World Championship 2010

[Igor M. Fulovich]

Which player would be the stronger in a Rapidplay play-off? Would Topalov's more creative style of play allow him to confuse Anand, or would Anand's adaptability be able to serve him well when there's less time to think? By now I'm sure Anand has taken heart in knowing some of his drawn games could have been won for himself and while the results aren't on the table that's sure to boost his confidence if he can stay just that little bit sharper.

[Jonathan Rogers]

True, there is no good opening to play for a win for black at this level. I had said the Slav earlier in memory of what Anand did to Kramnik, bu it's true that nothing could give remoter winning chances than the Slav line which he is favouring against Topalov.

This suggests to me that Anand will be realistic and just choose the safest draw - that still points towards the Slav, on the run of play so far.

I am just saying that he wants a draw on principle, because he is Black. I am not sure how much of a favourite he would be in rapidplay. Sure, he is generally much better at rapidplay than Topalov, but so too was he always better than Kamsky and Karpov at rapidplay and he lost matches to them on rapid play tie breaks in the 1990s. And Topalov actually played much better than his usual rapidplay level against Kramnik, even though he still lost.

It's difficult. As Mig says, "Anand better, Topalov tougher!"

[James Coleman]

I'm going to stick my neck out and say Nimzo/Queens Indian from Anand tomorrow.

I'm not sure if his switch back to the Grunfeld in G10 was a result of him being progressively more uncomfortable in these Slav endings or something else, but his fairly risky attempt to win G11 near the end suggests that he isn't all that happy with having to decide this thing in tie-breaks.

A Nimzo is solid, yet would keep enough in the position to allow him to play if Topalov decides to go for it.

Jonathan's probably right though and we will see another Slav!

[TomChivers]

Queen's Gambit Accepted, win for Topalov.

(Btw, can't black still play for a win at the top level v 1.d4 with the KID? Isn't Radjabov still trying it at least?)

[Arshad Ali]

QGD Lasker. Anand wants a no-risk draw.

[LozCooper]

A Nimzo is solid, yet would keep enough in the position to allow him to play if Topalov decides to go for it.

I suspect that the choice would have been either a Queens Indian or transposition back into a QGD as from memory Topolov doesn't allow the Nimzo.

[Mick Norris]

Is Anand winning now?

[LozCooper]

Is Anand winning now?

No idea but it's not going to be the peaceful draw I was expecting a few moves ago.

[Arshad Ali]

Is Anand winning now?

No idea but it's not going to be the peaceful draw I was expecting a few moves ago.

Anand to make his 37th. Things are heating up.

[Joey Stewart]

What site are you lot watching it on?

[Mick Norris]

http://www.anand-topalov.com/en/live.html

http://live.chessdom.com/anand-topalov-2010-g12.html

[LozCooper]

Is Anand winning now?

Probably. One line my humble Crafty on Chessbase 7 likes is 39...Qg5 40 Rf8+ Kg7 41 Qf2 Re4 42 Rxa8+ Rxe3 43 Qg3 Qxg3+ 44 hg Rxa3 45 bxa3 c4 and a winning rook ending!

[Igor M. Fulovich]

Anand now has a Queen against Topalov's Rook and Bishop. It looks to be significantly favourable for Anand.

[IM Jack Rudd]

Anand now has a Queen against Topalov's Rook and Bishop. It looks to be significantly favourable for Anand.

This would be very interesting, seeing as Topalov last had a bishop on move 17. Do you mean rook and knight?

[Arshad Ali]

This would be very interesting, seeing as Topalov last had a bishop on move 17. Do you mean rook and knight?

R+N. It's a tough 'un for Topalov. Topalov just played 49.a4 -- I don't think he could move eith R or N.