing one of those weak pawns, will never give him a passed pawn if White doesn’t allow it. With bishops of opposite colors, no passed pawn in the offing, and limited material, how do you play for the win?
Yes, Black has better piece activity, but with queens off the board this isn’t too serious, especially since White can simply target his weak pawns to slow him down while White develops. If Black plays f4, he probably will lose this pawn eventually.
Against a 2600 Kramnik might have had some slight shot at a win; against Vishy, it would have been sheer impudence to try.
Congratulations Anand. It’s a great win against a tough opponent. Kramnik got his game going in the end, but you prevailed. That’s is stuff champions are made of.
Unfortunately, Rybka would crush Vishy…humankind is frail.
I would be grateful if someone offers a sound line againt 20…Nb4 (instead of 20…Qe1). I see only 20. Rf5 Nc2.
Thanks,
JCO
CORRECTION
I would be grateful if someone offers a sound line againt 20?¢‚Ǩ¬¶Nb4 (instead of 20?¢‚Ǩ¬¶Qe1). I see only 21. Rf5 Nc2.
Thanks,
JCO
Well well! All the talks about Kramnik being a better match player and Vishy only being a tournament player, Kramnik ‘loaning’ the title to Vishy,etc. Thanks very much Vishy for those wonderful games. You have unified the titles and put an end to all question marks despite the unfaireness of FIDE on you. Well done.
Personaly, I was supporting Anand. I always have been for the last few years. But sincerely, I do salute Kramnik for his sportmanship, the way he has respected his opponent during this match or the conferences and his courage, playing the Najdorf in the last game.
kramnik should not play for another championship.. others deserve a chance too…
20?¢‚Ǩ¬¶Nb4 21. Rf5 Nc2 22.Rc5!
JCO
At this point, I do wish it was a 24-game match like in the days of old…not because Kramnik lost, I would be perfectly happy with him losing in 24 (23, 22, 21) games…it’s just that after looking like a one-sided rout, this turned out to be a really good match. It’s sad to see it end…I would love to see it develop — okay, Anand’s got the lead, but Kramnik is looking much better in the last few games than he did earlier, and we’ll see how it goes for another twelve games…and also see more of the players’ opening theory get used over the board…etc. It’s a shame. That doesn’t mean Anand didn’t earn the title…he certainly did, and CONGRATULATIONS to him!!! He’s a great player and a great guy, and certainly joins the zodiac of all-time greats now, no ifs, ands, or buts.
Finally India tells the world thru Vishy that from now on it also gets counted among the world’s top brain powers…Vishy not only beat Kramnik but also the odds,FIDE,Russians,prejudices,bias,cheatings,insults etc. etc. singlehandedly….his win is greater in character than Bobby Fischer’s in 1972…though Bobby remains the King of all time..
Congrats to Anand! I rooted for Kramnik, but it was a great match by two great champions! Now that Anand is 15th World Champion, I just hope he won’t throw the title away in a tournament, and insist he can only lose his title in a match.
Anand has been sponsored by AMD http://www.amd.com
I don’t know if AMD has provided Anand with computer resources,
but my guess is that they have. In hat case Anand could have had
access to 1000 computers somewhere via the Internet, running
Rybka engines on each computer. He could then send hundreds
of thousands of lines from a big database with games for the super
computer cluster to analyse for him. Then over a period of several
months Anand would only have to memorize all this computer
analysis. It seems reasonable that this indeed happend.
Kramnik on the other hand probably only had a few computers to
work with in his home.
I think that as Bobby Fischer put it “The old [classical] chess is dead,
its played out”. See, Anand had a novelty in so many lines that he
must have prepared many many thousands of lines and to do that
you need workhorse computer power and AMD has probably provided
that. A big hall with hundreds or thousands of computers devoted to
Anands preparation for the match.
I want to see the top players play a real world chess championship
with thease rules:
(1) FISCHERANDOM CHESS (CHESS 960) – Who is creative and more
skilled at chess will win, not who has memorized most lines which anyway
is just the computers work!
(2) FISCHER CLOCK – not an old fashion clock where you can have a
won position but screw it up in time trouble. The meaning of the clock
is not understood if using the old type of clock. The Fischer Clock is
superior.
(3) First to win a number of games, say 10 or so, and draws not counting.
This match was too short. Kramnik recovered well at the end if the match
had been 14 or 16 games it could have ended differently that is for sure.
I mean 12 games is way too short and that was my oppinion before the match
started.
@Andreas,
Why not make them play “Go” to decide the most creative world champion, as that would take out any remnants of chess knowledge.
What is the Fisher clock?
one thing is sure now that kramnik has to accept that anand is the world champion.
he was needed to understand that, and anand proved this. rest is fine, although anand was better in this game 11, but ok…
Anand is a great player – congratulations to the 15th World Champion (Anand in the Moscow Chess Club!).
Kramnik showed his fantastic chess capability in the last 3 games and we should be happy to have witnessed game 10 – a true classic.
Congrats!! chess superstar Vishy Anand
@dev: There is no shred of a doubt that Kramnik recognizes Anand as the undisputed World Champion. Kramnik was very humble and sportsman at the press conference. A very classy attitude in losing a match. Anand certainly taught Kramnik a chess and strategy lesson in this match; but Kramnik himself indirectly taught Topalov a sportsmanship lesson.
Oh Shut Up Andreas ,
You seem to act like the Fox channel in the USA, if not worse. You make a hypothesis with ifs and buts, and then go on to unethically smear dirt on one party.
Ask the same questions to both the parties.
otherwise classy match. How do you not know that kramink is not assisted unethically or illeaglly either by computers or the Russian chess mafia?
How dot you know that he did not have several more computers than Anand?
Let us not be stupid and idiotic in our comments, which will reflect poorly on us, because they are false alelgations just to smear some one.
Do not lose your credibility.
congrats Anand for retaining the world chess crown and achieving a unique feat of becoming world champion on 3 occasions under three different formats i.e 2ooo-Teheran/New Delhi-knockout,2007-Mexico-tournament,now 2008-Germany-match format with Kramnik. Also congrats for making INDIA feel proud. I feel he will have even a greater reception than on the previous occasions on coming back to INDIA.
But I agree with Andreas that the Fischer random chess and chess clock should be tried and made more popuplar before coming to any conclusions about it.
congratulations to both the winner and the runner up.
Good fighting games. Glad to see Anand not backing down on the challenge of sharp lines and going for it even in game 11.
Well deserved win for Kramnik in game 10.
Wells done sponsors and thank you for bringing us great match.
Evonik & Gazprom thank you. amd Bonn too..
congrats Vishy Anand for retaining the world chess crown
Thank you Anand for removing this stone of the way!
Goodbye Kramnik , and dont go loaning things around anymore!
@Andreas
Well, let’s assume AMD supported Anand with the biggest server cluster ever built: Who cares?
Times have changed. A few years before, the players had big teams of top-chess players to do what computers can today. Or do you really believe Kasparov validated a single line himself?
Thanks should also go to the beautiful ladies of Evonik and Gazprom, who were standing behind Anand and Kramnik at each Press conference!
Except for the first couple of games from Vishy I really wasn’t impressed by the playing…..With all the preparations with the computers there is not much fighting on the board. Besides 12 games really is not enough, I like it better wit h 24 games.
Manu – You are an idiot.
@robert “Except for the first couple of games from Vishy I really wasn?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t impressed by the playing?¢‚Ǩ¬¶”
Oh I did not know that they were playing to impress you. May be next time, you can let them know before.
“there is not much fighting on the board”
You are right, chess should be abandoned.
“I like it better with 24 games.”.
Again, how unfortunate the organizers did not respect your feelings and made it 12 games. I am sorry.
to Andreas :
how can someone possibly learn and remember ”hundreds of thousands of lines”?
Congrats Anand, I was in Airport and shook hand with Anand, when he came after wining 2007 – Hope this year too I can make it.
All you folks who are for 24 (or so) matches:
There will always be some argument for and against 12 or 24 matches. The cons of 24 matches would be that the players may get exhasuted and stamina may be the deciding factor (as opposed to pure chess skills).
“Thanks should also go to the beautiful ladies of Evonik and Gazprom, who were standing behind Anand and Kramnik at each Press conference!”
Yes, without them, the chess would have played at a low patzer level.
Okay, okay, I enjoyed looking at them too!
“The cons of 24 matches would be that the players may get exhasuted and stamina may be the deciding factor (as opposed to pure chess skills).”
How about ten games, then a week or two off, then another ten games, possibly in a different city? This would make for a respectable 20 games without being too grueling, plus a possibility to let more people see the match.
Congratulations to Anand. He deserved to hold the title.
Sure it would be a different stories if it is 14 or 16 games math while 24 games are too much.
Kramnik did show his great courage and sportsmanship during the match. It is very inspiring.
Thanks for this site and I am waiting for the reports from Chess Olympiad.
Semipatz wrote:
“How about ten games, then a week or two off, then another ten games, possibly in a different city? This would make for a respectable 20 games without being too grueling, plus a possibility to let more people see the match.”
YES !! Please FIDE and Global Chess, read this and remember an exciting match like K-K in New York/Lyon (1990).
Guillaume wrote:
?¢‚Ǩ?ìCongrats to Anand! I rooted for Kramnik, but it was a great match by two great champions! Now that Anand is 15th World Champion, I just hope he won?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t throw the title away in a tournament, and insist he can only lose his title in a match.?¢‚Ǩ?
I cannot agree more, Guillaume. Let?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s hope Vishy enjoys this beautiful victory,
and let?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s wish him great success at defending his title, first against Kamsky or Topalov, and quite possibly against Magnus Carlsen later on. I would like to add that matches of 16, 20 or even 24 games would be more interesting, that the decision by sudden death needs to be abolished (fortunately Vishy spared us from this scenario in Bonn) and that time controls in classic chess should not be further reduced, although separate blitz and rapid world championships would be quite nice.
Vladimir, thank you for giving it your best, being a true sportsman and offering us a 10th game which I guess will be shown to many future chess players. I wish you many more years at the top (it?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s such a pleasure to enjoy and learn from your games), and above all lots of happiness in your personal life !
@Varish- Like I said before both are great players but when you compare them to the matches Karpov-Kasparov or Fischer- Spasski I liked those matches AND the playing more. However since the introduction of computers players have become too dependant on them and I just don’t like that.
One more proposal: how about next time the champion and the challenger both donate 10-15% of their prize money to the organizers so that all spectators can enter for free and all internauts can listen to Foidos live comments for free ? That would make chess even more popular around the world.
@Mark:
wow, that is a novel idea. I certainly support it.
Every match in world championship history has had the same winner after 16 games as after 24 games, so 16 is quite enough.
Good idea Mark!
Congrats Anand!!
I share your enthusiasm. All the same,my guess is that the best thing wuould be for them to play 14 to 16 games rather than 12, let alone even less than that.
@Rubinstein>
There is no need to be rude.
You don’t have to agree with me, everyone has an opinion .Lets keep this sofisticated… dont u think?
The Evonik girls in the back (but very present) seem to be a bit outplaced in a worldchampionshipmatch. Why is this..i would just die standing there …seems humilating. (This contribution was made by my girlfriend.. not me) but even i get her point! Were where the Chippendales when Alexandra got her title?
Semipatz, I like your idea of 10 + 10.
I have to say that this was a great match. Both players displayed quality chess despite the errors/blunders (which are bound to happen). Also, both players showed good professionalism and did not find any lame excuses for their (game) defeats. All in all, a very enjoyable experience (especially when compared to Topalov-Kramnik match).
Congrats to Anand! To beat Kramnik three times in a match of only 12 games is amazing!
Congrats to Kramnik for a sublime win in game 10 and for being such a good sportsman and gracious in defeat!
Future WCC matches should be match-play only and I support them being over 16 games.
Peace.
I feel, 12 games in a WC match is just fine.
Remember – in the Anand-Kasparov match (20 games) the first 8 games ended in draws and the real action began when only 12 games were remaining! I feel if the number of games in a WC match is 10 or above, then it’s good enough.
Anand would have won a 16-game match as well. No question. If you extend the match you would have lots more draws anyway.
I’m glad Anand retained his title. Now more people in diverse nations will take up chess. People talk about the “Fischer Boom,” (global) but there has also been an “Anand Boom” (primarily in India) and this may be a second (hopefully global).
Congratulation Vsiwanathan Anand! Congratulations India!
“Remember – in the Anand-Kasparov match (20 games) the first 8 games ended in draws and the real action began when only 12 games were remaining! I feel if the number of games in a WC match is 10 or above, then it?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s good enough.”
Yeah, and if that match had been scheduled for 10 games, it would have been all draws until the last two. Is that the way a world championship should be decided?
@Paul – I agree completely with you. You would find many popular games where they have Cheerleading team , mostly girls ( not fully dressed ) to make it attractive.
But I think it is not part of the sports . I think It is just to attract people who are not probably interested in game.
I agree that it is humiliating for them. I would say lack of sense for the sponsors.
anyway….great work by Vishy …..congrats …. and thanks to Kramnik….who showed the world how to accept defeat with grace ……he tried his best but his opponent was better than him during this match ………
Toplalov and his followers should get a lesson ………..
Some people never learns the right thing though…….
I fully support the Evonik-Gasprom girls. Anyone who feels otherwise can go jump in a lake.
I strongly feel & forecast that Vi
shy Anand will get the Chess Oscar for the year 2008.
Place 4930 colarado springs (USA)
Wow…this is a really good day if you live in India, or Philadelphia.
“Yeah, and if that match had been scheduled for 10 games, it would have been all draws until the last two. Is that the way a world championship should be decided?”
Well, the fact is there were so many draws in Anand-Kasparov in the first half mainly because they were preserving their stamina and not taking too many risks.
All 16 games can be draws in a 16 games match – then what? 10 or 12 games are a lot and should be enough to decide a championship – be realistic.. You don’t have other sports where the final is 10 or more games. Also, by your logic, why stop at 16 or 24 and not go on for ever so that each one of them gets enough chance to get back? We need to be realistic in terms of organization too.
“Well, the fact is there were so many draws in Anand-Kasparov in the first half mainly because they were preserving their stamina and not taking too many risks.”
How do you know? If there are draws in the first half, people say that. If there are draws in the second half, people say they were too tired to take risks. In the end, those things may be factors, but it mainly comes down to the chess. The logic of positions sometimes drives games to draws. Sometimes there is lots of fighting chess but mostly draws (e.g., Lasker-Schlechter).
“You don?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t have other sports where the final is 10 or more games.”
Fine, but it’s not how many games, it’s how many DECISIVE games. Many sports require 4 wins to win the final…at least, in the U.S. this is common. Well, I don’t have a problem with a chess championship format if there’s enough time for the winner to win at least 4 (5 or 6 would be nice).
Here’s a statistic for you. In all the World Championship Matches between World War II and Kramnik, 1951 to 1995, the winner won from 4 to 7 games, except one…the 1961 Tal-Botvinnik match, a slugfest where Botvinnik won 10-5 with only 6 draws. The four classical championships involving Kramnik have been 2-0, 2-2, 3-2 (not counting forfeit and tiebreaks), and now 3-1.
Draws may sometimes be great chess, but one thing they never do is sort out who’s the better player. Only wins can do that. Judged by number of wins, the last four WC matches — scheduled for 16, 14, 12, and 12 games, respectively — have produced a grand total of 15 decisive games, 10 for the winners, 5 for the losers. That’s enough for two matches…very flimsy for four. How do we know the best players really won, in ANY of them? There’s too much random variation in such a small number of games.
Besides, what could be better than a long, satisfying match between two titans? It take many years of tournament encounters to produce so many games between any two players as a 20-24 game match. Having the highest possible stakes only makes it more delicious.
Peter- Great coverage of this championship. As usual nothing but the best from you. This site is truly something special. I love it but my chess days are winding down. Besides being a lackluster player it takes up too much of my time but thanks for this site. It is magnificent. Keep up the great work!!
Related to semipatz’s statement:
There’s no perfect formula for a world championship match. The reason FIDE went to a limited number of games match (instead of having to win a certain number of games) was because of the first Karpov-Kasparov match. A player had to win 6 games to win, and the match went on and on, and lasted over 40 games and was abruptly stopped (obviously with controversy) with no winner decided. The format was then changed to a 24 game match.
Personally, I think 16 games would be sufficient.
Semipatz,
We cannot say that the best player won in any WC matches so far. One thing is certain – the player who was in the best form and displayed the best chess for that duration (of games) – won. It would be absurd to say that luck can be a factor in ten or twelve games. Anand was in the best form for this duration of 12 (or 11 rather) games and Kramnik was not. As simple as that. Same logic can be applied for Anand-Kasparov and other WC matches. As long as both players know in advance how many games are going to be played, it is fair. I can argue that 24 games is not fair in a case (for example) when A wins 5 games in the first 11 and B wins only 4 in the next 11 games. I can then argue that 30 games should be played and so on. There is no limit to this argument. Where do you draw the line? Your other suggestion that n wins is needed for WC has a possibility that the match goes on for ever (as was witnessed in Karpov-Kasparov). Also, a long match can pose many challenges (in terms of organization, sustaining interest in the match, etc.) which can hurt (rather than help) chess in the long run.
“Anand is also the new world?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s number one on the live rating list, he shares a virtual rating of 2791 with Topalov but tops the list because of actually having played games in this period.”
I don’t agree. Anand is second in the live rating list. You can’t round up the number as FIDE does, i.e. you can’t use FIDE rules in Mr. Runde’s list calculations. The latter has its own rules. Take it or leave it.
Semipatz,
We all know that WC is not just the moves that we see – it is much beyond that. Both players know in advance how many games are going to be played. Knowing that, they both come up with a strategy (together with their seconds). In this case Kramnik’s strategy did not work but when he played Kasparov, it worked wonders (with his famous Berlin defence). In that light, Anand is a worthy champion in this WC and Kramnik was a worthy champion in 2000.
There is never going to be a perfect scenario. Given that, it is just amazing that Anand as won three different formats.
The future is bright at this point , the next matches are going to be really exciting .
We now have a champion who is not afraid of any person or format, Anand wont hide behind his crown like Kramnik did.
I hope he gets the chess oscar this year.
The World Cup format needs to be changed
Step One = Start – League format , the top say 12 are decided
Step Two = Tournament round amongst the 12 players
Step Three = The top 4 are decided
Step Four = 3- Round tournament amongst the Top 4
Step Five = 10 match amongst the top 2
Step Six = Declare the winner
Then we should also have some other prizes / Titles – Creative / Dynamic / Safe …etc. Players
Surely such a format would drag the event, well Chess has limited sponsorship unlike Tennis, or the event can be spread into 2 or 3 sub-events….
Congratulations to Anand, congratulations to India! Anand was better in this match (said by one who actually watched the last game with with black pieces on the bottom).
Can we please drop this silly “undisputed” and simply talk about World Champion? It feels like referring to a delicious meal as “unrotten food”.
Well, jussu, it’s admirable that one day after the match you don’t want to see “undisputed” anymore, but I guess we have to keep on using it until everybody else also realizes that there really is no other champion!?
@Amos
Thanks!
Congratulations to Anand YES YES! (;))!
Kramnik and Anand are both great sportsman. We are lucky to focus on the games themselves and nothing off the board!!!
sreeram
your idea is too complicated
let’s use fide elo to get the 8 or 10 players who will determine the next challenger
Let those 10 play a round robin tournament.18 games in a month is acceptable
I am very happy Anand is worldchampion.
I agree with dirtboy, pwells, and semipatz that there can be no perfect formula for finding the “most deserving” winner. If I have one week to finish a hard project, I will toil hard every day of the week. But if I have six months to do the same project, I will most certainly not have the same level of intensity, but basically much of my energies would be expended towards the last couple of weeks. This is esential human nature. Chess players are no different. In a longer match, they will use the first several games to “feel each other” out. This tends to encourage a lot more draws than a shorter match. My basic point is that a champion is one who can win no matter what the conditions are, because he has better chess playing abilities. In that regard, Anand has demonstrated this more than anyother world champion before him, since he has one blitz championships, rapid championships, knock-out WC, and now, a classical format WC. One can’ ask for a more deserving champio. So, let us all give it up and hail the king!
Kasparov: “This result ends the illusion that Kramnik is a great match player. London was a unique occurrence and I still stand with Leonid Yudasin as the only players Kramnik has ever beaten in a match!”
I’m very disappointed by Kasparov’s comments. I don’t quite understand why Kasparov keeps insisting on being remembered in history as the only World Champion to be defeated by a nobody.
I was rooting for Kasparov in 2000. I want to remember him as the greatest of all champions, who only lost his title in a match against the great Kramnik!
I don’t think it would be fair either to remember Anand as the only World Champion who got his title by beating a nobody. Anand should be remembered as the worthy champion that took his title from the great Kramnik. He should be very proud of this achievement. I’m sure he is.
I thought Kramnik was teaching Topalov a sportsmanship lesson by being so gracious and humble in defeat. Now I wish Kasparov could learn from that lesson too.
Congrats Anand and Vladimir for great matches.
Vladimir wish to see you in many more world championship matches.
I just looked at the final press conference. I can’t describe in words how impressed I was with Kramnik’s response. Eventhough I am a die-hard Anand fan, I have developed immense respect for Kramnik. I wish him a wonderful post-match career. What humility in saying that Anand taught him a great lesson and that he would go on to improve his chess based on this experience. I would really like to see a more agressive Kramnik, playing for wins and creating wonderfully creative chess like Kasaparov used to do.
I must also say that I’m impressed with Kramnik’s sportsmanship. I have known Anand to be a gentleman for a long time, but didn’t know how Kramnik would react.
In the Kasparov-Kramnik match, I was rooting for Kramnik as I wanted change. I still believe Kasparov to be the best player in the world, combining Kramnik’s solidity with Topalov’s aggressiveness, but I was rooting for the underdog. So I was happy to see Kramnik win that match. But ever since then, it did appear he was dodging Kasparov consistently, and so while I think Kramnik is a great player, I lost some respect for him.
I hope now that the chess world is considered fully unified, and congratulations to world champion Anand and to Kramnik for a great match!
“Your other suggestion that n wins is needed for WC has a possibility that the match goes on for ever (as was witnessed in Karpov-Kasparov). Also, a long match can pose many challenges (in terms of organization, sustaining interest in the match, etc.) which can hurt (rather than help) chess in the long run.”
I’m not suggesting a match where you are actually required to win a certain number of games and draws don’t count, merely one where the number of games played (say, 20) is enough that it is LIKELY that the winner wins a reasonable number of games. Even ultra-drawish Petrosian won 5 and 4 games respectively in the two WC matches he won, because they were out of 24.
Of course the proper length has something arbitrary about it…that’s true of anything. Naturally we could argue over the right number, but by your reasoning, why not shorten the match to 6 games or less? Just because something is arbitrary doesn?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t mean you can?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t arrive at a reasonable compromise. Mine is similar to what prevailed in chess for decades. Prior to 1995, almost all of the WC matches had been out of 24 or 30 games, or they required 6, 8, or even (in the early days) 10 wins (Lasker-Schlechter was an exception, but only because part of the match fell through).
I doubt many people in North America would be happy if the World Series were best of 3 or best of 5. It’s okay if it ends in 5 (as it just did), but you still have to win four to prove you?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢re the champs. It’s a question of taking a championship seriously enough to demand a steep climb to the top.
In terms of sustaining interest, I don’t recall this as having been a problem in the days of the long WC matches…quite the contrary. The hard thing is getting enough interest in candidate’s matches or tournaments. Once you actually have a head-to-head, king of the hill championship match, it’s very easy to keep people riveted.
“sreeram_srinivas on 30 October 2008 7:51 AM
The World Cup format needs to be changed
…
Step Four = 3- Round tournament amongst the Top 4″
If you mean a triple round robin, that would be a 9-game tournament, with some players getting White more than others…rather strange.
How about this instead: have two 13-player, 12-round Candidates Qualifier round robins, with the top two from each advancing to a Candidates Tournament, which would be a 12-round quadruple round robin. The winner of this gets to challenge the World Champion for the title. The only role of the World Cup is that the top 8 (all the quarterfinalists) get seeded into the Candidates Qualifiers, along with the strongest under-18 player, the strongest woman, and the 16 highest rated players (other than the World Champion and the ones who qualify another way).
The nice thing about this is you get four of the best players in the world in the Candidates Tournament playing four games against each opponent…usually you have to wait a long time to see just one or two such “heavy matchups” that everyone eagerly anticipates.
“Just because something is arbitrary doesn?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t mean you can?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t arrive at a reasonable compromise. Mine is similar to what prevailed in chess for decades. Prior to 1995, almost all of the WC matches had been out of 24 or 30 games, or they required 6, 8, or even (in the early days) 10 wins (Lasker-Schlechter was an exception, but only because part of the match fell through).”
Just because longer matches were played in the older WC matches does not mean that those lengths are/were right. We need to think what looks practical and interesting. Kramnik and Anand mentioned in the press conference after the final game that 14 and 12 games (repectively) are good for WC. That looks like a reasonable compromise (on the length) to me. I know it will not look good for you and this debate will go on
Well, personally, I suspect Kramnik mostly wants the matches to be shortly because of his arthritis condition. It’s hard for him to sit for long periods, game after game. Anand has said in the past he actually prefers a tournament to decide the WC. I hope there aren’t too many takers on that.
oops, “short,” not “shortly”
A humble person is always humble.
Kramnik was very arrogant when winning , so i find it hard to believe this new super humble act.
I was thinking 16 games sounded like a nice, (binary) round, number. But if they think 12 or 14 games is sufficient, that’s fine, too. Maybe FIDE should survey the top ten players for input on this, since they are the ones who may become involved.
Kramnik’s “you can only control the quality of your preparation, but not the results” sounds very “Gita-ish”. I believe that such a philosophical, yet pragmatic, outlook has been the main reason for Anand’s even-keeled personality and for his remarkably consistent success for nearly two decades. Although, given the debacle, I am not sure about the quality of Kramnik’s preparation.
On one or two occasions I saw Kramnik playing blitz and I heard people saying K was a natural tactician who was forcing himself into positional manner of playing after the example of Dr Euwe.
I trust Kramnik’s humblest statement post Championship that he has to concentrate more on his skills is his own statement……. I had been critical of his earlier “lent Anand the Championship_2007″, the current makes Kramnik a much more mellowed and matured person. My respect grows for him !!
On Semipatz – WC tournament format….agree …..good to have few young and old faces and top four competing against each other… gives even chances to all players….. hope one day this wisdom dawns on FIDE…… Tongue in cheek…We will not claim any “copyright” on our original WC format ideas !!??!!
Anand is not current number one in the virtual rating list .The first position in both rankings (official & virtual) goes again for Topalov.
With the rule of FIDE, Anand is Number One
I mean:
if we publish the results of the virtual rating list right now, Anand is Number One with the FIDE rule (number of games played)
@Val,
I don’t know any player who starts his career as a strategical genius. Fortunately Kramnik specialized in this kind of skill, otherwise how could he have dethroned Kasparov and how many brilliant & instructive games would we have missed ? (By the way, Kasparov also had to improve strategically before he could dethrone Karpov.)
When Kramnik said at the final press conference that his playing style might change in a notable way after the lessons he has learned in this match, this doesn’t necessarily mean that he will become a tactician again. I suppose part of the change could consist in taking a bit more risks in the opening in order to improve his winning percentage. Already before the match he hinted at this when being asked about his opening strategy of playing for equality as Black. At that time he said that since 2000 he had been playing a series of matches, where it isn’t necessary to try and win as Black. However, Anand has now shown him that even in a match it is very risky to put all of your hopes in the white pieces.
@Lionaille,
That would be in case Anand and Topalov shared the same virtual ELO , which is not the case.
Topalov is number one in the FIDE ratings and in the live ratings.
@Lionaille
I must remind you also that FIDE rules dont apply on live ratings .
You are reading the live rating as if you were FIDE , which i asume you are not.
I wonder why is so hard to accept that Topalov is the number one rated player.
@Manu
I don’t want to argue with you guy
I’ve just told you what I thought
Now if you absolutly want to say Topalov is the Number One
Up to you
The future will tell us…
I hope some day we’ll have a match (with at least 12 games) between Anand and Topy and then only we’ll know who is the best
Dont get me wrong , im not blind.Vishy IS our world champion.
But is fair to say the truth , and the truth is that Topalov is currently number 1 rated player on both lists.
I also hope that match takes place , but im not a fanatic , i will be very happy with Anand-Carlsen or Anand-Ivanchuk or Anand-Kasparov.
For now , lets enjoy our fearless champ.
@Mark. A profound and instructive comment, txs. .
“A difficult position for Kramnik to be in after 1.e4. Final games like this have their own logic, so you cannot compare it to his attempts to play the Sicilian in 2004. 12..f5 was suspect, not something I would have considered. That’s what can happen when you are in openings that aren’t yours. You want to play by instinct, but they are not used to these positions and this leads to poor decisions. After the Berlin and the Petroff, playing a Rauzer is a shock to the system. He looked very uncomfortable, but of course the match situation was close to impossible. The final position was unpleasant for Black, and this Kramnik understands.”
Match in general: “It was a very well-played match by Vishy. Except for the loss of concentration in the tenth game he played consistently and managed to enforce his style. His choice to open with 1.d4 was excellent. He reached playable positions with life in them, so he could make Kramnik work at the board. Anand outprepared Kramnik completely. In this way it reminded me of my match with Kramnik in London 2000. Like I was then, Kramnik may have been very well prepared for this match, but we never saw it. I didn’t expect the Berlin and ended up fighting on Kramnik’s preferred terrain.
[In this match] Kramnik did not expect tough, sharp challenges with white, and this was the key for Anand. He kicked some sand in Kramnik’s face and hit Kramnik’s weakness: his conservative approach to the game itself. Suddenly Kramnik had to fight in these sharp positions and he wasn’t able to do it. This result ends the illusion that Kramnik is a great match player. London was a unique occurrence and I still stand with Leonid Yudasin as the only players Kramnik has ever beaten in a match! Kramnik now has some work to do. His overly-defensive play seems to represent a general decline in strength.
A great result for Anand and for chess. Vishy deserved the win in every way and I’m very happy for him. It will not be easy for the younger generation to push him aside.”
A competent judgement indeed though not without a shade of emotional
Okay, Topalov is #1 on the FIDE and Live lists. However — he is only 5 points ahead of #4 on the FIDE list and only 2.1 points ahead of #3 on the Live list. This is much more relevant than arguing over who is really #1. The fact is that Elo ratings have a margin of error and Topalov’s lead is well within it. So, let us not get obsessed over <6 point differences. The only thing we can conclude from either list is that it’s very close at the top and there are several players — Topalov, Anand, Morozevich, Ivanchuk, Carlsen — who are playing at about the same level lately.
This is why it’s good that there is a formal World Championship, to NOT be so obsessed over #1 in the ratings. Ratings #1 was mostly important during the schism when there wasn’t one champion. Now there is. Vishy stands atop the hill — let anyone who wishes to be called the best charge upon him there.
I haven’t heard much news about the Topalov-Kamsky match in the past few months…has it been cancelled?
Not oficially but something very diferent is happening.
I just read an interview with Anand where he says something like he is waiting for Kasparov…
Blow my mind , Anand is now in the top of my list of coolest guys in chess(or shared 1 with master Ivanchuk).
On the other hand if the Topalov Kamsky match dont take place theres going to be trouble.
In my utopic dream both matches should be posible.
I really hope that we will see the match of Anand agains Topalov. It will be a great spectacle and pleasure for the chess fans…