BTW, I wonder if Kramnik would have played a Tartakower had Anand played Bg5.  At any rate, I'm delighted to see a QGD in this match and not a long series of Slavs.

I recently read Huebner's comments that he couldn't tell the styles of the top players apart any more because they all seem to rely so heavily on computer analysis.  

He overstates the case, but since the computer has become virtually hegemonic in chess, the top players have had to become incredibly precise calculators.

I still think there are differences in the styles of Anand and Kramnik, and those differences are what will make this match great and may even determine the champion.  The average viewer on ICC has extremely exaggerated views of the two contestants, and even some of the IMs refer to Kramnik as "Drawnik".  

Such comments are unfair to both players, as these really are the two best players in the world right now, and have been the two best players since Kasparov's retirement, if not longer.  To be the best in the world right now means that these two have excelled in learning the lessons of the computers while maintaining their own flair for the game.

These are two of my favorite active players for a number of reasons, and I suspect that if Kramnik manages to even the match, the fans on ICC will start talking about Anand choking under pressure rather than congratulating Kramnik's brilliance.  Perhaps it's just the nature of today's chess fans to be blind to the beauty of the game and only see what the computers they're using tell them to see.

(By the way, I have never seen a computer give a "!" to a move.)

Strange choice today for Anand.  I thought he'd try to go on the attack while Kramnik was down.

The Bf4 line in the QGD used to be a Kramnik favorite and has fallen out of favor in world-class chess in the past few years since black has several good choices and white doesn't appear to gain enough in the main lines.
I remember Kasparov quoted a game from Anand (as black) as proof that white really cannot generate decent winning chances.  I also didn't see any strong preparation...strange choice indeed.

BTW, let's not over-react.  Kramnik has lost ONE game; it is not time to count him out yet.  He really is an excellent match player who basically gave a free point to Topalov and still won the match. Its not like there are only 2 games left or something.

Also, he is tactically strong enough to have a plus score against Anand and Topalov in classical chess. Neither Kramnik or Anand are nearly as one-sided as some people here are saying.  Both are great chess players which many facets to their play.

And if you don't think Kramnik still has what it takes to win messy positions, take a look at Kramnik-Morozevick 2007 MEX WCC.

Ptero wrote on 10/18/08 at 11:55:50:


There is no doubt in my mind that Kramnik is a cut above the field in the strategic games that he plays so well, but though he once had a good tactical intuition, he now seems to go astray in "messy" games, as you put it.  Anand has definitely been doing well to put the battles on his turf.

Smyslov_Fan wrote on 10/18/08 at 15:33:22:


Agreed.  I recall Kramnik saying something during the Leko match to the effect that even with four games to go and a point down, it was not yet time for desperate measures.  Still, he will probably need (at least?) two wins with white now, so he cannot let many chances slip by.

Obviously, the match is still far from over, and Kramnik has shown in the past that he can superbly handle the off-the-board pressure. The question is whether years of playing risk-averse chess have not somewhat compromised his ability to handle messy games. His situation is different from his prior matches: he was never behind against Kasparov in 2000, and Anand is somewhat stronger than Leko and Topalov and appears to be excellently prepared. 

Interesting choice facing Anand today. I would advise him (at the price of 2 cents) to play 1.d4 (though not 4.f3) and keep the pressure on. 1.e4 will probably be answered by some drawing line like the Petroff or Marshal (or perhaps The Wall) after which Kramnik will be able to regain his footing. There is also more risk involved – Kramnik can try to win with black (as he did against Leko in the penultimate game of their 2004 match) as 1.d4 is his “domain” (though I doubt he’ll go to drastic measures at this early stage of the match).        

This game confirms my original pre match belief that Vishy would win. However.... i have to remind myself of Kasparov -Karpov (Seville) game 1 in the English where Karpov sprung a big novelty with 9...e3 and even Kasparov-Short -Qc2 Nimzo where short introduced the qa5 idea. The big question is whether this new 14... Bb7 will stand up to analysis. the only thing I am sure of is that Vishy got his match tactics right aiming for messy unclear and tactical positions. I am convinced that Kramnik is tactically weaker than what he was say in the late 90s - 

Today is a big day- if Kramnik loses again then it's good night for him. One day he must surely get a chance to show his prep. I expect 1d4 again but this time 4 e3 nimzo (I am sceptical on 4f3)

A great game that surely spices up this match. Great preparation by Anand, daring Kramnik out of his comfort zone. Kram responded with some inspired chess (18.Bf4!!, 19.Nxd4!?), but Vishy kept on the pressure. Now I’m afraid Kramnik has to win at least two games, as getting into rapid tie-breaks against Anand is not an enticing option.

micawber wrote on 10/17/08 at 17:52:54:


GM Dimitrov @ Chessdom gives 18.Nd2 Ke7!? (18.-h5) 19.Bxd7 (19.Qxg4 Qxb5 20.Ne4 Ne5) 19.-Rag8 20.Bb5 Bxg3 as an interesting continuation.