Saturday, December 29, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Anand-Gelfand 2012 - The Deciding Rapid Tiebreaker
The full deciding game of the 2012 World Chess Championship match between Defending Champion Viswanathan Anand and Challenger Boris Gelfand.
Second to none
| These (‘seconds') are nice men who get along well and have fun even while they put in long hours — sometimes even up to 16 to 18 hours — each day. Sleep is always at a premium. They do rest by turns but the mind is seldom at peace. By Rakesh Rao. |
Team Anand after the success.
For the third time in succession, the four-man army of Viswanathan Anand played its part to near-perfection. Peter Heine Nielsen, Rustam Kasimdzhanov, Radoslav Wojtaszek and Surya Shekhar Ganguly again accomplished the job entrusted to them after helping Anand tame Vladimir Kramnik and Veselin Topalov in the two previous World Championship title-clashes.
Anand's back-up men, better known as ‘seconds' in chess parlance, were hailed for their contribution in the match against Kramnik in 2008. The Russian, known for his meticulous match-preparation, faltered when faced with some quality opening study done by Anand and his team in Bonn.
Two years later, against Topalov in Sofia, Anand retained the same team. It came as a bit of a surprise since Kramnik and Topalov possess completely different styles of play. Kramnik is respected for his positional understanding over the board. Topalov is feared for his unusually aggressive approach in search of tactical possibilities. But Team Anand did enough to help the champion get over the line.
This time, against Gelfand, Anand showed his trust in the same quartet. His trust paid off yet again. Anand has reasons to have immense faith in the abilities of these players. Here the abilities go beyond chess. It is obvious that these players bond well, know their roles well and more importantly, know exactly what Anand expects of them.
As Anand once said, “We work for long hours. So personal equations are important. Then comes chess.”
Clearly, these are nice men who get along well and have fun even while they put in long hours — sometimes even up to 16 to 18 hours — each day. Sleep is always at a premium. They do rest by turns but the mind is seldom at peace.
But what exactly is expected from these ‘seconds'?
In effect, ‘seconds' are employed by a player to study the hundreds of games of the opponent in question in great detail. Since the opening moves of a game set up the middle-game and the resultant endgames, the main focus of the ‘seconds' remains the study of opening choices opted by the opponent in the past. Since each opening has several variations that follow every move, it takes meticulous computer-aided study by the team of ‘seconds' to let their player know what options to choose from.
Anand, for one, spent up to 10 hours a day thinking about each of this last three challengers in the months leading to the matches. “I must remember that he is thinking about what I am thinking about him.” These words from the champion reflect what all goes through the minds of the players before and during the match.
Nielsen, who had a quiet 39th birthday during the course of the match, has been a constant companion for Anand for years. The Dane's organised ways and knowing what is best for a player like Anand helps the team immensely.
“Peter would say, ‘Vishy won't do it because I know him'.” These words from Anand truly reflect his faith in the ability of the man.
Former FIDE World champion Rustam Kasimdzhanov, 32, is the problem finder of this team. Just when the other members appear relaxed about having cracked a puzzle, Kasimdzhanov takes over and comes up with questions that make the others start all over again. Anand feels the Uzbek keeps the rest on their toes.
Radoslav Wojtaszek, 25, contributes with his eye for sophistication and understanding of a given position. Anand was very impressed with his depth of preparation before he signed him up.
Finally, Surya Shekhar Ganguly, 29, had been on Anand's list even before the team was finalised. They had worked together through internet and Anand believed he would make a good ‘second'.
As Anand said, “There were others, too, who helped me but it won't be fair to name them but the team of ‘seconds' was unchanged.” And so did the result.
For all their hard work, what do they get? An agreed fee plus part of the million-dollar prize money!
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Monday, June 4, 2012
World champion Anand still eager to learn: Grandmaster Ganguly
KOLKATA: Notwithstanding five World Chess Championship triumphs, Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand continues to be flexible and is still eager to learn, says a member of his team in the recent successful battle for the crown.
Grandmaster Surya Sekhar Ganguly, the only Indian in Anand's quartet of seconds since 2008, also marvelled at the genius' calm and cool approach which complement his natural talent, dedication and discipline.
"He is ready to play a new move, always eager to learn. He really enjoys and loves the game," Ganguly said.
"Added to these, his exemplary dedication, discipline and natural talent make him a cut above the other great players of this era," the city-based player said, a day after returning home from Moscow where he assisted Anand prevail over Israeli Boris Gelfand 2.5-1.5 in a thrilling tie-break.
Other than Ganguly, Peter Heine-Nielsen of Denmark, Polish GM Radoslav Wojtasek and former World champion Rustam Kasimdzhanov of Uzbekistan constitute Anand's team. They have been with him since 2008 when Anand became the champion for the third time, beating Vladimir Kramnik of Russia. Two years later, they helped him get the better of Bulgarian Veselin Topalov in the World championship contest.
"We have excellent teamwork, we are almost like a family," said the 28-year-old Ganguly, who had created a sensation at the age of 11 by becoming the youngest player to beat a grandmaster.
"Overall, there was a lot of pressure. All through the night we worked. A day before Anand had his games against Gelfand, we would work from morning to night, taking small breaks for lunch and dinner."
As Anand would rest after a game, the seconds would get down to analysing his and Gelfand's game, trying to find loopholes in the Israeli's defence to zero in on a move that could be the killer.
"Daily we decided the strategy, trying to detect flaws in Gelfand's preparations. It was non-stop work," said Ganguly, who became an international master at the age of 16 and a grandmaster at 19.
"And in chess, the entire thing is a tough process. For every new move, we have to analyse 50,000-100,000 moves that could follow or the opponent could play."
Ganguly rated Anand's defeat in the seventh game of the classical format that preceded the tie-breaker as the toughest moment.
"It was very tough throughout the championship, more so when Anand lost. It's good that he immediately came back by winning the next game."
The two players finished 6-6 in the 12-game classical contest, and things moved to the tie-break, where Anand won the second game to clinch it 2.5-1.5.
"Gelfand played really well. He played the games on lines which he had never attempted before. His game always had the surprise element. It was only when Anand won the second game of the tie-break that we started thinking he will scrape through."
What did Ganguly gain from his close involvement in the battle? "I learnt a lot -- new moves, Anand's attitude, and strategies I can now use in my game."
Grandmaster Surya Sekhar Ganguly, the only Indian in Anand's quartet of seconds since 2008, also marvelled at the genius' calm and cool approach which complement his natural talent, dedication and discipline.
"He is ready to play a new move, always eager to learn. He really enjoys and loves the game," Ganguly said.
"Added to these, his exemplary dedication, discipline and natural talent make him a cut above the other great players of this era," the city-based player said, a day after returning home from Moscow where he assisted Anand prevail over Israeli Boris Gelfand 2.5-1.5 in a thrilling tie-break.
Other than Ganguly, Peter Heine-Nielsen of Denmark, Polish GM Radoslav Wojtasek and former World champion Rustam Kasimdzhanov of Uzbekistan constitute Anand's team. They have been with him since 2008 when Anand became the champion for the third time, beating Vladimir Kramnik of Russia. Two years later, they helped him get the better of Bulgarian Veselin Topalov in the World championship contest.
"We have excellent teamwork, we are almost like a family," said the 28-year-old Ganguly, who had created a sensation at the age of 11 by becoming the youngest player to beat a grandmaster.
"Overall, there was a lot of pressure. All through the night we worked. A day before Anand had his games against Gelfand, we would work from morning to night, taking small breaks for lunch and dinner."
As Anand would rest after a game, the seconds would get down to analysing his and Gelfand's game, trying to find loopholes in the Israeli's defence to zero in on a move that could be the killer.
"Daily we decided the strategy, trying to detect flaws in Gelfand's preparations. It was non-stop work," said Ganguly, who became an international master at the age of 16 and a grandmaster at 19.
"And in chess, the entire thing is a tough process. For every new move, we have to analyse 50,000-100,000 moves that could follow or the opponent could play."
Ganguly rated Anand's defeat in the seventh game of the classical format that preceded the tie-breaker as the toughest moment.
"It was very tough throughout the championship, more so when Anand lost. It's good that he immediately came back by winning the next game."
The two players finished 6-6 in the 12-game classical contest, and things moved to the tie-break, where Anand won the second game to clinch it 2.5-1.5.
"Gelfand played really well. He played the games on lines which he had never attempted before. His game always had the surprise element. It was only when Anand won the second game of the tie-break that we started thinking he will scrape through."
What did Ganguly gain from his close involvement in the battle? "I learnt a lot -- new moves, Anand's attitude, and strategies I can now use in my game."
Though Anand has high respect for Kasparov as a chess player and had sought the former World champion's help in preparing against Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria in the last match in 2010, the Russian Grandmaster's comments have not gone down well with the World champion. And not the bullying type, Anand for a change unleashed a counter-attack, like he did on the chessboard against Gelfand after losing the seventh game, against Kasparov.
"I think, Kasparov regrets his decision to retire," said Anand at a press conference organized by his sponsors NIIT on Sunday when asked about what he thought of the former World champion's remark that the Indian's game had gone down in quality and he should retire. "Kasparov lost his match in 2000 (to Kramnik) and retired in 2005. Then since 2011, he has been trying to make me retire too. He is perhaps missing the attention he used to get as the World champion," the current World champion retorted, still keeping his poise and almost to the point of laughter.
The Garry Kasparov albatross has been hanging around his neck ever since he lost to the Russian in 1995 and it revisited him last month in Moscow when the first few games were drawn. Kasparov had adopted intimidatory tactics of banging the clock and trooping out of the playing hall while beating Anand in the 10th game of their World Championship match in New York in 1995. This was after he lost the ninth game to Anand. And when he became World champion in 2000, a section of chess fraternity felt Anand's title got not because he did not beat Kasparov to win it.
The Indian was chased to respond to Kasparov's comments on the same day the Russian visited the venue. Kasparov had earlier made a comment when he retired in 2005 that World champions would not be able to play top-level chess after 40 and should ideally retire around that time. Perhaps, Anand was tired of reacting to the Kasparov comments from Moscow that he had his repartee ready on Sunday.
Anand also used the forum to make it clear that he won't be retiring from chess in the near future."I am enjoying the game and I have just defended the title, so why should I retire," quipped the 42-year-old who added that perhaps Kasparov could not digest that both the World championship contestants were over 40 years in age.
Anand thanked chief minister Jayalalithaa for her decision to include chess in schools and also her role in promoting the game. The TN CM has awarded Anand Rs two crore on Friday for winning the World title. Anand gave a demonstration of the game he won on the display board.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
உலக சதுரங்க சாம்பியனாக மீண்டும் விஸ்வநாதன் ஆனந்த்!
உலக சதுரங்க சாம்பியனாக மீண்டும் விஸ்வநாதன் ஆனந்த்!
இந்தியாவின் விஸ்வநாதன் ஆனந்த் உலக சதுரங்க சாம்பியன் பட்டத்தை தக்க வைத்துக் கொண்டுள்ளார்.மாஸ்கோவில் புதனன்று (30.05.12) முடிவடைந்த இப் போட்டியில் டை பிரேக்கர் முறையில் இஸ்ரேலின் போரிஸ் கெல்ஃபாண்டை 2.5-1.5 என்கிற கணக்கில் வென்றார்
உலகப் பட்டத்தை நிர்ணயிக்க நடைபெற்ற 12 போட்டிகள் மாஸ்கோவின் ட்ரெட்யகோவ் அரங்கில் இருவருக்கும் வெற்றி தோல்வியின்றி முடிவடைந்த நிலையில், யார் உலகப் பட்டத்தை வெல்வார்கள் என்பது டை பிரேக்கர் முறையில் தீர்மானிக்கப்பட்டது.
மிக விரைவாக குறிப்பிட்ட நேரத்துக்குள் காய்களை நகர்த்தும் நான்கு டை-பிரேக்கர் போட்டிகளின் இரண்டாவது ஆட்டத்தில் ஆனந்த் வெற்றி பெற்றதன் மூலம் உலக சதுரங்க சாம்பியன் பட்டத்தை தக்க வைத்துக் கொண்டார். இதர மூன்று போட்டிகளும் சமநிலையில் முடிவடைந்தன.
தமிழரான விஸ்வநாதன் ஆனந்த் ஐந்தாவது முறையாக உலக சதுரங்கப் பட்டத்தை வென்றுள்ளார். அதிலும் குறிப்பாக நான்கு முறை தொடர்ச்சியாக வென்றுள்ளார் என்பது குறிப்பிடத்தகுந்தது.
நான்கு ஆட்டங்களை கொண்ட டை பிரேக்கரின் முதல் ஆட்டத்தில் 33 நகர்வுகள் இடம்பெற்ற பிறகு இருவரும் அந்த ஆட்டத்தை முடித்துக் கொள்வதாக அறிவித்தனர்.
அடுத்து நடைபெற்ற இரண்டாவது ஆட்டத்தில் மொத்தமாக 77 நகர்வுகள் இடம்பெற்றன. இதில் ஆனந்த் வெற்றி பெற்று முன்னிலை வகித்தார். அதன் பிறகு இடம்பெற்ற மற்ற இரண்டு ஆட்டங்களும் சமநிலையில் முடிவடைந்த காரணத்தால் ஆனந்த் வெற்றி பெறும் வாய்ப்பு ஏற்பட்டது.
விஸ்வநாதன் முதல் முறையாக 2000 ஆம் ஆண்டு உலக சதுரங்க சாம்பியன் பட்டத்தை வென்றார். அதன் பிறகு தொடர்ச்சியாக 2007, 2008 மற்றும் 2010 ஆண்டுகளிலும் இந்தப் பட்டத்தை வென்றிருந்தார்.
அடுத்த உலக சதுரங்க சாம்பியன் பட்டப் போட்டி 2014 ஆம் ஆண்டு நடைபெறவுள்ளது.
http://moscow2012.fide.com/en/
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
The struggle was extremely tense and dramatic
Defending champion Viswanathan Anand, who clinched his fifth World Championship title at Moscow on Wednesday, said he is really relieved to achieve the milestone after an incredibly tense battle with challenger Boris Gelfand of Israel. "I am too tensed to be happy but really relieved," said Anand after wining two of the four rapid chess games to win the tie-break with a 2.5-1.5 margin.
"It was incredibly tensed. Well, when I woke up this morning, I knew it would end one way or the other but didn't know how it will go. Match was so even that I had no sense of what shape the tie-break would take. I think that right now, the only feeling you have is relief.
The 42-year-old Anand, who has given a fillip to the game in India as brand ambassador of IT company NIIT, said he was a little tensed going into the tie-breaker.
"Given the fact that we drew 12 games and it was decided by tie-breakers is a reasonable situation. After such a long and tough match probably it was the only thing that could have separated us. I was too tensed," he said.
"In the fourth game, I knew I shouldn't play too hard for a draw but somehow at the board I started to do exactly that. I was pretty happy when my rooks were doubled. He had a lot of chances in the third and fourth game but things want my way in the end and I can say I won only because I won," he added.
Anand's wife Aruna was also ecstatic at his achievement and said: "It is a happy moment, it was very tough. It went down to the tie-breaker and even today it was going to and froth, in the end it went our way and I am happy about it.
"There was no clear indication. We didn't anticipate anything. You can't be prepared for such scheme of things to happen. It went all the way to the tie-breaker and that showed the preparation of both the teams."
Anand and Gelfand had drawn the final regular match in their 12-game Moscow series to leave the world championships level. Anand had earlier won the world chess championship in 2000, 2007, 2008 and 2010.
Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com
GAMES 14
This is Grandmaster Sergey Shipov continuing commentary on the World
Championship match tie-breaks. The second rapid chess encounter is about to
begin. In the break between the games the most important thing is to breathe,
walk around a bit and cast off the tension on your shoulders. To rest at least
a little. We await the continuation of the battle... Anand was the first to
sit down. He's livened up and pulled himself together. The demon has whispered
in his ear... [see Shipov's introduction to the first game!]
1. e4 c5
The
Sicilian Defence.
2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5
The Rossolimo Variation
3... e6 4. Bxc6 bxc6 5. b3 e5 6. Nxe5 Qe7 7. d4
The novelty of the season! In the eighth game
Vishy chose 7. Bb2
7... d6 8. Nxc6 Qxe4+ 9. Qe2 Qxe2+ 10. Kxe2
Black has
sacrificed a pawn, luring the enemy knight to c6 - where it's in danger.
10... Bb7 11. Na5
In case of 11. d5 Ne7! 12. Nxe7 Bxe7 White has no time for 13. c4 due to 13... Bf6!
11... Bxg2 12. Rg1
Black has won back the pawn and due to
the advantage of the two bishops... No, it's too early to draw conclusions.
First you need to develop and avoid losing immediately. And then things will
be clearer.
12... Bh3
It seems White should have an initiative. After 12... Be4 there might follow 13. Be3 with Nb1-c3 to come. Here they're not playing
for pawns.
13. dxc5
With a lead in development you're obliged to attack.
13... dxc5 14. Nc3
This threatens the newly-arrived knight jumping to d5 or b5. The
suspicion is that this is all still the Champion's analysis. If that's the
case, then it's going to be tough for the Challenger... At the very least he's
going to lose a lot of time resolving his problems and will land straight in
serious time trouble.
14... O-O-O
Killing two birds with one stone. The king has
fled the centre while his rook-assistant has taken control of the d5-square.
15. Bf4
But will the black king feel cosy on the queenside? That's not clear.
For now there's the threat... or rather the mild threat, of Nc3-b5-a7. But if
a7-a6 there'd follow Nc3-a4! with the threat of mate. Gelfand's already
noticeably behind on time: 0:24-0:14. That's no trifle.
15... Bd6
Precisely in
Boris' style. He's ready to give up a pawn or two, but nevertheless seize the
initiative. That's how he played in the serious games as well, and in rapid
chess that counterattacking method of defence is even more relevant. The
computer recommended the calm 15... Nf6 16. Nb5 Rd7 17. Rad1 Nd5! and,
strangely enough, everything comes together for Black. He doesn't lose
immediately and there's an ocean of struggle ahead.
16. Bxd6 Rxd6
Should
the g7-bait be taken?
17. Rg5!
A very strong response. The c5-pawn is much
more important than its friend on g7. Gelfand is obviously suffering at the
board. He realises he's fallen right into a trap. He's clearly worse. Much
worse. In case of 17. Rxg7 Nh6 Black got real counterplay, as the white
king's got nowhere to hide.
17... Nf6
Better to develop late than never.
18. Rxc5+ Kb8
Black's a pawn down and it seems his compensation is
insufficient. The bishop is, of course, strong, but for now it's firing into
empty space. And empty space feels no pain.
19. Nc4
An instinctive desire to
play more solidly and improve the piece coordination.
19... Re8+ 20. Ne3
Anand's
settled for the bird in the hand, paying no attention to bigger birds in the
bush. His idea is simple - to move the rook from a1, exchange a couple of
pieces and gradually convert the extra pawn. Singer's sewing machine
recommends 20. Kf3 , but it just knows no fear. In contrast to Vishy.
20... Ng4
Boris is attacking... but what? Is the h2-pawn really so appealing? I
don't think so. For posterity here's the false path that the Russian
commentators on the official site led me along: 20... Nh5 An amusing trick.
Gelfand offers his opponent the chance to take the knight, blundering Bh3-g4+.
But what's he attacking? No-one's yet died from a check. The king will calmly
go to f3. 21. Ncd5 A sensible decision. Vishy is centralising his pieces and
provoking his opponent into an exchange operation connected to the exchange on
d5. ( I'd suggest the principled 21. Rd1 )
21. Ncd5
Everything's solid for
White.
21... Nxe3 22. Nxe3?!
Played very quickly. But is it correct? It was
better to play 22. fxe3! , freeing the f2-square for the king and leaving
the knight-hegemony in the centre. In that case White would maintain a
persistent edge.
22... Bg4+ 23. f3 Bc8
Black has unexpectedly got powerful
counterplay. Anand has clearly played poorly. He's got a serious edge in terms
of time, but how should he play now? The e3-knight is pinned and the second
rank is weak.
24. Re1
Vishy hasn't lost his cool and has made the most solid
move. Singer approves!
24... Rh6
Boris is skillfully keeping the flame of the
initiative alive.
25. Rh1 Rhe6
Gelfand wasn't able to play the extremely
subtle 25... Rd6 with the threat of Bc8-a6+. He's already in real time
trouble!
26. Rc3 f5
The knight is hanging over the abyss.
27. Kd2
His
comrades will save him. Well done, Anand - what else can you say? He's showing
agility to escape.
27... f4 28. Nd5 g5
Black continues the attack. He couldn't
delay.
29. Rd3
An interesting rearrangement. Lining up with the d5-knight! But it was stronger to play 29. h4
29... Re2+ 30. Kc1 Rf2
The black rooks
have developed terrifying activity. The Champion is already taking serious
risks.
31. h4
He realised that passive defence will no longer help. Big
complications are beginning. The clocks aren't in the Challenger's favour: 0:
09-0:01!
31... Ree2
Nevertheless. I looked at the line 31... Bb7 32. hxg5 Ree2 33. Nxf4 Rxc2+ 34. Kd1 Rxa2 35. Ke1 Rxf3 36. Rxf3 Ra1+ 37. Kd2 Rxh1 38. Re3
and things would end peacefully.
32. Rc3
The move 32. Nb4 had a serious
drawback - 32... g4 33. fxg4 Bxg4 , and the f4-pawn becomes a real threat.
32... Bb7 33. Rd1
Bold, but risky. Will the black passed pawn make it to h1?
33... gxh4
Of course.
34. Nxf4 Re8
An extremely complex position! In time trouble you
wouldn't wish something like this even on your worst enemy.
35. Rh1
Black's
passed pawn has been disarmed. The smoke is clearing...
35... Rc8 36. Rxc8+ Bxc8 37. Rxh4 Bf5
Black is two pawns down, but his activity leaves him with drawing
chances. Good ones! Boris is playing under the regime of 10 seconds a move.
Vishy has the option of taking breaks.
38. Rh5 Bxc2
It was too late to take
fright.
39. Rb5+ Ka8
Of course not 39... Kc7? 40. Rc5+!
40. Nd5
Threatening mate-in-one.
40... a6
We didn't get a blunder.
41. Ra5 Kb7
The
suspense has been maintained.
42. Nb4 Bg6 43. Nxa6 Rxf3 44. Nc5+ Kb6 45. b4
White's two connected passed pawns are good, but Black also has a trump. And
his bishop is stronger than the white knight.
45... Rf4 46. a3 Rg4 47. Kd2
I'll no
longer manage to commentate in time. I'll simply enter the moves!
47... h5 48. Nd7+ Kb7 49. Ne5 Rg2+ 50. Kc3 Be8 51. Nd3 h4
If I was playing White I'd be in a
state of shock! Black's pawn is just about to queen.
52. Re5
But Anand is
calm.
52... Bg6 53. Nf4 Rg3+ 54. Kd4 Bc2 55. Rh5 Rxa3
A great achievement for
Gelfand!
56. Rxh4
Things are ripening for a draw.
56... Rg3 57. Nd5 Rg5 58. b5
But the battle goes on. White's got practical chances with his opponent's flag
about to fall.
58... Bf5 59. Rh6 Bg4 60. Rf6 Rf5 61. Rb6+ Ka7 62. Rg6 Bf3
A
wonderful position for the bishop.
63. Rg7+ Kb8 64. Nc3 Bb7 65. Kc4 Bf3 66. Kb4 Bd5
A flattering offer to switch to Philidor's drawn position.
67. Na4
Rejected.
67... Rf7 68. Rg5 Bf3 69. Nc5
The noose is tightening.
69... Kc7 70. Rg6
Boris' flag almost fell here!
70... Kd8 71. Ka5
Vishy's like a steam-roller!
71... Rf5 72. Ne6+
The knight jumps and sets forks. Very dangerous!
72... Kc8 73. Nd4
And
this is getting serious.
73... Rf8 74. Nxf3 Rxf3 75. Kb6
And it's over! The black
king's squeezed out.
75... Rb3 76. Rg8+ Kd7 77. Rb8
Black resigned. The Champion
nevertheless tortured the Challenger! Playing on flags the knight turned out
to be stronger than the bishop. 1-0
GAME 13
Hello, dear friends! This is Grandmaster Sergey Shipov inviting you to watch
the tie-break games that will today decide the fate of the title. Four
encounters are planned at a time control of 25 minutes per game with a 10
second increment after each move. If the score ends 2-2 then we'll see blitz
with a 5+3 time control. And if five blitz mini-matches end 1-1 there'll be
Armageddon... In any case, the toughest of tests awaits the players. The
stakes are immensely high and nerves will be stretched to breaking point. For
Gelfand this spring day in Moscow is the most important of his career, and
perhaps of his whole life. He's at the peak and on the verge of taking a step
into immortality. While for the great Anand... That's the thing - what kind of
day this is for him will determine the outcome. After all, why should Vishy
worry too much? He's a multiple World Champion who's won the title in all the
formats and systems that it's been held. By the way, Anand's also been the
rapid and blitz World Champion. In principle, today's a normal weekday for the
Indian grandmaster. Just a Wednesday! He can turn up and play a rapid and
blitz chess match for a decent prize fund. If Vishy does that easily and
boldly, or at least coolly, he'll unquestionably win. However, if someone
authoritative whispers in his ear this morning something like, "come on,
fighter, pull yourself together, get in the mood. Today's a really important
day," then he might be doing the Champion a disservice. Anand's nervous system
is a subtle and fragile substance. Sometimes it fails. Crumbles under the
stress. And that authoritative demon whispering in his ear might be himself -
Vishy Anand... Well, and now a few words about more down-to-earth matters. I
expect surprises at the start of the games. The players will still have a lot
of opening ideas stashed away. In rapid chess it's especially important to
force your opponent to puzzle over things in the opening, as there's no option
of falling into an hour-long slumber, digging deep and producing a series of
accurate moves. The player ends up having to play on sight, and it's important
that happens not to you but to the person sitting opposite. So those are the
two keys to success in today's mini-match: it's just a Wednesday and opening
with a cunning serve. Well, and a little luck...
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6
Again the
Slav Defence. The good old Nimzowitsch has been retired.
3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7
The Meran Variation?
6. Qc2
No, the Anti-Meran.
6... Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O e5
A rare continuation! Usually Black takes on c4 and then attacks on
the queenside.
9. cxd5 cxd5 10. e4
The match tradition continues. Gelfand
always opens the centre as wide as possible.
10... exd4 11. Nxd5 Nxd5 12. exd5
We're not going to get a Tower of Babel [i.e. 8 pieces on the d-file], but
rapid simplifications, equality and a draw are perfectly likely.
12... h6 13. b3
Boris wasn't surprised for long and has played a novelty! The c1-bishop
couldn't get to g5. Now his path leads to b2. Previously seen were 13. Nxd4 , 13. h3 and 13. Re1
13... Ne5
Vishy's reaction was instant.
Simplifications in the centre are favourable for Black.
14. Nxe5 Bxe5
The
d5-pawn is already under attack. And will White equalise?
15. Re1
Yes, he'll
equalise! And even fight for an advantage. He's better developed. The d5-pawn
doesn't strike me as tasty. Anand is having a serious think, as far as that's
possible in the given chess genre.
15... Re8
A restrained and solid move. In
the line 15... Qxd5 there could have been entertaining complications: 16. Ba3 Rd8 17. Bc4 Qa5 18. Qg6! Qc7 19. Rxe5 (bold, but it doesn't win) (
better is 19. Qh5! ) 19... Qxe5 20. Qxf7+ Kh8 21. Bf8 and here Black
doesn't resign but instead plays for a win with 21... Be6! 22. Bxg7+ Qxg7 23. Qxe6 d3! and so on. If 15... Qd6 there would follow the cunning 16. Qe2! with the trap 16... Bxh2+ 17. Kh1 Bf4? 18. Qe4! winning.
16. Bb2
The
d4-pawn is in the firing line.
16... Bd7
Development and active play should help
Black. I can't work out what the clocks show - in that regard the broadcast on
the official site has been done carelessly.
17. Qd2
With the clear intention
of picking the apple on d4. A ripe one.
17... Qf6
Reinforcing the "apple" and
provoking g2-g3 and f2-f4. From the point of view of playing to equalise it
looked good to play 17... Qg5
18. g3
Gelfand is playing principled chess!
Bold.
18... Rac8
Anand's ignoring all the threats... It'll be interesting to see
where the d3-bishop will go? To e4, c4 or f1? It's possible that at some point
Black will have to play g7-g5 to defend against f2-f4. Visually the position
strikes me as one in which Black should find decent counterplay even if he
loses a pawn. His pieces are well-placed. I managed to look at the
complications after 18... Bg4 19. f4 but I'm not sure about the conclusion.
Therefore I'll hide it from you...
19. a4?!
A mysterious manoeuvre. I
won't even try to comment on it! Let's go on... Black's been given an
important tempo. For instance, for Qf6-f3!, after which White loses the pawn
on either d5 or b3. It was nevertheless stronger to play 19. Bf1 , for
example, 19... g5 20. Rac1 Rxc1 21. Rxc1 Bf5 22. Re1 Rd8 23. Qb4! with an
initiative for White.
19... Qf3
Precisely! Now White is forced to switch to
the defensive. The move 19.a4 turned out to be too clever for its own good.
["woe from wit"] Both players now have a single-digit number of minutes i.e.
less than ten.
20. Be4
Boris is looking for counterplay in the centre. In
rapid chess it looked practical to get counterplay after 20. Qe2 Qxd5 21. Bc4 Qd6 22. Qh5 , though I've no doubt analysis would show a defence for Black.
20... Qxb3
A juicy fruit.
21. Reb1
Another super-subtle decision. And when
you're subtle things tend to go from bad to worse... On 21. Bxd4 there
was the unpleasant 21... Bxd4 22. Qxd4 Rc4 23. Qd3 Qxd3 24. Bxd3 Rxe1+ 25. Rxe1 Rd4 with a tough ending for White.
21... Bxg3
A street fight has begun! Good
manouvres have been retired. What's important is to play as quickly as
possible. However you can! White's e4-bishop is en prise, but Black's queen is
in a dangerous position. The computer recommended the icy move 21... Rc4! with an edge for Black. But people aren't capable of being quite so cool at
the board.
22. Ra3
A strong response. Now they're playing for three results.
Black's also taking serious risks.
22... Qb6
A human being couldn't play otherwise. The machine waxes lyrical about the variation 22... Qc4! 23. Rc1 Bf4! 24. Qxf4 Qe2 with a double attack on e4 and b2.
23. Bxd4 Bxh2+ 24. Kxh2 Qd6+ 25. Rg3 Rxe4 26. Bxg7 Kh7
As a result of a forced series of moves we've ended
up with a totally crazy position! Both sides are bad...
27. Rxb7
Bold! Boris
is playing extremely sharply, on the brink of the abyss. Well done!
27... Rg8
With
your flag hanging kings come first. The experience of playing for long years...
28. Qxh6+
This leads to exchanges and a probable draw. Both sides had
chances of winning after 28. Qd3 Qf4 29. Kg2!
28... Qxh6+ 29. Bxh6 Rxg3 30. Kxg3 *
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