[imagefield_assist|fid=3627|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]Topalov gave Anand the beatdown and the smackdown, as game one of the World Championship match was no contest. Anand played the Gruenfeld Defense, and the position was about equal through the first 20 moves.
Then, Anand weakened his kingside with f6, g5, and h6, and Topalov struck with great vengeance and furious anger, as Anand’s king went on a journey to d8, where Topalov’s brilliant play easily crushed Anand’s weak defense.
The losing move was 23…Kf7? whereupon 24.Nxf6! was a brilliant coup with an irresistible attack to follow.
Topalov found the crushing 29.Bb5! and could have won even more material with 30.Rce7!
[pgn|pgn=>>|white=Topalov, V.|black=Anand, V.]