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Anand takes the lead for the first time in the match in game four. Anand opened with the Catalan Opening, and this is the first opening that was played twice in the match.

Anand played a novelty with 10.Na3 which led to a long think from Topalov. It indicates that Topalov may have studied this position but not for a while. In the end he played 10...Bd7. So the big question was if Anand's preparation could cause serious problems for Topalov.

The answer was an emphatic, yes. Similar to the earlier Catalan game, Black clutched onto the extra pawn while White tried to take advantage of his faster pieces' development. Anand's sudden Knight movement (e3-g4) caught Topalov without guard and on the wrong foot. Topalov's pieces gradually got tied up on the Queenside and far away from his king. Anand needed no second invitation to go for a sacrificial attack which he prosecuted with no problems at all. He knocked a piece sacrifice on h6 and picked a strong attack against the Black King.

Still precision was needed in carrying out the assault, but Anand never blinked and found the crushing 25. e5!

Game-4
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