RE: "it's obvious how relaxed Anand was while drawing a position with a pawn down"

Did you watch video of the game on Foidos (or whatever they call it)?
You also mentioned that anand was "comfortable" "unimpressed" and didn't feel any pressure.  Are you saying this simply because of the moves he made or because that's how he actually looked at the board?  

I know Anand comfortably drew a pawn down against Kramnik in the WCC tournament at Mexico last year.  He was clearly disappointed in his opening preparation (i.e. he was a pawn down as white without any real compensation) but didn't seem bothered at all about drawing the game.  It was impressive, though I don't think he'd like to repeat that experience.  

As for not seeing any pressure...well, try playing a world championship match!  Everyone that's played in one says its more intense pressure than anything else.  At least Botvinnik, Petrosian, Spassky, Tal, Kasparov, Karpov, Kramnik all said that.  I haven't heard anyone say "oh, its no big deal..."

Anyway, I'm not saying Kramnik's choice made Anand quake in his boots, but it was a safe choice and doesn't risk losing the very first game; which Leko and Topalov BOTH did against Kramnik.  Kasparov did draw the first, but lost the second game...but no pressure.

RE: "Anand nervous and desperate when meeting the Slav Exchange? I rather think of emotions like relief. "

No, I mean nervous about playing for the world title in a match.  Afterall, Kasparov was #1 when Kramnik beat him and Topalov was #1 when Kramnik beat HIM. When Kramnik is healthy (and not playing 1.e4 ) he is very, very hard to beat. 

I also cannot imagine its a relief to play the exchange slav against Kramnik since you know its going to be arduous, and yet one significant slip can cost you the game.  Like I said, I don't imagine this is his main weapon, but its a nice way to open the match since its puts psychological pressure on Anand without taking any real chance of losing.  I can't wait to see what Anand has prepared.

Nietzsche

Nietzsche wrote on 10/14/08 at 18:59:36:

Anand nervous and desperate when meeting the Slav Exchange? I rather think of emotions like relief. And I think it might be bad match strategy indeed.
Come on Stormcrow and Willempie, show a little more patience or I'll make you play through all boring Kasparov-Karpov (and vice versa) draws played during the fiercest chess battle ever.

The blasted official site said the match would start a few hours AFTER it had already started!   

They had this "countdown" clock running that still had a couple hours left when the game was already over.   
Man, I complete missed the first game thanks to those monkeys.

BTW, the exchange slav was a great choice for game one.
Almost zero losing chances but gives white a chance to poke black a little to see how nervous, desperate he is.  I seriously doubt Kramnik will use it as a main weapon, but I think it was a nice idea to begin the match.
Let's see what Anand's got prepared for his first white.

Scholar wrote on 10/14/08 at 17:06:59:

Giving away an easy black to your opponent sure is a sign of strength....

wolfsblut wrote on 10/14/08 at 14:18:38:

Huh sorry, I fell asleep...

like I said. Yawn

Gerry1970 wrote on 10/14/08 at 02:12:46:


In his youth Anand was (in)famous for playing at GM-level without using more than 30 minutes in a classical time-control game. There is nothing wrong with Anand's feel/intuition; I would even say that it's best of the bunch.

drkodos wrote on 10/14/08 at 01:39:46:


And if Toppy is in for a nasty surprise? Kamsky has displayed some strong chess lately. Well, maybe it's just wishful thinking.