World Championship 2010: Anand – Topalov
Anand defended his title in his challenger's home city, under Topalov's own no-draw-offers “Sofia rules.” The match ran the full twelve games, level going into the last — and when Topalov pressed for a win he blundered, handing Anand a decisive final-game victory.
◈A journey to the board
Even reaching Sofia was a trial: the 2010 Icelandic volcanic ash cloud grounded flights across Europe, forcing Anand into a long road trip and a brief postponement. Once play began, though, the controversy that had shadowed Topalov's 2006 match never returned.
Topalov's “Sofia rules” barred draw offers, so every game was fought to the finish — which suited the combative Bulgarian and delighted spectators.
◈The decisive twelfth
The lead changed hands early — Topalov won game one, Anand levelled in game two — and the match stayed taut, reaching the final game tied 5½–5½. Rather than steer for a tiebreak, Topalov pushed for a win with Black in a Queen's Gambit Declined.
The gamble backfired: 32...fxe4 was a grave error, and Anand converted with precise technique to win the game and retain his crown 6½–5½.
◈Cross Table
1 win · ½ draw · 0 loss — click a game number to replay it.