Game 9: Worst Game of the Match

Last night's game number 9 in Topalov v Anand had everything: risk-taking, close calls, missed chances and a confused as well as frustrated audience. It's really the sort of mix that elevates chess to the level of sport. Even I had heart palpitations along with a rising level of anger that the Indian had once again stuffed up. It reminded me of those nights when I'd scream at the Wallabies (at the TV, actually) as they would once again falter in the last few minutes against the All Blacks.

If I patzer like me got near upset, just consider the reaction of one big-name US grandmaster. On the Internet Chess Club last night, here's a series of what he kibitzed:

"I was surprised by Ne4".

"[T]hey play quick and mediocre at best".

"[T]his is the worst game of the match".

Then when another spectator observed that perhaps it was Aruna, Anand's wife and manager, who was making the moves, the American GM replied that Aruna would have played 33. Nxe6 instead of 33. Ne4.

Anyway, after what I thought were some hairy moments, the Indian did manage to draw. Thank Caissa for that.

World Chess Championship
Anand, Viswanathan
Topalov, Veselin

Position after 32...Qd6

33. Ne4 Qxa3 34. Rc3 Qb2 35. h4 b5 36. Rc8+ Kg7 37. Rc7+ Kf8 38. Ng5 Ke8 39. Rxh7 Qc3 40. Rh8+ Kd7 41. Rh7+ Kc6 42. Re4 b4 43. Nxe6 Kb6 44. Nf4 Qa1+ 45. Kh2 a5 46. h5 gxh5 47. Rxh5 Nc6 48. Nd5+ Kb7 49. Rh7+ Ka6 50. Re6 Kb5 51. Rh5 Nd4 52. Nb6+ Ka6 53. Rd6 Kb7 54. Nc4 Nxf3+ 55. gxf3 Qa2+ 56. Nd2 Kc7 57. Rhd5 b3 58. Rd7+ Kc8 59. Rd8+ Kc7 60. R8d7+ Kc8 61. Rg7 a4 62. Rc5+ Kb8 63. Rd5 Kc8 64. Kg3 Qa1 65. Rg4 b2 66. Rc4+ Kb7 67. Kf2 b1=Q 68. Nxb1 Qxb1 69. Rdd4 Qa2+ 70. Kg3 a3 71. Rc3 Qa1 72. Rb4+ Ka6 73. Ra4+ Kb5 74. Rcxa3 Qg1+ 75. Kf4 Qc1+ 76. Kf5 Qc5+ 77. Ke4 Qc2+ 78. Ke3 Qc1+ 79. Kf2 Qd2+ 80. Kg3 Qe1+ 81. Kf4 Qc1+ 82. Kg3 Qg1+ 83. Kf4 1/2-1/2