Oh my, what an entertaining game, despite of the grave mistakes. Kramnik - Topalov = 2 - 0 after first two games. This will be hard for Topalov, especially considering he has been better in both games.

Hard to say StuntLinguis, I was surprised that Topalov didn't find the win after Rxg4+.

Game 2: Topalov strikes back.

Topalov attacked brilliantly and Kramnik is in serious trouble.  Looks like the match score will be 1-1.

A couple of odd-looking (inaccurate?) moves just made: 31...Bxf8 and 32.Qg6+.  31...Kxf8 looked more resilient, but probably not enough to save the game.  After 31...Bxf8 it looked like 32.Rxg4+ should have won quickly.  32.Qxg6 (preceived to be safer?) should still win, though.




there followed 29.hxg6 h5 30.g7 hxg4 31.gxf8Q+ Bxf8(?)




and here doesn't 32.Rxg4+ (intending 33.Qc7) win immediately?

Update: Topalov has self-destructed — again!  Looks like we might be heading for a bishop (White) vs. three pawns (Black) ending where I'm not sure if White will have realistic winning chances.  Even if Topalov can win this (seems doubtful now), it's going to be a lot more difficult than it would have been had he played accurately earlier.  What's going on with Topalov?  Nerves?

Update: Topalov now fighting to hold a draw.  Kramnik should win but would be happy with a draw so that might be the outcome.  Be tragic for Topalov if he goes 0-2 in a pair of games where he should have gotten 1.5 pts.





Update: In the following endgame position there was some discussion suggesting that White might have drawing chances, but I find this difficult to believe.  Perhaps an interesting point of discussion for endgame fans.



Kramnik won ten moves later:
54.d5 Kf8 55.Ne6+ (55.Kd7!? may be an improvement, but is it enough to make a difference? Then again 55...b5 might be unstoppable here, so maybe not even an improvement.) 55...Ke8 56.Nc7+ Kd8 57.Ne6+ Kc8 (now there is no doubt - Black wins easily) 58.Ke7 Rh1 59.Ng5 b5 60.d6 Rd1 61.Ne6 b4 62.Nc5 Re1+ 63.Kf6 Re3 0-1

Tragic loss for Topalov.  Match score: 2-0 Kramnik

Topalov had a pretty much forced draw yet carried on playing a pawn down. I think it was logical for him to carry on playing while he had the forced draw in his pocket, only just to annoy and exhaust Kramnik, but once he allowed white to breathe the play that ensued was unbelievable. It was as if Topalov had put money on Kramnik to win after reaching move x. It would be interesting to see how much money was bet on this game.

If yes, this idea rebounced completely. It might be better to test Kramnik's stamina in very complicated positions.

Ha, luck had nothing to do with toppy's loss. I can't help but wonder if he really thought he was better between moves 36 and 43 or if he wanted to wear kramnik down with a longer game? (i.e to try to make kramnik's prior health problems a factor in the match) Maybe that's simply my bias against topalov, since God knows I've overestimated my chances in a number of my own games. Regardless Topalov looked frustrated at not getting the kind of actively imbalanced game he normally seems to like. This will certainly be an interesting match.

StuntLinguist

First game looks like a draw, but with some interesting moments.  I thought Topalov looked a bit better throughout the game. (impression just before time control)

A couple moves later, I'm wondering if Topalov is still striving for a win.  

Topalov can force the draw at any point, so why not?

For game 1 commentary, see 
http://www.e3e5.com/eng/petersburg/competitions/article.html?241

Anyone know of other sites?  Shipov did a tremendous job with San Luis last year.  I he covering the WCh at ChessPro?

Update: Topalov blundered (57...f5??) and lost (or will lose soon).  Strange finish.

Ostap, 

Yes, Aronian is a talented young GM, but he has only been in the top 10 in the world for a year, and of all the big names I certainly wouldn't have guessed he would be the #3 player in the world for two supplements in a row.  He was an unlikely choice for me, especially knowing that he was barely even in the top 100 only two or three years ago.

In my opinion, his standing is the most flimsy of the top seven or so players, just as Svidler's was a year ago.  We'll see though.

Cheers!

3 of those SF mentioned will play at Corus, I'll leave it to you which isnt (hopefully he will)