Emanuel Lasker

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Druk op LEESMEER hieronder voor de partijen becommentarieerd door Susan Polgar.

Bron: Susan Polgars weblog

Veselin Topalov - Vishy Anand
World Championship game 12

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. e3 Ne4 This is not the most popular line for Black but as a surprised weapon for one game, it can be effective as Anand needs to hold this game.

8. Bxe7 Qxe7 9. Rc1 We have the Queen's Gambit declined for the first time in this match. It looks like Anand is choosing something safe for most chances to hold.

9...c6 10. Be2 Nxc3 11. Rxc3 dxc4 12. Bxc4 We are still in opening book. This is a relatively safe opening for Black.

12....Nd7 13. 0-0 b6 14. Bd3 c5 The idea for Black is simple. He wants to have a symmetrical pawn structure. White still has a small advantage due to space advantage.

15. Be4 Rb8 I know many players who play this line as Black. It is very difficult to win this type of position as White. White's temporary space and piece development advantage will evaporate soon. Here is a possible line: 17. dxc5 Nxe4 18. Qxe4 bxc5 19. Qc2 Bb7 20. Nd2 Rfd8 21. Nb3 c4 22. Rxc4 Ba6 23. Rc7 Rbc8 24. Rxe7 Rxc2 =. This is also equal: 17. dxc5 Nxe4 18. Qxe4 bxc5 19. b3 Bb7 20. Qf4 Rfd8 =

16. Qc2 Nf6 The reason why Anand cannot simply play cxd4 is because of the following: 16... cxd4 17. Nxd4 Bb7 18. Rc7 +/-

17. dxc5 Nxe4 18. Qxe4 bxc5 Now that Topalov is able to avoid the symmetrical pawn structure, his main target will be the c5 pawn.

19. Qc2 Bb7 White retreats his Queen behind the Rook to put more pressure on the c pawn. Now is not the time for Black to play passively. Anand indirectly defends the c5 pawn with Bb7. If 20. Rxc5 then Bxf3 21. gxf3 Rxb2 22. Qxb2 Qxc5 =+

It is very clear that Anand and his team have prepared this very practical and safe line. It is a wise choice not to take any chances to send this match to the rapid playoff.

20. Nd2 Topalov is following the idea I previously mention back in move 15. He is doing the best he can to keep the remaining pieces on the board, stabilize the Kingside, then continue to put more pressure on the c5 pawn. This is his only chance, as slim as it may be, to win.

20...Rfd8 If this game ends with a draw, I think Anand will have a small edge in the rapid playoff.

21. f3 The idea is to block the effectiveness of Black's b7 Bishop. Then he can re-focus on the c5 pawn. Anand will try not give Topalov time to do that. 21...Qg5 is possible right now.

21...Ba6 This is OK too. Anand spent a considerable amount of time for this move. He understands that is he fails to keep White busy, he will have a problem holding on to the c pawn and that can mean the game. White should put his f1 Rook on c1.

22. Rf2 This is an odd choice for Topalov. The problem is Anand can mount his pieces on the d file to go after the Knight as White may face back rank problem. I like 22. Rc1 a lot better.

22...Rd7 Following the plan of doubling up the Rooks on the d file. In my opinion, the position is equal.

23. g3 Topalov is creating a bubble for his King. Once he can neutralize Anand's threats, he can then turn his focus back on the c5 pawn which is going nowhere. Both players understand the huge importance of this game. Therefore, they are very patient so far.

Here is an interesting question from one of the bloggers following the LIVE commentary:

"During such kind of matches, how much sleep would you and other players usually are able to get? And how do you guys relax?"

The amount of sleeping hours differ from game to game. I know some players like to read to relax. Some like to watch TV. Many do like to take leisure walks. Some play tennis or swim. It is the seconds who have to work the hardest between games.

23...Rbd8 Following the plan.

24. Kg2

Here is another interesting question: " Do you agree that in case of a draw the champion is still a champion? Is it what Kasparov thinks? How do they fix the total number of matches?"

I do not think the old system which a champion sat and waited every 3-4 years for a challenger then retain the title if he / she can tie the match is fair. I also do not like 12 games. I think it is too short. I would prefer to see 14-16 games. I have many ideas about this and other important chess issues such as chess in education, women's chess, college chess, professional chess, and chess expansion, etc. I will present them directly to FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov in the near future. In fact, there will be a press release about it probably today.

24...Bd3 25. Qc1 Nothing has changed so far. White is still focusing on the c5 pawn.

Sorry but I do not have any explanation as to why it did not work on Internet Explorer before. Thanks for letting me know the problem. I hope it is OK for everyone now.

I personally find this game exciting. There is very little going on other than the c5 pawn. One will do everything possible to go after it which could mean a victory while the other one will do everything to either defend it or deflect it with counter threats elsewhere. The self imposed Sofia rule by Topalov gives the fans a chance to see more endgames rather than 20-25 move draw in equal positions.

Even though the position is equal, it is a little easier to play with Topalov's position. He knows exactly what he needs to do. There is a concrete target to aim for.

25...Ba6 Here is an interesting line: 26. Ne4 Rd1 27. Qc2 f5 28. Nd2 Re1 29. Rxc5 Rxe3 30. Rc7 Rd7 =

26. Ra3 = If 26. Rxc5 Rxd2 27. Rxd2 Rxd2+ 28. Qxd2 Qxc5 and Black wins.



26...Bb7 White obviously cannot play 27. Rxa7 because of the discovery with Bxf3+. However, Topalov can play 27. Nb3 now. The battle for the c pawn continues.

27. Nb3 Rc7 Perhaps 28. Rc2 next. 28. e4 is also interesting because 29. Rxa7 is a real threat since there is no longer any discovery check.

28. Na5 Topalov wants to trade for Black's Bishop. Anand should not allow this trade as it would be more difficult for Black without the Bishop.

28...Ba8 A curious move by Anand. Yes, he wants to keep his Bishop. Yes, he wants to keep his Bishop on the h1 - a8 diagonal. Even though it is not a blunder, this is still an unexpected move. Topalov can bring his Rook back to c3 now.

29. Nc4 e5 Anand cannot just sit back and allow Topalov to make a big play for his c5 pawn. He must continue to put pressure on the Kingside.

More questions from the fans:

- Do you think Anand would be a strong favorite in the rapid event if this game is drawn and a tie break happens?

I think Anand would be a slight favorite but not strong favorite. Anything can happen in rapid or blitz games.

- What do the player's seconds do exactly just before SUCH a big game, I mean the players (Anand, Topalov) are bigger than the seconds and have much more experience. Isn't just a expert computer analyst sufficient ?

Seconds will have very little sleep during a world championship, especially the last few games. They have to work on new idea based on the match score and earlier game results. Computers can help make this process faster and more accurate but computer analysis alone would be disastrous as computers cannot understand the scope of the match, the psychology / style / strengths / weaknesses of the opponent.

30. e4 Black must play f5 now or else White will play Ne3 with a good advantage.

30...f5 Topalov must be careful here. Anand wants to open up the Kingside, especially the h1 - a8 diagonal. Perhaps 31. Nd2 is needed.

31. exf5? This is very dangerous. Anand can play 31...e4 now with serious threats.

31...e4 32. fxe4? This is looking very bad for White now. We may not go to the playoff after all. 32...Qxe4 and Black has a strong attack. This is almost over. 32...Qxe4+ 33. Kh3 Rd4 34. Ne3 Qe8 35. g4 h5 -+

32...Qxe4 33. Kh3 It is all in Anand's hands now. He will win this match and retain his title if he continues correctly.

33...Rd4 So far so good.

34. Ne3 I don't think Topalov saw 34....Qe8 here which gives Black a win. I think he missed it.

If Anand wins this game, I will post my final comments about the match as well as bring you the information about the closing ceremony. Please be sure to check back to the final wrap up.

34...Qe8 This is the key move and Anand found it. If 35. g4 then h5 -+ It is just about over.

35. g4 h5 Anand is like a Tiger smelling blood. He feels it. He knows that the World Championship is in his hands now. This is a shocking ending! 31. exf5 and 32. fxe4 are 2 horrendously bad moves.

36. Kh4 The King cannot possibly survive this. 36...Qd8+ is the quickest way to close out this game.



36...g5+ This is not the most accurate continuation for Anand. 36...Qd8 would have been much more decisive.

37. fxg6 Black should still win this but it is more difficult than the previous suggestion. This is the winning path for Anand: 38. Qf1 Rxg4+ 39. Kh3 Re7 -+

37...Qxg6 38. Qf1 This is perhaps one of the biggest blunders in the final game of a world championship match. I am still stunned that Topalov did not sense any danger whatsoever by opening up the h1 - a8 diagonal.

38...Rxg4+ This is the final hurdle for Anand and he found it.

39. Kh3 Now 30...Re7 and it is basically hopeless.

39...Re7 Here are a few possible lines: 40. Qd1 Rd4 41. Nf5 Qxf5+ 42. Rxf5 Rxd1 43. Rxh5 Rg7 44. Rg3 Bd5 -+ or 40. Rf8+ Kh7 41. Rh8+ Kxh8 42. Qf8+ Qg8 43. Qh6+ Rh7 44. Qf6+ Rhg7 45. Qh6+ Qh7 46. Qxh7+ Kxh7 47. Nxg4 hxg4+ -+ Everything looks bad for Topalov.

40. Rf8+ The last hope for Topalov is 40... Kg7 41. Nf5+ Kh7 42. Rg3 =+

40...Kg7? Incredible! Anand is letting Topalov back in the game temporarily. 40...Kh7 is a lot cleaner and more precise. There are still chances for a win but more difficult: 41. Nf5+ Kh7 42. Rg3 Rxg3+ 43. hxg3 Qg4+ 44. Kh2 Re2+ 45. Kg1 Rg2+ 46. Qxg2 Bxg2 47. Rf7+ -+

41. Nf5+ Kh7 42. Rg3 Rxg3+ 43. hxg3 Qg4+ 44. Kh2 Re2+ 45. Kg1 Rg2+ 46. Qxg2 Bxg2 47. Kxg2? 47. Rf7+ is better but Anand can still win with this: 47... Kg6 48.
Rg7+ Kxf5 49. Rxg4 hxg4 50. Kxg2 Ke4 51. Kf2 Kd3 -+

47...Qe2+ 48. Kh3 This is now once again hopeless. Rook and Knight cannot hold this position. Now a simple 48...c4 wins.

48...c4 The final game usually comes down to nerve as we can see today. In this game, Anand was more composed. Even though both sides made mistakes, Topalov was making more and bigger ones and this costs him the game.

49. a4 a5 50. Rf6 Anand's advantage is overwhelming.

50...Kg8 Topalov's chances to hold is very slim. Anand has plenty of time and I think the dangerous tactics are now behind him. Now it is simply a matter of technique.

51. Nh6+ Kg7 52. Rb6 Qe4 53. Kh2 Now Anand can simply get his Queen behind the b2 pawn then push c3. For example: 53...Qc2+ 54. Kh3 Qb1 -+

53...Kh7 Topalov has no practical chances to hold this position. He is fighting on because it is the final game of the world championship.

54. Rd6 Qe5 If 55. Rb6 then Qd4. I expect Topalov to resign soon as the b pawn will fall.

55. Nf7 Black has no problem with 55...Qxb2+

55..Qxb2+ 56. Kh3 Just about anything other than hanging the Queen is fine.

56...Qg7 Now Topalov will have problems with his Knight and Rook in addition to the c passed pawn. Time to resign.

Topalov resigns. Congratulations to Anand for successfully defending his title. It has been an interesting match.

                            ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Ronde 11

1. c4 e5 The English for the first time in the match!

2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8. a3 O-O 9. b4 Be6 10. d3 f6 11. Ne4 We are still in opening book, no novelty so far. But with his last White game in regulation, Anand surprised Topalov with the English instead of 1. d4 as in the previous 5 games.

Topalov is spending a lot of time on this move. For example, 11...Qd7 is a normal book move. But this is now a mind game. Topalov knows that Anand and his team have something up their sleeves. He is trying to guess when the novelty will come. So he has to decide when to deviate first to avoid walking into a home preparation by the other side.

11...Qe8 Here is the move which Topalov believes that Anand and his team did not expect. There are a few ideas for this move: To clear the d8 square for the Rook and to bring the Queen to the Kingside for attack.

Now the mind game goes the other way. Anand has to try to figure out if Topalov just made the decision on the board for his last move or if he had something prepared. Both are players are taking their time in this game.

White has a few logical move choices here: 12. Nc5 to attack the b7 pawn or just develop his Bishop. But after Ne4, one must expect Anand to play Nc5.

12. Nc5 Basically Black is forced to exchange one of his Bishops.

12...Bxc5 13. bxc5 Now the most logical move is to put the Knight in play in the center.

13...Nd5 Black has a weak b7 pawn but he has a strong center. White has an unorthodox pawn structure but he has the Bishop pair. White's c5 pawn is technically weak but Black does not have too many pieces which can put pressure on it.

14. Bb2 A simple development. The Black a8 Rook belongs on d8.

14...Rd8 15. Qc2 15. Nde7 Now Black can put his Bishop on d5 to counter White's g2 Bishop. Black can also move his Knight to f5 to eye on the d4 square. This game will come down to the middlegame skills of these two players. Neither has anything substantial or dynamic at the moment, just a lot of piece maneuvering. One would assume that this favors Anand a little more.

16. Rb1 Aiming at the b7 pawn. Now Topalov can try to be annoying by playing Ba2 to chase the Rook elsewhere.

16...Ba2 17. Rc1 Qf7 18. Bc3 Neither side has much of a solid plan right now. Still a lot of piece maneuvering going on.

18...Rd7

19. Qb2 Rb8 20. Rfd1 Both players are very patient. They are in a lot of pressure so neither is taking any outrageous chances.

20...Be6 21. Rd2 Topalov can trade for one of Anand's Bishop pair with Nd5 although he may not want to since that Bishop has little mobility. It may look to the fans at home that this is a boring positional game but the tension is high for both players. They know that it is crunch time and a single mistake can cost them the World Championship.

21...h6 An unusual and unexpected move. Perhaps it is a waiting move. Perhaps the idea to create room just in case of Bf5 later.

22. Qb1 Surely the difficulty for both players here is to come up with a meaningful plan. In the mean time, both are being extremely cautious. Topalov has to make a decision. Will he just shuffle his pieces to see what Anand will do? Or will he get antsy and try to open up the position with something like 21...b6.

22...Nd5 I expect this last move instead of h6. Now it does not have the same effect as White can play Rb2 to put additional pressure on the b7 pawn.

23. Rb2 This is stronger than to retreat the Bishop. The main target for White now is the b7 pawn.

23...b6 Now the action starts. The pressure will shift from the b file to the c file by moving the Bishop to either e1 or d2.

24. cxb6 cxb6 Topalov does not want to recapture with the a pawn which would not solve the c7 weak pawn.

25. Bd2 Both sides can stack their Rooks on the c file. They are battling the control of this file.

25...Rd6 Topalov chose not to challenge for the c file. Now there is no doubt that Anand will take advantage of it by doubling up his Rooks on the c file.

26. Rbc2 Qd7 White is now slightly better because he has control of the c file as well as a Bishop pair. However, the question is how to capitalize on this slight edge?

27. h4 A curious move. Perhaps he could not find any concrete plan.

27...Rad8 Topalov is being extremely patient. He is playing a waiting game while consolidating his pieces.

28. Qb5 Nde7 29. Qb2 It seems that both players are struggling to find a serious plan.

29...Bd5 30. Bb4 Nxb4 31. axb4 I do not see much for Anand here. After 31...Rc6 I think Black is fine.

31...Rc6 32. b5 Now Black has this option: 32...Rxc2 33. Rxc2 Rc8 =

32...Rxc2 33. Rxc2 Be6 Topalov did not want the simple Rc8 which most likely lead to pieces going off the board and a likely draw. He feels that he is in no danger of losing. This keeps the game going a bit more.

34. d4 An interesting but not so dangerous move. 34... e4 35. Nd2 Qxd4 36. Qxd4 Rxd4 37. Bxe4 Bf5 38. Bxf5 Nxf5 39. e3 Ra4 =

Here are the top countries of chess fans following this LIVE commentary today. Once again, India leads the list.

34...e4 35. Nd2 Qxd4 I do not see a win by either player with this position.

36. Nxe4 Black is fine with the following 36....Qxb2 37. Rxb2 f5 38. Nd2 Kf7=

36...Qxb2 37. Rxb2 Black can also simply move his King up to f7 =

37...Kf7 38. e3 g5 39. hxg5 hxg5 Still equal. It seems that this game is headed to a draw. Now the edge goes to Topalov since he will have White in the final game 12.

40. f4 gxf4 41. exf4 Rd4 42.Kf2 Nf5 43.Bf3 Bd5 44. Nd2 If Bxf3 45. Nxf3 Ra4 still = I do not think that either side has much chances to do any damage here.

44...Bxf3 45. Nxf3 Ra4 Still an even game with very little action. I have to believe that Anand is disappointed with the outcome of this game. Now he will face a tremendous amount of pressure holding the final game.

46. g4 Nd6 47. Kg3 = Ne4+ 48. Kh4 Black's position is a little bit easier here but nothing significant enough to convert.

48...Nd6 Perhaps a repetition coming?

49. Rd2 Anand is willing to give up a pawn. A risky move.

49...Nxb5 50. f5 =+ Anand is banking on play on the Kingside.

50...Re4 51. Kh5 Re3 52. Nh4 Nc3 53. Rd7+ Re7 54. Rd3 I looked at the position more closely and I think Anand is fine. Topalov must take Anand's attack on the Kingside seriously by playing 54. Ne4. He cannot allow Anand to further penetrate.

54...Ne4 55.Ng6 Perhaps Nc5 now although Rc7 is fine also. I had pause for short moment a few moves back because I dropped my wireless keyboard and it stopped working. A certain keys would not work. I think it is OK now.

55...Nc5 Anand has a the following: 56. Nxe7 Nxd3 57. Nc8 b5 58. Nd6+ Kg7 59. Ne8+ Kf7 60. Nd6+ Kg7 =

56.Ra3 Rd7 Topalov just has to be careful with Anand's threat on the Kingside. Once he can contain it, he can then try to make progress with his passed pawns on the Queenside.

57. Re3 Kg7 58. g5 I have to say that Anand's 49th move was gutsy. He is taking a big risk as it is impossible to calculate every variation through. He simply went with his gut instinct.

58...b5 Now that there is no immediate danger on the Kingside, Topalov is making a play on the Queenside to relieve some pressure.

59. Nf4 b4 Anand must pin the Black King back with perhaps 60. g6. Trading the pawn is bad for him.

60. g6 This is a very complicated position. Any slight inaccuracy can cost either player the game and possibly the World Championship. If Anand wins this, everyone will remember 49. Rd2. If he loses, people will say he is crazy for taking such enormous risk in a critical game.

60...b3 Here is a very interesting line: 61. Rc3 Rc7 62. Rxb3 Nxb3 63. Ne6+ Kh8 64. Nxc7 Nd4 65. Ne8 a5 66. Nxf6 a4 67. Ne4 Nxf5 68. Kg5 Ne3 69. Nc3= Anand is wise to take a lot of time here. This is perhaps one of the most important moves of this game and perhaps even the match. He can lose if he is not careful. But if he plays accurately, he can hold.

61. Rc3 He found the right plan. 61...b2 would be a horrific blunder for Topalov as 62. Rxc5 b1=Q 63. Ne6+ Kg8 64. Rc8+ Rd8 65. Rxd8#. Here is another drawn line 61...Rd4 62. Rxc5 Rxf4 63. Rc7 =

61...Rd4 62. Rxc5 Rxf4 63. Rc7 Kg8 64. Rb7 A cute try. If Topalov plays Rxf5+ then 65. Kh6 +-

64. Rf3 65. Rb8+ Kg7 1/2 Dead draw!

Slow start but exciting finish! Game 12 will be on Tuesday with Topalov having White