This is the finale. Every chess enthusiast in the world is holding his breath -- thinking whether it'll last 25 moves.

Have Kasparov, Kramnik and Carlsen decided to come to Anand's rescue yet...? And, if you think of it, why should even Topalov want to be left behind...?

Really? Anand - Kramnik? You wish, dont you?

Anand had the same situation last time against Topalov- going into the last game level. (Poor Topalov has lost 2 close matches to Anand and to Kramnik- so close but so far). But then, even though he was black, he won! Although this was partly due to Topalov thinking that he would definitely lose the tiebreak so a draw was as good as a loss.

It will be different with Gelfand- I think he won't be so desperate to avoid tiebreaks. Anand won't either- he would be crazy to go all out like Topalov did. So I predict he will play safe and it will be a draw in less than 40 moves. This match will be decided in rapid or blitz.

Anand won convincingly against Kramnik in 2008, but since then he has pretty much been like Botvinnik- the best amongst equals- against Topalov and Gelfand- assuming he wins the match against Gelfand. Combined with not winning tournaments for some time that would not make a good champion. If Gelfand wins he will have an even worse record in tournaments, but he will be very qualified via the World Cup, candidates matches too, so much better than when handpicked challengers won.

Anyway it is exciting, let's see what happens. I like both of them, but sort of want Gelfand to win as he is much better than he is made out to be- he just raises his game for world championship events- he almost won Mexico 2007 (came joint second but had chances to beat Anand in a game)

Well, I was just trying to switch on the cluster again...! With nodes added.

Gelfand is a perfectly legitimate challenger, and will be a perfectly legitimate world champion should he prevail, no matter how. He does reserve his best for the high stakes occasion. Therefore, I wouldn't wish to read too much into his recent tournament outings. He has had a glittering career, and is an old fox, who knows all the tricks in the book. That Anand has had difficulty denting him is because he's such a universal player with such a wide range. It's difficult to work against a weakness, which were easier to detect against Kramnik and Topalov.

Haing said that, Anand will of course have to do something to justify his title. No better time than today. However, he would go only as far as the situation on the board will allow him to, which'd be prudent at this stage.

Will Gelfand want to take one final shot at winning the title in regular controls...?

A very original, interesting and attacking position on the board. A decisive result might be expected today. Either side may lose.

Gelfand has sacrificed a pawn to fix his pawn structure and give himself a very dynamic position. His bishops will shortly have free reign over the board.

I think Gelfand has played well so far. He went for human plans, with c4 etc, nd is at least not in immediate danger. The game might go long into the endgame for the truth of the position to be known. But a lot of play left. White may lift his h-rook etc.

Oh well, white simply gave up the rook-lift possibility by castling. :-(

Well, Anand, up a pawn, with White, with a huge time advantage in the last game, offered a draw. Talk about a toothless match from the World Champion.

Edit: Gelfand had 16 minutes for 18 moves.

Why is this thread called Anand-KRAMNIK?