We have come across round 11 of World Chess Championship between defending champion Viswanathan Anand vs challenger Boris Gelfand of Israel. The highlight of the round is this is the last white game for Gelfand in classical time control. The game went 1.d4 and Nimzo Indian as Anand defending strategy. Many where amused at the point where Anand played very rare and vintage 8 ... Bd7, and Gelfand think for 35 minutes before replying 9.a3. The game although played quite long time , but it was a draw on 25 moves, Gelfand only down to 15 minutes time and Anand an hour. The score now is 5.5-5.5 for Anand and Gelfand.
Whole compilation of Grandmaster commentaries and quotations here. The source are:
Live commentaries
- Svidler and Kramnik on official site with GM Max Dlugy and Jakonenko in the room.
- Natalia Pogonina and Jennifer Shahade on chessgames.com with GM Ray Keene escorting
- IM Malcolm Pein and Mark Crowther on TWIC
- Arkadij Naiditsch on chessbomb/chessdom
- Susan Polgar, Erwin l'Ami etc. twitted during all the games on Twitter
- Sergey Shipov on chessintranslation
Post game annotations:
- Gilberto Milos on chessbase
the Opening
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.Nf3 c5 7.O-O dxc4 8.Bxc4
Mikhail Golubev Really tired with the match, don't care who will win, even not waiting for the interesting play anymore, only hope there will be no tiebreak
@Pogonina: Kramnik: This is "random chess", anyone can win now, given the tension
Naiditsch
4. e3 It seems like he really got fed of suffering in Slav. We have the main Nimzo with 4.e3, Rubinstein variation. This time we can expect Anand to be better prepared than in the previous game.
the surprises and novelty
Bd7 9.a3 Ba5 10.Qe2 Bc6 11.Rd1 Bxc3
Naiditsch
7. O-O dxc4 8. Bxc4 Bd7 Wow, this is a real surprise, 8...Bd7!? I am myself playing Nimzo with Black for the last 10 years and never even thought about this move. And indeed, the database is showing that this move is super rare, but been already played by very strong players like Korchnoi or Jussupow (old school move).
@SusanPolgar: 7. O-O dxc4 8. Bxc4 Bd7 This is a rare move. It seems that Anand wants to stay away from the main line.
@Pogonina: Kramnik: Alas for me, I have probably "caught" Anand at his prime. He was a SCARY opponent. :)
Pogonina: Kramnik and Smirin are saying they know what is inside Gelfand's magic bottle! :P
@MarkTWIC: World #Chess Championship Game 11: 8...Bd7 apparently a Bronstein invention. I couldn't find it in Sokolov's book on the Nimzo.
@erwinlami: Rather excessive to be spending over half an hour on this position if you ask me.
Natalia Pogonina: The idea behind d7 is to develop the bishop along the a8-h1 diagonal without weakening the c6 square by playing b6. The knight can come out on d7 later.
Gilberto Milos ..Bxc3 A novelty! Usually Black plays ...Qe7 or Nbd7 here. [11...Nbd7 12.d5 exd5 13.Nxd5 Nb6 was played in Knaak-Yussupov 1991. ]
the Middlegame
12.bxc3 Nbd7 13.Bd3 Qa5 14.c4 cxd4 15.exd4 Qh5 16.Bf4 Rac8 17.Ne5 Qxe2 18.Bxe2 Nxe5 19.Bxe5 Rfd8
@ChessinT: Sergey Shipov: "Boris, pull yourself together! It's time to play chess.
@erwinlami: Anand found a different way of stopping e4, by attacking c3! Of course 14.e4 Qxc3 15.Bd2 has to be checked. #anandgelfand
Naiditsch
13. Bd3 And we see Gelfand is playing 13.Bd3 anyway, why? Probably because he could not find anything else. In case of 13.Bb2 Qc7! (threatening Ng4 next) probably White would have nothing better than to play 14.Bd3 anyway, so why not to play it immediately.
15. exd4 @erwinlami: Probably overestimating the pair of bishops again but I do think white has a stable edge here.
@SusanPolgar: @erwinlami Totally agree. I like white better here.
Svidler
12.bxc3 Nbd7 "So far the guess the move percentage of the super-GMs in this position is close to zero. The whole sequence that has appeared on the board has not been predicted by anybody." - Svidler talking about the press room discussion of this game so far. Nbd7 left Kramnik and Svidler "completely lost" as to what Anand is doing.
15.exd4 This is the second Nimzo of the match and in both games Anand has chosen the same pawn structure with the same pieces remaining Alberto Milos
Malcolm Pein 17.Ne5 The time situation will play a huge influence on Boris Gelfand's choice of moves from now on. This commits to a position which Gelfand will be able to play quickly. "Wow, either Boris was a little unnerved by the opening surprise or just wants to grind on in a position of safety. I guess he did not like the Bxf3 option for Black and he was way behind on the clock and wants to avoid very complex play"
Naiditsch
18. Bxe2 Nxe5 The endgame is tiny little better for White, even if I think it should objectively be a draw. White got a bishop pair, but the hanging pawns c4 and d4 are giving Black enough counterplay.
With the Queens on board, White always has many tactical ideas, but with the Queens off the board, the pawns on c4 and d4 are more weakness then strength of White position.
Natalia Pogonina: Boris is looking now like a professor who fell asleep in the subway.
the Equalizer and draw
20.a4 Ne4 21.Rd3 f6 22.Bf4 Be8 23.Rb3 Rxd4 24.Be3 Rd7 1/2-1/2
Naiditsch draw!! And of course agreed by Gelfand. Tomorrow is another free day and then we will see Anand playing his last White.
@erwinlami The iniative -also considering Boris' time- definitely passed to Anand. But 23.Rb3 might just keep the balance.
Draw agreed! Indeed 25.Bxa7 Nc5 26.Bxc5 Rxc5 27.a5 doesn't promise anything for either side.
JenShahade: Kramnik: "I would say Gelfand's chances are 55-45 in classical chess now and 45-55 in rapid". (commentator) Statements like these are vacuous, even if they come from a legend.
I disagree! I like statements like this :) I know from commentary at the US Chess Champs that it's VERY hard to pin down chessplayers on predictions. I.e- Many GMs in the US Chess Champs when we asked whether Kamsky or Nakamura would win, at a point when they both had the same score. "I don't like to predict"
Natalia Pogonina: Kramnik: "Losing in blitz, unlike in rapid, is a coin-flip". Says the stress is enormous; recalls how he lost 10 kilos (about 25 pounds) during the match against Kasparov. This is absolutely true. The more I play, the slimmer I am becoming. And vice versa. :)
Jon Ludvig Hammer @gmjlh Happy birthday to Anand's second Peter Heine. Hopefully he'll get to celebrate it on Sunday ;)
Silvio Danailov @SilvioDanailov The most important and difficult thing for Gelfand for the rest of the match is to believe and convince himself that he can win.Nothing more
Anand: Everything is interesting for me, and you decide for yourselves.
Gelfand: the interest towards the match is shocking and unprecedented
Meanwhile, hot news in Twitter now is GM Hikaru Nakamura unhappy with the new book by Karsen Muller "Fighting Chess with Hikaru Nakamura" . Nakamura dully twit : "It is truly disgusting that people are allowed to write books and profit off of our games without our permission. "
--- all comments and twitter by their respective author ---
Perjuangan Boris Gelfand, pecatur berwarga negara Israel, untuk merebut tahta Juara dunia dari Viswanthan Anand masih belum kecapaian. Walau demikian penggemar catur seluruh dunia menanti dengan seksama setiap langkah catur ke dua grandmaster ini. Hingga kemarin telah dimainkan sebelas partai dwi tarung catur antara kedua nya. Dwi tarung catur Anand Gelfand ini berlangsung di gedung meseum di Moscow. Seperti diberitakan blog ini sebelumnya, Gelfand berhasil mengalahkan Anand di ronde ke tujuh tetapi di ronde delapan, Gelfand membuat blunder parah mengakibatkan dia kalah hanya di langkah 17. Hal ini membuat rekor partai dwi tarung juara dunia tercepat. Selanjutnya kedua tetap bersaing ketat hingga ronde ini, ke sebelas.
Di ronde sebelas, Gelfand memegang buah putih dan dijawab Anand dengan pembelaan Nimzo Indian. Gelfand memilih variasi Rubinsten ..e3 tetapi kejutannya adalah di langkah 8 hitam membalas ...Bd7. Gelfand kemudian menghabiskan waktu 35 menitan hanya untuk menjawab dengan 9.a3.
Di atas telah ditampilkan kompilasi komentar-komentar grandmaster dunia yang ikut menyaksikan even bersejarah ini. Di era internet ini seluruh penggemar catur dunia bisa ikut menikmati langkah-langkah catur juara dunia di mana saja. Melalui blackberry sangat disarankan mengikuti melalui twitter di mana mantan juara catur wanita Susan Polgar dan pecatur muda dari Belanda Erwin l'Ami dengan rajin men-twit komentarnya LIVE langkah per langkah.
Mohon maaf seluruh komentar tidak bisa diterjemahkan karena waktu, tetapi sangat disarankan untuk dibaca bagi yang mengerti.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
GMs Comment the Sicilian defence of Anand-Gelfand Round 10
World Chess Championship now reach round 10. High voltage on the stage as the two player Viswanathan Anand and Boris Gelfand are now full of T.N.T. to bomb each other. But the game quickly went back to black, as both player gone side line of Sicilian and Boris taking care of black side looks win the surprise show. After answered by Gelfand sicilian defence, Anand try a ballbreaker 5.b3 but it was Gelfand who made who by instant replaying the even more eyebrow rising 5...e5. Black quickly equalized although the position actually looks razor edge in the center. After 25 moves the highway to hell didn't went for anybody and peace signed.
Now the trend of compiling twitter and quotes around the world done also in major site (TWIC has done it), your faithful still motivated to compiled most of interesting comments available on net. This is a way to archieving this historic event of World Championship and documented any grandmaster that take part in making this chess event even more colorful.
Last night is the most crowded so far as I can collected. Here the sources:
during game / live commentaries:
Svidler, Morozevich and Karjakin (but not available quotes) on official site
Susan Polgar, Erwin l'Ami, Malcolm Pein and Mark TWIC Crowther, J.L. Hammer etc. on Twitter
Natalia Pogonina and Jennifer Shahade on chessgames
Arkadij Naiditsch on chessdom/chessbomb
Sergey Shipov on chessintranslation (tranlated by Dan MacKenzie)
post game commentaries:
Sergey Shipov and Malcolm Pein analysis
Romain Edouard on chessbase
Let There Be Rock - The Opening
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 e6 4.Bxc6 bxc6
Stuart Conquest @stuthefox
I kind of predicted this opening (Rossolimo Sicilian) to myself! But I didn't dare tweet it.
GM Naiditsch
3. Bb5 e6 and here we have the change on the 3rd move instead of the 3.d4 Anand is playing 3...Bb5, The main reply today is 3...Nf6, but of course 3...e6 is a well known move
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
And we have the Rossolimo Sicilian, which is more rare than other Sicilan lines.
GM Edouard
Avoiding the Sicilian Pelikan: not such a surprise in my opinion!
IM Pein (post game)
I was very impressed in game 9 how Boris bounced back from the game 8 debacle. He showed he was not crushed by it and pushed for the win.
Are You Ready - the 5.b3 e5
5.b3 e5
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
5...e5 Anand tried to surprise Gelfand with a relative rare opening in modern WC, only to be surprised by his opponent in the 5th move.
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
It's clear that Gelfand is very well prepared for this match. This is why Gelfand struggled recently in tournaments, he was hiding his prep.
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
World #Chess Championship Anand-Gelfand (10) Very concrete opening play from Gelfand. Anand probably didn't hope for this after 5.b3
Jennifer Shahade @JenShahade
@MarkTWIC I agree, Gelfand seems impressively prepped here.
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
@JenShahade Svider thinks Gelfand will continue to play fast for some time. I very much enjoyed your US #Chess Championship broadcasts
@erwinlami: Black looks comfortable. In the endgame the bishop-pair and more space will compensate the double c-pawns.
GM Naiditsch
5. b3 and Anand is doing my favorite move, 5.b3!? I played this myself quite often with White. One of the major ideas of the 5.b3 is, to play quickly Ba3 followed by the d4 move
5... e5 but Gelfand seems to know exactly what he is doing, and answering with the 5...e5!? - it is again amazing, what kind of very deep preparation Gelfand and his team were able to make. Practically in every game Gefland is surprising Anand with something! The 5...e5 !? is already almost a novelty! And clearly the first game on the high level! The critical move in the position is 6.Nxe5. I think in case White does not play 6.Nxe5, Black should be doing perfectly fine, the next moves could be d6,Nf6,Be7, and castle short.
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
Interesting position after only 6 moves 5...e5 pretty much a novelty unclear endgame on the board
GM Edouard
e5!? Almost a novelty! This brillant move simply solves all problems immediately. Black wants to play ...d6 next with a very good position, which forces White to take on e5.
GM Shipov (post game)
This is already a serious decision… Black places his pawn under attack, blockading the pawn on e4. As it turns out, this is not a novelty. [White would meet the more cautious 5...d6 with 6.e5 , with the idea 6...dxe5 7.Nxe5 Qd4 8.Nc4 Qxa1 9.Nc3 , and White will successfully trap the Black queen.]
Get it Hot - Middlegame
6.Nxe5 Qe7 7.Bb2 d6 8.Nc4 d5 9.Ne3 d4 10.Nc4 Qxe4+ 11.Qe2 Qxe2+ 12.Kxe2 Be6 13.d3 Nf6 14.Nbd2 O-O-O
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
Note that 7...d6 8.Nxc6? Qc7 traps the knight. I expect 8.Nc4 d5!?
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
6.Nxe5 Qe7 7.Bb2 d6 8.Nc4 d5 9.Ne3 d4 Knight back to c4, Queens will come off the board
GM Naiditsch
11. Qe2 Gelfand started to think a little, maybe that means he expected more 9.Ne5 and not 9.Ne3. This endgame looks better for White but again, maybe Gelfand's team found some resources to make the game equal.
Jon Ludvig Hammer @gmjlh
@erwinlami Really? I like this for white - just go d3 and in the long term c3 will be very annoying?
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
Trying to figure where the white knights go. Nc4-e5-d3 and Nb1-a3-c4 perhaps Moves on http://twiclive.com/silverlive.htm
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
@gmjlh I am thinking that after a subsequent Nf6, 0-0-0, h5-h4 etc. it's rather difficult to get c3 in.
Shipov (during the game): "Before the match I thought Anand would be a little stronger in a dry positional battle [...] let's see if that verdict was right."
Alexander Morozevich joins Dirk Jan and Svidler in the English commentary box
Alexander Morozevich on Gelfand's match strategy: "Trying to play as direct as possible with the black pieces."
Sergey Karjakin joins the Russian commentary... now talking about being Kramnik's second when he played Grischuk.
Natalia Pogonina: Following the game Shaposhnikov (2525) - Bocharov (2403), 1-0, 2001. Now Bocharov is a 2600 player, but 11 years ago he had just 2400.
JenShahade: That Shaposhnikov game that Natalia mentions continued Nc4 Qxe4+ Ne3 Nf6 Bxf6 gxf6 with an unusual position with two knights vs. two bishops. What would you guys prefer here?
GM Shipov (Post game)
8…d5 A novelty! I am amazed by the speed with which the opponents are moving the pieces across the board. It reminds me exactly of my battles in Internet bullet chess with a minute on each side… Boris and Vishy are for now simply repeating their home analysis
JenShahade: Impressive preparedness by Gelfand IMO.
Natalia Pogonina: Yeah, his seconds are working amazingly well so far!
IM Pein (post game)
8.Nc4 d5, Technically the novelty. Black gains space with tempo and proceeds to block the Bb2 He has some long terms concerns as his c5 pawn could be vulnerable but right now he is active. His light squared bishop is unchallenged. Although this position is new, positions of this type occur frequently in this line.
Shoot to Thrill
15.Rhe1 Be7 16.Kf1 Rhe8 17.Ba3 Nd5 18.Ne4 Nb4 19.Re2 Bxc4 20.bxc4 f5
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
Tal Memorial #Chess. The draw for the event will be decided by a blitz tournament. Need to finish in the top half for more whites!
Jennifer Shahade @JenShahade
@MarkTWIC that is so awesome, what a great idea.
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
@JenShahade It occurs to me that this Tal Memorial blitz for your tournament draw number idea ought to favour Nakamura!
Shipov says in a bullet game he'd sac the exchange on e6 to get perfect squares for his knights... but he wouldn't try it in proper game.
Chess in Translation @ChessinT
Smirin: "Tarrasch said 'a knight on the rim is dim', but he didn't say anything about a bishop" Grischuk: "It went without saying!"
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
18...Nb4 I guess 19.Re2 now - strange symmetry Black doesn't want to take on c4 White avoids taking on b4 :)
Svidler on Korchnoi's notorious insults: "If he feels compelled to insult you after the game you should wear it as a badge of honour."
Natalia Pogonina @Pogonina
@MarkTWIC Was he referring to the case when Korchnoi told him: "Young man, you have no idea how to play the endgame"? :)
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
@Pogonina It was Svidler's first win vs Korchnoi who complained that he had to make it interesting and he would never have lost otherwise
Natalia Pogonina @Pogonina
@MarkTWIC Was he referring to the case when Korchnoi told him: "Young man, you have no idea how to play the endgame"? :)
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
17...Nd5 I do not think that Gelfand will have much difficulties holding this position.
Grischuk: In this match Anand is playing both impulsively and slowly.
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
Interesting decision by Boris to give the bishop on c4. 21.Bxb4 cxb4 22.Nd2 Bf8 is a like scenario now. #anandgelfand
GM Naiditsch
19... Bxc4 why Black needed to play first 19...Bxc4 and not directly
19...f5, not so easy to see, but White has a very nice trick: 19..f5 20.Ng3 Bxc4 and now 21.Nxf5! not an easy move to see during the live game
Have A Drink On Me - draw offered
21.Bxb4 cxb4 22.Nd2 Bd6 23.Rxe8 Rxe8 24.Nb3 c5 25.a3 1/2-1/2
Shipov says Gelfand offering a draw after 21...cxb4 was revenge for Anand's inappropriate offer yesterday (when Gelfand had the edge).
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
VA avoids the Ng3 move but Black looks fine White has no pawn breaks except a2-a3 and knight has no good outpost yet
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
I think the correct sequence is 25.a3 bxa3 26.Rxa3 Kb7 27.Ra5 a6! with the idea 28.Nxc5? Kb6 29.Nb3 Bb4! and the a-pawn is dangerous.
Chess in Translation @ChessinT
Well, despite some pre-match predictions we're going to get at least 12 games...
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
Draw agreed already. Fairly easy game for Gelfand. The score is 5-5!
GM Shipov
25.a3 Anand played this move… and offered a draw! Apparently he realized that his prospects were not as radiant as they appeared from afar. Gelfand did not take offense and did not refuse the offer in return — it’s a DRAW!
Jovanka Houska @thelittlehat
When chess players are playing a match I do think draws should not be agreed so early. Endgames are fascinating So play them out!
Sutovsky doesn't think the draw was evident. He suggested several variants, underlined advantages for the both players. Sutovsky: I think this is the last competition with rules "draw whenever you like"
GM Edouard
25.a3 It is quite impressive how the Israeli player manages to surprise his opponent in almost every game. Not many people on earth would manage to draw several games so easily against Anand with Black: Gelfand is not only a challenger, but also a real candidate for the World Champion title.
Anish Giri @anishgiri
Seems like Anand wasted a nice advantage.. Some longer tortures were possible, at least! Now things can get very random- exciting match.
after the game
Gelfand on his Novelty, at least at the top level. "It's always nice to play a novelty on the 5th move because this doesn't happen every day. Usually you apply your novelties on move 20 or 25 and sometimes we are scared of novelties as late as move 40."
Svidler 25.a3 is a surprising move on which to finish because it seems like the move that actually opens up the position."
Morozevich on Gelfand's play so far: "Trying to play as direct as possible with the black pieces."
Morozevich explaining that not all games are planned in detail by GMs but are more haphazard: "Oops suddenly I'm winning, oops suddenly it's a draw."
Svidler: "I dislike passive defense because I'm no good at it."
Silvio Danailov @SilvioDanailov
My son asked me why the final position of today's game was draw.No answer on the FIDE handbook,so I suggested him to ask Kirsan or Makro.
Silvio Danailov @SilvioDanailov
Finally everybody (including GM Lex Valensa:) starts to understand why chess need Sofia Rules.Congrats! I was suggesting this since 2004.
all text, quotes, twits and commentaries by its respective author
Now the trend of compiling twitter and quotes around the world done also in major site (TWIC has done it), your faithful still motivated to compiled most of interesting comments available on net. This is a way to archieving this historic event of World Championship and documented any grandmaster that take part in making this chess event even more colorful.
Last night is the most crowded so far as I can collected. Here the sources:
during game / live commentaries:
Svidler, Morozevich and Karjakin (but not available quotes) on official site
Susan Polgar, Erwin l'Ami, Malcolm Pein and Mark TWIC Crowther, J.L. Hammer etc. on Twitter
Natalia Pogonina and Jennifer Shahade on chessgames
Arkadij Naiditsch on chessdom/chessbomb
Sergey Shipov on chessintranslation (tranlated by Dan MacKenzie)
post game commentaries:
Sergey Shipov and Malcolm Pein analysis
Romain Edouard on chessbase
Let There Be Rock - The Opening
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 e6 4.Bxc6 bxc6
Stuart Conquest @stuthefox
I kind of predicted this opening (Rossolimo Sicilian) to myself! But I didn't dare tweet it.
GM Naiditsch
3. Bb5 e6 and here we have the change on the 3rd move instead of the 3.d4 Anand is playing 3...Bb5, The main reply today is 3...Nf6, but of course 3...e6 is a well known move
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
And we have the Rossolimo Sicilian, which is more rare than other Sicilan lines.
GM Edouard
Avoiding the Sicilian Pelikan: not such a surprise in my opinion!
IM Pein (post game)
I was very impressed in game 9 how Boris bounced back from the game 8 debacle. He showed he was not crushed by it and pushed for the win.
Are You Ready - the 5.b3 e5
5.b3 e5
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
5...e5 Anand tried to surprise Gelfand with a relative rare opening in modern WC, only to be surprised by his opponent in the 5th move.
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
It's clear that Gelfand is very well prepared for this match. This is why Gelfand struggled recently in tournaments, he was hiding his prep.
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
World #Chess Championship Anand-Gelfand (10) Very concrete opening play from Gelfand. Anand probably didn't hope for this after 5.b3
Jennifer Shahade @JenShahade
@MarkTWIC I agree, Gelfand seems impressively prepped here.
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
@JenShahade Svider thinks Gelfand will continue to play fast for some time. I very much enjoyed your US #Chess Championship broadcasts
@erwinlami: Black looks comfortable. In the endgame the bishop-pair and more space will compensate the double c-pawns.
GM Naiditsch
5. b3 and Anand is doing my favorite move, 5.b3!? I played this myself quite often with White. One of the major ideas of the 5.b3 is, to play quickly Ba3 followed by the d4 move
5... e5 but Gelfand seems to know exactly what he is doing, and answering with the 5...e5!? - it is again amazing, what kind of very deep preparation Gelfand and his team were able to make. Practically in every game Gefland is surprising Anand with something! The 5...e5 !? is already almost a novelty! And clearly the first game on the high level! The critical move in the position is 6.Nxe5. I think in case White does not play 6.Nxe5, Black should be doing perfectly fine, the next moves could be d6,Nf6,Be7, and castle short.
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
Interesting position after only 6 moves 5...e5 pretty much a novelty unclear endgame on the board
GM Edouard
e5!? Almost a novelty! This brillant move simply solves all problems immediately. Black wants to play ...d6 next with a very good position, which forces White to take on e5.
GM Shipov (post game)
This is already a serious decision… Black places his pawn under attack, blockading the pawn on e4. As it turns out, this is not a novelty. [White would meet the more cautious 5...d6 with 6.e5 , with the idea 6...dxe5 7.Nxe5 Qd4 8.Nc4 Qxa1 9.Nc3 , and White will successfully trap the Black queen.]
Get it Hot - Middlegame
6.Nxe5 Qe7 7.Bb2 d6 8.Nc4 d5 9.Ne3 d4 10.Nc4 Qxe4+ 11.Qe2 Qxe2+ 12.Kxe2 Be6 13.d3 Nf6 14.Nbd2 O-O-O
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
Note that 7...d6 8.Nxc6? Qc7 traps the knight. I expect 8.Nc4 d5!?
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
6.Nxe5 Qe7 7.Bb2 d6 8.Nc4 d5 9.Ne3 d4 Knight back to c4, Queens will come off the board
GM Naiditsch
11. Qe2 Gelfand started to think a little, maybe that means he expected more 9.Ne5 and not 9.Ne3. This endgame looks better for White but again, maybe Gelfand's team found some resources to make the game equal.
Jon Ludvig Hammer @gmjlh
@erwinlami Really? I like this for white - just go d3 and in the long term c3 will be very annoying?
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
Trying to figure where the white knights go. Nc4-e5-d3 and Nb1-a3-c4 perhaps Moves on http://twiclive.com/silverlive.htm
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
@gmjlh I am thinking that after a subsequent Nf6, 0-0-0, h5-h4 etc. it's rather difficult to get c3 in.
Shipov (during the game): "Before the match I thought Anand would be a little stronger in a dry positional battle [...] let's see if that verdict was right."
Alexander Morozevich joins Dirk Jan and Svidler in the English commentary box
Alexander Morozevich on Gelfand's match strategy: "Trying to play as direct as possible with the black pieces."
Sergey Karjakin joins the Russian commentary... now talking about being Kramnik's second when he played Grischuk.
Natalia Pogonina: Following the game Shaposhnikov (2525) - Bocharov (2403), 1-0, 2001. Now Bocharov is a 2600 player, but 11 years ago he had just 2400.
JenShahade: That Shaposhnikov game that Natalia mentions continued Nc4 Qxe4+ Ne3 Nf6 Bxf6 gxf6 with an unusual position with two knights vs. two bishops. What would you guys prefer here?
GM Shipov (Post game)
8…d5 A novelty! I am amazed by the speed with which the opponents are moving the pieces across the board. It reminds me exactly of my battles in Internet bullet chess with a minute on each side… Boris and Vishy are for now simply repeating their home analysis
JenShahade: Impressive preparedness by Gelfand IMO.
Natalia Pogonina: Yeah, his seconds are working amazingly well so far!
IM Pein (post game)
8.Nc4 d5, Technically the novelty. Black gains space with tempo and proceeds to block the Bb2 He has some long terms concerns as his c5 pawn could be vulnerable but right now he is active. His light squared bishop is unchallenged. Although this position is new, positions of this type occur frequently in this line.
Shoot to Thrill
15.Rhe1 Be7 16.Kf1 Rhe8 17.Ba3 Nd5 18.Ne4 Nb4 19.Re2 Bxc4 20.bxc4 f5
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
Tal Memorial #Chess. The draw for the event will be decided by a blitz tournament. Need to finish in the top half for more whites!
Jennifer Shahade @JenShahade
@MarkTWIC that is so awesome, what a great idea.
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
@JenShahade It occurs to me that this Tal Memorial blitz for your tournament draw number idea ought to favour Nakamura!
Shipov says in a bullet game he'd sac the exchange on e6 to get perfect squares for his knights... but he wouldn't try it in proper game.
Chess in Translation @ChessinT
Smirin: "Tarrasch said 'a knight on the rim is dim', but he didn't say anything about a bishop" Grischuk: "It went without saying!"
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
18...Nb4 I guess 19.Re2 now - strange symmetry Black doesn't want to take on c4 White avoids taking on b4 :)
Svidler on Korchnoi's notorious insults: "If he feels compelled to insult you after the game you should wear it as a badge of honour."
Natalia Pogonina @Pogonina
@MarkTWIC Was he referring to the case when Korchnoi told him: "Young man, you have no idea how to play the endgame"? :)
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
@Pogonina It was Svidler's first win vs Korchnoi who complained that he had to make it interesting and he would never have lost otherwise
Natalia Pogonina @Pogonina
@MarkTWIC Was he referring to the case when Korchnoi told him: "Young man, you have no idea how to play the endgame"? :)
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
17...Nd5 I do not think that Gelfand will have much difficulties holding this position.
Grischuk: In this match Anand is playing both impulsively and slowly.
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
Interesting decision by Boris to give the bishop on c4. 21.Bxb4 cxb4 22.Nd2 Bf8 is a like scenario now. #anandgelfand
GM Naiditsch
19... Bxc4 why Black needed to play first 19...Bxc4 and not directly
19...f5, not so easy to see, but White has a very nice trick: 19..f5 20.Ng3 Bxc4 and now 21.Nxf5! not an easy move to see during the live game
Have A Drink On Me - draw offered
21.Bxb4 cxb4 22.Nd2 Bd6 23.Rxe8 Rxe8 24.Nb3 c5 25.a3 1/2-1/2
Shipov says Gelfand offering a draw after 21...cxb4 was revenge for Anand's inappropriate offer yesterday (when Gelfand had the edge).
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
VA avoids the Ng3 move but Black looks fine White has no pawn breaks except a2-a3 and knight has no good outpost yet
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
I think the correct sequence is 25.a3 bxa3 26.Rxa3 Kb7 27.Ra5 a6! with the idea 28.Nxc5? Kb6 29.Nb3 Bb4! and the a-pawn is dangerous.
Chess in Translation @ChessinT
Well, despite some pre-match predictions we're going to get at least 12 games...
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
Draw agreed already. Fairly easy game for Gelfand. The score is 5-5!
GM Shipov
25.a3 Anand played this move… and offered a draw! Apparently he realized that his prospects were not as radiant as they appeared from afar. Gelfand did not take offense and did not refuse the offer in return — it’s a DRAW!
Jovanka Houska @thelittlehat
When chess players are playing a match I do think draws should not be agreed so early. Endgames are fascinating So play them out!
Sutovsky doesn't think the draw was evident. He suggested several variants, underlined advantages for the both players. Sutovsky: I think this is the last competition with rules "draw whenever you like"
GM Edouard
25.a3 It is quite impressive how the Israeli player manages to surprise his opponent in almost every game. Not many people on earth would manage to draw several games so easily against Anand with Black: Gelfand is not only a challenger, but also a real candidate for the World Champion title.
Anish Giri @anishgiri
Seems like Anand wasted a nice advantage.. Some longer tortures were possible, at least! Now things can get very random- exciting match.
after the game
Gelfand on his Novelty, at least at the top level. "It's always nice to play a novelty on the 5th move because this doesn't happen every day. Usually you apply your novelties on move 20 or 25 and sometimes we are scared of novelties as late as move 40."
Svidler 25.a3 is a surprising move on which to finish because it seems like the move that actually opens up the position."
Morozevich on Gelfand's play so far: "Trying to play as direct as possible with the black pieces."
Morozevich explaining that not all games are planned in detail by GMs but are more haphazard: "Oops suddenly I'm winning, oops suddenly it's a draw."
Svidler: "I dislike passive defense because I'm no good at it."
Silvio Danailov @SilvioDanailov
My son asked me why the final position of today's game was draw.No answer on the FIDE handbook,so I suggested him to ask Kirsan or Makro.
Silvio Danailov @SilvioDanailov
Finally everybody (including GM Lex Valensa:) starts to understand why chess need Sofia Rules.Congrats! I was suggesting this since 2004.
all text, quotes, twits and commentaries by its respective author
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
GMs Comment Gelfand-Anand Hard Draw on Round Nine
Game nine of World Chess Championship 2012 between Viswanathan Anand and Boris Gelfand ended in a draw. A Nimzo Indian was played as Boris Gelfand on White's 1.d4 and Anand played Black. In the middle game, Gelfand put permanent waves of attack to black side and black needed a caress of steel to defence it. Unfortunately the vapor trails of white plan to bring a farewell to king of black just not work. When the clockwork angels didn't favoured both player in time trouble, white giving up and offered a draw. Fortunately this draw is more than the previous draw and see signal of each player tendency to roll the bones of their opponent.
A compilation of Grandmaster commentaries from official site and "unofficial" on twitter are once again present here. I thank you whom supporting this fun project and hope to as close as possible to documented fun trivial comments on this historic match.
LIVE commentaries on official site:
Peter Svidler, Grischuk, Illya Smirin
during game / LIVE
GM Arkadij Naiditsch on chessdom/chessbomb
Natalia Pogonina on chessgames and twitter
GM Sergey Shipov is doing live commentaries and post game analysis
GM Alberto Milos on chessbase
IM Malcolm Pein on TWIC and live comment on twitter as well
Twitter
Susan Polgar, Erwin L'Ami joined now Anish Giri, Stuart Conquest,
Kosteniuk , Mark "TWIC" Crowther etc.
Different Stages the Nimzo Indian Defence
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.Nf3 c5 7.O-O dxc4
Natalia Pogonina @Pogonina
Correctly predicted 1.d4 Nf6 in today's game (no Slav!)
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
Logical for Anand to switch openings, game 7 was a disaster. #anandgelfand
IM Malcolm Pein
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4
The Slav is evidently in the repair shop
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
World #Chess Championship Gm9. Gelfand-Anand. Highly theoretical Nimzo-Indian is a change from the semi-slav Anand has played so far.
Grischuk: "I think that after the last two games they have lost respect for each other in the chess sense and will now be playing more ambitiously". :)
Natalia Pogonina: Today’s game is very interesting in the sense that now both players have suffered knock-downs. Let’s see whose nerves are stronger. The stereotype is that Anand handles defeats pretty badly, while Gelfand is more resistant. However, his blunder in game 8 reminded everyone that Boris is by far not as good in tactics as Anand usually is. Will Vishy be able to exploit this advantage somehow, or will Gelfand recover from the blow and put his motivation and strong will to good use? We’ll find out soon
Natalia Pogonina: I wonder how many blue NIIT shirts Anand has at his disposal. It looks as if he is always wearing the same one, but the impression is obviously wrong.
GM Naiditsch
6. Nf3 c5 we see the very main Nimzovich variation, the line with d5 and c5. Anand himself played many games in this position, as well as Gelfand with Black. The position is very well known was popular opening even 70 years ago!
Working Man - The Middlegame
8.Bxc4 cxd4 9.exd4 b6 10.Bg5 Bb7 11.Qe2 Nbd7 12.Rac1 Rc8 13.Bd3 Bxc3 14.bxc3 Qc7
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
7...dxc4 8. Bxc4 cxd4 9. exd4 b6 We have yet to see a novelty so far. 10. Bg5 Bb7 11. Qe2 Both are still in theory.
11...Nbd7 12. Rac1 It's interesting that even though Anand surprised Gelfand with the Nimzo, White is playing faster.
Jovanka Houska @thelittlehat
listening and enjoying Svidler's commentary esp his opinion on program patzers!
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
A game Karpov-Psakhis continued 12...Bxc3 13.bxc3 Qc7 14.Bd3 Ng4! forcing a bishop exchange with on e4.
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
12...Rc8 Anand spent a lot of time to make this move. White could make a play for the Kingside or the center. I give white a slight edge +=
GM Naiditsch
12. Rac1 Gelfand seems to know it well and plays very quickly 12.Rac1, as well a logical move. White wants to play at 12...Rc8 13.Bd3 and now Black got not the chance to play Qc7 move, which is usually the right position for the Queen. Seems like Gelfand managed to surprise Vishy, which could mean a game full of action for us!
Test for Echo, the c4-c5!?
15.c4 Bxf3 16.Qxf3 Rfe8 17.Rfd1 h6 18.Bh4 Qd6 19.c5 bxc5
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
I surely didn't expect 15...Bxf3. Black wants to block the position after 16.Qxf3 e5. What about 17.Bf5!?
Natalia Pogonina @Pogonina
Still don't understand Anand's Bf3. Recalled the wrong line? Overseen something?
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
World #Chess Championship Game 9 16.Qxf3 Rfe8 * unless Vishy has some big idea white looks good here.
GM Naiditsch
15. c4 Black has now a couple of moves as well, I think 15...Qd6 is looking very solid, maybe 15...Qc6!? also interesting
15... Bxf3 this is really a surprising move by Anand, 15...Bxf3?! does not look good to me
Svidler is ecstatic about white's position on the official website
IM Malcolm Pein
15.c4 Bxf3?!
Voluntarily giving up the two bishops. Vishy criticised this afterwards. "Obviously I messed something up in the opening. Normally speaking my position is much worse, White just got the two bishops for my two knights and the only thing I did was to try and provoke this move 19. c5 because I thought that I would get rid of the bishop in almost all the lines and I could try and make a fortress. This is in fact what happened in the game."
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
World #Chess Championship Game 9 after the dull start the match has sprung to life. This is why most fans wanted a longer match.
"This is what he was working towards his entire life." Svidler on Gelfand.
Grischuk on the Russian commentary: "If I was playing an average grandmaster I'd think this position would win itself".
17.Rfd1 h6 * Svidler thinks 18.Bh4 is the most natural here.
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
RT @erwinlami: @jonathanddownie So do I! Guess he missed Bf5 in case of e5, otherwise he'd never give up his bishop on f3.
Erwin l'Ami
If Anand missed such a shallow line then he's in deep trouble in this match. Maybe explanation of Gelfand aggression in Gm8
Grischuk: "Strategically speaking Black should play actively, but if he does the bishop pair will only become stronger".
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
14...Bxf3 This is a total stunner. Why would black give up his Bishop? It is now a pair of Bishops versus a pair of Knights.
I like white's position a lot better. 16. Qxf3 Rfe8 17. Rfd1 h6 I expect 18. Bh4 Black has an issue finding good squares for his pieces.
18. Bh4 as expected. I am puzzled of some of Anand's moves in this game. He is giving white an excellent position voluntarily.
Stuart Conquest @stuthefox
Can someone please explain what Vishy is up to? No engine needed: every chess book in history will tell you White must stand better.
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
World #Chess Championship Game 9. Key moment in the match. Gelfand thinking about move 19 he has the advantage, how to make the most of it?
Shipov speculates that the Soviet mentality is to feel more at home when things are going badly, so Anand's "gift" may unsettle Gelfand...
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
Thinking how to increase the pressure after 19.Bg3 Qb4. Maybe just 20.Rb1 Qa5 21.Qe2, stopping e5.
Judit Polgar @GMJuditPolgar
Had it really been a prophecy? :) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lubomir-kavalek/women-in-chess-a-few-tale_b_1433203.html (twitted approx move 17)
Natalia Pogonina @Pogonina
The bonus of classical time control chess games is that one can take a shower and return to commentating before a move is made :)
Alexandra Kosteniuk @chessqueen
Going to my Yoga lesson, back in 1.5 hours! (this is twitted approx. on move 18)
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
18...Qd6 This is the best possible move for Anand. It gives his Queen more mobility. The question now is what should white do?
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
The concrete 19.c5 bxc5 20.dxc5 Rxc5! 21.Bh7+ Kxh7 22.Rxd1 Rxc1+ shouldn't be that big of a deal for black.
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
This is the critical moment for Gelfand. He must find the right plan if he wants the full point. This why he is spending a lot of time here.
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
I think a strategy of prophylaxis is the appropriate way here. Simply preventing any counterplay
GM Alberto Milos
19.c5 An interesting try which releases the pressure but wins material. The position would be very unpleasant for Black if White had played 19.a3 controlling b4, and keeping all possibilities to advance the central pawns open was a good option. How should Black continue? The computer might hold the position but who would play like a computer? Qe7! Other moves were not insufficient.
19...bxc5 Black has to sacrifice the queen but that is ok.
20. dxc5 Rxc5 21. Bh7+ Kxh7 22. Rxd6 Rxc1+ 23. Rd1 Rec8 *
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
Vishy sacs his queen but it looks very solid
19.c5!? (post game comments)
Anand was happy to see this rather than 19.Bg3 he had foreseen the consequences. In the commentary box Peter Svidler had this on the board well in advance of it's appearance on the board
GM Naiditsch
19. c5 What a strange decision... why to play 19.c5?!...in such a nice position White had no need at all to go for this forced line
19... bxc5 the position that will arrive now after 21.Bh7 in my opinion will be very hard to win for White
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
World #Chess Championship Game 9. Gelfand takes a stable advantage. Svidler fears Gelfand isn't getting everything the position offered.
GM Naiditsch
23... Rec8 24. h3 Ne5 Now is it time to think for Black, how to exchange the knight against the bishop on h4, and in case it is not possible, where to put which piece to make a fortress...
Stuart Conquest @stuthefox
In Gelfand-Anand, Shenyang 2000, Boris also achieved the material plus of Queen & bishop v rook, bishop & knight (but very complex) & drew.
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
One pitfall is 24...Kg8 25.Rxc1 Rxc1+ 26.Kh2 Nd5 27.Qa3 Rc7 28.Bg3! winning the a-pawn.
Grischuk: I'd have expected something like that [19.c5] only from some "computer kid".
Shipov: "He sold a gold watch for a rouble".
Grischuk even more convinced Gelfand went wrong with 19.c5 if even the queen-loving computer's evaluation has dropped.
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
"If he can't establish the hold along the 5th, this will be very annoying [for black]" - Svidler. Pawn on a5 rook on c5 is the ideal setup
Rush Through Time - the fall of Queen
20.dxc5 Rxc5 21.Bh7+ Kxh7 22.Rxd6 Rxc1+ 23.Rd1 Rec8 24.h3 Ne5 25.Qe2 Ng6 26.Bxf6 gxf6 27.Rxc1 Rxc1+ 28.Kh2 Rc7
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
26. Bxf6 gxf6 27. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 28. Kh2 Black is planning his Rook on the 7th rank to build a fortress. The question is can white make progress
Grischuk: I think during this game the players have often thought: "What the fxxx is he doing?". Smirin: We will get banned for this! :D (re-phrased by Natalia Pogonina)
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
World #Chess Championship Game 9. Svidler starting to have doubts that this is an easy draw. "This could be quite seriously unpleasant."
IM Malcolm Pein
28.Kh2 Rc7
As Vishy said he had many possible setups though in the games it was very tricky to decide which fortress to choose. And I have pawn on e5, knight on g6 Rook on e7 as one fortress, pawn on e5, knight on e6, rook on c7 as another, the one I chose in the game the knight on d5, there are just too many
GM Naiditsch
27... Rxc1+ now the question is, can Black bring the knight to d5 or not. In case yes, it is immediate draw, in case no - probably Gelfand could try to win for some time, by putting the pawn on a6, and the push the King pawns forward
28. Kh2 Rc7 29. Qb2 a great move by Gelfand, 29.Qb2!! The idea is to stop the black knight from moving away from g6. Now at 29...Kg7 30.Qb8! Re7 and 31.Qd8 or Qd6. Black will probably continue with 31.Qd6 Rb7 32.Qc6 Re7 33.g3! and maybe White has some chances.
Snakes and Arrows - Queen vs Rook and Knight
29.Qb2 Kg7 30.a4 Ne7 31.a5 Nd5 32.a6 Kh7 33.Qd4 f5 34.f4 Rd7
Shipov suggests the plan: pawn on a6, queen on d6, then g2-g3 and h3-h4-h5! and the black rook might not be able to hold the a7-pawn.
Svidler going back to the thought that black holds. But this is all about finding long term plans.
GM Naiditsch
a4 Oh, this is a real surprise to me, Gelfand is giving a chance to Black to play Ne7-Nd5 now. What can be White hopes for a win? Maybe to bring the King to h5! and try to take away the pawn on h6, could be interesting, maybe the position is not as drawish it looks.
GM Alberto Milos
30.a4 Ne7 Anand start to build his fortress. I believe the way he played is not the only one but it seems good enough
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
Anand brings his knight to d5. White will bring his pawn to a6 -fixing a7- and should try to combine threats on both wings
Anish Giri @anishgiri
@erwinlami Queen somewhere to b8 to tie down the rook, then g4, h4.. Black is likely to collapse, don't you think?
"I would be worried but I'm not nearly as good a defender as Vishy." "He [Vishy] looks calm but he looks concerned." – Svidler
Patricia Llaneza @PattyLlaneza
Maybe #WCC2012 broadcast has a huge audience of art lovers who are pissed off when some boring chess guys appear on the screen every 20' :-)
Retweeted by Jovanka Houska
After Nd5 Shipov says his fantasies include the white king getting to h5 and Qd2 winning the pawn on h6, or simply a kingside pawn storm.
GM Naiditsch
30... Ne7 of course Anand is playing 30...Ne7, and probably White will play now a5-a6. But maybe White should play first the move 31.g4!? to fix the Black's pawn structure.
31. a5 Nd5 seems to be not an easy draw at all... now we see why Gelfand was thinking for so long about the move 19.c5. The position is looking to be quite a draw - from the first look, but Gefland showed great understanding of the position! Difficult time for Anand ahead .
32. a6 Kh7 Black wants to play f5 now, so 33.g4 is looking very logical to counter it. But it seems like 33.g4 is not giving White any objective chances to win. Black would just keep on moving Kh7-Kg7 and at Whites Kg3-Kh4 just play Rc3! with mating threats. The good thing, for the first time during the match we got a chance to see a game over 40 moves!! :)
33. Qd4 Gefland is letting Anand choose whether he wants to play f5 or not and playing 33.Qd4
anishgiri: From my brief look seems that Vishy is in huge danger today.. White's eventual push on the kingside may break it.
Stuart Conquest @stuthefox
Everyone criticised Boris' 19.c5 move. But now many are claiming real winning chances for White.
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
30...Ne7 Anand is doing exactly that. Gelfand's only chance is to find a way to make play with h4 - g5.
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
@anishgiri Interesting: white: Kh4, Qb8, a6, f4, g4, h5 black: Kg7, Rc7, Nd5, a7, e6, f7, f6, h6. Now g4-g5 seems extremely dangerous.
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
@anishgiri Interesting: white: Kh4, Qb8, a6, f4, g4, h5 black: Kg7, Rc7, Nd5, a7, e6, f7, f6, h6. Now g4-g5 seems extremely dangerous.
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
31. a5 Nd5 32. a6 Gelfand is trying a different plan, but I am still having a hard time to find a convincing path.
Shipov: "Another fantasy: f2-f4, g2-g4, h3-h4, g4-g5, of course blundering nothing. You just need to decide what to do with the Q and K."
Natalia Pogonina @Pogonina
Hope we are not seeing ANOTHER record today - the longest game in the history of chess :)
Stuart Conquest @stuthefox
@Pogonina you should have time for another shower or two :)
Natalia Pogonina: Btw, Anand LOVES playing with the knights. At his command those wild horses are of kamikadze strength. (via chessgames.com)
IM Malcolm Pein
34.f4 Now Vishy relaxed somewhat: He said: "When he played f4 and I had f5 and h5 then I thought I'm safe, I couldn't see a way forward for him. In fact I don't even need this Re7 and Ng8. I played this Re7 because I saw this Ng8 trick but if I play Kh6 I think we are just repeating the position for the second time already. I simply don't know if white missed a win somewhere."
Exit.. Stage Left - the Fortress and failed siege
35.Kg3 Kg6 36.Qh8 Nf6 37.Qb8 h5 38.Kh4 Kh6 39.Qb2 Kg6 40.Qc3 Ne4 41.Qc8 Nf6 42.Qb8 Re7 43.g4 hxg4 44.hxg4 fxg4 45.Qe5 Ng8 46.Qg5+ Kh7 47.Qxg4 f6 48.Qg2 Kh8 49.Qe4 Kg7 1/2-1/2
Shipov: "The main question just now: does the f6-f5 advance favour Black? If it does then White needs to play g2-g4 immediately".
Anish Giri @anishgiri
@erwinlami Looks dangerous, also some other similar ideas that look tricky.. So, this c5 seems like a reasonable decision after all? :)
GM Naiditsch
34. f4 Why does Gelfand play first 34.f4 and not 34.g4!? Also a bit strange, but the idea probably stays the same. The g4 move is needed, no way to play without it. Maybe Black could try now to avoid taking on g4. The move 34.f4 is really strange
Shipov's in shock about 37...h5. He thought Black should just tread water.
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
It's very important now that 38...Kh6 39.Qb3 Kg6 40.Qg3+ Kh7 41.Qg5 Ne4! 42.Qxh5+ Kg7 wins for Black!
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
World #Chess Championship Game 9. Anand can even allow Qg3+ in many circumstances and Gelfand can even get into trouble by capturing on h5.
Anish Giri @anishgiri
Looks like unique fortress found
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
Nice defense from Anand! The fortress is now impregnable, expect a draw soon, by Anand.. Brilliant! :)
Shipov agrees it's now clear Anand's found another path to a draw. He was worried about the queen getting to g5, but it does White no good.
Shipov: "The draw is near. Boris is suffering at the board. Vishy is calm, luminous and pure like the Buddha"
Natalia Pogonina: Anand is building up the very same fortress that I have pointed out before.
Grischuk: "In my first Linares I set a fortress against Leko, he thought for 30 minutes, & I nearly ordered a beer at the board”.
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
World #Chess Championship Gm9 the expected 42....Re7 played by Anand. Now 43.g4 sacrificing a pawn for a final try is the last option
Smirin: "Gelfand can play on as he's not risking anything". Grishcuk: "Nobody's risking anything any more"
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
Sorry, internet connection died :( Anyway, nice hold by Anand. Now Anand has an edge with 2 white in final 3 games.
after the game
Viswanathan Anand:
Obviously I messed something up in the opening. Normally speaking my position is much worse, white just got the two bishops for my two knights and the only thing I did was to try and provoke this move 19. c5 because I thought that I would get rid of the bishop in almost all the lines and I could try and make a fortress.
Do you feel pleased or not?
Gelfand: I have never come across a player who is happy to draw a better position.
Peter Svidler:
To sum up. I think c5 was not forced on move 19, objectively perhaps Bg3 was stronger, even though you can't blame Boris for winning the Queen when he has a chance. He gave it a fairly decent shot, forced Vishy to show some precision in this position. But Vishy was equal to it and all in all an interesting game.
@SilvioDanailov: Gelfand missed great chance to win today. However, I still would put my money on him. Tomorrow is important day, the nerves will decide.
all twits, comments and texts by their respective author
A compilation of Grandmaster commentaries from official site and "unofficial" on twitter are once again present here. I thank you whom supporting this fun project and hope to as close as possible to documented fun trivial comments on this historic match.
LIVE commentaries on official site:
Peter Svidler, Grischuk, Illya Smirin
during game / LIVE
GM Arkadij Naiditsch on chessdom/chessbomb
Natalia Pogonina on chessgames and twitter
GM Sergey Shipov is doing live commentaries and post game analysis
GM Alberto Milos on chessbase
IM Malcolm Pein on TWIC and live comment on twitter as well
Susan Polgar, Erwin L'Ami joined now Anish Giri, Stuart Conquest,
Kosteniuk , Mark "TWIC" Crowther etc.
Different Stages the Nimzo Indian Defence
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.Nf3 c5 7.O-O dxc4
Natalia Pogonina @Pogonina
Correctly predicted 1.d4 Nf6 in today's game (no Slav!)
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
Logical for Anand to switch openings, game 7 was a disaster. #anandgelfand
IM Malcolm Pein
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4
The Slav is evidently in the repair shop
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
World #Chess Championship Gm9. Gelfand-Anand. Highly theoretical Nimzo-Indian is a change from the semi-slav Anand has played so far.
Grischuk: "I think that after the last two games they have lost respect for each other in the chess sense and will now be playing more ambitiously". :)
Natalia Pogonina: Today’s game is very interesting in the sense that now both players have suffered knock-downs. Let’s see whose nerves are stronger. The stereotype is that Anand handles defeats pretty badly, while Gelfand is more resistant. However, his blunder in game 8 reminded everyone that Boris is by far not as good in tactics as Anand usually is. Will Vishy be able to exploit this advantage somehow, or will Gelfand recover from the blow and put his motivation and strong will to good use? We’ll find out soon
Natalia Pogonina: I wonder how many blue NIIT shirts Anand has at his disposal. It looks as if he is always wearing the same one, but the impression is obviously wrong.
GM Naiditsch
6. Nf3 c5 we see the very main Nimzovich variation, the line with d5 and c5. Anand himself played many games in this position, as well as Gelfand with Black. The position is very well known was popular opening even 70 years ago!
Working Man - The Middlegame
8.Bxc4 cxd4 9.exd4 b6 10.Bg5 Bb7 11.Qe2 Nbd7 12.Rac1 Rc8 13.Bd3 Bxc3 14.bxc3 Qc7
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
7...dxc4 8. Bxc4 cxd4 9. exd4 b6 We have yet to see a novelty so far. 10. Bg5 Bb7 11. Qe2 Both are still in theory.
11...Nbd7 12. Rac1 It's interesting that even though Anand surprised Gelfand with the Nimzo, White is playing faster.
Jovanka Houska @thelittlehat
listening and enjoying Svidler's commentary esp his opinion on program patzers!
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
A game Karpov-Psakhis continued 12...Bxc3 13.bxc3 Qc7 14.Bd3 Ng4! forcing a bishop exchange with on e4.
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
12...Rc8 Anand spent a lot of time to make this move. White could make a play for the Kingside or the center. I give white a slight edge +=
GM Naiditsch
12. Rac1 Gelfand seems to know it well and plays very quickly 12.Rac1, as well a logical move. White wants to play at 12...Rc8 13.Bd3 and now Black got not the chance to play Qc7 move, which is usually the right position for the Queen. Seems like Gelfand managed to surprise Vishy, which could mean a game full of action for us!
Test for Echo, the c4-c5!?
15.c4 Bxf3 16.Qxf3 Rfe8 17.Rfd1 h6 18.Bh4 Qd6 19.c5 bxc5
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
I surely didn't expect 15...Bxf3. Black wants to block the position after 16.Qxf3 e5. What about 17.Bf5!?
Natalia Pogonina @Pogonina
Still don't understand Anand's Bf3. Recalled the wrong line? Overseen something?
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
World #Chess Championship Game 9 16.Qxf3 Rfe8 * unless Vishy has some big idea white looks good here.
GM Naiditsch
15. c4 Black has now a couple of moves as well, I think 15...Qd6 is looking very solid, maybe 15...Qc6!? also interesting
15... Bxf3 this is really a surprising move by Anand, 15...Bxf3?! does not look good to me
Svidler is ecstatic about white's position on the official website
IM Malcolm Pein
15.c4 Bxf3?!
Voluntarily giving up the two bishops. Vishy criticised this afterwards. "Obviously I messed something up in the opening. Normally speaking my position is much worse, White just got the two bishops for my two knights and the only thing I did was to try and provoke this move 19. c5 because I thought that I would get rid of the bishop in almost all the lines and I could try and make a fortress. This is in fact what happened in the game."
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
World #Chess Championship Game 9 after the dull start the match has sprung to life. This is why most fans wanted a longer match.
"This is what he was working towards his entire life." Svidler on Gelfand.
Grischuk on the Russian commentary: "If I was playing an average grandmaster I'd think this position would win itself".
17.Rfd1 h6 * Svidler thinks 18.Bh4 is the most natural here.
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
RT @erwinlami: @jonathanddownie So do I! Guess he missed Bf5 in case of e5, otherwise he'd never give up his bishop on f3.
Erwin l'Ami
If Anand missed such a shallow line then he's in deep trouble in this match. Maybe explanation of Gelfand aggression in Gm8
Grischuk: "Strategically speaking Black should play actively, but if he does the bishop pair will only become stronger".
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
14...Bxf3 This is a total stunner. Why would black give up his Bishop? It is now a pair of Bishops versus a pair of Knights.
I like white's position a lot better. 16. Qxf3 Rfe8 17. Rfd1 h6 I expect 18. Bh4 Black has an issue finding good squares for his pieces.
18. Bh4 as expected. I am puzzled of some of Anand's moves in this game. He is giving white an excellent position voluntarily.
Stuart Conquest @stuthefox
Can someone please explain what Vishy is up to? No engine needed: every chess book in history will tell you White must stand better.
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
World #Chess Championship Game 9. Key moment in the match. Gelfand thinking about move 19 he has the advantage, how to make the most of it?
Shipov speculates that the Soviet mentality is to feel more at home when things are going badly, so Anand's "gift" may unsettle Gelfand...
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
Thinking how to increase the pressure after 19.Bg3 Qb4. Maybe just 20.Rb1 Qa5 21.Qe2, stopping e5.
Judit Polgar @GMJuditPolgar
Had it really been a prophecy? :) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lubomir-kavalek/women-in-chess-a-few-tale_b_1433203.html (twitted approx move 17)
Natalia Pogonina @Pogonina
The bonus of classical time control chess games is that one can take a shower and return to commentating before a move is made :)
Alexandra Kosteniuk @chessqueen
Going to my Yoga lesson, back in 1.5 hours! (this is twitted approx. on move 18)
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
18...Qd6 This is the best possible move for Anand. It gives his Queen more mobility. The question now is what should white do?
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
The concrete 19.c5 bxc5 20.dxc5 Rxc5! 21.Bh7+ Kxh7 22.Rxd1 Rxc1+ shouldn't be that big of a deal for black.
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
This is the critical moment for Gelfand. He must find the right plan if he wants the full point. This why he is spending a lot of time here.
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
I think a strategy of prophylaxis is the appropriate way here. Simply preventing any counterplay
GM Alberto Milos
19.c5 An interesting try which releases the pressure but wins material. The position would be very unpleasant for Black if White had played 19.a3 controlling b4, and keeping all possibilities to advance the central pawns open was a good option. How should Black continue? The computer might hold the position but who would play like a computer? Qe7! Other moves were not insufficient.
19...bxc5 Black has to sacrifice the queen but that is ok.
20. dxc5 Rxc5 21. Bh7+ Kxh7 22. Rxd6 Rxc1+ 23. Rd1 Rec8 *
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
Vishy sacs his queen but it looks very solid
19.c5!? (post game comments)
Anand was happy to see this rather than 19.Bg3 he had foreseen the consequences. In the commentary box Peter Svidler had this on the board well in advance of it's appearance on the board
GM Naiditsch
19. c5 What a strange decision... why to play 19.c5?!...in such a nice position White had no need at all to go for this forced line
19... bxc5 the position that will arrive now after 21.Bh7 in my opinion will be very hard to win for White
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
World #Chess Championship Game 9. Gelfand takes a stable advantage. Svidler fears Gelfand isn't getting everything the position offered.
GM Naiditsch
23... Rec8 24. h3 Ne5 Now is it time to think for Black, how to exchange the knight against the bishop on h4, and in case it is not possible, where to put which piece to make a fortress...
Stuart Conquest @stuthefox
In Gelfand-Anand, Shenyang 2000, Boris also achieved the material plus of Queen & bishop v rook, bishop & knight (but very complex) & drew.
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
One pitfall is 24...Kg8 25.Rxc1 Rxc1+ 26.Kh2 Nd5 27.Qa3 Rc7 28.Bg3! winning the a-pawn.
Grischuk: I'd have expected something like that [19.c5] only from some "computer kid".
Shipov: "He sold a gold watch for a rouble".
Grischuk even more convinced Gelfand went wrong with 19.c5 if even the queen-loving computer's evaluation has dropped.
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
"If he can't establish the hold along the 5th, this will be very annoying [for black]" - Svidler. Pawn on a5 rook on c5 is the ideal setup
Rush Through Time - the fall of Queen
20.dxc5 Rxc5 21.Bh7+ Kxh7 22.Rxd6 Rxc1+ 23.Rd1 Rec8 24.h3 Ne5 25.Qe2 Ng6 26.Bxf6 gxf6 27.Rxc1 Rxc1+ 28.Kh2 Rc7
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
26. Bxf6 gxf6 27. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 28. Kh2 Black is planning his Rook on the 7th rank to build a fortress. The question is can white make progress
Grischuk: I think during this game the players have often thought: "What the fxxx is he doing?". Smirin: We will get banned for this! :D (re-phrased by Natalia Pogonina)
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
World #Chess Championship Game 9. Svidler starting to have doubts that this is an easy draw. "This could be quite seriously unpleasant."
IM Malcolm Pein
28.Kh2 Rc7
As Vishy said he had many possible setups though in the games it was very tricky to decide which fortress to choose. And I have pawn on e5, knight on g6 Rook on e7 as one fortress, pawn on e5, knight on e6, rook on c7 as another, the one I chose in the game the knight on d5, there are just too many
GM Naiditsch
27... Rxc1+ now the question is, can Black bring the knight to d5 or not. In case yes, it is immediate draw, in case no - probably Gelfand could try to win for some time, by putting the pawn on a6, and the push the King pawns forward
28. Kh2 Rc7 29. Qb2 a great move by Gelfand, 29.Qb2!! The idea is to stop the black knight from moving away from g6. Now at 29...Kg7 30.Qb8! Re7 and 31.Qd8 or Qd6. Black will probably continue with 31.Qd6 Rb7 32.Qc6 Re7 33.g3! and maybe White has some chances.
Snakes and Arrows - Queen vs Rook and Knight
29.Qb2 Kg7 30.a4 Ne7 31.a5 Nd5 32.a6 Kh7 33.Qd4 f5 34.f4 Rd7
Shipov suggests the plan: pawn on a6, queen on d6, then g2-g3 and h3-h4-h5! and the black rook might not be able to hold the a7-pawn.
Svidler going back to the thought that black holds. But this is all about finding long term plans.
GM Naiditsch
a4 Oh, this is a real surprise to me, Gelfand is giving a chance to Black to play Ne7-Nd5 now. What can be White hopes for a win? Maybe to bring the King to h5! and try to take away the pawn on h6, could be interesting, maybe the position is not as drawish it looks.
GM Alberto Milos
30.a4 Ne7 Anand start to build his fortress. I believe the way he played is not the only one but it seems good enough
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
Anand brings his knight to d5. White will bring his pawn to a6 -fixing a7- and should try to combine threats on both wings
Anish Giri @anishgiri
@erwinlami Queen somewhere to b8 to tie down the rook, then g4, h4.. Black is likely to collapse, don't you think?
"I would be worried but I'm not nearly as good a defender as Vishy." "He [Vishy] looks calm but he looks concerned." – Svidler
Patricia Llaneza @PattyLlaneza
Maybe #WCC2012 broadcast has a huge audience of art lovers who are pissed off when some boring chess guys appear on the screen every 20' :-)
Retweeted by Jovanka Houska
After Nd5 Shipov says his fantasies include the white king getting to h5 and Qd2 winning the pawn on h6, or simply a kingside pawn storm.
GM Naiditsch
30... Ne7 of course Anand is playing 30...Ne7, and probably White will play now a5-a6. But maybe White should play first the move 31.g4!? to fix the Black's pawn structure.
31. a5 Nd5 seems to be not an easy draw at all... now we see why Gelfand was thinking for so long about the move 19.c5. The position is looking to be quite a draw - from the first look, but Gefland showed great understanding of the position! Difficult time for Anand ahead .
32. a6 Kh7 Black wants to play f5 now, so 33.g4 is looking very logical to counter it. But it seems like 33.g4 is not giving White any objective chances to win. Black would just keep on moving Kh7-Kg7 and at Whites Kg3-Kh4 just play Rc3! with mating threats. The good thing, for the first time during the match we got a chance to see a game over 40 moves!! :)
33. Qd4 Gefland is letting Anand choose whether he wants to play f5 or not and playing 33.Qd4
anishgiri: From my brief look seems that Vishy is in huge danger today.. White's eventual push on the kingside may break it.
Stuart Conquest @stuthefox
Everyone criticised Boris' 19.c5 move. But now many are claiming real winning chances for White.
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
30...Ne7 Anand is doing exactly that. Gelfand's only chance is to find a way to make play with h4 - g5.
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
@anishgiri Interesting: white: Kh4, Qb8, a6, f4, g4, h5 black: Kg7, Rc7, Nd5, a7, e6, f7, f6, h6. Now g4-g5 seems extremely dangerous.
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
@anishgiri Interesting: white: Kh4, Qb8, a6, f4, g4, h5 black: Kg7, Rc7, Nd5, a7, e6, f7, f6, h6. Now g4-g5 seems extremely dangerous.
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
31. a5 Nd5 32. a6 Gelfand is trying a different plan, but I am still having a hard time to find a convincing path.
Shipov: "Another fantasy: f2-f4, g2-g4, h3-h4, g4-g5, of course blundering nothing. You just need to decide what to do with the Q and K."
Natalia Pogonina @Pogonina
Hope we are not seeing ANOTHER record today - the longest game in the history of chess :)
Stuart Conquest @stuthefox
@Pogonina you should have time for another shower or two :)
Natalia Pogonina: Btw, Anand LOVES playing with the knights. At his command those wild horses are of kamikadze strength. (via chessgames.com)
IM Malcolm Pein
34.f4 Now Vishy relaxed somewhat: He said: "When he played f4 and I had f5 and h5 then I thought I'm safe, I couldn't see a way forward for him. In fact I don't even need this Re7 and Ng8. I played this Re7 because I saw this Ng8 trick but if I play Kh6 I think we are just repeating the position for the second time already. I simply don't know if white missed a win somewhere."
Exit.. Stage Left - the Fortress and failed siege
35.Kg3 Kg6 36.Qh8 Nf6 37.Qb8 h5 38.Kh4 Kh6 39.Qb2 Kg6 40.Qc3 Ne4 41.Qc8 Nf6 42.Qb8 Re7 43.g4 hxg4 44.hxg4 fxg4 45.Qe5 Ng8 46.Qg5+ Kh7 47.Qxg4 f6 48.Qg2 Kh8 49.Qe4 Kg7 1/2-1/2
Shipov: "The main question just now: does the f6-f5 advance favour Black? If it does then White needs to play g2-g4 immediately".
Anish Giri @anishgiri
@erwinlami Looks dangerous, also some other similar ideas that look tricky.. So, this c5 seems like a reasonable decision after all? :)
GM Naiditsch
34. f4 Why does Gelfand play first 34.f4 and not 34.g4!? Also a bit strange, but the idea probably stays the same. The g4 move is needed, no way to play without it. Maybe Black could try now to avoid taking on g4. The move 34.f4 is really strange
Shipov's in shock about 37...h5. He thought Black should just tread water.
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
It's very important now that 38...Kh6 39.Qb3 Kg6 40.Qg3+ Kh7 41.Qg5 Ne4! 42.Qxh5+ Kg7 wins for Black!
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
World #Chess Championship Game 9. Anand can even allow Qg3+ in many circumstances and Gelfand can even get into trouble by capturing on h5.
Anish Giri @anishgiri
Looks like unique fortress found
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
Nice defense from Anand! The fortress is now impregnable, expect a draw soon, by Anand.. Brilliant! :)
Shipov agrees it's now clear Anand's found another path to a draw. He was worried about the queen getting to g5, but it does White no good.
Shipov: "The draw is near. Boris is suffering at the board. Vishy is calm, luminous and pure like the Buddha"
Natalia Pogonina: Anand is building up the very same fortress that I have pointed out before.
Grischuk: "In my first Linares I set a fortress against Leko, he thought for 30 minutes, & I nearly ordered a beer at the board”.
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
World #Chess Championship Gm9 the expected 42....Re7 played by Anand. Now 43.g4 sacrificing a pawn for a final try is the last option
Smirin: "Gelfand can play on as he's not risking anything". Grishcuk: "Nobody's risking anything any more"
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
Sorry, internet connection died :( Anyway, nice hold by Anand. Now Anand has an edge with 2 white in final 3 games.
after the game
Viswanathan Anand:
Obviously I messed something up in the opening. Normally speaking my position is much worse, white just got the two bishops for my two knights and the only thing I did was to try and provoke this move 19. c5 because I thought that I would get rid of the bishop in almost all the lines and I could try and make a fortress.
Do you feel pleased or not?
Gelfand: I have never come across a player who is happy to draw a better position.
Peter Svidler:
To sum up. I think c5 was not forced on move 19, objectively perhaps Bg3 was stronger, even though you can't blame Boris for winning the Queen when he has a chance. He gave it a fairly decent shot, forced Vishy to show some precision in this position. But Vishy was equal to it and all in all an interesting game.
@SilvioDanailov: Gelfand missed great chance to win today. However, I still would put my money on him. Tomorrow is important day, the nerves will decide.
all twits, comments and texts by their respective author
Monday, May 21, 2012
GM Comment Gelfand's Qf6 in Anand-Gelfand 2012
Again the World Chess Championship 2012 between Anand vs Gelfand had a dramatic turn of events on round 8. After only less than 24 hours celebrating his first victory in World Championship, Boris Gelfand done systematic chaos on board and direct challenging Anand's into tactical train of thought. But his six degrees of inner turbulence didn't survived well and just less than 17 moves he was falling into infinity. The scenes of memory only listed Zukertort lose games of 19 moves to Steinitz century ago. This round of octavarium number now put the tournament a chances of season to equal 4-4 score. Boris Gelfand must awake to finish his once in a livetime opportunity for a world champion title.
Gelfand allowed himself into a trick when playing ..Qf6. To console this blundered beyond images and words , commentator GMs in charge also missed this line. After the rest day , a dream and day unite can give both player black clouds and silver lining. As we expect , now we turn from boring six draws into wild dream theater of world championship duel.
Here again a compilation of some Grandmaster that commentaries of the game via official site:
post game commentaries
- chessbase (GM Alejandro Ramirez, GM Romain Eduard)
- IM Malcolm Pein
during game commentaries
- Peter Leko and Ian Nepom... on official site, live
- chessdom (GM Balogh Csaba),
- twitter, Susan Polgar, Erwin l'Ami
- chessgames (Natalia Pogonina, GM Raymond Keene) etc.
- GM Sergey Shipov also live comment but write a post game analysis
(Updated)
the Overture
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.f3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.e4 Bg7 6.Ne2 O-O 7.Nec3 Nh5
Jon Ludvig Hammer @gmjlh
I think this will be very good for the match. Anand will try to strike back in crushing fashion today ;)
Jon Ludvig Hammer @gmjlh
My mom taught me to always wear a helmet. "I invested so much in your head," she said.
Gawain Jones @GMGawain
We've got a Kings Indian in the World #Chess Champs! Exciting stuff! So of course I'l be out all afternoon and unable to watch...Go Vishy!
GM Alejandro Ramirez
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.f3 This has been a popular way of trying to avoid the Grunfeld. Shirov used it successfully in the late 90s against Kramnik and it gave Anand great chances in the third game of this match
IM Malcolm Pein
..Nh5 A move to make the opponent fall off his chair. The first time I saw this sort of move was in 1985 when John Nunn brilliant outplayed Alexander Belyavsky. However that was after White had played h3?! preparing to kick a Ne5 with f2-f4. It probably inspired to me to play a random Nh5 against Glenn Flear at Brussels and then against Max Dlugy at London Peace 1986 in different variations of the King's Indian Saemisch. The general point is White is developing very slowly so Black might seek counterplay very fast. Also my idea at the time was that after g4 Nf6 White has some difficulties with his king as 0-0-0 was not practicalI. I guess that applies here because White is far away from 0-0-0 However Vishy comes up with an imaginative solution.
GM Shipov
1…Nf6 2.c4 g6 My premonitions didn’t fail me. We’re heading for the Gruenfeld Defence.
5.e4 Bg7 6.Ne2 A well-known trick that I used to like in my distant childhood. The king’s knight rather than the queen’s knight heads for c3.
Lines in the Sand
8.Bg5 Bf6 9.Bxf6 exf6 10.Qd2 f5 11.exf5 Bxf5 12.g4 Re8+ 13.Kd1 Bxb1 14.Rxb1
GM Peter Leko: Black probably plays Qf6 here. (LIVE)
GM Ian Nepomniachtchi: Yes, it's really an obvious move
Nepomniachtchi: "Maybe we're missing something really brilliant. I can't see the point. Maybe he's trying to play Nb5 but now...."
Ray Keene: maybe ...Re8+ Kd1 Bxb1 and ...Qf6. This is the kind of thing which makes me feel white pos horrible
i see leko got there first with that suggestion-must learn to type variations faster!!
GM Balogh Csaba:
12. g4 I think, Anand got a perfect position to play for a win. Even objectively his position seems to be better. There is a very important detail: 12...Bxb1 13.Rxb1 Re8 14.Kd1 and here Qf6 with idea to stabilize the knight on f4 is refuted by 15.gxh5! Qxf3 16.Kc2 Qxh1 and 17.Qf2! and the Black queen is trapped after the bishop moves away from f1.>
Natalia Pogonina: I think the rook was better employed at the f-file. Both b1 and h4 seemed more attractive continuations to me.
Natalia Pogonina: Now the king should run to c2 via d1, like I have pointed out before.
Natalia Pogonina: And then, when the knight retreats, Anand can start pushing the h-pawn at some point. I prefer White's position.
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
@erwinlami I don't like Vishy's position. Do you?
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
Not at all, I think Boris is enjoying this.
I'm expecting 10...f5 now, when 11.exf5 Re8+ is very messy. King might go to d1!? #anandgelfand
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
10...f5 11. exf5 They won't play this because it's crazy but worth taking a look: 11...Re8+ 12. Kf2 Bxf5 13. g4 Qh4+ 14. Kg1 Re1 15. Qf2 Qe7
GM Balogh Csaba
7. Nec3, it is a very clever choice from Anand, because this move deviates from the normal Saemisch with Ng3, so Gelfand cannot use anymore his huge experience in the opening. Here Black has no other choice than opening the center with e6. On e6, White has two different setups. He must develop with Be3, but first he can include the Bg5-h6 pair of moves.
GM Shipov
9…exf6 I’ve never seen something like this in all my life. Black’s pawns are doubled on the f-file, but his king’s knight is alive. Alive and still provoking the fire of the g2-pawn
10.Qd2 The psychology of the Indian grandmaster is as transparent as glass. At the moment he doesn’t trust himself, so he’s striving to avoid sharp movements, preferring the methodical implacability of a steam roller to the deft thrusts of a fencer. The pawn remains on g2. White is completing his development according to plan. By the way, here as well it was possible to think about the system with Nb1-a3 and 0-0-0, after which it would be possible to attack without the slightest doubt about the rightness of your cause.
About to crash
14.... Qf6
Leko: 15.Kc2 I think basically is the only move…actually White is very lucky to have Kc2… Then 15…Nf4 and White has no other choice than 16.Ne4, and he should be happy that he has this option.
After 15.gxh5 Qxf3+ 16.Kc2:
Journalist: Something quite different has happened, he has taken on h5.
Nepo: A desperado play?
Journalist: I have the feeling that there are two grandmasters sitting here with me that are both quite surprised.
Leko: Yes, because I saw this but I didn't take it seriously.
Nepo: Maybe we are missing something really brilliant? I can't see the point. Maybe he is trying something like Nb5?
After 16…Qxh1:
Nepo: Ok, now 17.Bd3 should be surely played
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
14...Qf6 This is a blunder as his Queen will be trapped. 15. gxh5 Qxf3+ 16. Kc2 Anand is now close to winning.
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
17. Qf2 Gelfand in serious trouble now. Unfortunately, Gelfand resigns as he may miss Nc6. Wow! Premature resignation.
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
@SusanPolgar Though 11...Re8+ 12.Kd1!? Bxf5 13.g4 Bxb1 14.Rxb1 is not that clear. (14...Qf6 15.gxh5 Qxf3+ 16.Kc2 Qxh1 17.Qf2!) #anandgelfand
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
If Vishy goes 13.Kd1 now I switch sides! 13...Bxb1 14.Rxb1 Qf6? 15.gxh5 Qxf3+ 16.Kc2 Qxh1 17.Qf2! is the important point. #anandgelfand
Robert Fontaine @FontaineRobert
Looks like Gelfand missed Qf2 idea
Natalia Pogonina: Qf6????????
Looks like Boris has fallen for a relatively simply trap. This is lost for Black, and the line is forced!
GM Alejandro Ramirez
15.gxh5 When a world champion hangs an exchange and a pawn, you should know you are lost
GM Romain Eduard
Qf6?? A terrible blunder, though the position is already worse.
[After 14...Nf6 15.Kc2 White will have a fast attack on the kingside, while Black is very slow in finding counterplay (after ...Na6 White will either go a3, or remove the rook from b1 to leave b1 free for the white king!). ]
GM Balogh Csaba
14. Rxb1, 14...Qf6 really screams for itself, and to find the refutation is not obvious at all, but it is just losing. A critical moment for Gelfand.
14... Qf6 Amazing, Gelfand blundered with Qf6!!! Black can just resign after 15.gxh5 Qxf3 16.Kc2 Qxh1 17.Qf2!
15. gxh5 and Anand took on h5! What a shocking turn of the match could be after yesterday's disaster for Anand, now things can be equal again!
IM Malcolm Pein 14...Qf6??
Losing by force. Boris had only considered 17.Qf4 below which had been Vishy's first thought before he saw Qf2 [14...Nf6 15.Kc2 Na6 16.a3 Nc7 17.h4 Feels comfortable for White but he has to watch out for a quick b5; 14...Nf6 15.Kc2 Nbd7 16.Be2 And given that Black cannot establish a knight on e5 as f4 comes White should be somewhat better as he can play h4-h5]
GM Shipov
14…Qf6 Wha-a-a-t? Boris is continuing to play riskily with the motto “Not a step backwards!”. It’s as if he has to win at all costs and won’t get another chance. Such sharp, provocative and here hazardous play is something I really didn’t expect to see from him. Black’s queen is heading to take the h1-rook and White is almost obliged to sacrifice it, as defending the f3-pawn with the bishop would allow the h5-knight to come to f4.
[The peaceful continuations 14...Nf6 15.Kc2 Na6 16.Rd1 or 14...Ng7 15.h4 gave White perhaps not a big, but a persistent edge.]
Caught in the Web
15.gxh5 Qxf3+ 16.Kc2 Qxh1 17.Qf2 1-0
IM Malcolm Pein 17.Qf2 The queen will be trapped after Bd3
[17.Qf4 Qg1!; 17.Qf2 Nc6 Computer Is the only way to carry on 18.dxc6 Qxc6 19.Bg2 Qd7 20.Nd5 Kf8 (20...Qa4+ 21.b3 Qxa2+ 22.Rb2 Qa5 23.Nf6+ Kf8 24.Bxb7) 21.Nf6]
Leko: It's [the winning move 17.Qf2] not natural because you think about development.
Nepomniachtchi: In this match he didn't need to switch to the equalising mode, he already equalising in every game. In the first part of the match he was already trying to equalise with the white colour as well.
Nepomniachtchi: So, he's going to trap the Queen.
Leko: It's a shock. I think Boris is shocked. Everybody is shocked… It's over.
Nepomniachtchi: Most of us were surprised with some Vishy moves like Bxf6, Qd2 and then this Kd1 idea. But it was just a brilliant trap.
Leko: I completely missed this trick as well.
Ray Keene: hard to believe.
Alexandra Kosteniuk @chessqueen
It happened! Gelfand's nerves gave up, Anand won the 8th game of the World Chess Championship and now the match is tied again, 1 win each!
GM Shipov
17. Qf2 Exactly. Black’s queen is hobbled. Bf1-d3 threatens to catch it. There can’t be any doubt that Anand saw this possibility back when he played g2-g4. Gelfand, meanwhile, seems obliged to play 17…Nc6 now, saving the queen at the cost of a piece. Of course that won’t be a pleasant position, but at least he’ll manage to play on a little longer… BLACK RESIGNED! That was a catastrophe for Gelfand. I can only imagine the shock his supporters are in now…
Having had a closer look I realised that the resignation wasn’t premature. The variation 17.Qf2 Nc6 18.dxc6 Qxc6 19.Bg2
19…Qc8 (19…Qd7 20.Nd5!) 20.Rf1 Qf5+ 21.Qxf5 gxf5 22.Rxf5 is absolutely hopeless for Black.
after the game
Ian Rogers: When you played Re8+ did you have the feeling that somehow you ought to be better in that position? Did that maybe lead you to find this 14.Qf6 idea?
Boris Gelfand: No I think that I had to calculate a lot of lines because white has other dangerous options in the game. Like even 13.Be2 is not so simple. And 13.Kd1 Bxb1 14.Rxb1 Qf6 if this [the winning idea] doesn't work 15.Kc2 Nf4 16.Ne4 I intended to sacrifice an exchange on e4 which is not so clear also but I had to calculate variations and unfortunately I miscalculated.
Leko: "The good thing for Boris if he listens to my commentary is that I was also missing it." Leko on Anand's winning idea.
Anand: I'd seen some time before that it was a blunder. I even saw this when I played 11.exf5, around about then, I was just calculating these lines and I found this trick. I had the same thought as Boris that I had to go 17.Qf4 and then I refined it to 17.Qf2.
Mig Greengard @chessninja
Memo to Gelfand: I'm pretty sure "killer instinct" isn't supposed to include suicide.
Stuart Conquest @stuthefox
A shocking game in the World Chess Championship today. Even an average club player would be embarrassed to lose that one.
In some ways a quick loss is almost a relief. You can write it off as an accident. A long game, which you finally lose, brings more pain.
more than 12 hours aftermath
Bareev: Anand overwhelming favorite to win
all comments and texts (C) by their respective author
Gelfand allowed himself into a trick when playing ..Qf6. To console this blundered beyond images and words , commentator GMs in charge also missed this line. After the rest day , a dream and day unite can give both player black clouds and silver lining. As we expect , now we turn from boring six draws into wild dream theater of world championship duel.
Here again a compilation of some Grandmaster that commentaries of the game via official site:
post game commentaries
- chessbase (GM Alejandro Ramirez, GM Romain Eduard)
- IM Malcolm Pein
during game commentaries
- Peter Leko and Ian Nepom... on official site, live
- chessdom (GM Balogh Csaba),
- twitter, Susan Polgar, Erwin l'Ami
- chessgames (Natalia Pogonina, GM Raymond Keene) etc.
- GM Sergey Shipov also live comment but write a post game analysis
(Updated)
the Overture
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.f3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.e4 Bg7 6.Ne2 O-O 7.Nec3 Nh5
Jon Ludvig Hammer @gmjlh
I think this will be very good for the match. Anand will try to strike back in crushing fashion today ;)
Jon Ludvig Hammer @gmjlh
My mom taught me to always wear a helmet. "I invested so much in your head," she said.
Gawain Jones @GMGawain
We've got a Kings Indian in the World #Chess Champs! Exciting stuff! So of course I'l be out all afternoon and unable to watch...Go Vishy!
GM Alejandro Ramirez
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.f3 This has been a popular way of trying to avoid the Grunfeld. Shirov used it successfully in the late 90s against Kramnik and it gave Anand great chances in the third game of this match
IM Malcolm Pein
..Nh5 A move to make the opponent fall off his chair. The first time I saw this sort of move was in 1985 when John Nunn brilliant outplayed Alexander Belyavsky. However that was after White had played h3?! preparing to kick a Ne5 with f2-f4. It probably inspired to me to play a random Nh5 against Glenn Flear at Brussels and then against Max Dlugy at London Peace 1986 in different variations of the King's Indian Saemisch. The general point is White is developing very slowly so Black might seek counterplay very fast. Also my idea at the time was that after g4 Nf6 White has some difficulties with his king as 0-0-0 was not practicalI. I guess that applies here because White is far away from 0-0-0 However Vishy comes up with an imaginative solution.
GM Shipov
1…Nf6 2.c4 g6 My premonitions didn’t fail me. We’re heading for the Gruenfeld Defence.
5.e4 Bg7 6.Ne2 A well-known trick that I used to like in my distant childhood. The king’s knight rather than the queen’s knight heads for c3.
Lines in the Sand
8.Bg5 Bf6 9.Bxf6 exf6 10.Qd2 f5 11.exf5 Bxf5 12.g4 Re8+ 13.Kd1 Bxb1 14.Rxb1
GM Peter Leko: Black probably plays Qf6 here. (LIVE)
GM Ian Nepomniachtchi: Yes, it's really an obvious move
Nepomniachtchi: "Maybe we're missing something really brilliant. I can't see the point. Maybe he's trying to play Nb5 but now...."
Ray Keene: maybe ...Re8+ Kd1 Bxb1 and ...Qf6. This is the kind of thing which makes me feel white pos horrible
i see leko got there first with that suggestion-must learn to type variations faster!!
GM Balogh Csaba:
12. g4 I think, Anand got a perfect position to play for a win. Even objectively his position seems to be better. There is a very important detail: 12...Bxb1 13.Rxb1 Re8 14.Kd1 and here Qf6 with idea to stabilize the knight on f4 is refuted by 15.gxh5! Qxf3 16.Kc2 Qxh1 and 17.Qf2! and the Black queen is trapped after the bishop moves away from f1.>
Natalia Pogonina: I think the rook was better employed at the f-file. Both b1 and h4 seemed more attractive continuations to me.
Natalia Pogonina: Now the king should run to c2 via d1, like I have pointed out before.
Natalia Pogonina: And then, when the knight retreats, Anand can start pushing the h-pawn at some point. I prefer White's position.
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
@erwinlami I don't like Vishy's position. Do you?
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
Not at all, I think Boris is enjoying this.
I'm expecting 10...f5 now, when 11.exf5 Re8+ is very messy. King might go to d1!? #anandgelfand
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
10...f5 11. exf5 They won't play this because it's crazy but worth taking a look: 11...Re8+ 12. Kf2 Bxf5 13. g4 Qh4+ 14. Kg1 Re1 15. Qf2 Qe7
GM Balogh Csaba
7. Nec3, it is a very clever choice from Anand, because this move deviates from the normal Saemisch with Ng3, so Gelfand cannot use anymore his huge experience in the opening. Here Black has no other choice than opening the center with e6. On e6, White has two different setups. He must develop with Be3, but first he can include the Bg5-h6 pair of moves.
GM Shipov
9…exf6 I’ve never seen something like this in all my life. Black’s pawns are doubled on the f-file, but his king’s knight is alive. Alive and still provoking the fire of the g2-pawn
10.Qd2 The psychology of the Indian grandmaster is as transparent as glass. At the moment he doesn’t trust himself, so he’s striving to avoid sharp movements, preferring the methodical implacability of a steam roller to the deft thrusts of a fencer. The pawn remains on g2. White is completing his development according to plan. By the way, here as well it was possible to think about the system with Nb1-a3 and 0-0-0, after which it would be possible to attack without the slightest doubt about the rightness of your cause.
About to crash
14.... Qf6
Leko: 15.Kc2 I think basically is the only move…actually White is very lucky to have Kc2… Then 15…Nf4 and White has no other choice than 16.Ne4, and he should be happy that he has this option.
After 15.gxh5 Qxf3+ 16.Kc2:
Journalist: Something quite different has happened, he has taken on h5.
Nepo: A desperado play?
Journalist: I have the feeling that there are two grandmasters sitting here with me that are both quite surprised.
Leko: Yes, because I saw this but I didn't take it seriously.
Nepo: Maybe we are missing something really brilliant? I can't see the point. Maybe he is trying something like Nb5?
After 16…Qxh1:
Nepo: Ok, now 17.Bd3 should be surely played
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
14...Qf6 This is a blunder as his Queen will be trapped. 15. gxh5 Qxf3+ 16. Kc2 Anand is now close to winning.
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
17. Qf2 Gelfand in serious trouble now. Unfortunately, Gelfand resigns as he may miss Nc6. Wow! Premature resignation.
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
@SusanPolgar Though 11...Re8+ 12.Kd1!? Bxf5 13.g4 Bxb1 14.Rxb1 is not that clear. (14...Qf6 15.gxh5 Qxf3+ 16.Kc2 Qxh1 17.Qf2!) #anandgelfand
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
If Vishy goes 13.Kd1 now I switch sides! 13...Bxb1 14.Rxb1 Qf6? 15.gxh5 Qxf3+ 16.Kc2 Qxh1 17.Qf2! is the important point. #anandgelfand
Robert Fontaine @FontaineRobert
Looks like Gelfand missed Qf2 idea
Natalia Pogonina: Qf6????????
Looks like Boris has fallen for a relatively simply trap. This is lost for Black, and the line is forced!
GM Alejandro Ramirez
15.gxh5 When a world champion hangs an exchange and a pawn, you should know you are lost
GM Romain Eduard
Qf6?? A terrible blunder, though the position is already worse.
[After 14...Nf6 15.Kc2 White will have a fast attack on the kingside, while Black is very slow in finding counterplay (after ...Na6 White will either go a3, or remove the rook from b1 to leave b1 free for the white king!). ]
GM Balogh Csaba
14. Rxb1, 14...Qf6 really screams for itself, and to find the refutation is not obvious at all, but it is just losing. A critical moment for Gelfand.
14... Qf6 Amazing, Gelfand blundered with Qf6!!! Black can just resign after 15.gxh5 Qxf3 16.Kc2 Qxh1 17.Qf2!
15. gxh5 and Anand took on h5! What a shocking turn of the match could be after yesterday's disaster for Anand, now things can be equal again!
IM Malcolm Pein 14...Qf6??
Losing by force. Boris had only considered 17.Qf4 below which had been Vishy's first thought before he saw Qf2 [14...Nf6 15.Kc2 Na6 16.a3 Nc7 17.h4 Feels comfortable for White but he has to watch out for a quick b5; 14...Nf6 15.Kc2 Nbd7 16.Be2 And given that Black cannot establish a knight on e5 as f4 comes White should be somewhat better as he can play h4-h5]
GM Shipov
14…Qf6 Wha-a-a-t? Boris is continuing to play riskily with the motto “Not a step backwards!”. It’s as if he has to win at all costs and won’t get another chance. Such sharp, provocative and here hazardous play is something I really didn’t expect to see from him. Black’s queen is heading to take the h1-rook and White is almost obliged to sacrifice it, as defending the f3-pawn with the bishop would allow the h5-knight to come to f4.
[The peaceful continuations 14...Nf6 15.Kc2 Na6 16.Rd1 or 14...Ng7 15.h4 gave White perhaps not a big, but a persistent edge.]
Caught in the Web
15.gxh5 Qxf3+ 16.Kc2 Qxh1 17.Qf2 1-0
IM Malcolm Pein 17.Qf2 The queen will be trapped after Bd3
[17.Qf4 Qg1!; 17.Qf2 Nc6 Computer Is the only way to carry on 18.dxc6 Qxc6 19.Bg2 Qd7 20.Nd5 Kf8 (20...Qa4+ 21.b3 Qxa2+ 22.Rb2 Qa5 23.Nf6+ Kf8 24.Bxb7) 21.Nf6]
Leko: It's [the winning move 17.Qf2] not natural because you think about development.
Nepomniachtchi: In this match he didn't need to switch to the equalising mode, he already equalising in every game. In the first part of the match he was already trying to equalise with the white colour as well.
Nepomniachtchi: So, he's going to trap the Queen.
Leko: It's a shock. I think Boris is shocked. Everybody is shocked… It's over.
Nepomniachtchi: Most of us were surprised with some Vishy moves like Bxf6, Qd2 and then this Kd1 idea. But it was just a brilliant trap.
Leko: I completely missed this trick as well.
Ray Keene: hard to believe.
Alexandra Kosteniuk @chessqueen
It happened! Gelfand's nerves gave up, Anand won the 8th game of the World Chess Championship and now the match is tied again, 1 win each!
GM Shipov
17. Qf2 Exactly. Black’s queen is hobbled. Bf1-d3 threatens to catch it. There can’t be any doubt that Anand saw this possibility back when he played g2-g4. Gelfand, meanwhile, seems obliged to play 17…Nc6 now, saving the queen at the cost of a piece. Of course that won’t be a pleasant position, but at least he’ll manage to play on a little longer… BLACK RESIGNED! That was a catastrophe for Gelfand. I can only imagine the shock his supporters are in now…
Having had a closer look I realised that the resignation wasn’t premature. The variation 17.Qf2 Nc6 18.dxc6 Qxc6 19.Bg2
19…Qc8 (19…Qd7 20.Nd5!) 20.Rf1 Qf5+ 21.Qxf5 gxf5 22.Rxf5 is absolutely hopeless for Black.
after the game
Ian Rogers: When you played Re8+ did you have the feeling that somehow you ought to be better in that position? Did that maybe lead you to find this 14.Qf6 idea?
Boris Gelfand: No I think that I had to calculate a lot of lines because white has other dangerous options in the game. Like even 13.Be2 is not so simple. And 13.Kd1 Bxb1 14.Rxb1 Qf6 if this [the winning idea] doesn't work 15.Kc2 Nf4 16.Ne4 I intended to sacrifice an exchange on e4 which is not so clear also but I had to calculate variations and unfortunately I miscalculated.
Leko: "The good thing for Boris if he listens to my commentary is that I was also missing it." Leko on Anand's winning idea.
Anand: I'd seen some time before that it was a blunder. I even saw this when I played 11.exf5, around about then, I was just calculating these lines and I found this trick. I had the same thought as Boris that I had to go 17.Qf4 and then I refined it to 17.Qf2.
Mig Greengard @chessninja
Memo to Gelfand: I'm pretty sure "killer instinct" isn't supposed to include suicide.
Stuart Conquest @stuthefox
A shocking game in the World Chess Championship today. Even an average club player would be embarrassed to lose that one.
In some ways a quick loss is almost a relief. You can write it off as an accident. A long game, which you finally lose, brings more pain.
more than 12 hours aftermath
Bareev: Anand overwhelming favorite to win
all comments and texts (C) by their respective author
Sunday, May 20, 2012
World Celebrates Gelfand's Win in Anand-Gelfand 2012
As the world cry out for a decisive game in the duel of Anand vs Gelfand, the champion lost its ground and must surrender to the challenger in round 7. I've compiled most of resources available on net and try to put into one page. This is to give the idea of several brains commenting the game together. The sources are presents in the links below and this is just for fun.
Post Game serious analysis:
GM Sergey Shipov with Dan MacKenzie translation
GM Gilberto Milos and IM Malcolm Pein in Chessbase
During game commentaries:
http://www.chessdom.com/gelfand-anand-game-7-live/ with GM Arkadij Naiditsch
Natalia Pogonina and joined by Ray Keene at Chessgames
During game commentaries, rantings, cry out, patzers etc from various sources, Twitter, chessgames etc, with Susan Polgar, Mark Crowther (TWIC), Erwin L'Ami, Nigel Short, Karpov, Leko etc. This is not even include extensive dialog found in official videos.
[Event "Anand-Gelfand World Chess Championship"]
[Date "2012.05.20"]
[Round "7"]
[Result "1-0"]
[White "Boris Gelfand"]
[Black "Viswanathan Anand"]
[ECO "D45"]
The Opening, the c5 and another drawish game?
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 a6 6.c5
GM Naiditsch
1. d4 Gelfand is starting with the usual 1.d4, another Slav coming?
1... d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 a6 Of course, this is the modern opening at top level, Slav with a6 today!
(Shipov) 6.c5 Let’s study a new variation! White closes the game in hopes of obtaining a large space advantage.
(Malcolm Pein) 6.c5 I was more or less expecting this at some point as it's often the critical test of a6. There is a hole on b6 and Black's natural freeing attempt e5 cannot be played in one move. Of course b7-b6 is a natural response Nbd7 7.Qc2
The novelty
..Nbd7 7.Qc2 b6 8.cxb6 Nxb6
(Shipov) 7.Qc2
A very clever introduction. Can it be that White has no more useful, more developing moves? [7.b4 is more like what I expected.
Natalia Pogonina: 7. Qc2 is a rare move, usually White plays 7.b4. I like how Gelfand gave Anand a probing stare after the move to check out whether Vishy is surprised or not.
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
Gelfand played 6.c5 a few times before. His wins against Miroshnichenko and Feller (both 2008) are worth checking out
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
For the forth time Gelfand tries to break the a6-system. With 6.c5 a different strategic game arises as in games 2, 4 and 6.
Susan Polgar
I'm not sure if I like the idea of 7...b6 too much. Obviously Anand has something prepared. We'll see if his idea is good. I like White here
Natalia Pogonina: 8... b6 is a novelty. Boris gave Vishy a worried and disgusted look: what are you doing, dude?! The typical moves were b6 and c5.
(Shipov) A novelty! Here Black has usually played 8...Qxb6 . For example, 9.Na4 Qc7 10.Bd2 Be7 11.Rc1 Bb7 12.Bd3 a5 13.0–0 0–0 14.Rfd1 Rfc8 15.a3 Ba6 and Black is close to equality. S. Loiret - M. Grabarczyk, Cappelle-la-Grande 1994
Anish Giri @anishgiri
Enjoying following WCh match after a fine tournament in Malmoë, with modest but solid +1! Looking forward to play again soon!
Grischuk myth busting: "in 98/99% of cases there's no such thing as a good or bad pawn structure. Everything depends on the pieces."
Pavel Eljanov @Eljanov
@SusanPolgar Hi,Susan! It`s not a secret.
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
@Eljanov Hi Pavel, are you working with Boris this time?
Suat Atalik on ICC about World #Chess Championship Game 7 Gelfand-Anand. Promises, promises. "Somehow I don't expect this game to be a draw"
the Development
9.Bd2 c5 10.Rc1 cxd4 11.exd4 Bd6 12.Bg5 O-O 13.Bd3 h6 14.Bh4 Bb7 15.O-O Qb8 16.Bg3 Rc8 17.Qe2 Bxg3 18.hxg3 Qd6
Levon Aronian @LevAronian
World Championship matches should be take as a single game of chess.First you develop, then you try to find a weak spot, then you attack.
Natalia Pogonina: Grischuk is saying that Vishy might be having problems playing against people who are clearly hating the opponent (like Kasparov and Nakamura).
(Alberto Milos) 12...0-0 13.Bd3 h6 14.Bh4 Bb7 If Black plays the idea .. .a5-Ba6, to exchange his bad bishop, then the b5 square would be weakened. 15.0-0 White's plan is Qe2-Ne5-f4. Qb8 controlling e5 and intending ...Rc8 and Nh5 or Nfd7. If White plays Bxf6 he will lose control of the black squares and there is no clear way to attack the king. 16.Bg3 after this White plays to control the black squares e5 and c5 and against the bad bishop on b7.
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
@SChevannes and to think, I taught that commentator how to play chess on The One Show
Sabrina Chevannes @SChevannes
Apparently that penalty shoot out was like a game of #chess! Why do they always say stuff like that?! #championsleaguefinal
Grischuk: "14.h4 reminds me of a common joke about AK in poker: It's like Anna Kournikova. It looks good but it never wins."
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
14...Bb7 Boris perhaps a little better but the key is we have imbalance and potential for complexity No exchanges yet!
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
15...Qb8 This is a strange looking move. Anand is willing to let Gelfand play 16. Bxf6. The question is why?
(Shipov) ....Qb8 A strange and, if it had been played by anyone but Anand, I would have said an artificial maneuver. Why go in for such tricks when therte are so many simple, natural moves? I understand that he is not afraid of the trade on f6. But in fact, the arrangement of Black’s heavy pieces (the queen has made itself scarce, the rook on a8 is locked up) gives White some grounds for taking on f6.
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
RT @erwinlami: I'd definitely prefer white's position. Even thinking of the extravagant 18.fxg3!? here. #anandgelfand
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
Idea of 21.Qd2 is 21...Nxg4 22.h3! and Qxh6, or 21...Nxh5 22.Qxh6! Nf6 23.Kh1! Ng4 24.Rg1! (and Rxg4!)
(Shipov) 18…Qd6
Vishy positions his pieces solidly. He still needs to think about how to activate his brigade of pieces on the queenside. The knight on f6, which is not attacked by anything, guarantees the king a healthy life. There is time for unhurried positional maneuvers.
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
Boris evidently thinks he just has a good squeeze on. He has a point. Not obvious how Vishy continues but perhaps a5 is playable
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
Once again, Gelfand is playing for 2 results. The stake is huge so he wants to take no chances. Is it the right or wrong decision?
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
Nigel Short "Wrong. It was crying out to be played." commenting on L'Ami's doubt about playing 17.Bxf6 in my Facebook timeline.
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
@MarkTWIC Right, I also changed my mind later on!
Natalia Pogonina: It's also a matter of mentality, approach to chess. GM Korobov, a sharp attacking player, also supports the plan I have suggested and says that f6 was a good try to play for a win. Meanwhile, Leko and Gelfand are more positional, so I guess they they were reflecting on the position in terms of black squares, two-bishop advantage, etc.
the Middlegame
19.Rc2 Nbd7 20.Rfc1 Rab8 21.Na4 Ne4 22.Rxc8+ Bxc8 23.Qc2
Susan Polgar
21. Na4 Gelfand did not find anything spectacular. It is a difficult position. White is better but not enough for any serious break through.
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
World #Chess Ch. Gelfand-Anand Gm7 21.Na4 played by Gelfand after some thought. He's a tiny bit better but draw probable
Ray Keene: Very impressive that Natalia predicted Rc2 and Rfc1-i wd have been all for sacking pawns with Ne5 or-failing that-planting a white N on e5 and attacking with f4. I must admit that even the heretical anti concentric recapture fxg3 -rather than hxg3-had crossed my mind to open the f file.
Karpov now on official site English commentary. He and Leko both think that 21.a3 was better than 21.Na4.
GM Arkadij Naiditsch
21... Ne4 Vishy is playing now a really surprizing 21...Ne4. This move gives some choice. Why Black played 21...Ne4 and not Rxc2 followed by Bc6-Bb5? It is impossible he has not seen the option. He was afraid of something? Maybe-but of what!?..
(Shipov) 21.Na4
It looks as if the knight is going straight to c5. But did Boris consider the possibility that Black might activate his bishop by means of … Bb7-c6-b5? Let’s say, after the trade of a pair of rooks on c2. Apparently he is planning to take on c2 not with the rook, but with the queen. I have to look at this…21…Ne4?! Vishy has clearly decided to play too prophylactically. It looks as if he is willing to endure the hardship of an inferior position merely for the sake of not having to calculate any complicated and deep variations. This is old man’s chess, to be blunt.
(Malcolm Pein) 21.Na4 21.a3 21...Ne4?! A natural response but now White certainly a bit better. Suspect this is the cause of later problems22.Rxc8+ Bxc8 23.Qc2 Played quickly. Interesting comments from Leko: "When a player is comfortable with black he is less likely to risk with white. Maybe this game is a turning point in that regard." 23.Qe1! Karpov - Leko raved about this move, reveals Karpov's wonderful insight, ' Black square strategy' b4 and Nc5 coming Bb7 24.Qa5 with b4 coming when White must be comfortably better
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
Aha Karpov also liked 21.a3 as Rb4 and Qb4 ruled out and b4 a plan Vishy's 21...Ne4 not a pawn sac see TWIC analysis
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
23.Qc2 Bb7 24.Nc5 looks like serious pressure, but not 24.Qc7? Rc8!
the g5?!
..g5
GM Arkadij Naiditsch 23... g5 again quite a strange play by White. Seems like Anand is in a pretty bad shape today. Can we see the first decisive game!?
Natalia Pogonina: g5 - what is going on? Today I have problems guessing his moves. Looks very suspicious. Anand seems to be doing his best to lose the game.
(Shipov) 23…g5?!
A very nervous move. The coordination of Black’s pieces leaves much to be desired, and at thesame time he weakens his king’s pawn covering and leaves his queen waiting in the wings… Strange! [Having adopted a strategy of patient waiting, Anand should have continued it: 23...Ndf6 24.Ne5 Bd7 25.Nc5 Be8 , after which the captures on a6 seem to be harmless: 26.Nxa6 (26.Bxa6? Nxc5) 26...Ra8 27.Nc7 (27.Nc5 Rxa2) 27...Rc8! and go ahead, just try to get out of that pin.]
(Alberto Milos) 23...g5? The decisive mistake. The natural 23...Bb7 would be answered by 24.Nc5 with a small but clear advantage for White ..Rc8 25.b4
(Malcolm Pein) 23...g5 Looks almost desperate. 'In a bad position usually all moves are bad' - Anand
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
World #Chess Championship Gelfand-Anand 23.Qc2 g5 * not a move Anand would have played with any great joy.
Smirin: "Chess logic won't forgive even World Champions making moves like 23...g5"
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
23...g5 Anand allows capturing on e4 as 24. Bxe4 dxe4 25. Qxe4 Bb7 26. Qe3 Bc6 =
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
Boris giving Vishy the 'what the hell u up 2' look
the White first wave of attack and ..f6?
24.Qc7 Qxc7 25.Rxc7 f6
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar It is his best shot so far in this match.The problem is 24. Qc7. This gives white a very comfortable endgame with an edge. This is the type of position Gelfand can thrive on.
Grischuk: "Black's task now is to at least make sure White has to play accurate moves to win"
GM Arkadij Naiditsch
24... Qxc7 on the other hand: Anand escaped in so many bad endgames. I think nobody ever saved as many bad positions as Anand. So we should be not too fast with out judgments.25. Rxc7 f6 we see 25...f6?. This is already a serious tactical mistake, giving White a chance for 26.Bxe4! fxe4 and 27.Nd2! with very good chances for a full point... a very exiting moment if Gelfand will make use out of his "11 meters" Gelfand has enough time to find the right moves here, 22 minutes for the last 15 moves, this is totally enough. Can Gelfand's biggest dream come true now? I think in case of 26.Bxe4 it could!
Natalia Pogonina
I am not sure what is happening to Anand today. Qb8?!, g5?, f6? - what is that? Can't guess a single move.
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
Looks really grim for Black! Boris hasn't beaten Vishy at Classical Chess for nearly 20 years this is a huge moment for him
The fallen Bishop
26.Bxe4 dxe4 27.Nd2 f5 28.Nc4 Nf6 29.Nc5 Nd5 30.Ra7 Nb4 31.Ne5 Nc2 32.Nc6 Rxb2
Ray Keene: indian takeaway-ANAND IS TOAST!
(Shipov) Black has removed all of his pawns from the feeding trough. However, this is hardly likely to save him from material loss. His pieces are awfully passive.
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
World #Chess Championship Gelfand-Anand Gm7 Gelfand 15 minutes Anand 10 minutes left 29 moves. "Here he cannot show any magic" Leko on Anand
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
That's exactly what Gelfand played. I smell the 1st victory for Gelfand. I'm curious to hear Anand's explanation for his unusual moves.
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
The bishop on c8 is awful Nf6 forced now but Na4-c5 is a positional crush
(Shipov) 29.Nc5
Meanwhile White attacks with moves that can easily be made by the hand alone, without the brain’s assistance.
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
Looks like Gelfand will beat Anand for the first time in 19 years! #anandgelfand
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
World #Chess Championship Gelfand-Anand Gm7 "Not the slightest chance of counter-play. Definitely good for the match." - Leko
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
Boris reflected briefly to chcck tactics and I think rook and two knights forcing mate Body language suggests Vishy given up
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
Looks like mate to me even though Vishy has created some cheapos. Boris takes a piece with check
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
31...Nc2 32. Nc6 Rxb2 Anand is giving up his Bishop for counter play. He is hoping for a miracle. 33. Ra8 or 33.Rc7 wins the Bishop on c8.
Boris' Mating and aftermath
33.Rc7 Rb1+ 34.Kh2 e3 35.Rxc8+ Kh7 36.Rc7+ Kh8 37.Ne5 e2 38.Nxe6 1-0
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess It's over Boris wins and leads 4-3 with 5 to play players analysing now. Awesome game from Boris positional domination. VA white tomorrow
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
Nice mating web in the end, Gelfand taking the lead!
(Shipov) 35.Rxc8+ Kh7 36.Rc7+
Gelfand repeats moves… and weaves a mating net!
(Malcolm Pein) 36.Rc7+ Leko quoted Botvinnik. 'Better to be a piece up than to force mate'. Point is you can't mess up with an extra piece whereas if you miss the mate... This is worth pointing out to the masses who only follow the engine numbers. However the lines are not to hard to calculate so Boris decides to force matters
Natalia Pogonina @Pogonina
Actually disappointed by the quality of the moves in today's game, especially Anand's. Gelfand won and is now leading 4-3.
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
36. Rc7+ Kh8 37. Ne5 e2 38. Nxe6 if 38...e1=Q 39. Ng6+ Kg8 40. Rg7# 1-0
(Malcolm Pein) 37...e2 38.Nxe6 'I started to drift a little bit in the opening and the rest revolved around my bishop on c8' – Anand
compiled without permission but please this is for fun only
all comments and texts by their respective author
Post Game serious analysis:
GM Sergey Shipov with Dan MacKenzie translation
GM Gilberto Milos and IM Malcolm Pein in Chessbase
During game commentaries:
http://www.chessdom.com/gelfand-anand-game-7-live/ with GM Arkadij Naiditsch
Natalia Pogonina and joined by Ray Keene at Chessgames
During game commentaries, rantings, cry out, patzers etc from various sources, Twitter, chessgames etc, with Susan Polgar, Mark Crowther (TWIC), Erwin L'Ami, Nigel Short, Karpov, Leko etc. This is not even include extensive dialog found in official videos.
[Event "Anand-Gelfand World Chess Championship"]
[Date "2012.05.20"]
[Round "7"]
[Result "1-0"]
[White "Boris Gelfand"]
[Black "Viswanathan Anand"]
[ECO "D45"]
The Opening, the c5 and another drawish game?
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 a6 6.c5
GM Naiditsch
1. d4 Gelfand is starting with the usual 1.d4, another Slav coming?
1... d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 a6 Of course, this is the modern opening at top level, Slav with a6 today!
(Shipov) 6.c5 Let’s study a new variation! White closes the game in hopes of obtaining a large space advantage.
(Malcolm Pein) 6.c5 I was more or less expecting this at some point as it's often the critical test of a6. There is a hole on b6 and Black's natural freeing attempt e5 cannot be played in one move. Of course b7-b6 is a natural response Nbd7 7.Qc2
The novelty
..Nbd7 7.Qc2 b6 8.cxb6 Nxb6
(Shipov) 7.Qc2
A very clever introduction. Can it be that White has no more useful, more developing moves? [7.b4 is more like what I expected.
Natalia Pogonina: 7. Qc2 is a rare move, usually White plays 7.b4. I like how Gelfand gave Anand a probing stare after the move to check out whether Vishy is surprised or not.
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
Gelfand played 6.c5 a few times before. His wins against Miroshnichenko and Feller (both 2008) are worth checking out
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
For the forth time Gelfand tries to break the a6-system. With 6.c5 a different strategic game arises as in games 2, 4 and 6.
Susan Polgar
I'm not sure if I like the idea of 7...b6 too much. Obviously Anand has something prepared. We'll see if his idea is good. I like White here
Natalia Pogonina: 8... b6 is a novelty. Boris gave Vishy a worried and disgusted look: what are you doing, dude?! The typical moves were b6 and c5.
(Shipov) A novelty! Here Black has usually played 8...Qxb6 . For example, 9.Na4 Qc7 10.Bd2 Be7 11.Rc1 Bb7 12.Bd3 a5 13.0–0 0–0 14.Rfd1 Rfc8 15.a3 Ba6 and Black is close to equality. S. Loiret - M. Grabarczyk, Cappelle-la-Grande 1994
Anish Giri @anishgiri
Enjoying following WCh match after a fine tournament in Malmoë, with modest but solid +1! Looking forward to play again soon!
Grischuk myth busting: "in 98/99% of cases there's no such thing as a good or bad pawn structure. Everything depends on the pieces."
Pavel Eljanov @Eljanov
@SusanPolgar Hi,Susan! It`s not a secret.
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
@Eljanov Hi Pavel, are you working with Boris this time?
Suat Atalik on ICC about World #Chess Championship Game 7 Gelfand-Anand. Promises, promises. "Somehow I don't expect this game to be a draw"
the Development
9.Bd2 c5 10.Rc1 cxd4 11.exd4 Bd6 12.Bg5 O-O 13.Bd3 h6 14.Bh4 Bb7 15.O-O Qb8 16.Bg3 Rc8 17.Qe2 Bxg3 18.hxg3 Qd6
Levon Aronian @LevAronian
World Championship matches should be take as a single game of chess.First you develop, then you try to find a weak spot, then you attack.
Natalia Pogonina: Grischuk is saying that Vishy might be having problems playing against people who are clearly hating the opponent (like Kasparov and Nakamura).
(Alberto Milos) 12...0-0 13.Bd3 h6 14.Bh4 Bb7 If Black plays the idea .. .a5-Ba6, to exchange his bad bishop, then the b5 square would be weakened. 15.0-0 White's plan is Qe2-Ne5-f4. Qb8 controlling e5 and intending ...Rc8 and Nh5 or Nfd7. If White plays Bxf6 he will lose control of the black squares and there is no clear way to attack the king. 16.Bg3 after this White plays to control the black squares e5 and c5 and against the bad bishop on b7.
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
@SChevannes and to think, I taught that commentator how to play chess on The One Show
Sabrina Chevannes @SChevannes
Apparently that penalty shoot out was like a game of #chess! Why do they always say stuff like that?! #championsleaguefinal
Grischuk: "14.h4 reminds me of a common joke about AK in poker: It's like Anna Kournikova. It looks good but it never wins."
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
14...Bb7 Boris perhaps a little better but the key is we have imbalance and potential for complexity No exchanges yet!
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
15...Qb8 This is a strange looking move. Anand is willing to let Gelfand play 16. Bxf6. The question is why?
(Shipov) ....Qb8 A strange and, if it had been played by anyone but Anand, I would have said an artificial maneuver. Why go in for such tricks when therte are so many simple, natural moves? I understand that he is not afraid of the trade on f6. But in fact, the arrangement of Black’s heavy pieces (the queen has made itself scarce, the rook on a8 is locked up) gives White some grounds for taking on f6.
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
RT @erwinlami: I'd definitely prefer white's position. Even thinking of the extravagant 18.fxg3!? here. #anandgelfand
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
Idea of 21.Qd2 is 21...Nxg4 22.h3! and Qxh6, or 21...Nxh5 22.Qxh6! Nf6 23.Kh1! Ng4 24.Rg1! (and Rxg4!)
(Shipov) 18…Qd6
Vishy positions his pieces solidly. He still needs to think about how to activate his brigade of pieces on the queenside. The knight on f6, which is not attacked by anything, guarantees the king a healthy life. There is time for unhurried positional maneuvers.
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
Boris evidently thinks he just has a good squeeze on. He has a point. Not obvious how Vishy continues but perhaps a5 is playable
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
Once again, Gelfand is playing for 2 results. The stake is huge so he wants to take no chances. Is it the right or wrong decision?
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
Nigel Short "Wrong. It was crying out to be played." commenting on L'Ami's doubt about playing 17.Bxf6 in my Facebook timeline.
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
@MarkTWIC Right, I also changed my mind later on!
Natalia Pogonina: It's also a matter of mentality, approach to chess. GM Korobov, a sharp attacking player, also supports the plan I have suggested and says that f6 was a good try to play for a win. Meanwhile, Leko and Gelfand are more positional, so I guess they they were reflecting on the position in terms of black squares, two-bishop advantage, etc.
the Middlegame
19.Rc2 Nbd7 20.Rfc1 Rab8 21.Na4 Ne4 22.Rxc8+ Bxc8 23.Qc2
Susan Polgar
21. Na4 Gelfand did not find anything spectacular. It is a difficult position. White is better but not enough for any serious break through.
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
World #Chess Ch. Gelfand-Anand Gm7 21.Na4 played by Gelfand after some thought. He's a tiny bit better but draw probable
Ray Keene: Very impressive that Natalia predicted Rc2 and Rfc1-i wd have been all for sacking pawns with Ne5 or-failing that-planting a white N on e5 and attacking with f4. I must admit that even the heretical anti concentric recapture fxg3 -rather than hxg3-had crossed my mind to open the f file.
Karpov now on official site English commentary. He and Leko both think that 21.a3 was better than 21.Na4.
GM Arkadij Naiditsch
21... Ne4 Vishy is playing now a really surprizing 21...Ne4. This move gives some choice. Why Black played 21...Ne4 and not Rxc2 followed by Bc6-Bb5? It is impossible he has not seen the option. He was afraid of something? Maybe-but of what!?..
(Shipov) 21.Na4
It looks as if the knight is going straight to c5. But did Boris consider the possibility that Black might activate his bishop by means of … Bb7-c6-b5? Let’s say, after the trade of a pair of rooks on c2. Apparently he is planning to take on c2 not with the rook, but with the queen. I have to look at this…21…Ne4?! Vishy has clearly decided to play too prophylactically. It looks as if he is willing to endure the hardship of an inferior position merely for the sake of not having to calculate any complicated and deep variations. This is old man’s chess, to be blunt.
(Malcolm Pein) 21.Na4 21.a3 21...Ne4?! A natural response but now White certainly a bit better. Suspect this is the cause of later problems22.Rxc8+ Bxc8 23.Qc2 Played quickly. Interesting comments from Leko: "When a player is comfortable with black he is less likely to risk with white. Maybe this game is a turning point in that regard." 23.Qe1! Karpov - Leko raved about this move, reveals Karpov's wonderful insight, ' Black square strategy' b4 and Nc5 coming Bb7 24.Qa5 with b4 coming when White must be comfortably better
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
Aha Karpov also liked 21.a3 as Rb4 and Qb4 ruled out and b4 a plan Vishy's 21...Ne4 not a pawn sac see TWIC analysis
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
23.Qc2 Bb7 24.Nc5 looks like serious pressure, but not 24.Qc7? Rc8!
the g5?!
..g5
GM Arkadij Naiditsch 23... g5 again quite a strange play by White. Seems like Anand is in a pretty bad shape today. Can we see the first decisive game!?
Natalia Pogonina: g5 - what is going on? Today I have problems guessing his moves. Looks very suspicious. Anand seems to be doing his best to lose the game.
(Shipov) 23…g5?!
A very nervous move. The coordination of Black’s pieces leaves much to be desired, and at thesame time he weakens his king’s pawn covering and leaves his queen waiting in the wings… Strange! [Having adopted a strategy of patient waiting, Anand should have continued it: 23...Ndf6 24.Ne5 Bd7 25.Nc5 Be8 , after which the captures on a6 seem to be harmless: 26.Nxa6 (26.Bxa6? Nxc5) 26...Ra8 27.Nc7 (27.Nc5 Rxa2) 27...Rc8! and go ahead, just try to get out of that pin.]
(Alberto Milos) 23...g5? The decisive mistake. The natural 23...Bb7 would be answered by 24.Nc5 with a small but clear advantage for White ..Rc8 25.b4
(Malcolm Pein) 23...g5 Looks almost desperate. 'In a bad position usually all moves are bad' - Anand
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
World #Chess Championship Gelfand-Anand 23.Qc2 g5 * not a move Anand would have played with any great joy.
Smirin: "Chess logic won't forgive even World Champions making moves like 23...g5"
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
23...g5 Anand allows capturing on e4 as 24. Bxe4 dxe4 25. Qxe4 Bb7 26. Qe3 Bc6 =
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
Boris giving Vishy the 'what the hell u up 2' look
the White first wave of attack and ..f6?
24.Qc7 Qxc7 25.Rxc7 f6
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar It is his best shot so far in this match.The problem is 24. Qc7. This gives white a very comfortable endgame with an edge. This is the type of position Gelfand can thrive on.
Grischuk: "Black's task now is to at least make sure White has to play accurate moves to win"
GM Arkadij Naiditsch
24... Qxc7 on the other hand: Anand escaped in so many bad endgames. I think nobody ever saved as many bad positions as Anand. So we should be not too fast with out judgments.25. Rxc7 f6 we see 25...f6?. This is already a serious tactical mistake, giving White a chance for 26.Bxe4! fxe4 and 27.Nd2! with very good chances for a full point... a very exiting moment if Gelfand will make use out of his "11 meters" Gelfand has enough time to find the right moves here, 22 minutes for the last 15 moves, this is totally enough. Can Gelfand's biggest dream come true now? I think in case of 26.Bxe4 it could!
Natalia Pogonina
I am not sure what is happening to Anand today. Qb8?!, g5?, f6? - what is that? Can't guess a single move.
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
Looks really grim for Black! Boris hasn't beaten Vishy at Classical Chess for nearly 20 years this is a huge moment for him
The fallen Bishop
26.Bxe4 dxe4 27.Nd2 f5 28.Nc4 Nf6 29.Nc5 Nd5 30.Ra7 Nb4 31.Ne5 Nc2 32.Nc6 Rxb2
Ray Keene: indian takeaway-ANAND IS TOAST!
(Shipov) Black has removed all of his pawns from the feeding trough. However, this is hardly likely to save him from material loss. His pieces are awfully passive.
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
World #Chess Championship Gelfand-Anand Gm7 Gelfand 15 minutes Anand 10 minutes left 29 moves. "Here he cannot show any magic" Leko on Anand
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
That's exactly what Gelfand played. I smell the 1st victory for Gelfand. I'm curious to hear Anand's explanation for his unusual moves.
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
The bishop on c8 is awful Nf6 forced now but Na4-c5 is a positional crush
(Shipov) 29.Nc5
Meanwhile White attacks with moves that can easily be made by the hand alone, without the brain’s assistance.
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
Looks like Gelfand will beat Anand for the first time in 19 years! #anandgelfand
Mark Crowther @MarkTWIC
World #Chess Championship Gelfand-Anand Gm7 "Not the slightest chance of counter-play. Definitely good for the match." - Leko
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
Boris reflected briefly to chcck tactics and I think rook and two knights forcing mate Body language suggests Vishy given up
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess
Looks like mate to me even though Vishy has created some cheapos. Boris takes a piece with check
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
31...Nc2 32. Nc6 Rxb2 Anand is giving up his Bishop for counter play. He is hoping for a miracle. 33. Ra8 or 33.Rc7 wins the Bishop on c8.
Boris' Mating and aftermath
33.Rc7 Rb1+ 34.Kh2 e3 35.Rxc8+ Kh7 36.Rc7+ Kh8 37.Ne5 e2 38.Nxe6 1-0
Malcolm Pein @TelegraphChess It's over Boris wins and leads 4-3 with 5 to play players analysing now. Awesome game from Boris positional domination. VA white tomorrow
Erwin l'Ami @erwinlami
Nice mating web in the end, Gelfand taking the lead!
(Shipov) 35.Rxc8+ Kh7 36.Rc7+
Gelfand repeats moves… and weaves a mating net!
(Malcolm Pein) 36.Rc7+ Leko quoted Botvinnik. 'Better to be a piece up than to force mate'. Point is you can't mess up with an extra piece whereas if you miss the mate... This is worth pointing out to the masses who only follow the engine numbers. However the lines are not to hard to calculate so Boris decides to force matters
Natalia Pogonina @Pogonina
Actually disappointed by the quality of the moves in today's game, especially Anand's. Gelfand won and is now leading 4-3.
Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar
36. Rc7+ Kh8 37. Ne5 e2 38. Nxe6 if 38...e1=Q 39. Ng6+ Kg8 40. Rg7# 1-0
(Malcolm Pein) 37...e2 38.Nxe6 'I started to drift a little bit in the opening and the rest revolved around my bishop on c8' – Anand
compiled without permission but please this is for fun only
all comments and texts by their respective author
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