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[imagefield_assist|fid=3511|preset=frontpage_200x200|title=|desc=|link=none|origsize=|align=left|width=200|height=200]Anand did the unthinkable in the 12th and deciding game of the World Championship --- he won with black in a QGD! This was the first QGD of the match, and Anand played the super solid Lasker Defense.

After getting an equal game, Topalov weakened his own kingside and tried too hard to make something out of the position, and was soon on the defensive. Topalov missed a key move and was losing by move 35.

[imagefield_assist|fid=3600|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]Fans of the 2010 U.S. Chess Championship are invited to play with the best in a $10,000 Open Blitz tournament held on Monday, May 24, at the Khorassan Ballroom in the Chase Park Plaza. The $10,000 purse is guaranteed!

Register for the tourney here!

The U.S. Championship Blitz Open will feature a $7,000 prize fund in the open section and a $3,000 prize fund in the reserve, U2000 section. The nine-round Swiss will begin at 8 p.m. and will feature a game-in-five-minute (G/5) format. Pre-register at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis until 6:30 p.m the day of the tournament. On-site registration is available at the Khorassan Ballroom from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.

[imagefield_assist|fid=3662|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]SAINT LOUIS, May 5, 2010--The red-carpet opening ceremony of the 2010 U.S. Chess Championship on Thursday, May 13, will feature the theatrical premiere of Changing of the Guard: The 2009 U.S. Championship and a ribbon cutting to unveil 10 chess tables in the Old Post Office Plaza downtown.

Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis Founder and President Rex Sinquefield, Saint Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay and the 24 contenders to the 2010 U.S. Championship crown are among the honored guests. The evening will also feature the drawing of the colors, which dramatically determines round one face-offs.

[imagefield_assist|fid=3650|preset=frontpage_200x200|title=|desc=|link=none|origsize=|align=left|width=200|height=200]Anand had white twice (color scheme reversed after the first half, so Anand got white in games 6 and 7). I thought if Anand could score 1.5-0.5 in those two games and have a two game lead with five to go, the match would be virtually over, but it was not to be, as Topalov held tight in two close games, both Catalans.

The last five games of the match will be quite exciting, as both players have shown great fighting spirit, especially Topalov, who seems to be willing to sacrifice with either color for active play.