The Week in Chess

I found 87 previous encounters between Viswanathan Anand and Veselin Topalov. They have played a lot of rapid games over the years. Taking those away and leaving only games at classical timerates Topalov has won 11 games, Anand 10.

However probably only their really recent games have any impact and there really haven't been a huge number of those. They have played just 15 games in the last 5 years.

They drew both their games at the World Championship in San Luis Argentina in 2005. They shared a couple of black wins at the Mtel Masters of 2006. Topalov beat Anand at Wijk aan Zee in 2007. Anand returned the favour at the following year's event. Their last classical games were in September 2008 at the Grand Slam Final, Topalov won the first of these, the second was drawn.

They drew three rapid games in 2009.

On the whole the feeling is that this match is too close to call. I have to agree. Maybe home advantage and the fact he's 5 years younger help Topalov. Maybe Anand's match experience in particular when he saw off Kramnik in impressive style will count more. Perhaps it will come down to whose novelties break through.