Anand-Topalov World Championship Tied 1.5-1.5

The world chess championship between 35-year-old Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria and defending champion Viswanathan Anand of India, 40, began on Sunday in Sofia and surprisingly the first two games have ended decisively (most super-grandmaster matches are draws). You can see Game 1, Game 2 and Game 3 online.

Both players have been ranked World #1 and achieved stratospheric ratings of above 2800 (most super grandmasters have ratings around 2650-2750 and only 5 people have ever exceeded 2800) but Norwegian phenom Magnus Carlsen has recently become the youngest player to top the rankings.

The match is taking place in Topalov's home town and he is currently slightly higher rated (2805 to 2787) with a +1 advantage in the forty-four games they have played against each other (23 draws). Most expect Topalov to win, but I have my money on Anand.

Go, Vishy!