Topalov opens his mark!

The Clash between the World Champion and the No.1 on the FIDE rating list led to a tense draw with Carlsen creating pressure, but Anand held firm.
Veselin Topalov finally won a game, but only after Bacrot blundered.

It was amazing how Carlsen was able to generate tension and winning chances from the symmetrical pawn structure which was so reminiscent of an Exchange French. The Norwegian pressed and in the middlegame obtained a superior pawn structure with bishop against knight. However his attempt to penetrate was met by perpetual check.

Veselin Topalov: First win! (chessanytime)

Magnus Carlsen: Always No.1 in Nanjing (chessanytime)

Etienne Bacrot waved a red rag at the bull by inviting Topalov to sacrifice a pawn in the Queen's indian Defence. The Bulgarian was very active at first, but Bacrot gradually diffused the White initiative and stood quite well until he blundered two pieces for a rook and with it all hopes.

Vugar Gashimov	AZE	2719	0.5-0.5	Wang Yue	CHN	2732	Petroff Defence	67
Veselin Topalov	BUL	2803	1-0	Etienne Bacrot	FRA	2716	Queen's Indian Defence	37
Magnus Carlsen	NOR	2826	0.5-0.5	Viswanathan Anand	IND	2800	Spanish Berlin	68

In a standard-looking Petroff Wang Yue played ambitiously by advancing with both ...g5 and ...b5. Later, in the pseudo-endgame, he was willing to sacrifice a pawn for strong pressure, but Gashimov was able to return the pawn for a rook ending where White had the upper hand. Wang Yue was however able to defend.

Here are the standings after the seventh round. Today's results led to Anand catching Bacrot, whereas Topalov is now equal with Gashimov:

Standing	Name	Country	Rating	Points
1	Magnus Carlsen	NOR	2826	5
2=	Viswanathan Anand	IND	2800	4
2=	Etienne Bacrot	FRA	2716	4
4=	Veselin Topalov	BUL	2803	3
4=	Vugar Gashimov	AZE	2719	3
6	Wang Yue	CHN	2732	2

Carlsen is now a full point ahead.

Here is a summary of the previous rounds:

Round 1:

Viswanathan Anand	IND	2800	0.5-0.5	Wang Yue	CHN	2732	Slav/Grünfeld
Magnus Carlsen	NOR	2826	1-0	Etienne Bacrot	FRA	2716	Scotch Opening
Veselin Topalov	BUL	2803	0.5-0.5	Vugar Gashimov	AZE	2719	Slav Defence

Round 2:

Wang Yue	CHN	2732	0.5-0.5	Vugar Gashimov	AZE	2719	Nimzoindian Defence
Etienne Bacrot	FRA	2716	0.5-0.5	Veselin Topalov	BUL	2803	Nimzoindian Defence
Viswanathan Anand	IND	2800	0.5-0.5	Magnus Carlsen	NOR	2826	Spanish Breyer

Round 3:

Magnus Carlsen	NOR	2826	1-0	Wang Yue	CHN	2732	Petroff Defence
Veselin Topalov	BUL	2803	0-1	Viswanathan Anand	IND	2800	Queen's Gambit Declined Lasker
Vugar Gashimov	AZE	2719	0-1	Etienne Bacrot	FRA	2716	English Opening

Round 4:

Vugar Gashimov	AZE	2719	0.5-0.5	Magnus Carlsen	NOR	2826	Spanish Breyer
Etienne Bacrot	FRA	2716	1-0	Viswanathan Anand	IND	2800	Slav Defence
Veselin Topalov	BUL	2803	0.5-0.5	Wang Yue	CHN	2732	Slav Defence

Round 5:

Viswanathan Anand	IND	2800	0.5-0.5	Vugar Gashimov	AZE	2719	Slav/Grünfeld Defence	25
Magnus Carlsen	NOR	2826	1-0	Veselin Topalov	BUL	2803	Spanish d3	32
Wang Yue	CHN	2732	0-1	Etienne Bacrot	FRA	2716	Queen's Indian Defence	42

Round 6:

Wang Yue	CHN	2732	0-1	Viswanathan Anand	IND	2800	Catalan/Bogoljubov	51
Etienne Bacrot	FRA	2716	0.5-0.5	Magnus Carlsen	NOR	2826	Queen's Indian Defence	48
Vugar Gashimov	AZE	2719	0.5-0.5	Veselin Topalov	BUL	2803	Caro-Kann Panov	43

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