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World Championship: 7th game drawn

23 October 2008, 14.30 CET | Last modified: 12:13 | By Peter Doggers  | Filed under: Reports | Tags: , ,

Kramnik-Anand, Game 7Update: video added.
The second half of the Anand-Kramnik World Championship match has started with a draw in 37 moves. Playing the white pieces again, Anand got a slight advantage in an ending but by sacrificing a pawn Kramnik forced a liquidation to a drawn pawn ending. It’s 5-2 for Anand now.

Today Kramnik finally managed to surprise his opponent in the opening a little, but just a little. The Russian deviated from previous games already at move one, by going for 1…d5, but it didn’t really get him any closer to getting some winning chances; Anand just played too solid today. Perhaps even a bit too solid, because the Indian might have missed a study-like win in the ending today – as GM Erwin L’Ami informed us. It needs to be checked.

Yet again Kramnik’s team couldn’t convince us as far as the opening preparation is concerned: following the first rapid playoff game from his match against Topalov, he deviated with 15…Bg6 but just a few moves later he was looking at a position where White was just slightly better and not even close to getting into trouble. A Benoni or a Leningrad Dutch were suggestions I’ve seen online for getting practical chances with Black…

Realizing this wasn’t going to be his day, Kramnik accompanied his queen exchange with a draw offer, but there he actually overestimated his position: he had not yet fully equalized yet, as Anand showed in the next few moves. The challenger needed some accurate moves to prove that it was indeed a draw – and this time he did find them.

So now there are five games left, with three White games for Kramnik. It’s safe to say that tomorrow is the moment of truth: if he hadn’t retained his title yet, Anand will do it tomorrow if he doesn’t lose. A first win for Kramnik might unsettle the Indian to some extend, and who knows how he will react. Nobody really believes in Kramnik’s chances anymore (including Anatoli Karpov and Evgeny Bareev, who arrived in Bonn today) but if he wins tomorrow, anything can happen! As always, you’ll be able to watch the game live here at ChessVibes.

g7_01

The players are back on stage for the second half, which might not last six games

kramnik

Because the colours were changed, Vladimir Kramnik had to play with the black pieces again

anand

Following a game from the Topalov-Kramnik match, Anand got a slightly better ending?¢‚Ǩ¬¶

overview

...but went for "safety first" and decided to make if a comfortable draw

Here’s the 7th match game:



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?
5
Kramnik RUS 2772
?Ǭ?
?Ǭ?
0
?Ǭ?
0
0
?Ǭ?
2



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Links:

(Note that the comments below this article started during our live coverage of the game)


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Comments

125 Responses to “World Championship: 7th game drawn”

  1. Katata on October 23rd, 2008 14:58

    I have the pleasure to be the first person who poste a message today.

  2. Sander on October 23rd, 2008 15:07

    Hi Katata, because of the current standings, it seems there are only 2 spectators watching this game :-) )

  3. TrapArecev on October 23rd, 2008 15:11

    Nah Sander, it’s three, but that’s about it I guess…

  4. Vinayak on October 23rd, 2008 15:12

    Im an amateur…but i feel kramnik has the edge nw…

  5. suneet on October 23rd, 2008 15:19

    3rd one in!! :)

  6. suneet on October 23rd, 2008 15:19

    aah.. 5th 6th.. maybe 7th one in :)

  7. Sander on October 23rd, 2008 15:19

    Nice, this is 2 times played Topalov – Kramnik, WCC Elista

  8. Vinayak on October 23rd, 2008 15:20

    Anand is playing for a draw…..

  9. suneet on October 23rd, 2008 15:20

    kramnik has edge?!
    avoid weed today vinayak!
    just kidding ;) its about equal, I think anand will open his king side pawns!

    Suneet
    http://www.suneetsmausil.com/chess.htm

  10. Vinayak on October 23rd, 2008 15:21
  11. Sander on October 23rd, 2008 15:26

    This position also arised in the crazy 2nd match game Topalov-Kramnik when Topalov missed a mate in 2 and Kramnik eventually won.

  12. dev on October 23rd, 2008 15:29

    chessvibes’ game is not updating in my pc :-(

  13. Jonas on October 23rd, 2008 15:32

    I’m watching foidos and once again kramnik leaves the stage after evey move he made, one again Anand is siting there alone. Is it normal? Is it appropriate behaviour ? Now i see why Topalov complained about it, Kramniks behaviour is really weird.

  14. Katata on October 23rd, 2008 15:35

    17th move :any pawn break in the center would weaken Black’s position: 15)…f5 seems to be more sound than 15)…Bg6.

  15. Vinayak on October 23rd, 2008 15:39

    exchange of queens on the cards…

  16. Ash on October 23rd, 2008 15:39

    maybe Kramnik has a little pocket chess set in his trousers (like fischer) and is analyzing in the meantime ;-) )

  17. Ole on October 23rd, 2008 15:41

    I don’t like black position at all after Qxb4
    isn’t there a clear plan with b3 for white here?
    19.b3! idea simply Ba3 (covering f8) and then f4 Rf3- h3 and mate on h-file?
    of course this plan takes some time, but what can black do against it?

  18. Ash on October 23rd, 2008 15:45

    i also prefer white?Ǭ¥s side and the bishop on a3 is much more valuable than the poor knight searching for a place. maybe Kramnik will play b5 now and than after Ba3 Qa5

  19. Katata on October 23rd, 2008 15:46

    Dear jonas, at least Kramnik’s behaviour would distirb Anand.
    If you read Krougious Book: ”psychology in chess”, you feel that a phenomenal concentration is required, … even the player is not allowed to leave his chair!!! A bottle of water has been broken in some tournement and all the players where asking what heppened … only one player did not hear the noise of the broken bottle.
    Such hight degree of concentration is rare these days.

  20. Katata on October 23rd, 2008 15:47

    Ba3 would be answerd by Qc3!!!

  21. Ash on October 23rd, 2008 15:53

    Qc3 would lose the queen in my variation with the previous b5…

  22. suneet on October 23rd, 2008 15:59

    why chessvibes not updating… poor.

    chessdom was showing a totally different game with c4 :P

    game looks equal

    suneet
    http://www.suneetsmausil.com/chess.htm

  23. Andy on October 23rd, 2008 15:59

    Looks drawish already…

  24. Katata on October 23rd, 2008 16:09

    to Andy,
    f7-f6 would allow Black to creatye a pawn majority in the center … some technical effort is required by both players …
    Boby Fisher played absolutaly equal positions until move 100

  25. Bharat on October 23rd, 2008 16:11

    I dont understand some of these modern lines (a4?? for white) but after black takes the Knight, Bd3 looks like a total draw

  26. Bharat on October 23rd, 2008 16:11

    oops I meand Be3

  27. ajay on October 23rd, 2008 16:21

    Boys and girls, Kramnik is fighting…and that g5 sure looks interesting!

  28. Ash on October 23rd, 2008 16:23

    what do the engines say?

  29. Katata on October 23rd, 2008 16:24

    Now I guess that Kramnik can force a draw if he plays 24)..fxe5 ….. A great simplification of the position will happen …
    1/2-1/2

  30. Debashish on October 23rd, 2008 16:26

    why chessvibes is not updating?¢‚Ǩ¬¶ can anybody tell me where to get the live action??

  31. Katata on October 23rd, 2008 16:26

    Dear ash.
    My shredder says that the position is equal 0.08 to white and it prefers 24) …Ke7 (exactely what Kramnik played) than 24) … fxe5

  32. ajay on October 23rd, 2008 16:26

    I do not think Kramnik is aiming for a draw

  33. Katata on October 23rd, 2008 16:28

    To Debashish,
    the live action is here http://87.230.38.132/apache2-default/toma/tfd_neu.htm

  34. ajay on October 23rd, 2008 16:28

    Kg6! next

  35. Sander on October 23rd, 2008 16:32

    This is quiet, though strategical imbalanced position. The kind of position Kramnik likes, i guess. Still one of both players need a lot of effort to get winning chances..

  36. Katata on October 23rd, 2008 16:32

    Question.
    Why 25)Rc7 is not good ??? with the idea of doubling rooks.???

  37. dev on October 23rd, 2008 16:34

    fritz 10 says 25….b6

  38. val on October 23rd, 2008 16:35

    at last chessvibes resumed updating

  39. dev on October 23rd, 2008 16:36

    25)Rc7 would have lost the control over C file.

  40. Katata on October 23rd, 2008 16:38

    To Dev. Good. So you are not weak players I guess ..

  41. Ash on October 23rd, 2008 16:42

    i think Rc7 would lead to a bishop knight endgame after exchanging one pair of rooks and pinning the bishop to the rook…

    I cant say if this B vs N endgame is in favor of Kramnik or Anand. Engines should be asked ;-)

  42. Katata on October 23rd, 2008 16:45

    To Ajay … Bravo … Kramnik playeg 25)…Kg6

  43. RajeshV on October 23rd, 2008 16:46

    Rc7 would at least lose an exchange after RxC7; BxC7 Rc8; Rc1; Nb8 with idea of Na6; So, white wold lose the rook for the Knight – unless I’m missing something

  44. dev on October 23rd, 2008 16:49

    wow !
    the 2 kings are in action, trying hard to cover alternate sides !

  45. Ash on October 23rd, 2008 16:49

    the maneuver Rc3 and Ba5 or if b6 is played the white king can guard the rook in time

  46. RajeshV on October 23rd, 2008 16:51

    Ok, looks like I *did* miss something — Rc3 with the idea of Ba5; so, b6; then a5 etc… but yeah why would white play such a series of moves to get into a mess?

  47. Ole on October 23rd, 2008 16:53

    I just saw at the live webcam that Kramnik actually offered a draw(!) after Qxe3 (that’s also the reason, why Vishy spend app. 5 min for fxe3).

    I think this draw offer is (very close to) an insult in many ways.
    1.White is clearly better because of the very bad Nd7.
    2. Anand is white and Kramnik hasn’t solved all opening problems yet
    3. Kramnik is at -3 in the match and the last thing he should think about is making a fast draw
    4. the spectators who paid for this game (in Bonn as well as all over the world) deserve a full game and not a draw 3 moves after they left known theory!

    Thank God Vishy declined and just plays chess!!
    I really hope Kramnik loses today. Such a weird draw offer would drive me crazy if I was Anand!

  48. Ash on October 23rd, 2008 16:54

    it is not a mess but leads to B vs N endgame. All depends on the evaluation of this. The plan would be brilliant if B>>>N in this position.

  49. Katata on October 23rd, 2008 17:00

    To Ole, moreover the draw offer on move Qxe3 would be a big insult to Chess

  50. Ash on October 23rd, 2008 17:04

    i can understand kramnik. he needs much time to prepare sth to try to fight back with the white pieces. Anand can play on in a slightly better position – and even if it is only to not give kramnik this preparing time

  51. Ash on October 23rd, 2008 17:05

    Nc5 looks like threat to me. Does white have to prvent this by playing b4? What do the engines say?

  52. Sander on October 23rd, 2008 17:09

    Ole, I don’t think it’s a crime if Kramnik really offered a draw after Qxe3.
    The position isn’t clearly better for one of them, and a draw would suit both Anand, (leading 3+) and Kramnik (hoping for the next white game).

    But fortunately yes, Anand showed good sprit by refusing the offer!

  53. Mike on October 23rd, 2008 17:12

    After 10. e4, why not BxN and Nxe4?

  54. Ash on October 23rd, 2008 17:14

    Rc4 seems not completly clear to me. RxRc4 and the plan Kd2-c3-d4 and avoiding the black king to enter with Kf5 should be better for white IMHO

  55. Katata on October 23rd, 2008 17:15

    Shredder 11

    +?� (+0.30) 16/16 28.e4 (1/41) 211 kn/s
    To Ash My shredder sugges
    28.e4 Nc5 29.Bxc5 bxc5 30.exd5 exd5 31.Kd3 a5 32.g4 Rxe5 33.Rxc5 Rxc5
    +?� (+0.30) 1:45 15/33 SB:4

    28.Rfd1 Nc5 29.Bxc5 bxc5 30.Rc3 Rf8 31.Rdc1 Rb8 32.Rxc5 Rxb3 33.Rc6 Rb2+ 34.Kd3 Re8
    = (0.00) 2:32 15/37 SB:6

    28.b4 Rc4 29.Rxc4 dxc4 30.Kd2 a6 31.Kc3 b5 32.a5 Rh8 33.e4 Rh4 34.Kd4
    = (-0.01) 1:55 15/33 SB:4

    28.Kd2 Nc5 29.Bxc5 bxc5 30.e4 d4 31.Kd3 Rh8 32.Kc4 Rhd8 33.Rcd1 Rh8 34.Kb5 Rh4 35.Rc

  56. Ash on October 23rd, 2008 17:25

    thank you katata :-)

  57. Frits Fritschy on October 23rd, 2008 17:28

    @Katata
    Your variations are quite interesting but, alas, not possible. Check the position you fed on Shredder.

  58. Ash on October 23rd, 2008 17:31

    i think now …a6 32.b5 axb5 33.axb5 will happen where 33 …Nc5 is bad because of 34.Rxc4 and 35.BxNc5

    Do I miss sth?

  59. Sander on October 23rd, 2008 17:31

    It seems to me Anands position has improved substantially.
    E.g. 31. ..a6!? 32.b5! Than closing the position by 32. ..a5?! would mean pawn c4 becomes a serious target. And not playing 32. ..a5!? will open lines that are in favour of white.

  60. Frits Fritschy on October 23rd, 2008 17:31

    @Katata
    Deeply sorry,
    I’d better check the position myself.

  61. billy on October 23rd, 2008 17:32

    31.g4 =+ Anand is better his king is more active and his plan is to attack
    c4 if 31…a6 32.b5!? and then move his king to d4

  62. Bharat on October 23rd, 2008 17:33

    This is a dead draw. Anand should offer it and they should both go home.

  63. Ash on October 23rd, 2008 17:33

    so whites plan is Kd4 and Rxc4. Should black exchange rooks after Rxc4 or win the h3 pawn with Rh8?

  64. Ole on October 23rd, 2008 17:35

    Rybka3 (running on a 8 core system) gives the position after 31. g4! with + 1.00
    that’s very close to +-
    And since I cannot finde a clear mistake in Kramnik’s play, it seems obvious to me that white’s position was all way long much better (because of very poor Nd7) and with Vishy’s very accurate play (always Rybka’s top move so far) it seems he might get his 4th win today!
    Once more this development of things (even if Kramnik manages to survive today) shows that his draw offer was really not gentlemen-like at all!

  65. Sasile on October 23rd, 2008 17:36

    Wishing vishy a win. Is there no law against kramk wierd attitude

  66. Katata on October 23rd, 2008 17:38

    The first Line would give (according to shredder:)
    28.e4 Nc5 29.Bxc5 bxc5 30.Kd3 d4 31.Rf2 Red8 32.Rfc2 Rb8 33.Rb1 Rdc8 34.b4 Kh5 35.Rb3 g4 36.hxg4+ Kxg4 37.Rbb2 cxb4 38.Rxc8 Rxc8 39.Rxb4 Rc7 40.Kxd4 Kf4 1/2-1/2

  67. Ash on October 23rd, 2008 17:40

    if the rook-less endgame is better for white after winning the c pawn than 28… Rc4 was the mistake in my opinion

  68. Frits Fritschy on October 23rd, 2008 17:44

    In danger of writing something stupid again, what about 31… b5 32 axb5 Nb6 to activate the knight? For instance 33 Ra1 Nd5 34 Rxa7? c3 35 Kd1 c2+ 36 Kc1 Nc3! or 33 e4 Na4 followed by c3.

  69. ajay on October 23rd, 2008 17:45

    dead as a dodo DRAW

  70. Katata on October 23rd, 2008 17:46

    To Ole, My objection is that computers evaluation of the endgames is a little weak.
    Try to give to Rybka a theoreretical draw for instance Rook againts Rook and two pawns and it will evaluate it > +1.00.
    Any Rook ending seems to be a draw and requires still analyses.

    I invite you Mrs Ole to give to Rybka the position of Fisher-Spassky in their 1st game in 1972 WCC after Fisher sacrifices his bishop.
    Deep analys proved later (mathemathecally) that Fisher had the ability to force a Draw.
    I guess that Rybka would evaluate the position in qesution to be > 1.5 for White even if it runs 10 hours, because it needs to go to depth 40 or more !!!

  71. Sander on October 23rd, 2008 17:46

    Now 33.Kd3 Nc5+ 34.Bxc5 Rxc5 35.Rxc3 Rxc3 would be a clear draw, although stupid computers evaluate it +1,5 or so.

  72. ajay on October 23rd, 2008 17:47

    Kd3 Nc5+
    Bc5 Rc5
    Rc3 Rc3
    DRAW

  73. Aljechins Cat on October 23rd, 2008 17:48

    Either Kramnik or Anand must have missed something.
    33.Kd3 – Nc5+ 34.Bxc5 -Rxc5 35.Rxc3 – Rxe5 36.Rc6 looks winning.

  74. raj on October 23rd, 2008 17:48

    nothing to think here……………

    JUST Kd3…………..and advantage anand……………

    nothing to think…………

  75. raj on October 23rd, 2008 17:50

    Rc4 for black now…………

    true…..its a draw, it seems! though anand has a bishop to knight

  76. Aljechins Cat on October 23rd, 2008 17:50

    Sorry- Rxc3 is naturally a draw. So perhaps Anand has missed something?

  77. Ole on October 23rd, 2008 17:54

    I am really shocked…
    I am just a 2300 player, but it took me 2 seconds to understand what Kramnik’s a5 was all about.
    idea: a5 b5(??) with a foretress.
    Therefore bxa5 bxa5 Rb1 still with excellent winning chances

    …and Vishy just played b5.
    Did he really miss the fortress idea or has he seen deeper?!

    I think after bxa5 white chances to win the game are very very good.
    Now it looks dead drawn to me.
    Strange game anyways.

  78. Zenman on October 23rd, 2008 17:56

    Hello,

    Fritz 11 suggests 32. b5 c3 33. Kd3 NC5 + 34.
    Bxc5 Rxc5 35. Rxc3 Rxc3 + 36. Kxc3 and gives an advantage to Kramnik but for me it will end perhaps draw a match!

  79. raj on October 23rd, 2008 17:58

    …………. Nc5
    Bxc5 ….Rxc5
    Rxc3…..Rd5+
    Ke4……

    AND HERE………….EVENTUALLY ITS A DRAW ANYWAY….IT IS

  80. val on October 23rd, 2008 17:58

    looking at the game engineless, it looks like a draw

  81. Ash on October 23rd, 2008 17:59

    it looks drawish indeed. Than Kramnik can be very happy. But in “his positional” gamestyle he does not make big blunder even though Anand had a slight advantage after the opening. So 28… Rc4 was a good move to equalize the position in case of a draw or the mistake that lost the game when he loses….

  82. Panos on October 23rd, 2008 18:01

    It should be drawn. I do not expect they will play many more moves.

  83. suneet on October 23rd, 2008 18:02

    ITS A DRAW!!!!!!

    what a respite for Kranmik!

    Suneet
    http://www.suneetsmausil.com/chess.htm

  84. Ole on October 23rd, 2008 18:02

    official draw!

    so b5 was a terrible positional mistake, completely missing the idea of a5, first real mistake from Vishy, spoiling a very promising position (bxa5 looks winning to me…)

    anyway, still +3

    go Vishy!

  85. Aljechins Cat on October 23rd, 2008 18:03

    I?Ǭ¥m felt like Ole, at first i had no idea about a-a5. But what is about 32. bxa bxa 33. Rb1-Nc5? I have no computer here– then 34. BxN-RxB 35. Rb5-Rd5 – does it hold?

  86. Katata on October 23rd, 2008 18:27

    To Aljechins ..
    The situation is verry complicated after 32.bxa. for instance with the help of my engine I got:
    32.bxa5 bxa5 33.Rb1 Nc5 34.Bxc5 Rxc5 35.e4 Kh6 36.Rc1 Rc8 37.Ke3 Kg6 38.Kd4 Rd8+ 39.Kc5 Rc8+ 40.Kd6 c3
    ( If 40. … Kf7 41.Kd7 +1.14/15 1s Rc5 42.Rc3 g6 43.Rc1 c3 44.Rf1+ Kg7 45.Kxe6 Rc6+ 46.Kd5 Rc7 47.Rc1 Kf7 48.Kd6 Rc4 49.e6+ Ke8 50.Rc2 Rd4+ 51.Kc5 Rxe4 52.Rxc3 Rxe6 53.Kb5 Re1 54.Kxa5 Ke7 55.Kb4 Kd6 56.a5 Re2 57.a6 Ra2 58.Ra3 Rb2+ 59.Kc4 Rc2+ 1-0)

    41.Kxe6 c2 42.Ke7 Rc7+ 43.Ke6 Rc8 44.Kd7 Rc4 45.e6 Rd4+ 46.Ke7 Rd2 47.Ke8 Kf6 48.e7 Ke6 49.Kf8 Rf2+ 50.Kxg7 Kxe7 51.Kg6 Ke6 52.Kxg5 Ke5 53.h4 Kxe4 54.Kh6 Kd3 55.g5 Rf8 56.g6 Rh8+ 57.Kg5 Kd2 (57. … Rb8 58.g7) 58.g7 Rd8 59.Rxc2+ Kxc2 60.h5 1-0

  87. Zenman on October 23rd, 2008 18:36

    Draw!

  88. Katata on October 23rd, 2008 19:02

    With the ajournement system we would see deep engame analyses (after 32 bxa5).
    I red yesterday that Bootvinich spent all the night analysisng the adjourned position of one of his games against Fisher in Bulgaria (in 1962 or 1963 i do not remember well).
    In that night Spassky, Tal and Geler have been involved to help Botvinnik in analysing that game. The Drawing move has been discovered by Geller at the dinner and the complete line have been finished at 5:00 morning !!!

  89. Tyche on October 23rd, 2008 19:18

    Hi,
    I was reading this letter by the President of Bulgarian Chess Federation to Kirsan Iljhuminov about the uncertainty surrounding the Kamsky-Toplaov match. Here is an excerpt from that:

    “Mr Ilymzhinov, please inform me where and when the match will take place. We insist the decision for the match to be reflected in the players contracts, and they to be signed before the other semi final match between GM Kramnik and GM Anand. ”

    What is this non-sense about Anand-Kramnik match being a “semi-final?” Is he serious? Are the Bulgarians saying that they do not recognize the winner of this match as the World champion, and that the winner of Toplaov-Kamsky would be the challenger? This is another instance of the idiocy of the Bulgarian chess fraternity. I really want Kamsky to thrash Topalov soundly, to put to rest, once and for all, the argument that Toplaov is even worthy of contending for a championship.

    I would love to hear comments from the knowledgable folks in this forum.

  90. Vladimir Patzernand, very patz (me) on October 23rd, 2008 19:24

    Kramnik and Anand does not for disturbing each other.
    Sometimes, this play-and-stand up is for relax a few. You need maintain your concentration all the time. You fight is on the tableboard and your opponent influences your way to play.
    If you make the move, stand up immediately, you can concentrate at that position.
    You will see more times the positions than the person in front of you.
    The words of Danailov does not deserve consideration.
    He is not a good person.

  91. peter on October 23rd, 2008 19:28

    @Tyche This is old news. Please read this article to get an update on that.

  92. Katata on October 23rd, 2008 19:38

    To Tyche,
    In June 2007 FIDE announced that Topalov would get special privileges in the World Chess Championship 2009 qualifying cycle, while Kramnik, if he lost his title in 2007 (which he did, coming second behind Viswanathan Anand), would get a rematch with the champion in 2008.

    According to FIDE, there is no use of words like semi-final….

    I guess that the Bulgarian Federation is still under the Choc of the toillets. Topalov and his second’s behaviours in 2006 give you an idea of the Bulgarian chess federation mentality. Since they (Topa and Daino) managed to accuse Kramnik of dirty things they are able to do more.
    I find the bulgarian chess federation statement natural.

  93. VB on October 23rd, 2008 19:44

    Semi final challenger match to me sounds OK.

  94. Rubinstein on October 23rd, 2008 19:56

    Again i have to say that People in here who thinks that Kramniks drawoffer after Qxe3 ins an insult, know nothing about chess. Nothing.

  95. Manu on October 23rd, 2008 20:02

    @katata :
    You are folowing a dead thread , that letter was not accurate translated , and was corrected by the media , and the Bulgarian Federation said that calling the WC a semifinal would be an insult etc etc.
    On the other hand this is Anand – Kramnik match , why are we talking dirt about Bulgarian federation an Topa?
    I know why , because Kramnik is losing , thats why.

  96. Christos (Greece) on October 23rd, 2008 20:52

    I hope the match Kamsky-Topalov does not take place at all.
    Topalov should be out of this cycle. He had dug a hole for Kramnik (whom he was sure he would beat) and proposed that the loser of Elista 2006 would not play in Mexico. But then he lost and fell in the hole himself. The fact that he got this deal to play in a semifinal is outrageous (it is a semifinal because if he wins two matches he becomes World Champion).
    I have never been a fan of Kamsky, but Kamsky won a huge 128-player knock out tournament in Khanty-Mansyisk 2007, defeating among others Svidler, Carlsen, Ponomariov and Shirov! The deal initially was that he would get a match with the World Champion. Then the deal changes and he gets a match with … Topalov. What did Topalov do to “qualify” for this match? He lost a match to Kramnik.

  97. adriano on October 23rd, 2008 21:37

    We are watching Anand Kramnik, but everyone began to speak about Topalov, why the answer is simple. Because u know who is the strongest. Why don t u answer to a simple question – about the game of Kramnik. Why he is so weak, can u guess. Because the toilets in Germany are much different from Elista, without calbles.
    To the man of Greece.
    First could u tell me the name of ONE GREEK chess player??????????NONE
    Topalov doesnt have a special privileges, he challenged Kramnik to rematch according the rules, but FIDE refused, why because bank guaranties that is silly. After that he was not allowed to play in Mexico and u are talking about privileges.
    Last mount he smashed Anand and other strongest players and won the tournament in Bilbao but u said that he shoudnt play in this cycle.
    When Greece has such player than u may talk about Topalov!!!!!!!!!!!!

  98. goldaxe on October 23rd, 2008 22:04

    adriano this comment is out of order. The guy is entiled to have an opinion and the strength of Greek players has nothing to do with this at all

  99. bhabatosh on October 23rd, 2008 22:06

    @adriano – if u understand chess u would understand why Anand lost matches in Bilbao. Because he was preparing for wc AND DOES not wanted to show any of his preparation and he just played through his games. probabaly he just wanted to draw all his matches. Anyway , personally I dont see any problem in it. Anand and
    Kramnik playing for World championship at this moment , we are not bothered what happened in XYZ tournaments like Bilbao , Madrid , NY , Paris …got that …..
    It will be either Anand or Kramnik who will be Champion … I want see Anand as WC again …..
    no Topalov at this point. First play with Kamsky to qualify for the challenge. Find out how you will accuse Kamsky this time if you loose :-)

  100. Manu on October 23rd, 2008 22:12

    I was about to write something similar , thx adriano!
    Anyway, i hope tomorrow Kramnik starts his comeback in this match , because its getting really boring.
    Another thing that i didn?Ǭ¥t understand is Kramnik offering draw in this game, although he was surely right about the position it sounds weird.
    Maybe he is sure about winning in the next games, which makes me ask :Why is that?
    What makes a guy so sure about winning 3 games out of 5 against Anand?
    I had 1 or 2 crazy conspiracy theorys in mind , i hope Vishy?Ǭ¥s camp stay alert the next days.

  101. bhabatosh on October 23rd, 2008 22:21

    I am viewing this website through google translator… I cannt view this page from office :-( ..so when posting something it gets translated !!!! and everything gets screwed up.. looks like I cannt write a sentence proparly ……sorry for this… :-(

  102. adriano on October 23rd, 2008 22:37

    dear bhabatosh
    How Topalov could to play with Kamsky, when the FIDE wont allow that????
    Almost a year they don t want to sign contracts with both players and to point where the match would be. U did n t say anything about Kramnik games????
    Do u like it?????? I m sure u do not!!!!!!!!!!
    What is the reason that he can not win just ONE game?????????
    The reason is simple – the match is in Germany not in Elista.
    His tactic is to run from opponents during long years and yo play boring drawish games. if u understand chess u would understand that.

  103. Michel83 on October 23rd, 2008 23:05

    @ Adriano

    Kramnik also won strong tournaments BEFORE Elista. So, following your logic, how comes he won many tournaments in the last 15 years?

    So what you are basically saying is that in the about 15 years Kramnik is playing world class chess ALL the tournaments he won (Linares, Wijk etc.), the matches he won (Kasparov and Topalov) and all the games he won against other world class players (Ivanchuk etc.) he only won because he cheated by going to the toilet (even in the early 90s, when Computers were not that strong yet).

    For 15 years Kramnik cheated in all the tournaments and games he won? Wow, I am happy you are there to explain that to us, now it all makes sense…

    Face it, Fischer crushed Taimanow, Larsen and Spasski and now Kramnik gets crushed by Anand, that has nothing to do with cheating. What is the reason Taimanow and Larsen couldn’t win one game? Yes, Fischer was too strong. Seems like this time Anand is too strong.

    Topalov is a great player but he is not unbeatable. I do not understand why you can not accept that Topalov lost against Kramnik and need to find cheating-apologies. Why are you not just happy Kramnik loses and Topalov gets another chance?
    Some people have too much hatred inside of themselves…

  104. bhabatosh on October 23rd, 2008 23:29

    @Adriano
    Kramnik is just a brilliant player and true talent. I dont know why Kramnik did not won a single game…. I can notice only one thing at this point ..vishy is outstanding at this point….. I think I should give more credit to vishy rather than saying Kramnik is cheater ………. the way he accepts defeat (kramnik ) , is really admiring . It is a lesson for kids. they should not follow Topalov or Danilov.
    it is disgrace. you loose then blame others. Accept defeat and find your mistakes.
    I am a die hard fan of Vishy , but still admire Kramnik. I like Topalov’s game but dont admire him ..he is just a another player for me.

  105. Manu on October 24th, 2008 00:09

    Kramnik will be remembered as the very strong champion who run from Kasparov & liked draws too much & claimed to be the strongest match player ever but lended his crown to a person who never gave it back to him.. :)

  106. Christos (Greece) on October 24th, 2008 00:28

    Kramnik was no 1 in the world in july 1996 when there were no strong computer programs. He always was in the top 3. His successes in the 90s were convincing.

    Topalov always was 2690-2710 but suddenly his rating went up. There were players who thought Topalov was cheating in San Luis, but they told the organisers, they did not begin shouting and making libellous press releases. Maybe because Topalov is a cheater himself he suspects easily others of cheating. Let’s not forget the crazy signals Danailov was caught making last year in Corus, standing on a place Topalov could see him and going in and out of the playing hall.

    Furthermore, Topalov, in his book and also by keeping Danailov as his manager, shows that Danailov represents him fully and perfectly well. I am sorry for him, but he clearly is also nuts. He still thinks KGB was helping Kramnik.

  107. Manu on October 24th, 2008 00:50

    @Christos
    Yeah , being suspicious of KGB is really nuts.Thinking that russians wants the title so much that they would do anything to have it is clearly a strange idea.
    And besides , what can they know about spionage?
    Lets take a look at the players that complained about Topalovs behaviour in San Luis : Leko (same manager as Kramnik and current second) and Moro (russian player).
    Even Svidler said that there was nothing strange in San Luis…
    Oh Oh wait a minute , i was forgetting about GM Short who acused Topalov after being in the same table every day as an amulet.Not only that , he made a prepared scandal against Cheparinov when he refused to shake hands with him…
    Yeah Topalov must be nuts…

  108. Ole on October 24th, 2008 02:25

    @ Erwin L’Amis Line

    33.Kd1!? Kf7 34.Kc2 and now of course not Nc5?? Rf1+ and after forced rook exchange white is indeed winning, but simply 34…Ke8! looks like a draw to me.
    black position looks really terrible, but I don’t find a way to win after Ke8, looks like black is always in time to create counterplay or play Nc5 with the known foretress.

  109. Chaital on October 24th, 2008 03:22

    I am waiting for the video for the round 7 press conference.

  110. peter on October 24th, 2008 03:45

    Thanks for letting us know, Chaital!

  111. Christos (Greece) on October 24th, 2008 04:04

    If you also think that Kramnik was receiving help, I will not argue a lot here. I can only say that the help was not good enough because he could have been mated in three. If Topalov misses a mate in three he should blame himself only and not invisible enemies.

  112. Brian Wall on October 24th, 2008 04:19

    Sarah Palin Teaches Chess

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLsb1rCiEMI

  113. Manu on October 24th, 2008 07:23

    I just saw the video of game seven and i have to say this:
    The losing Kramnik is way more funny and humorous and friendly than the one who was in a hurry to watch the football games in Elista.

  114. shy_guest on October 24th, 2008 08:33

    So let me see if I got this right.

    Anand, IF he wins this match beats Kramnik.

    Kramnik beat Topalov.

    Therefore, it seems, some people (or one person) here think(s) that proves Topalov is stronger than Anand.

    I don’t quite get it. Can someone please explain.

  115. Jan Vente on October 24th, 2008 08:45

    Not for publishing:

    A small detail. The table Match Scor on this page has the wrong colors for game 7.

    Jan Vente

  116. VB on October 24th, 2008 10:15

    Anand – Topalov would be great show to watch!

  117. Manu on October 24th, 2008 10:35

    @shy-guest
    Is not so dificult : Kasparov beat Anand, then Kramnik beat Kasparov and now Anand beats Kramnik.
    Its the same thing.
    And one thing is losing a match on tiebreaks , and another losing by more than 2 points.

  118. arne on October 24th, 2008 10:37

    It’s funny how biased one can be. I thought Kramnik was slightly better for most of the game, until suddenly White was playing for a win. Very instructive!

  119. peter on October 24th, 2008 11:15

    @Jan Vente thanks, corrected. Indeed that mistake wasn’t meant for publishing. ;-)

  120. Pedro on October 24th, 2008 11:33

    Veremos sin en la octava partida Kramnik gana y nos da una alegr?ɬ?a para que esto tenga un poco mas de emocion no?

  121. Juliette on October 24th, 2008 11:36

    People may you fotget the persons and concentrate on chess???

  122. Juliette (France) on October 24th, 2008 11:50

    Ole and aljechine suggested the idea 32.bxa5 leading to a verry complicated endgame.

    Are there strong players here to work on the final assesment of the position arising after the line:
    32.bxa5 bxa5 33.Rb1 Nc5 34.Bxc5 Rxc5

    Katata has given juste two alternatives.

  123. shy_guest on October 24th, 2008 12:47

    Oooh !
    Suddenly Kasparov is in this too.
    Kasparov beat Anand in 1995.
    Kramnik beat Kasparov in 2000.
    That is all ancient history in terms of current playing strength.
    Why not bring Schlechter & Bronstein into it, & Smyslov ?
    They all drew matches but didn’t get the title because of a rule favouring the holder.

    Why not stick to the subject – which is Anand & Kramnik ? As far as I’m aware, Topalov is not playing in this match.

  124. val on October 24th, 2008 14:54

    @ Brian Wall The real Sarah wouldn”t tell chess from lotto :-}

  125. Manu on October 24th, 2008 18:27

    @shy:
    You asked for an explanation pal…

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