The reason I was wondering if this might be considered a mistake or an inaccuracy
is because the kingside collapsed so quickly. This was move 12 and Anand
resigned on move 30.
Did Anand Make A Mistake Here?
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There is another important lesson Silman teaches in his books: if one is creating favorable imbalances for oneself, then that can be considered a success. In this case, Anand is creating favorable imbalances for himself(an extra pawn) in exchange for favorable imbalances for Topalov(a weak dark-square complex around Anand's king and a big lead in development).
Apr 30, 2010
0
#4
Also, another thing to consider is that Silman doesn't write books for guys like Anand. He writes books for guys like me. When Silman gives a rule, I would do well to listen to what he says, but Anand is the current World Champion, and he can break any strategic rules he wants. :-)
I don't really understand why Anand played the Gruenfeld, not that it is a bad opening objectively but it's not what I would play against Topalov, myself, without a team of advisors. I also don't understand why Topalov keeps opening with d4 now, after the ability to hold a draw has been well proven, and not trying e4.
Apr 30, 2010
0
#6
Atos wrote:
I don't really understand why Anand played the Gruenfeld, not that it is a bad opening objectively but it's not what I would play against Topalov, myself. I also don't understand why Topalov keeps opening with d4 now, after the ability to hold a draw has been well proven, and not trying e4.
Well, a lot of the commentary today suggested that Topa may have wanted to try something new against Anand, but Anand changed things up before he was ready. He's got three more games as white, so he may play 1.e4 then.
That is, as long as he can defend these next two games with the black pieces. If he can't, it's pretty much over at by the time he gets the white pieces again.
Jeremy Silman talks about this concept in his books. It is not a good idea
to let white trade off bishops and then have weak dark squares around the
black king.
Do you all think this qualifies as a mistake by Anand? Should he have played Re8
instead of e5 on his 12th move?