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

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

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.

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.

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 :o)

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-ag...

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!

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

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.

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
www.susanpolgar.blogspot.com
???
Just curious, no offense.

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

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.

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.

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

@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

Qe3!? The game is becoming very sharp. I predict they will get into time pressure.

is 14. ...h5 interesing with the threat of Bh6 ???

@ 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 :)

Rbka 0.32 Nd2

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
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.

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.......

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.