Game 10: a solid draw
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
After the chaos of the previous game, both players returned to ‘meat and potato’ chess today as the 10th game ended in a draw after ‘only’ 60 moves. Topalov managed to outplay his opponent at one point, however, to arrive at a slightly better ending.
POSITION AFTER BLACK’S 37th MOVE
Topalov
White has the Bishop pair and a passed centre pawn. Also his King is a bit better placed. Black, however, has a 2-1 Queenside majority that offers some counterplay. As well, Black’s pieces prevent both the advance of White’s d-pawn and the infiltration of the White King.
Never the less, it is White that has the better long-term chances. Here Topalov should think of advancing his h-pawn to h5, creating a target on the King-side for his Bishop pair. Instead, Topalov played uncertainly and the King-side never really became an area of interest.
After the game Topalov said that his ending was quite pleasant, but that at one point he simply played badly and allowed the Indian to make a relatively painless draw.
Anand was quite relieved to have played a ‘normal’ game and achieved a ‘normal’ result with the Black pieces after the chaos of yesterday’s game. Here we can see the Indian smile during the press conference…
HERE IS THE PRESS CONFERENCE, COURTESY OF CHESSVIBES
[blip.tv http://blip.tv/play/hcxggdzANAI%2Em4v]
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The match stands at a 5-5 score, with just 2 games remaining in the 12 game match. Saturday is a rest day. Who ever scores 6.5 points first wins the title of World Champion. Should the match end in a 6-6 tie, then a series of tie-break games played at a very fast time control will decide a winner.
HERE ARE SOME PHOTOS FROM THE ACTION ON FRIDAY
Topalov and Danailov arriving for the game
Anand and his wife Aruna arriving
No elevator!
Vishy’s pre-game exercise
Topalov at the board before Anand
Anand arrives. Both players shake hands
Play begins!
Peter Doggers, Cathy and Ian Rogers (fron row)…another day at the office!
Can Topalov push his passed pawn?
In one of the rooms provided for journalists
The press conference after the game
Right when the game begins, lots of cameras but few fans. Most follow via the ‘net
Everyone seems tired….
Topalov has taken off his tie, and is about to leave the building at the end of the press conference
One of the arbiters being inteviewed by a pretty journalist
Leonxto Garcia (left) and two other journalists
More interviews
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS