The FIDE World Chess Championship match between Viswanathan Anand of India and Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria was organized at the Central Military Club in Sofia.
in June 2007, FIDE decided to announce “compensation” for Topalov in the form of privileges to Topalov allowing him to take part in the 2009 qualification cycle giving him direct entry into the Challenger’s match. Topalov took on Gata Kamsky for this Challenger’s match as the latter had won the Chess World Cup 2007. After defeating Gata Kamsky in the eight-game challenger match, Bulgarian grandmaster Veselin Topalov once again found himself preparing for a World Championship title match.
The title match was mostly following the format of 2008 and 2006 in that 12 games would be played, with a series of successively faster tiebreak rounds if needed. Topalov demanded that the match be played in silence, in the style of the “Sofia Rules” which require draws to be mitigated by an arbiter.
The beginning was postponed by one day to allow Anand better rest after the 40-hour journey on the road from Germany and further two hours to meet Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boiko Borisov’s previously arranged schedule.
V. Kramnik in an interview:
What do you expect from the championship match and how do you explain Vishy’s readiness to play Topalov in Sofia?
It’s hard to explain. Vishy’s an adult and of course it’s his right. I think it’s due to the large prize fund, as I can’t see any sensible reasons to play Topalov on his home territory, it’s simply madness – it doesn’t seem much like Vishy. You see if something’s going badly for Danailov he’ll definitely find some means or other to put pressure on Vishy. There are a million tricks, even if you’re not playing on his home turf. I will, of course, root for Anand, but not for personal reasons but chess ones. After all, if Topalov becomes champion it’ll be a disaster for chess.
Game 1
The players blitzed their way into a variation that was seen in the first game of the last year’s Challenger match between Topalov and Gata Kamsky, which was also held in Sofia. In that game Topalov did not achieve advantage and later switched to different system against Gruenfeld.
But now he is back with the same line, deviating on move 16. Instead of f2-f4, as played against Kamsky, Topalov employed 16. Rac1 which was seen in an earlier top level game Karjakin-Carlsen, Foros 2008.
Anand followed the standard plan with Qd6 and f6, to slow down White’s advance with e4-e5. Meanwhile, Topalov moved his Knight closer to the enemy King, and a sudden Rook lift with 23. Rf3 highlighted the fragile nature of Black’s castle. With Nxf6 sacrifice looming over his head, Anand dove into his first longer thought, but immediately erred and run into a worse version of the piece sacrifice.
After penetrating both Rooks to opponent’s 7th rank, a nice final touch with 29. Bb5! marked a complete domination of White pieces.
In Chess Informator 109 this game was voted the Best Game of Ch. Inf. 108.
Game 2
Anand opened with a very popular Catalan opening, in which White aims for the initiative and long-term pressure. Topalov responded with an early 4…dxc4 which creates imbalances in the position.
The moving pace was considerably slower compared to the first game. Both players, although probably still within the home preparation, carefully considered their steps.
Anand sacrificed a pawn in the opening in exchange for the quick development and positional pressure. His first longer thought was before move 15, on which he offered Queens’ trade. White was not bothered much with the doubled a-pawns, as his Rooks obtained excellent activity on the open files.
Both pairs of Knights were firmly entrenched in the central positions and the play revolved around the c-file and queenside.
But then the hasty 25…Ne3 by Topalov, which the official match commentator GM Zurab Azmaiparashvili marked as “unnecessary”, allowed Anand to seize a nice positional advantage and collect Black queenside pawns.
Topalov tried to reduce the pressure by offering trade of one pair of Rooks, but his opponent wisely declined.
After establishing a pair of passed pawns on ‘a’ and ‘b’ files, Anand obtained decisive advantage and it was just a matter of time before Topalov resigns. Black gave up on move 43, in the lost Rook endgame.
Game 3
Topalov repeated 1. d4 from the first game of the match but Anand archived the Gruenfeld Indian and took up the solid Slav defence.
Instead of jumping into complications after 7. f3 Bb4, Black opted to shake the White center with 7…c5 and exchange the annoying Ne5 as soon as possible. He obtained a slightly passive, but very resisting position, in which the Queens were exchanged early on.
Topalov tried to create some play on the queenside, while Anand carefully avoided conceding any weaknesses and slowly improved the position of the pieces.
A pair of pawns from the queenside went off as Topalov intended to extend the scope of his Rooks and press on the a6-pawn. At that time, Black Bishop was still on g8 and out of play.
But Topalov then played solidifying moves in succession, aiming to prevent opponent’s counterplay, and Anand used this time to fully reactivate the Bishop via f7-e8-d7.
Following the further piece exchange on b5, the draw became inevitable. Peace treaty was signed on move 46.
Game 4
Topalov was the one to deviate from the second game, as early as on move 5, when he played the sharper Bb4+ instead of a6.
Similar to the earlier Catalan game, Black clutched onto the extra pawn while White tried to take advantage of his faster pieces’ development.
Anand aggressively advanced in the center to break opponent’s pawn formation and open up the files and diagonals. At the same time, Topalov was carefully clearing the queenside in order to reduce the positional pressure.
The game appeared to be taking a normal course but then Anand’s sudden Knight movement (e3-g4) caught Topalov without guard and on the wrong foot.
Not hesitating much, Anand knocked a piece sacrifice on h6 and picked a strong attack against the Black King.
Still precision was needed in carrying out the assault, but Anand never blinked and found the crushing 25. e5!
Game 5
Anand used the Slav defence and comfortably held a draw. The expectation were that Topalov will find an improvement in the variation and fight for opening advantage.
But it was Anand who first diverted from the earlier game by moving 15…h5 instead of 15…h6. Topalov continued with the logical 16. Ne2 having in mind Nf4, to exploit the newly created situation with Black pawn on h5.
Anand established strong Knight outpost on e5 and traded off a pair of Rooks to reduce White’s chances of gaining initiative.
After further exchange of minor pieces, an endgame with Rook and Bishop versus Rook and Knight has arisen.
Anand’s 29…g5 initiated changes in the pawn structure, which allowed him to solve one issue and concentrate on pieces’ play.
Black Knight gradually suppressed White Bishop, which eventually landed on the backward d1-square. Right after the time-control, Topalov offered moves repetition before the situation goes out of the hand. Or perhaps it was a psychological move, attempting to test Anand’s resolve to play for a win, in case of which White would also have chances for full point.
Game 6
With his last game with White pieces, Viswanathan Anand decided to start with the English opening, allowing Veselin Topalov to line the favourite reversed Sicilian setup.
Already the 11th move Ne4 was rare in theory and it was obvious that Anand had prepared something down this variation. But Topalov’s reply Qe8 immediately threw both players out of home analysis and the play continued with long and careful maneuvers in the middlegame.
Anand enjoyed the possibility of playing with pair of Bishops, but Topalov’s position was very compact without any apparent weaknesses to target.
White blocked the opponent’s queenside and forced several exchanges hoping to use the outposts on d4 and c6. Black reacted accordingly and the game was level when the first time control was reached.
Suddenly, the apparently clear endgame turned very complicated even if there were only few battling units on the board.
Topalov grabbed some initiative and won the b5-pawn, however, Anand started to coordinate the play on the kingside and obtained good counterplay.
Around the second time control, there were some nice stalemate motifs for White, but the game ended in a draw on the 65th move when the repetition became imminent.
Game 7
Once again Topalov switched the variation, and included 4…Bb4+ instead of 4…dxc4. Later on, instead of the almost automatic 8. Qc2, Anand preferred the rare 8. Bf4, which prompted Black to immediately capture the pawn on c4 and then hang on it with b5.
The similar position was seen in the encounter Gelfand-Ivanchuk. Topalov varied from that game by playing 11…Bd7.
Anand accepted the gift in the view of exchange on a8, and the game became highly imbalanced as Black caught up the initiative.
A timely opening of the a-file and breach to the 7th rank gave Anand solid counterplay. After the exchange of the Bishops, it appeared that White managed to stabilise and block the dangerous d-pawn.
Topalov brought his heavy artillery to the 2nd rank, but could not achieve more than perpetual check as White kept the enemy Queen under contact attack.
But Anand refused the possibility of perpetual, on two occasions, and continued to fight for more. Nevertheless, the Black passed pawn demanded lots of caution, and White was unable to gain more with the Knight burdened on f2. The draw was finally agreed on move 58.
Once again Topalov switched the variation, and included 4…Bb4+ instead of 4…dxc4. Later on, instead of the almost automatic 8. Qc2, Anand preferred the rare 8. Bf4, which prompted Black to immediately capture the pawn on c4 and then hang on it with b5.
The similar position was seen in the encounter Gelfand-Ivanchuk. Topalov varied from that game by playing 11…Bd7.
Anand accepted the gift in the view of exchange on a8, and the game became highly imbalanced as Black caught up the initiative.
A timely opening of the a-file and breach to the 7th rank gave Anand solid counterplay. After the exchange of the Bishops, it appeared that White managed to stabilise and block the dangerous d-pawn.
Topalov brought his heavy artillery to the 2nd rank, but could not achieve more than perpetual check as White kept the enemy Queen under contact attack.
But Anand refused the possibility of perpetual, on two occasions, and continued to fight for more. Nevertheless, the Black passed pawn demanded lots of caution, and White was unable to gain more with the Knight burdened on f2. The draw was finally agreed on move 58.
Game 8
The eighth game of the match featured Slav defence which was already seen in games three and five.
Anand was again the first to digress from previous encounters, and omitted 13…a6 by playing immediate Rc8. This prompted Topalov to use the opportunity for Bb5 and trade off the Knight from d7.
Black obtained pair of Bishops but White enjoyed development advantage and tried to press the enemy King before Black pieces come to life.
Topalov’s novelty 18. a5 cleared the square for the Knight and made it more difficult for Black to exchange the dark-squared bishops.
But Anand patiently defended to neutralise the pressure and initiated massive exchanges even at the cost of the pawn on f4.
Topalov allowed the Rooks to go off, and entered an opposite-coloured Bishops endgame with a strong passer on d6.
The resulting endgame was very difficult for evaluation, as nobody could say with certainty whether it’s winning or Black can hold a draw. But Topalov enjoyed the fun of trying different plans to break through, while Black had to defend himself with extreme precision.
Eventually, Topalov executed the winning idea of pushing the Black King into corner, play Bg7, g4-g5, g6 and clear the f6 square for his King. Anand saw what is looming and resigned after 56. g4.
Game 9
Topalov forced the position where his opponent has isolated Queen’s pawn, but more space to maneuver. Anand’s team came up first with a novelty – 18.Nh3 to force Black to concede some weaknesses on dark-squares.
But Topalov responded immediately with a central trust 18…e5 and the ensuing position became very interesting for observers.
With the activation of White’s Knight 32. Ng5 Topalov faced the possible problems with his kingside pawns and King itself. Anand, however, preferred back rank tactics and gave Topalov breathing space with 33. Ne4.
Anand was in mild time pressure and his 40.Rh8+ was probably a bit hasty, allowing the Black King to escape to the queenside and leaving the Rook out of play for the time of being. But he quickly regrouped forces and after 46. h5! renewed the threats against Black King.
Topalov thought for quite a while and found the fantastic resource with Knight sacrifice 54…Nxf3+! The point is that the attacking White Knight was brought back and tied in a pin.
The complicated struggle lasted for another 30 moves, but both players played with precision and the inevitable draw was signed on 83rd move
Game 10
In the Gruenfeld Indian defence, Viswanathan Anand this time he chose a different continuation and played 10…b6 instead of Na5.
After the full pieces’ development of both sides, Topalov advanced his d-pawn to the 5th rank, which prompted a double Rook exchange on the c-file.
Black obtained good play with timely pawn advances, e6 and f5.
Later, Anand surrendered Bishop’s pair in order to trade the Queens and head into an endgame where Topalov once again held a passed d-pawn. However, Black had it firmly blocked and the play revolved around the neighboring diagonals.
Topalov could not make progress and Anand started rolling his own pawn majority on the queenside. After numerous pawn exchanges, the game evaporated into a draw, which was signed on move 60.
Anand said “ I think I got a decent position but a careless 24th move allowed Topalov to get some play”
Game 11
With his last game with White pieces, Viswanathan Anand decided to start with the English opening, allowing Veselin Topalov to line the favourite reversed Sicilian setup.
Already the 11th move Ne4 was rare in theory and it was obvious that Anand had prepared something down this variation. But Topalov’s reply Qe8 immediately threw both players out of home analysis and the play continued with long and careful maneuvers in the middlegame.
Anand enjoyed the possibility of playing with pair of Bishops, but Topalov’s position was very compact without any apparent weaknesses to target.
White blocked the opponent’s queenside and forced several exchanges hoping to use the outposts on d4 and c6. Black reacted accordingly and the game was level when the first time control was reached.
Suddenly, the apparently clear endgame turned very complicated even if there were only few battling units on the board.
Topalov grabbed some initiative and won the b5-pawn, however, Anand started to coordinate the play on the kingside and obtained good counterplay.
Around the second time control, there were some nice stalemate motifs for White, but the game ended in a draw on the 65th move when the repetition became imminent.
Game 12
With his last game with White pieces, Viswanathan Anand decided to start with the English opening, allowing Veselin Topalov to line the favourite reversed Sicilian setup.
Already the 11th move Ne4 was rare in theory and it was obvious that Anand had prepared something down this variation. But Topalov’s reply Qe8 immediately threw both players out of home analysis and the play continued with long and careful maneuvers in the middlegame.
Anand enjoyed the possibility of playing with pair of Bishops, but Topalov’s position was very compact without any apparent weaknesses to target.
White blocked the opponent’s queenside and forced several exchanges hoping to use the outposts on d4 and c6. Black reacted accordingly and the game was level when the first time control was reached.
Suddenly, the apparently clear endgame turned very complicated even if there were only few battling units on the board.
Topalov grabbed some initiative and won the b5-pawn, however, Anand started to coordinate the play on the kingside and obtained good counterplay.
Around the second time control, there were some nice stalemate motifs for White, but the game ended in a draw on the 65th move when the repetition became imminent.
At the press conference Viswanathan Anand said: ‘by winning his fourth World Chess Championship title early this month he has proved critics who accused him of lacking in killer instinct wrong. It is certainly the toughest match I have ever played. I can’t recall another experience like this. In the morning, when I woke up, we had no idea who was going to win, because even in the closest match it wasn’t like one player was dominating and therefore I knew it was going to come down to the question of whose nerve held up and I am really relieved and glad that it was me. Topalov was one of the toughest opponents he’s played and found it difficult to adapt against the Bulgarian. Since morning I wasn’t thinking about any record. I was thinking just about staying alive. It was a bit difficult to adapt. Definitely, he is an incredibly tough opponent to have prevailed over this night. Honestly, I had no idea how it is going to shape up,”
Veselin Topalov: “Generally people accuse me of lack of nerves or killer instinct. My nerves worked better. I defended the third title in a row and that is very special.”
Rediff.com:
Of all the four titles you have won so far, was this one the toughest and the most eventful one?
Definitely, this was the toughest match. I have never played a championship where the result was fought till the last game. In some of the earlier matches, the match situation was such that we didn’t even play the last game. But this was very unusual.
Did that thought haunt you all the time before going to play the 12th game?
It was an unusual feeling when it comes to you. Then, you accept it and go to play. There is not much you can do.
Is this the sweetest championship you have won?
I think every championship is the sweetest when you win. I am not going to choose between them. I am happy with all of them. But this one took a lot of effort from all of us. We were all quite stressed, but we enjoyed too.
The very first game of the match came as a shock to everyone. The way it ended so fast, and the way you made the 23rd move shocked everyone. Even your expression after the move was that of shock….
I mixed up a move order. I was supposed to play the King in the next move, but I mixed up. The problem is, sometimes, it gets over immediately before you had the time to check it.
Do you feel the journey and the physical tiredness might have contributed to you making that mix up?
No, it can happen any time.
The move was described by experts as quite un-Anand like. Were you disturbed that night?
I tried to remain calm reminding myself that I have not lost the match and there are still 11 games left.
Do you feel winning the second game made a difference as you could come back immediately?
Yes, I could equalise immediately so that you could correct what happened in the first game and start afresh.
Which was the toughest game?
I think all games from 8 to 11 were very tough. I lost a game and then I should have won game 9. There were a lot of set backs during that period.
Favourite game?
The pleasant period was from games 2 to 5. I was very comfortable in those games. The two wins brought me back into the match.
Looking back, which was bad, Game 1 or Game 8?
Maybe I suffered more in Game 8.
Do you feel the match would have gone either way as most of the games were evenly poised?
Everyday when I woke up, I didn’t know how the match would go. Yes, today, I have won but yesterday when I went to play, any result was possible. I would say neither player showed any dominance.
Before the match started, everybody wrote that it was advantage Topalov. He also made statements that he would never agree for a draw. Do these kind of statements put pressure on a player who has been playing for decades?
You never know about psychological warfare, but my team protected me completely from all this. I did not read any newspapers throughout the tournament. If he tried to put pressure on me this way, it didn’t work because I simply didn’t read his interviews or anything on the championship.
Do you think he had the home country advantage?
You know the crowd was cheering for him, but I never felt like an outsider. I also feel playing at home can work either way. It can give you pressure as you are playing in front of your countrymen. But then you also get more support.
You are on top of the world; it’s like sitting on Everest. Do you feel like sitting there for long?
To be honest, if I am sitting on top of Everest, what I feel like is taking a nice, long nap! That is all I need right now.
The Indu: World champion Viswanathan Anand conceded he and his team of seconds were nervous after challenger Veselin Topalov spent a fortune to secure a supercomputer with lightning speed ahead of the summit clash in Sophia in which the Indian prevailed.
Topalov obtained the computer cluster, which ran the latest Rybka program but that was not enough as Anand successfully defended his title.
Anand’s preparation, on the other hand, relied more on what he described as “human cluster” with world number one Magnus Carlsen and former world champions Garry Kasparov and Vladimir Kramnik providing generous inputs. Despite that, Anand conceded he and his team of seconds were nervous after hearing about Topalov’s new acquisition.
In Playchess.com Anand said: “We actually started to get a bit worried when we heard about it, So we had to do something in a hurry…. Then the people from Hiarcs (a computer chess program) got in touch…That improved matters quite a bit, computers are useful but it has its limitations too.
It must be good for the player to have good hardware. The problem is that it often doesn’t tell you what you want. You want it to find an improvement for white, and it may choose to find it for black instead.
It is also insidious — it can stop you playing your favourite lines because of some obscure problems somewhere. I would say computers are very useful — especially very powerful hardware — but if working with the computer means you stop taking risks it’s of course going to kill you,”
In that respect, human analysis has an edge. With humans it is fantastic, because some of the things they tell you, you can almost relate to. You can almost see how it is something you can apply at the board. In the last few days some of the suggestions came from Vlady (Kramnik) — very intelligent suggestions, with his explanation of why you should do this or that. Or sometimes Garry (Kasparov) will tell you a story about the player, and it is some insight, which at a critical moment it may help you to choose between two moves and that can be decisive. So it is a very, very different kind of help. Of course these are some of the greatest players in chess, so you can’t really ask for more,”.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Total | |
| Anand, V | 0 | 1 | ½ | 1 | ½ | ½ | ½ | 0 | ½ | ½ | ½ | 1 | 6 ½ |
| Topalov, V | 1 | 0 | ½ | 0 | ½ | ½ | ½ | 1 | ½ | ½ | ½ | 0 | 5 ½ |
