1.d4
Nf6
2.c4
e6
3.g3
d5
4.Bg2
Bb4+
The Catalan structure was Anand's main weapon in his world championship match vs Topalov.
5.Bd2
Bxd2+
6.Nxd2
0-0
7.Ngf3
b6
8.0-0
Bb7
9.Ne5
Qe7
The wait-and-see move. The other option to solve opening problems was [9...Nbd7
10.Nd3
c5
]
10.Rc1
Rd8
11.Qa4
Na6
The Black runs out of natural developing moves, so Anand had to develop his Knight to a6.
12.c5
A very strong decision posing serious troubles for Black. White gains space on the queenside, and takes advantage of bad positions of black B and N.
12...bxc5
13.dxc5
c6
Practically the only way to stabilize the position. The following line would lose immediately: [13...Nxc5
14.Qb4
Qd6
15.Rxc5
]
14.Nb3
Qc7
15.f4
Nb8
Black tries to relocate his Knight to a better position.
16.Qa5
Rc8
17.Rfd1
Nbd7
18.Nxd7
Qxd7
19.e4
Qe7
20.e5
Nd7
21.Nd4
White has achieved a total domination with a strategically winning position. Black can only hope for some counterplay on the kingside.
21...Kh8
Preparing to open up the g-file.
22.Re1
A strong move reinforcing the e5 square and countering Black's idea to open the g-file.
22...g5
23.f5
g4
24.f6
Qf8
The position looks hopeless for Black, but there is no immediate win in view for White. This is why White starts to gradually strengthen his position.
25.Re3
a6
26.Bf1
Qd8
27.Qxd8+
Besides the Queen exchange, White had two interesting alternatives: 1) to try to keep the Queens on the board in order to attack on the kingside; and 2) to move his Knight to a5, where it would put some serious pressure on Black's queenside, as well as block the a-pawn. For example: [27.Qc3
Qc7
28.Rce1
a5
29.Bd3
Rg8
30.Bb1
Rg5
31.Qc2
Rh5
32.Ne2
; 27.Nb3
]
27...Rxd8
28.b4
a5
Now or never! Black's passive maneuvering would have allowed White to strengthen his position to a maximum, and then make the decisive b4-b5 move. For example: [28...Rg8
29.Nb3
Rg5
30.Rce1
Rb8
31.Na5
h5
32.Bd3
Nf8
33.R1e2
White's plan is to centralize his King to d4, freeing the Rook from defending e5, and prepare b4-b5.]
29.b5
Rdc8
30.a4
cxb5
31.c6
Bxc6
32.Rxc6
Rxc6
33.Nxc6
bxa4
Black's position is lost, but White has some technical issues to solve, alongside his severe time trouble.
34.Bb5
Nb6
35.Ra3
Rc8
36.Kf2
h5
37.Ke2
Kh7
38.Bd3+
With this move, White loses advantage. The direct [38.Kd3
wouldn't work because of the strong 38...Nc4
39.Ra2
Rxc6
40.Bxc6
Nxe5+
and tables turn.; Only the subtle preventive Rook move would have kept the decisive advantage for White: 38.Ra2
With the King then marching to c5.]
38...Kh6
39.Nxa5
Nd7
40.Rxa4
Nxe5
Now tables have turned, White has to suffer a long passive defence without even a guaranteed draw. Considering the time control, this mission can be called impossible.
41.Nb7
Kg5
42.Nd6
Rd8
43.Nb7
Rb8
44.Ra7
Kxf6
45.Ke3
Rc8
46.Ra3
Rc1
Now the black Rook intrudes into White's back rank, posing real threats.
47.Nd6
Re1+
48.Be2
Rh1
49.Ne8+
Ke7
50.Bb5
Nc4+
51.Bxc4
dxc4
52.Ng7
[52.Nc7
would have kept some hope for White. Now the Knight is trapped.]
52...Rxh2
53.Ra7+
Kf8
A painful loss, after which Vishy Anand fully seized the initiative in the match. 0-1