I'm flabbergasted!

Kramnik forgot to look for "the sting at the scorpion's tail" and missed the brilliant ...Ne3!!

Ok, so Speelman saw it, as did anyone running Rybka (tho some programs didn't see it).  This is the sort of great combination that used to win games, but has been relatively rare at the top level because the players have become so good tactically.

Kramnik's mistake must be considered a blunder by today's standards, but Anand also played it brilliantly.  Ironically, the position was full of structural possibilities that suggested White had the advantage.  I don't see this as a strategic victory for Anand so much as a tactical one, that has already come close to ending the match!

Some people on ICC immediately pointed out that Fischer came from two points down to win against Spassky, but that was a 24 game match, and the wins were of quite a different nature.  As much as I like Kramnik, I don't see how he wins the match now.  I do expect him to win at least one game, but he will take so many risks that he will lose more as well. 

The only way Anand loses this match is if he tries to close up shop too soon.  Anand needs to continue playing active chess knowing that Kramnik won't be able to afford many more draws.

The remaining games should be very entertaining, but the result of the match has probably been decided.

Najdorfs are on the way 

Keano wrote on 10/20/08 at 16:29:27:


Probably time is right for Anand to go back to 1.e4 

Yes - Kramniks match strategy so far has not been good, he needs to make some drastic changes to alter the pattern of the match so far...

Its not over yet, but now in my opinion it is obligatory for Kramnik to play for a win with the Black pieces also, so we could be in store for some interesting stuff... basically Kramniks repertoire is not prepared for this so lets see what happens

I am glad to have been shown to be incorrect!  (As is so often the case  )

But, now I fear the match is quite over as Kramnik has shown very little to indicate he can come back from an 0-2 hole as White.  It has been exciting chess, and now might get even bloodier.

well Anand just won game 5 with Black again. -2 is going to be an uphill task for Kramnik now. My vote was for Anand by a close margin, but now it could be quite big - Kramnik has never been the same in dynamic positions since around 2002.

Yes - good call by IM John Cox earlier about the QGD - though judging from the move-order he was prepared to go for a NImzo also....
If Anand goes for Bg5 lines it could be Tartakower, but I suspect Kramnik would go for the rock-solid Lasker variation instead, which he's already defended succesfully a few times.

PS - maybe now we can finally get some coverage of classic QGD in the updates instead of boring us stiff with the Chebanenko stuff!