Vishy business

World champion Vishy Anand will defend his title against Magnus Carlsen of Norway in November in a $5 million match in the Hyatt hotel in Chennai. Continuing my series on former World Championship matches, this week’s game is one where Vishy came horribly unstuck after forgetting his preparation in a critical line of the Grünfeld Defence. Although the Grünfeld remains popular with many players, including Peter Svidler, its record in championship contests is abysmal. Offhand, I can only think of three games won by Black in World Championship matches since the Grünfeld was invented in the 1920s. In contrast, I can recall a mass of losses, including the following game.
 
Topalov–Anand: World Championship, Sofia (Game 1), 2010; Grünfeld Defence
 
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 d5 Anand must have prepared the Grünfeld Defence especially for this match. The theme of the defence is to encourage an imposing White pawn centre and then demolish it from the flanks. 4 cxd5 Nxd5 5 e4 Nxc3 6 bxc3 Bg7 7 Bc4 c5 8 Ne2 Nc6 9 Be3 0-0 10 0-0 Na5 The variation with 10 … Bg4 11 f3 Na5 was tested in many games between Kasparov and Karpov with the overall score favouring White 2-1 in decisive encounters. 11 Bd3 b6 12 Qd2 e5 13 Bh6 cxd4 14 Bxg7 Kxg7 15 cxd4 exd4 16 Rac1 Qd6 This is a move previously unknown to theory. Magnus Carlsen has played 16 … Bb7 in this position in an earlier game. 17 f4 f6 18 f5 Qe5 19 Nf4 g5 20 Nh5+ Kg8 21 h4 h6 22 hxg5 hxg5 23 Rf3 Topalov has launched a typically dynamic attack against the black king. 23 … Kf7 An extraordinary mistake, though Topalov’s refutation is brilliant. After the superior defensive move 23 … Bd7 Black connects his rooks and has very little to fear (see diagram 1). 24 Nxf6! An astounding coup which appears to win in all variations. 24 … Kxf6 If 24 … Qxf6 25 Rh3 coordinates White’s pieces and gives him an overwhelming attack. 25 Rh3 (see diagram 2) 25 … Rg8 25 … Qf4 is met by 26 e5+, e.g. 26 … Qxe5 27 Re1 Qf4 28 Qe2; 26 … Kxe5 27 Qe2+ Kd5 28 Rf1 Qe5 29 Qf3+; or finally 26 … Kg7 27 Rc7+ Kg8 28 Rhh7. 26 Rh6+ Kf7 27 Rh7+ Ke8 28 Rcc7 Kd8 29 Bb5 Qxe4 30 Rxc8+ 30 … Kxc8 31 Qc1+ Nc6 32 Bxc6 leads to a position where White has an extra piece. However, 30 Rce7 leads to a forced mate. Black resigns
 
The 100th British Chess Championships (in Torquay from 28 July to 10 August) include tournaments for all, lasting from one day to two weeks (01424 775222, www.britishchesschampionships.co.uk).
 
Nigel Short has just tied for first prize in the Sigeman tournament in Malmo, Sweden. This week’s puzzle is from one of his exploits there.