[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Anand +3-1=7"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2014.11.08"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2014.11.08"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Bd2 {The opening could not have
come as a complete surprise to either one of the players, even though it does
not belong to their main lines. Carlsen has played the Grьnfeld over the past
years only occasionally and did not try it in 2014 at all! At the same time,
Anand has tried a wide range of systems against the Grьnfeld, the most popular
being the Russian Variation (as in game 10) and the normal (5.e4) Exchange
Variation.} Bg7 6. e4 Nxc3 7. Bxc3 O-O 8. Qd2 Nc6 $5 {Even in such a heavily
analysed opening as the Grьnfeld, Carlsen finds a way of deviating from the
main theoretical discussion. But this is not really such a miracle, since this
is a very flexible opening with practically unlimited possibilities for
improvising.} ({It would have made little sense checking Anand's preparation
after, say,} 8... c5 9. d5 Bxc3 10. bxc3 e6 11. d6 e5 12. h4 Be6 {when the
former World Champion had delivered a very powerful novelty in a game against
Carlsen's countryman:} 13. Nh3 $1 $146 {Anand,V (2783)-Hammer,J (2608)
Stavanger 2013 CBM 155 [Krasenkow,M] (1-0, 45)}) 9. Nf3 {The most natural way
of defending the central pawn, even though it allows Black to develop freely
on the next move.} (9. Ne2 {as tried in Hambleton,A (2583)-Berson,J (2021)
Portugal Cove 2013 (1-0, 26) avoids ...Bg4 but places the knight on a not very
active square. Black could obtain good counterplay with} e5 {(not the only
move, most surely)} 10. d5 Nd4 $1 11. Nxd4 exd4 12. Bxd4 Qh4 13. Bxg7 (13. Qe3
Re8 14. Bd3 Bf5 $11) 13... Qxe4+ 14. Qe2 Qxe2+ 15. Bxe2 Kxg7 16. Rc1 {The
backward pawn should not offer Black too many problems since White is behind
in development.} Bf5 17. Rxc7 Rac8 18. Rxc8 Rxc8 {[%cal Gf5e4,Gc8c1]}) ({
Without kingside development, the radical advance} 9. d5 {is not likely to
yield too much:} Ne5 10. Be2 (10. f4 Ng4 11. Bxg7 Kxg7 12. Nf3 c6 $32 {
Ushenina,A (2501)-Lagno,K (2543) Beijing 2013 (0-1, 37)}) 10... c6 11. Nf3
Nxf3+ 12. Bxf3 Bxc3 13. Qxc3 cxd5 14. exd5 e6 $11 {Gleizerov,E (2536)-Ulibin,M
(2498) Las Palmas 2014 (1/2-1/2, 18)}) 9... Bg4 10. d5 {The only reasonable
continuation.} (10. O-O-O $6 e5 11. d5 Nd4 $15) 10... Bxf3 11. Bxg7 $5 $146 {
Strictly speaking, this looks like a concession since White would be
interested in provoking ...Bxc3, bxc3 with a strengthening of his centre. But
Anand had a concrete idea in mind, which worked reasonably well, at least from
the opening point of view.} ({If} 11. gxf3 Ne5 12. O-O-O ({Defending the pawn
is not necessary.} 12. Be2 {wastes an important tempo and has led to
comfortable play for Black in a few games, the latest being:} c6 13. f4 Nd7 14.
Bxg7 Kxg7 15. dxc6 bxc6 {Moiseenko,A (2707)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2714) Yaroslavl
2014 (0-1, 38)}) 12... c6 ({Even with bishops on the board, the pawn is taboo:
} 12... Nxf3 $2 13. Qf4 $18) 13. f4 Ng4 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 $11 {[%cal Gg4f6]}) 11...
Kxg7 12. gxf3 Ne5 13. O-O-O c6 {This hurried undermining of the centre offers
White the possibility of setting up some pressure.} (13... Nxf3 $2 14. Qc3+) ({
Black could have avoided the weakening of his kingside with} 13... Qd6 $5 14.
Be2 (14. Qc3 $6 Qf6 15. Be2 c6 $15 {leaves the white centre immobile and
vulnerable.}) 14... c6 $132) 14. Qc3 $1 f6 {[%csl Ge6]} 15. Bh3 $14 {This
bishops cuts like a blade, preventing Black from obtaining rapid counterplay.
In the long run, the kingside weaknesses may tell. On the other hand, the
position remains double-edged strategically. Should White allow some exchanges,
he would risk landing into a bad ending, due to his numerous pawn weaknesses.}
(15. dxc6 $6 Qb6 16. cxb7 $6 Rab8 $15 17. f4 $2 Rxb7 $19 {[%cal Gf8c8,Rb7c7]})
15... cxd5 {True to his style, Carlsen clears up matters in the centre at the
first given occasion.} ({The long plan of transfering the knight to d4 (!) is
interesting but probably not entirely sound:} 15... Qb6 $5 16. f4 (16. d6 exd6
17. Rxd6 Rad8 18. Rhd1 Rxd6 19. Rxd6 Qxf2 $19) 16... Nf7 {[%csl Gf2]} 17. f3 $1
(17. Rd2 Nd6 {[%csl Ge4] gains an important tempo for developing the
counterplay.} 18. Qd3 cxd5 19. exd5 f5) (17. dxc6 bxc6 18. Rd7 Qxf2 19. Rf1 Qe2
20. Rxe7 Rae8 $132) 17... Nd6 (17... cxd5 18. exd5 Nd6 19. Kb1) (17... Rad8 18.
Kb1 Nd6 19. a4 $1 {[%csl Gb5]} cxd5 20. Rxd5 Nf7 21. Bd7 Nd6 22. a5 Qf2 23. Be6
$14) 18. Kb1 (18. a4 $2 cxd5 $17) 18... Nb5 19. Qb3 c5 20. Rc1 Nd4 21. Qe3 (21.
Qd3 Qd6 22. Qe3 f5 23. exf5 gxf5 24. Rhe1 Rf7) (21. Qc4 Nxf3 22. Qc3 Nd4 23.
Qxc5 Ne2 24. Qxb6 axb6 25. Rc7 Nxf4 26. Bd7 f5 27. Rxb7 fxe4 $132) 21... Qd6
22. f5 g5 23. Rhg1 Qxh2 (23... Kh8 24. Bg4 $36 {[%cal Gh2h4,Gg4h5,Gh5g6]}) 24.
Bf1 b6 25. f4 h6 26. Bd3 $44) 16. exd5 Nf7 $2 {But this is too straightforward
an attempt to stabilise the position. True, the d6-square is important, but
does not justify abandoning the central e5-square.} (16... Qd6 $5 17. Kb1 Rad8
18. f4 (18. Rhe1 Rfe8 19. f4 Nf7 20. Rd4 e5 21. fxe5 Rxe5 22. Rxe5 fxe5 $11)
18... Nf7 19. Rd4 e5 20. fxe5 fxe5 21. Rd2 {may offer White some chances for
the initiative. If compared with the similar subline above, all major pieces
are on the board, making Black's position less stable.}) (16... a5 17. f4 Nf7
18. Kb1 a4 {would transpose below.}) 17. f4 $2 {This wastes a tempo, exposes
the f-pawn and obstructs the c1-h6 diagonal. On top, after the knight has
retreated, it does not achieve anything constructive.} (17. Kb1 $5 Qd6 (17...
a5 18. Be6 a4 19. h4 a3 20. b3 Qd6 21. Qd2 $36 {[%cal Gh4h5,Gd2h6]}) 18. Be6
Nd8 (18... Ng5 19. Bg4 {/\x h4}) (18... Rad8 19. h4 $36) 19. Rhe1 $5 Re8 (19...
Qxh2 20. Rh1 Qf4 21. Qa3 Qd6 22. Qe3 $16) 20. Bc8 $1 $36 {[%cal Gh2h4,Gh4h5] A
nice move paralysing the black queenside and clearing the path of the h-pawn
for the attack.}) 17... Qd6 {It is not clear yet which piece is best suited
for the occupation of this square.} ({Since the black rooks do not have any
future on the open c-file, it would have made sense to get some space on the
queenside:} 17... a5 $5 18. Kb1 a4 19. Be6 (19. a3 b5 $1 {[%cal Ga8b8,Gd8d6,
Gb5b4]}) 19... Qd6 20. Rd4 a3 21. b3 Nd8 22. Bg4 b6 {[%csl Ra5][%cal Ga8a5,
Ga5c5]} 23. h4 Ra5 {[%csl Gd5]} 24. Qd2 f5 25. Bf3 h5 (25... Nf7 26. Re1 {
[%csl Ge6]}) 26. Rg1 {Black is under certain pressure but since White does not
have any pawn breaks it looks like the position is statically equal. One more
detail is that the white king is not entirely safe either.} Kh7 (26... Kh6 {
is also possible:} 27. Qd1 Rc5 28. Bxh5 gxh5 29. Rg5 {Things look dangerous but
} Kh7 $8 {saves the day.} 30. Rxh5+ Kg7 31. Rg5+ Kh7 $11) 27. Re1 Ra7 28. Rc4
Qf6 $13) 18. Qd4 (18. Rd4 {can be met with the paradoxical} f5 $3 {[%csl Rh3]}
(18... Rad8 19. Be6 $14) 19. Re1 (19. Re4+ $2 Kg8 $19 {[%csl Gd5][%cal Ga8c8]})
19... Kg8 20. Kb1 Rac8 21. Rc4 Rxc4 22. Qxc4 Qf6 {/\ ...Nd6 with excellent
play for Black.}) 18... Rad8 19. Be6 {It is important to block the e7-pawn.} (
19. Rhe1 e5 $1 20. fxe5 Nxe5 21. Re3 (21. f4 Nf3) 21... Nc6 22. dxc6 (22. Qa4
Nb4 23. Be6 Rfe8 24. Kb1 Qf4 $1 $11 25. a3 $140 $2 Nxd5 $17) 22... Qxd4 23.
Rxd4 Rxd4 24. cxb7 f5 25. Re7+ Kf6 26. Rxh7 Rfd8 $132) 19... Qb6 20. Qd2 $6 {
This allows Black to solve all his problems.} ({Anand might have avoided the
queen exchange for psychological reasons, since the endgame is supposed to be
Carlsen's chosenterritory, but the only way to keep the pressure was:} 20. Qxb6
axb6 21. Kb1 Nd6 22. Rc1 f5 23. Rc7 Kf6 24. Bd7 {[%cal Gh1e1]} Ne4 25. Rxb7 (
25. Re1 $6 Nc5 26. Be6 Rd6 $15 {[%csl Ge6]}) 25... Rb8 26. Rc7 Nxf2 27. Re1 Ne4
28. b4 Rfd8 29. Kb2 h6 30. h4 $14 {[%cal Ga2a4,Gb2b3] White's queenside
initiative is rather threatening. For Black, creating a kingside passed pawn
with ...g5 would imply big risks for his king.}) 20... Rd6 21. Rhe1 Nd8 {
Everything fits well in Black's position and suddenly, White loses his
stability in the centre.} 22. f5 (22. Bh3 e6) 22... Nxe6 23. Rxe6 Qc7+ $6 {
A bit too timid at a favourable moment.} ({It might have been better to use
the c-file for a well-timed check with the rook while eliminating completely
White's pressure along the e-file:} 23... Rxe6 $5 24. fxe6 (24. dxe6 Rc8+ 25.
Kb1 Qc5 26. fxg6 hxg6 {[%cal Gc8c6]}) 24... Rc8+ 25. Kb1 Qd6 {with chances for
reaching a better ending due to White-s weakened structure.}) 24. Kb1 Rc8 (
24... Rxe6 25. dxe6 Qc5 26. Qc2 $11) 25. Rde1 Rxe6 26. Rxe6 Rd8 27. Qe3 Rd7 $11
{White's pressure along the e-file should now compensate for the structural
defects. But as in an earlier comment, it is worth keeping in mind that the
endings could be unpleasant for White.} 28. d6 exd6 29. Qd4 Rf7 30. fxg6 hxg6
31. Rxd6 a6 32. a3 Qa5 33. f4 Qh5 34. Qd2 Qc5 35. Rd5 Qc4 36. Rd7 Qc6 ({If} 
36... Rxd7 37. Qxd7+ Qf7 38. Qd6 {the activity of the white queen compensates
for the structural problems.}) 37. Rd6 (37. Rxf7+ Kxf7 {would leave the white
pawns exposed to a possible king invasion on the light squares.}) 37... Qe4+
38. Ka2 Re7 {So far Anand has kept things level, but his next two moves give
up the centralising, offering Black some chances to take over the initiative.}
39. Qc1 $6 (39. Rd4) 39... a5 40. Qf1 $6 a4 $15 41. Rd1 Qc2 42. Rd4 (42. Qf3 $5
{[%csl Ge3]}) 42... Re2 $6 {Missing the last chance.} (42... Re3 $1 {[%cal
Ge3a3,Ga2a3,Rc2b3] with the brutal threat of 43...Rxa3!+ 44.Kxa3 Qb3 mate!} 43.
Qd1 (43. Ka1 Rxa3+ 44. bxa3 Qc3+ {[%csl Rd4]}) (43. Rd7+ Kh6 {[%cal Gb7b5]} 44.
Rxb7 Rb3 45. Rxb3 axb3+ 46. Ka1 Qxh2 $17 {[%csl Ra1][%cal Gg6g1]}) 43... Qxd1
44. Rxd1 Kh6 $15 {Black is better on both wings and White would face an
unpleasant defensive task... even though all rook endings are drawn! Actually
the first match proved not all of them are...}) 43. Rb4 {White has finally
reached absolute stability and is out of any danger.} b5 44. Qh1 $1 Re7 45. Qd5
Re1 46. Qd7+ Kh6 47. Qh3+ Kg7 48. Qd7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Anand +3-1=7"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2014.11.09"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Negi,P"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2014.11.08"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 {I am curious why Magnus avoided these
long middlegames in the next games, considering the way this game went.} Bc5 {
The first theoretical crossroads. 0-0, and c3, both seem to lead to similar
positions, but there are many subtle differences. I'll briefly write about a
line in the c3-variation which I feel is an influence on the way Magnus played
here.} 5. O-O (5. c3 O-O 6. O-O d6 7. Nbd2 (7. Bxc6 {not as good as the Magnus
version because of c3 being already committed.}) 7... a6 {plays into White's
plans. Now we get a setup similar to Carlsen's in the game. It might appear
that in the game Black did not lose a move with ...a6 - but that was possibly
offset by the fact that White tried to play a setup with c3. As you will see,
c3-d4 is not neccesarily the only plan here, so it could be beneficial not to
hurry with it.} (7... Ne7 $1 {is the main line these days, and it has been
very hard for White to prove any advantage. The key idea is that Black avoids
Bxc6 setups, and is willing to concede the centre after} 8. d4 {if not d4,
then Black gets the ideal Ne7-Ng6, followed by ...a6 etc.} exd4 9. cxd4 Bb6 {
this is the critical position for the assessment of this line. It appears to
me that Black has been able to get enough counterplay so far, but there's
certainly more room to explore.}) 8. Bxc6 {A couple of excellent
demonstrations of White's play were the following. In both the games, White
avoided an early d4, and instead just focussed on developing his pieces, and
eventually exploiting Black's structural weaknesses. Right now, the weaknesses
appear miniscule, but it makes it incredibly difficult for Black to create
counterplay since ideas like ...d5 just weaken his position further. And White
can eventually try to get in d4 at the right point.} bxc6 9. Re1 Re8 10. h3 Bb6
11. Nf1 h6 12. Ng3 Be6 (12... d5 13. Qc2 $1 {again the queen is wonderful here.
Black is just spoiling his own structure:} dxe4 14. dxe4 Nd7 15. Be3 Nc5 16. c4
a5 17. b3 $14 {1-0 (26) Dominguez Perez,L (2753)-Cox,J (2387) Rhodes 2013}) 13.
Be3 Bxe3 14. Rxe3 c5 15. Qc2 {The queen is always excellent here.} Nd7 16. d4
$1 {since everything is perfectly placed.} cxd4 17. cxd4 exd4 18. Nxd4 a5 19.
b3 Nc5 20. Rd1 $14 {1-0 (55) Svidler,P (2741)-Navara,D (2706) Prague 2012})
5... d6 (5... O-O {isn't possible due to} 6. Bxc6 bxc6 7. Nxe5) ({The main
drawback for 0-0 is} 5... Nd4 {as an extra option, which has often allowed
Black to equalise easily in the past. But as the following recent game shows,
there is a lot more to explore here, and clearly Magnus had some interesting
setup in mind against this.} 6. Nxd4 Bxd4 7. c3 Bb6 8. Na3 $5 c6 9. Ba4 O-O 10.
Bg5 h6 11. Bh4 d5 12. exd5 cxd5 13. Bb3 g5 14. Bg3 Re8 15. Re1 Bc7 16. Nc2 $14
{1/2-1/2 (69) Topalov,V (2785)-Andreikin,D (2709) Khanty-Mansiysk 2014}) 6. Re1
$5 {Already a novelty among decent players! That's pretty impressive in one of
the most widely analysed opening of our times...although I have to admit, it's
not really a new concept. The same thing was tried by Adams after 6.Nbd2 -
actually 9...h6 by Anand would have converted to the Adams - Kramnik game
mentioned below.  I am not sure if there is any subtlety behind delaying Nd2 -
perhaps it could be more flexible in some cases, but I don't think it really
matters. White's main idea is just to play the closed structure after Bxc6,
similar to the Svidler - Navara game mentioned after 5. c3. In the long term
he hopes to exploit the 'queenside' weakening of the strucuture, and hope that
active moves like d5 will only create weaknesses for Black. It's an
interesting concept, and certainly an excellent try against people not
comfortable with long strategic manoevres.} ({The same structure can be got by
} 6. Nbd2 O-O 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. h3 h6 9. Re1 Re8 10. Nf1 d5 $5 {I prefer} 11. Qe2
{or perhaps he could have included c3 earlier, so Qc2 would have made even
more sense.} (11. exd5 Qxd5 $1 {gave Black a lot of counterplay despite the
broken structure.} 12. Be3 Bf8 13. Bd2 e4 14. dxe4 Nxe4 15. Ng3 Bb7 16. Bf4 Nd6
17. b3 c5 $11 {0-1 (75) Adams,M (2727)-Kramnik,V (2801) Paris/St Petersburg
2013 CBM 154 [Szabo,Kr].}) {Nothing drastic has occured and the slow game
continues. Here, Black went wrong trying to seek activity with} 11... dxe4 12.
dxe4 a5 13. Rd1 Ba6 14. Qe1 Qb8 15. Ng3 Qb4 16. b3 Qxe1+ 17. Rxe1 Bb4 18. Rd1
Bc3 19. Rb1 c5 20. Bd2 Bxd2 21. Nxd2 g6 22. f3 Red8 23. Ndf1 $14 {with a
pleasant endgame in Bartel,M (2651)-Arslanov,S (2396) Moscow 2014.}) 6... O-O
7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. h3 (8. Nbd2 {would run into Ng4...f5 ideas.}) 8... Re8 9. Nbd2
Nd7 (9... h6 {would convert to Adams - Kramnik as mentioned above. There White
continued Nf1, but perhaps it makes sense to play more in Carlsen's style as
well.} 10. a4 {or doing the same thing without a4 - but including a4 never
seems bad to me. Also it's a useful waiting move.} a5 (10... Be6 11. Nf1 {
now d5 isn't possible as in Adams - Kramnik.}) 11. Nc4 Be6 (11... d5 {leads to
strange complications, but White seems to be preferrable in the end:} 12. exd5
e4 13. dxe4 Rxe4 14. Rxe4 Nxe4 15. Be3 cxd5 16. Bxc5 Nxc5 17. Ne3 $14) 12. Be3
$5 Bxc4 13. Bxc5 Be6 (13... dxc5 14. dxc4 $14 {the tripled pawns are uglier.})
14. Be3 {and again we have opposite coloured bishops, and perhaps some
pretensions of an edge for white? certainly his play is easier.}) (9... Nh5 {
seems more natural, but I am not sure if White needs to worry much about
Nh5-Nf4 as a plan. He can just continue Nc4...Be3, or try c3-d4.}) 10. Nc4 Bb6
{This avoids Na5 ideas, and also Nxb6 doesn't really seem worrying since it
improves the structure.} (10... a6 11. Na5 $1 $14) (10... a5 11. Bd2 a4 12. Na5
$14) 11. a4 {A really useful move - as you will see soon.} a5 12. Nxb6 {
Somewhat counter intuitive decision...at first the opposite colours seem to
make Black's life easier. But Carlsen had a more long term idea in mind...I
still feel that Black's position should be fairly solid here, but it's not as
obvious as it looks at first sight.} cxb6 $6 ({With hindsight, I'd prefer} 
12... Nxb6 $1 {although I must admit that it's hard to imagine, particularly
in a game, that ...cxb6 could be anything but solid for Black. But another
advantage of this move is that Black can actually play actively with ...f5!
next - and the a5-weakness is less scary since it would only be a problem in
the endgame.} 13. b3 (13. d4 exd4 $1 14. Nxd4 c5 $11 {Black's pieces are
perfectly set to deal with the d4 break.}) 13... f5 $1 $13 ({Actually Black
doesn't even need to hurry with f5.} 13... c5 14. Bd2 Nd7 $5 {/\ Nb8-Nc6 seems
just fine as well.})) 13. d4 Qc7 $6 {Another almost imperceptible inaccuracy,
but suddenly things start to get tougher for Black after this. The queen seems
natural on c7, but it allows White the strong option of Nh4 in the future!} (
13... Qe7 {keeps an eye on h4, but this seems a really awkward square for the
queen. Also b6 might be weak after Nf8-Ng6.} 14. Ra3 Nf8 15. Rb3 Rb8 16. Be3) (
13... f6 $1 {also allows Nh4 at some point, but it's not as easy to implement
for White because after} 14. Ra3 Nf8 {dxe5-dxe5 would give Black an additional
move due to the threat to exchange queens.} 15. dxe5 (15. Nh4 exd4 $1 {would
create a mess}) 15... dxe5 16. Rd3 Qc7 17. Nh4 Ne6 {and White's initiative
looks much less dangerous.}) 14. Ra3 $1 {The idea behind 11.a4! Suddenly the
position seems slightly less innocuous, and you realise that it is indeed
easier to play for White. Most importantly, practically, it's not easy to make
decisions.} Nf8 (14... c5 15. d5 $14 {the kingside attack will be more
dangerous now.}) (14... Bb7 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Nh4 $14) (14... exd4 15. Nxd4 {
is too slow for Black. /\ Rg3.}) 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Nh4 {White's play flows
very smoothly now.} Rd8 (16... Ng6 17. Nf5 {doesn't change much.}) 17. Qh5 f6 (
17... Ng6 18. Nf5 $14) 18. Nf5 Be6 (18... Ne6 $1 19. Rg3 Kh8 {is a much more
cool defence, keeping things more under control but it does look like a
worrying position for Black. I don't see many ways Black can improve, so white
can slowly try to continue building an initiative...particularly Rg4-Rh4 ideas
seem tempting in the future.}) 19. Rg3 Ng6 20. h4 (20. Bh6 {would lead to some
nice fireworks, but that's not really in Carlsen's style, and very much not
required.} gxh6 21. Rxg6+ hxg6 22. Qxg6+ Kf8 23. Qxf6+ Qf7 24. Qxh6+ Ke8 {
and a rook ought to be worth something. It seems pretty unclear.}) 20... Bxf5 (
20... Rd7 21. Bh6 $1 {is much stronger now.} gxh6 22. Qxh6 {/\ h5.}) 21. exf5
Nf4 22. Bxf4 exf4 23. Rc3 $1 {Despite the equal material, the major piece
endgame is surprisingly hard to play. It's possible to suggest better
defensive moves with the engine, but I believe practically it's already very
tough. Understandably, Vishy begins to make slight inaccuracies, and Magnus
wraps it up smoothly with his trademark precision:} c5 24. Re6 Rab8 $2 (24...
h6 {(/\ 25.Rc4 Rd4!)} 25. Qf3 Rab8 {with much better chances to survive
compared to the game.}) 25. Rc4 Qd7 26. Kh2 Rf8 (26... Qd1 {isn't possible due
to} 27. Re8+ $1 $18) (26... Re8 27. Rce4 Rxe6 28. fxe6 $16 {will be pretty
unpleasant.}) 27. Rce4 Rb7 28. Qe2 b5 29. b3 $5 {This doesn't seem required,
but it's in Carlsen's style to not force things. Instead he just restricts any
counterplay for Black, and makes Black go wrong by himself.} bxa4 30. bxa4 Rb4
{Exchanging a pair of rooks might reduce the pressure, but here it also
creates additional weaknesses - particularly in Black's 7th rank. White
continues with a strong attack despite the almost endgame nature of the
position!} 31. Re7 Qd6 32. Qf3 Rxe4 33. Qxe4 f3+ 34. g3 h5 $2 {The final
blunder - but the position was actually much trickier than it looks.} (34...
Qd2 35. Qxf3 Qxc2 {at first Black seems to be safe, but after} 36. Kg2 Kh8 37.
Qc6 {White continues to exert pressure without taking any risk. Black's rook
is completely tied down to g7, and it will be hard for him to keep the c-pawn
alive. Still, it's not a straightforward win, and White still needs to show
technique.}) 35. Qb7 $1 1-0

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Anand +3-1=7"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2014.11.11"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2014.11.08"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} e6 {[%emt 0:
00:08]} 3. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 4. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Be7
{[%emt 0:00:07]} 5. Bf4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:18]} 6. e3 {[%emt 0:
00:04]} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 7. c5 {[%emt 0:00:16]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:48]} 8. Bd3
{[%emt 0:00:27]} (8. h3 {has gone out of fashion recently as after} b6 9. b4 a5
10. a3 {Black can play} Bb7 ({or even} 10... h6) ({instead of the direct} 10...
Ba6 {, which allows White to save a tempo by taking on a6 in one go}) 11. Bd3
Qc8 {- see Kasimdzhanov-Jakovenko in CBM 132 and Grischuk-Wang Hao in CBM 139.}
) 8... b6 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 9. b4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} a5 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 10. a3 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} Ba6 {[%emt 0:03:31]} 11. Bxa6 {[%emt 0:00:41] A principled
continuation although the quiet} (11. O-O {is more common.}) 11... Rxa6 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} 12. b5 $1 {[%emt 0:00:34]} cxb5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 13. c6 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} Qc8 $1 {[%emt 0:00:05]} (13... b4 $2 14. Nb5 bxa3 15. cxd7 Bb4+
16. Ke2 Qxd7 17. Qd3 $16 {1-0 (33) Olafsson,H (2521)-Al Tamimi,H (2290) Turin
2006}) 14. c7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} (14. Nxb5 Qxc6 15. Nc7 Ra7 16. Rc1 Qb7 17. Qa4 (
17. a4 Bb4+ 18. Ke2 Rc8 19. Qd3 Nh5 20. Nb5 Nxf4+ 21. exf4 Raa8 $17 {1-0 (47)
Efimov,I (2520)-Costantini,R (2233) Reggio Emilia 2000}) 17... b5 (17... Rc8 $5
18. O-O Nf8 {[%cal Yf8g6]}) 18. Nxb5 Nb6 19. Qb3 Nc4 20. a4 Bb4+ 21. Ke2 Raa8
22. Ne5 Rfc8 23. f3 Nxe5 24. Bxe5 Ne8 $11 {1/2 (29) Rojas Keim,L (2408)-Ryan,J
(2263) Montcada i Reixac ESP 2014}) 14... b4 $1 {[%emt 0:00:33]} 15. Nb5 {
[%emt 0:00:28] This sequence of moves has been analysed more deeply with
White's pawn on h3 (8.h3 instead of 8.Bd3), which is considered more
favourable for White as his bishop can retreat to h2, avoiding an exchange if
necessary. However, Vishy Anand and his team have proven that this version is
not so harmless either.} a4 {[%emt 0:02:57]} (15... bxa3 16. O-O Nh5 (16... a4
17. Qc2 Ra5 $6 {1/2 (26) Kveinys,A (2510)-Halkias,S (2548) Gothenburg 2005} 18.
Bd6 $1 Rxb5 19. Bxe7 Re8 20. Bxa3 $36 {[%csl Gc7]}) 17. Qc2 Nxf4 18. exf4 Qb7
19. Ne5 $36 Nc5 20. dxc5 bxc5 21. Rfb1 (21. Nd7 $5 Re8 22. Qa4 $16) 21... c4
22. Nd7 Rfa8 23. Qa4 h6 24. h3 Qc8 25. Nb8 Rb6 $13 {1/2 (32) Sedlak,N (2557)
-Pavlovic,M (2534) Vrnjacka Banja 2010}) (15... Ne4 16. O-O (16. a4 Nc3 17. Qd3
Ra8 18. Nxc3 bxc3 19. O-O Bb4 20. Qb5 Ra7 21. Ne1 Nf6 22. Nd3 Nh5 $13 {1/2 (48)
Rusev,K (2543)-Stoinev,M (2295) Albena 2010}) 16... bxa3 17. Qa4 (17. Qc2 $44
a4 $5 {/\Ra5, R.Dautov}) 17... g5 18. Bg3 g4 $1 19. Ne1 Nd2 20. Qd1 Nxf1 21.
Qxg4+ Kh8 22. Kxf1 Ra8 (22... a4 {[%cal Ya6a5] R.Dautov} 23. Qe2 Ra5 24. Nd6
Bxd6 25. Bxd6 Rg8 26. Nd3 $44) 23. Nc2 Qa6 24. Qe2 Rg8 25. Ncxa3 $44 {1-0 (50)
Karpov,A (2693)-Georgiev,K (2655) Dubai 2002 CBM 089 [Dautov]}) 16. Rc1 {
[%emt 0:06:00]} Ne4 {[%emt 0:02:02]} 17. Ng5 $5 {[%emt 0:01:47] This tactical
trick restricts Black's possibilities compared to} (17. Nd2 e5 (17... Nc3 18.
Nxc3 bxc3 19. Rxc3 b5 20. O-O Nb6 {1/2 (67) Villuendas Valero,A (2176)-Labena
Bernal,A (2003) Pamplona 2006} 21. Qg4 $5 $36) 18. Nxe4 (18. dxe5 Ndc5 {
[%cal Rc5d3]}) 18... dxe4 19. Bxe5 Nxe5 20. dxe5 Bc5 21. Qd5 bxa3 22. O-O {
0-1 (36) Jendrichovsky,P (2147)-Goumas,G (2315) Fermo 2009} Ra5 $13) 17... Ndf6
{[%emt 0:32:33]} ({Here} 17... e5 18. dxe5 {is obviously senseless}) (17...
Nxg5 $6 18. Bd6 $1 Ra5 $8 19. Bxe7 Rxb5 20. axb4 Re8 21. Qxa4 Rxe7 22. Qxb5 $16
{[%csl Gc7]}) (17... Bxg5 18. Bxg5 Ra5 {is a better version of the previous
line for Black but White keeps the initiative anyway:} 19. Be7 Rxb5 20. Bxf8
Kxf8 21. Qxa4 Ra5 22. Qxb4+ Ke8 23. O-O Ra7 24. f3 Nef6 25. Qd6 $14 {[%csl Gc7]
A.Korotylev}) 18. Nxe4 {[%emt 0:06:58]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:45]} (18... dxe4 $142
$1 19. Nd6 Bxd6 20. Bxd6 b3 21. Bxf8 Kxf8 $44 {(A.Korotylev) , which is about
to be the subject of further research.}) 19. f3 {[%emt 0:05:40]} Ra5 {[%emt 0:
12:38]} 20. fxe4 $146 {[%emt 0:02:08][%mdl 8] This improvement on the
following game is quite obvious, especially as it had been already played in
the similar position of the 8.h3 line (with White's pawn on h3), e.g. in
Gyimesi-Vaganian (Germany 2006).} (20. Qe2 $6 Qd7 21. fxe4 Rc8 22. exd5 exd5
23. axb4 Rxb5 24. O-O Rxb4 25. Qa6 h6 26. Rc6 Bg5 27. Bxg5 hxg5 28. Rfc1 Rc4
29. R1xc4 dxc4 30. Qxb6 a3 31. Rxc4 a2 32. Qa5 Qe6 33. Qxa2 Rxc7 34. Qa8+ Kh7
35. Rxc7 Qxe3+ 36. Kf1 Qf4+ 37. Qf3 Qxc7 $11 {1/2 (40) Aronian,L (2795)-Adams,
M (2753) Bilbao 2013}) 20... Rxb5 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 21. Qxa4 {[%emt 0:00:56]}
Ra5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 22. Qc6 {[%emt 0:00:12]} bxa3 {[%emt 0:09:32] Black's
a3-pawn looks formidable but it is far less dangerous than White's c7-pawn.} (
22... dxe4 23. a4 $16 {[%csl Gc7]}) 23. exd5 {[%emt 0:03:43]} Rxd5 {[%emt 0:10:
57]} (23... exd5 24. O-O {is hardly better. In some situations White can break
in the centre by means of e3-e4.}) 24. Qxb6 {[%emt 0:08:48]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:06:
37]} 25. O-O {[%emt 0:15:23]} (25. Qa6 $5 Qc8 (25... Rc8 26. Rb1 Rxc7 $8 27.
Rb8+ Bd8 28. Bxc7 Qxc7 29. Rc8 Qe7 30. O-O $16) 26. Qc4 {A.Korotylev}) 25...
Rc8 {[%emt 0:05:01] Black has blockaded White's passed pawn with a more
appropriate piece but eliminating the "nail" is impossible.} 26. Rc6 $1 {
[%emt 0:08:36]} g5 {[%emt 0:09:41] Perhaps it was better to do without this
move:} (26... Bb4 27. Ra1 h6) 27. Bg3 {[%emt 0:00:42]} (27. Be5 $5 {A.Korotylev
} {e.g.} Bb4 28. Qxb4 $5 Qxc6 29. Qe7 Rxe5 30. Qxf7+ Kh8 31. Qf6+ Kg8 32. dxe5
(32. Qxe5 $5 h6 33. Qf6 Rxc7 34. Qf8+ Kh7 35. Qxa3 {, and White should
gradually win}) 32... Qxc7 33. Qxe6+ Kh8 34. Qf6+ Qg7 35. Qa6 Rg8 (35... Re8
36. Qxa3 Qxe5 37. Rf8+ Kg7 38. Rxe8 Qxe8) 36. Qxa3 Qxe5 37. h3 {, and Black is
helpless as the queen endgame after the eventual exchange of rooks is winning
for White.}) 27... Bb4 {[%emt 0:06:25]} 28. Ra1 {[%emt 0:13:45]} Ba5 $2 {
[%emt 0:07:45] Black tries to get rid of the c7-pawn after all but this
attempt fails. It was better to wait:} (28... g4 {In that case White could
have continued weakening Black's position exploiting the e3-e4 threat, e.g.}
29. Be5 {etc. but his victory was still far away.}) 29. Qa6 {[%emt 0:01:23]}
Bxc7 {[%emt 0:01:22]} (29... Bb4 $2 {was now hopeless due to} 30. Rb6 {[%cal
Rb6b4,Ra6c8] , and otherwise Black just loses his a3-pawn.}) 30. Qc4 $1 {
[%emt 0:04:21] A decisive pin.} e5 {[%emt 0:01:59]} 31. Bxe5 {[%emt 0:00:19]}
Rxe5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 32. dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 33. e6 {
[%emt 0:06:09]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:01:12]} 34. Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:46]} 1-0

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Anand +3-1=7"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2014.11.12"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B40"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Kasimdzhanov,R"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2014.11.08"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This outwardly very quiet game was in fact full of content and also very
interesting from a psychological point of view. The day before Magnus had lost
in a somewhat embarassingly one-sided fashion, and it was very interesting to
see how he would cope in a new situation.} 1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} c5 $1 {
[%emt 0:00:08] No Berlin today! Thanks from all the fans all around the world!
:)} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:05] Vishy has played 2...d6 most of
his life, but not today. Is 3.Bb5 really that strong?} 3. g3 {[%emt 0:00:16]
What Black had in store after 3.d4, we'll see in game 6.} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:44]}
4. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:10]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 5. exd5 {[%emt 0:00:30]} exd5 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} 6. O-O {[%emt 0:00:30]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:01:09]} 7. d4 {[%emt 0:00:
57]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:53]} 8. Be3 {[%emt 0:05:55]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:05:06]} 9. Nxd4
{[%emt 0:00:46]} Bg4 $1 {[%emt 0:00:14] A nice improvement, typical of
high-class preparation.} ({After the usual} 9... O-O 10. h3 {Black has had
some problems in recent games:} Re8 11. Nc3 (11. Re1 h6 12. Nd2 Bd6 13. c3 Bd7
{1/2-1/2 (37) Short,N (2696)-Caruana,F (2675) Wijk aan Zee 2010}) 11... Bb4 12.
Nce2 Bd6 13. c3 Bd7 14. Nf4 Bxf4 15. Bxf4 $14 {1/2-1/2 (54) Adams,M (2740)
-Kryvoruchko,Y (2678) Tromsoe 2013}) 10. Qd3 {[%emt 0:03:32]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:03:
27]} 11. Nd2 {[%emt 0:06:52]} O-O {[%emt 0:01:39] Black has got a pretty
comfortable IQP position.} 12. N2f3 {[%emt 0:01:24]} Rfe8 {[%emt 0:06:27]} 13.
Rfe1 {[%emt 0:05:36]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:05:45]} 14. c3 {[%emt 0:07:37]} h6 {[%emt 0:
02:43]} 15. Qf1 $1 {[%emt 0:09:04] Quite impressive, and not because this move
changes anything in the evaluation - the position reamains around equality -
but it does manage to create some threats (h3, Nh4, Bh3 in some lines) from
nothing.} Bh5 {[%emt 0:17:25] Played after some thought.} ({Vishy could also
have gone for more ambitious} 15... Ne4 $5 {when after} 16. h3 (16. Nxc6 bxc6
17. Nd4 Bh5 $13) 16... Bh5 17. Nh4 Nxd4 18. Bxd4 f5 $1 {Black's play should
not be underestimated.}) 16. h3 {[%emt 0:06:42]} (16. Nh4 {was perhaps more
challenging} Bc5 $1 (16... Ng4 17. Qb5 Nxe3 18. Rxe3 Rxe3 19. fxe3 $14) 17.
Nhf5 Bb6 $11) 16... Bg6 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 17. Rad1 {[%emt 0:05:24]} Rad8 {
[%emt 0:08:41] Both sides have completed the development, and White faces a
really difficult task of coming up with a plan of action. He decides to change
the structure in the centre - this decision could not possibly have been an
easy one.} 18. Nxc6 $5 {[%emt 0:08:44]} bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:46]} 19. c4 {[%emt 0:
00:07]} Be4 $6 {[%emt 0:08:16] Nothing could be more natural than this, but
now Black starts sliding into trouble.} (19... Bc2 $1 {forces the rook to
occupy a worse square} 20. Rc1 (20. Rd2 Be4 {and the threat of ...Bb4 gains
some time}) 20... Be4 21. Bd4 dxc4 22. Qxc4 (22. Bxf6 Bd3) 22... Bd5 $11) 20.
Bd4 {[%emt 0:09:36]} Nh7 {[%emt 0:02:17]} 21. cxd5 {[%emt 0:02:46]} Bxd5 {
[%emt 0:00:16]} (21... cxd5 22. Qa6 {feels risky in the long run.}) 22. Rxe8+ {
[%emt 0:06:18]} Rxe8 {[%emt 0:00:42]} 23. Qd3 $1 {[%emt 0:01:55] The white
queen comes back into the game, and Black has problems due to queenside
weaknesses and vulnerable pieces along the d-file.} Nf8 {[%emt 0:13:26]} 24.
Nh4 $2 {[%emt 0:03:29] Letting go way too easily.} (24. Bc3 $1 {kept it very
tough for Black} Rd8 (24... Ne6 25. Nh4) (24... Ng6 25. Qd4 Bf8 26. Nh2) 25.
Nh4 Bc5 26. Nf5 Bxg2 27. Qxd7 Rxd7 28. Rxd7 Nxd7 29. Kxg2 $14) 24... Be5 $1 {
[%emt 0:05:01] That's exactly the difference.} 25. Bxd5 {[%emt 0:04:04]} Qxd5 {
[%emt 0:02:21]} 26. Bxe5 {[%emt 0:01:13]} Qxe5 {[%emt 0:00:13] Now it's about
equal again.} 27. b3 {[%emt 0:01:06]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:02:55]} 28. Nf3 {[%emt 0:03:
23]} Qf6 {[%emt 0:00:51]} 29. Kg2 {[%emt 0:01:06]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:05:54]} 30. Qe2
{[%emt 0:00:10]} Rd5 {[%emt 0:03:49]} (30... Rxd1 31. Qxd1 Qe7 32. Qd3 Qc5 {
might have been simpler.}) 31. Rxd5 {[%emt 0:04:27]} cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 32.
Ne5 {[%emt 0:01:11]} (32. Qe5 $5 Qd8 33. Nd4 Nxd4 34. Qxd4 Qd7 {I wonder if
White has chances here...}) 32... Qf5 {[%emt 0:03:20]} 33. Nd3 {[%emt 0:03:22]}
Nd4 {[%emt 0:01:51]} 34. g4 $5 {[%emt 0:05:29] This unexpected move still
poses some problems.} Qd7 {[%emt 0:05:29]} (34... Nxe2 35. gxf5 Kf8 36. Kf3 Nc3
37. a4 Ke7 38. Ke3 Kd6 {is ok for Black, but I can understand the reluctance
to go for a knight ending.}) (34... Qg6 35. Qe8+ (35. Qe3 Nf5 36. Qe8+ Kh7)
35... Kh7 36. Nf4 Qe4+ 37. Qxe4+ dxe4 {same here}) (34... Qe4+ $2 35. Qxe4 dxe4
36. Nc5) 35. Qe5 {[%emt 0:00:33]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 36. Kg3 {[%emt 0:03:39]}
Qb5 {[%emt 0:00:46]} 37. Nf4 {[%emt 0:00:57]} Nxf4 {[%emt 0:01:19]} 38. Kxf4 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} Qb4+ {[%emt 0:02:10]} (38... g5+ $1 39. Kg3 Qa6 40. a4 Qd3+ 41.
Qe3 Qd1 {is quite a simple draw.}) 39. Kf3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} d4 {[%emt 0:01:07]}
40. Qe8+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. Qxf7 {[%emt 0:05:34]} Qd2 $1
{[%emt 0:05:46] Probably found by elimination, as the most natural} (41... Qc3+
$2 42. Ke4 d3 43. Qf3 $16 {leads nowhere good.}) 42. Qf5+ {[%emt 0:08:35]} (42.
Ke4 $5 d3 43. Kd4 Qe2 44. Qf5+ Kg8 45. Qxd3 Qxf2+ 46. Kd5 Qxa2 47. Kc6 {
looks strong, but in fact there is too little material remaining to give
chances} Qf2 $1) 42... Kh8 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 43. h4 {[%emt 0:06:47]} Qxa2 {
[%emt 0:11:13]} 44. Qe6 {[%emt 0:01:40]} Qd2 {[%emt 0:05:48]} 45. Qe8+ {
[%emt 0:06:15]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:40]} 46. Qe4+ {[%emt 0:00:09]} Kh8 {[%emt 0:00:
13]} 47. Qe8+ {[%emt 0:00:38]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:06] Again, Magnus managed to 
(almost) outplay his mighty opponent from an equal position, but a slightly
careless 24.Nh4, allowing 24...Be5! pretty much led to a draw.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Anand +3-1=7"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2014.11.14"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E16"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[Annotator "Wojtaszek,R"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2014.11.08"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} e6 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} 3. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} b6 {[%emt 0:00:08] The Queen's Indian Defence
didn't really come as a surprise to us. It was one of the openings we thought
Magnus might be attracted to.} 4. g3 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Bb4+ {[%emt 0:00:09]} 5.
Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:12] This on the other hand is a very rare
sideline. We didn't really pay too much attention to this line but still we
made sure that Vishy knew some important details here.} 6. Nc3 {[%emt 0:01:19]}
Bb7 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 7. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:13]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 8. e4 $5 {
[%emt 0:06:07] Probably the critical test for the whole line} (8. O-O d5 {
would lead to positions which are mostly seen in the Catalan. It has to be
said that Black is very solid here, so Vishy decided to choose a more active
option.} 9. Ne5 O-O 10. Bf4 Nbd7 {is the mainline here but it's not easy to
prove anything as White. Many games played by GM Tiviakov can be found here.})
8... d5 {[%emt 0:00:37]} 9. exd5 $1 {[%emt 0:01:26]} (9. Qe2 dxc4 $1 (9... O-O
$6 10. e5 $1) 10. O-O O-O 11. Rfd1 b5 {and I don't think White has enough
compensation for the pawn here}) (9. e5 Ne4 $1 10. cxd5 cxd5 11. O-O O-O 12.
Re1 Nxd2 13. Qxd2 Ba6 {and Black looks fine to me.}) 9... cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:09]}
10. Ne5 {[%emt 0:00:22]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:33]} 11. O-O {[%emt 0:00:48]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:22]} (11... Nbd7 $6 12. Re1 Rc8 13. Rc1 $14 {It's slightly better
for White and also it's not easy to suggest a good move for Black here} Ba8 14.
Bg5 $5 (14. cxd5 Nxe5 15. Rxe5 exd5 16. Bg5 $14) 14... h6 15. Bxf6 Nxf6 16.
cxd5 Nxd5 17. Nxd5 exd5 18. Qa4 $14) 12. cxd5 $1 {[%emt 0:06:22] Only this one
can pose any problems for Black.} (12. Bf4 Na5 13. Rc1 Rb8 $1 {the most precise
} (13... dxc4 {this would be a natural reaction but I'm not entirely convinced
it would be enough for equality} 14. Bxb7 Nxb7 15. Nxc4 Rc8 $1 (15... Na5 $6
16. Ne3 $1 (16. Nxa5 bxa5 17. Be5 Rc8 {with a balanced position}) 16... Rc8 17.
d5 Bc5 18. dxe6 fxe6 19. Ng4 $1 {A very important resource, White is better
thanks to his pawn structure}) 16. Nb5 (16. Ne3 Bb4) 16... Na5 $1 (16... a6 $4
17. Na7 Ra8 18. Nc6 $18) 17. Nxa5 Rxc1 18. Qxc1 bxa5 19. Nxa7 Qxd4 20. Nc6 Qd7
21. Rd1 Nd5 22. Rd4 {and despite the fact that probably Black is solid enough,
White's position looks a bit more pleasant}) 14. Nd3 (14. cxd5 Nxd5 15. Nxd5
Bxd5 $11) 14... Rc8 (14... dxc4 $5 15. Bxb8 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 Qxb8 17. Ne5 Rd8 {
and Black has decent compensation}) 15. cxd5 (15. c5 Nc6 $1) 15... Nxd5 16.
Nxd5 Bxd5 17. Rxc8 Qxc8 18. Bxd5 exd5 19. Re1 Nc6 $11) 12... Nxe5 {[%emt 0:01:
44]} 13. d6 $1 {[%emt 0:02:20] Of course that's the point of White's idea.} (
13. dxe5 Nxd5 $11) 13... Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:24]} (13... Bxg2 $2 14. dxe7 Qxe7 15.
dxe5 Bxf1 16. exf6 Qxf6 17. Qxf1 $14) 14. dxe7 {[%emt 0:00:59]} Qxe7 {[%emt 0:
01:39]} 15. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:18]} h6 {[%emt 0:01:05]} 16. d5 $1 {[%emt 0:03:20]}
Na5 {[%emt 0:00:14]} (16... Rad8 $2 17. Bxf6 Qxf6 18. dxc6 Rxd1 19. Rfxd1 Bc8
20. Rac1 {and despite what engines are showing, practically speaking Black's
position is very bad.}) 17. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:11:29]} Qxf6 {[%emt 0:00:37]} 18.
dxe6 {[%emt 0:07:03]} Qxe6 $6 {[%emt 0:04:23]} (18... Bxg2 $5 {sacrificing a
pawn was quite an interesting option but it has to be said that it works
mainly thanks to tactical reasons} 19. exf7+ (19. Kxg2 Qxe6 20. Qf3 Rad8 {
and the position is just equal}) 19... Qxf7 20. Kxg2 Nc4 21. Qb3 $5 (21. Qc2
Rad8 22. Rfd1 (22. Rad1 $6 Rd2 $3 23. Rxd2 Ne3+ 24. Kg1 Nxc2 25. Rxc2) 22...
Qf3+ 23. Kg1 Rde8 {and Black's initiative is quite obvious}) (21. Qe2 Rae8 22.
Ne4 Nxb2 $1 $11) 21... Rad8 22. Rae1 (22. Rad1 Rxd1 23. Nxd1 Rd8 24. Re1 Rd2 {
and I believe here Black has enough compensation to make a comfortable draw})
22... Rd2 23. Re2 Kh8 $1 24. Kg1 $1 (24. Rxd2 $2 Qf3+ $1 $19) 24... Rxe2 25.
Nxe2 Nd2 26. Qxf7 Rxf7 27. Rc1 Nf3+ 28. Kg2 Nxh2 $1 {was the final point of
Black's play.}) 19. Re1 {[%emt 0:01:48]} (19. Bxb7 $5 Nxb7 20. Qf3 Nc5 21. Rfe1
Qg6 22. Nd5 $14 {was also an interesting option. White's position is slightly
better but it wouldn't be easy to increase the advantage. Vishy decided that a
more complex continuation would give him more chances.}) 19... Qf6 {[%emt 0:01:
08]} 20. Nd5 $1 {[%emt 0:17:18]} Bxd5 {[%emt 0:12:23]} (20... Qxb2 $6 21. Re2
$1 Qa3 22. Re3 Qb2 23. Rb1 $1 {and Black's position would be already quite
difficult} Qxa2 24. Ra1 $1 Qc4 25. Rxa5 bxa5 26. Ne7+ Kh8 27. Bxb7 Rad8 28. Qf3
{and White has a very strong initiative.}) 21. Bxd5 {[%emt 0:01:00]} Rad8 {
[%emt 0:02:09]} 22. Qf3 {[%emt 0:02:26]} Qxb2 {[%emt 0:11:06]} (22... Qxf3 23.
Bxf3 $14 {is a typical position where the bishop is simply better than the
knight.}) 23. Rad1 {[%emt 0:01:03]} Qf6 $1 {[%emt 0:13:01] A very practical
decision. White has a very strong initiative which will be easier to handle in
the endgame.} (23... Rd6 $2 24. Bxf7+ $1 Rxf7 25. Re8+ Kh7 26. Qxf7 Rxd1+ 27.
Kg2 {and there is no good defence} Qf6 (27... Rd6 28. Qf5+ Rg6 29. Re6 $18) 28.
Qg8+ Kg6 29. Re6 $18) 24. Qxf6 {[%emt 0:01:29]} gxf6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 25. Re7 {
[%emt 0:01:19]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:03:27] Till this point I think Vishy had played
an excellent game but here he missed his chance to pose more problems for
Black.} 26. Rxa7 $2 {[%emt 0:07:46]} (26. Rc7 $1 {stopping ...Nc6 was
neccessary at first} a6 27. Kg2 $1 {another very important detail, now White
has a Bxf7 threat} Kh8 $1 {is the best way to play for Black} (27... b5 $2 28.
Bxf7 Rxd1 29. Bh5+ Kg8 30. Bxd1 {it's already very difficult}) 28. Bf3 Rxd1 29.
Bxd1 Kg7 30. Ra7 $16 {and White eventually will take the pawn back without
exchanging anything on the queenside. I don't know how big exactly are White's
winning chances but it's clear that it would be very difficult for Black to
defend it successfully.}) 26... Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:55]} 27. Rb7 $6 {[%emt 0:09:28]
This allows Black to exchange the last pawns on the queenside, so the weakness
of the kingside doesn't matter any more.} (27. Ra4 {was the last chance to
continue the game a bit} Rd7 $1 28. Bb3 Rxd1+ 29. Bxd1 Rd8 {and Black should
hold this position fairly simply thanks to his active pieces.}) 27... Nb4 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} 28. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Rxd1+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} 29. Bxd1 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} Nxa2 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 30. Rxb6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nc3 {[%emt 0:
00:17]} 31. Bf3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} f5 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 32. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:41]}
Rd8 {[%emt 0:01:22]} 33. Rc6 {[%emt 0:01:35]} Ne4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 34. Bxe4 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} fxe4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 35. Rc4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} f5 {[%emt 0:00:
14]} 36. g4 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Rd2 {[%emt 0:00:34]} 37. gxf5 {[%emt 0:00:15]} e3
{[%emt 0:00:08]} 38. Re4 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Rxf2+ {[%emt 0:00:07]} 39. Kg3 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} Rxf5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Anand +3-1=7"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2014.11.15"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B41"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Kasimdzhanov,R"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2014.11.08"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This game has already entered chess history, and not in a good way. Hardly
any other game caused so much astonishment, and left even experts so perplexed.
Mutual blunders shocked the public at large; a strange opening choice from
Vishy left me, amongst others, struggling for an explanation.} 1. e4 {[%emt 0:
00:04]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:06] The
same opening choice from Anand as in game 4, but...} 3. d4 $1 {[%emt 0:00:15]
This time Magnus is prepared!} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 4. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:02]}
a6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 5. c4 {[%emt 0:00:43] A very popular move these days,
alternatives are 5.Bd3 and 5.Nc3.} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 6. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:10]}
Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:08] Quite natural, but in fact not the most solid continuation.
} (6... Qc7 7. a3 b6 {leads to pretty normal Hedgehog positions} (7... Nxe4 8.
Nxe4 Qe5 {is very risky for Black})) 7. Qd3 {[%emt 0:01:34]} Nc6 $6 {[%emt 0:
00:15] Vishy choosing this line is rather odd - Black gets a passive position
without any counterplay.} (7... Qc7 8. a3 Bxc3+ 9. Qxc3 Nxe4 10. Nb5 $1 {
is just bad for Black: 1-0 (31) Nepomniachtchi,I (2730)-Svidler,P (2753) Dubai
2014}) ({But} 7... d5 {is a pretty good move, with decent chances to equalize.}
) 8. Nxc6 {[%emt 0:02:24]} dxc6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 9. Qxd8+ {[%emt 0:03:23]} Kxd8
{[%emt 0:00:41]} 10. e5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:01:28]} (10... Ne4 {
looks more active: after} 11. a3 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 b6 13. Be3 Kc7 14. Bd3 Nc5 (
14... Nxc3 15. a4 b5 {feels quite risky too}) 15. Bc2 a5 16. O-O-O Ba6 17. Rd4
{isn't as bad for Black as the game, but still kind of sad.}) 11. Bf4 {[%emt 0:
02:58]} (11. f4 {gives Black counterplay} f6 12. exf6 Nxf6 (12... gxf6 $5))
11... Bxc3+ {[%emt 0:09:17]} 12. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:29]} Kc7 {[%emt 0:00:33]} 13.
h4 {[%emt 0:03:55]} b6 {[%emt 0:01:21]} (13... h5 14. Rh3 {and maybe Black is
just no longer in time to defend f7.}) 14. h5 {[%emt 0:01:38]} h6 $6 {[%emt 0:
07:45] Very understandable, but in fact a rather risky approach.} ({Letting
the white pawn get to h6 after} 14... Bb7 15. h6 g6 {does not look great, but
in fact Black has only one weakness to defend now, the pawn on f7, and he
might be able to do it.} 16. O-O-O c5 17. Rh4 Rhf8 18. Bg3 Rae8 {and I don't
see how White should progress here.}) 15. O-O-O {[%emt 0:03:58]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:
01:18]} 16. Rd3 {[%emt 0:02:04]} c5 {[%emt 0:07:41]} 17. Rg3 {[%emt 0:01:41]}
Rag8 {[%emt 0:01:39]} 18. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:45]} Nf8 {[%emt 0:04:29] Now we can
take stock of what has happened - Black is passive and worse; or, as Kramnik
nicely put it, the starting position in chess is not so bad for Black that he
should go for something like this :)} 19. Be3 {[%emt 0:01:26]} g6 {[%emt 0:10:
20] Black just can't allow Rh4-g4.} (19... Nd7 20. Rh4 Nxe5 21. Bf4 f6 22. Rhg4
{is no improvement.}) 20. hxg6 {[%emt 0:02:49]} Nxg6 {[%emt 0:03:20]} 21. Rh5 {
[%emt 0:00:34]} Bc6 {[%emt 0:06:24]} 22. Bc2 {[%emt 0:02:55]} Kb7 {[%emt 0:04:
17] So far White has played immaculately, but around here strange things start
happening.} 23. Rg4 {[%emt 0:08:35] In fact the rook is pretty vulnarable here,
and does not do very much at all.} (23. Kd2 Ne7 $1 24. Rxg8 Rxg8 25. g3 Bf3 26.
Rxh6 Rd8+ 27. Kc1 {Black is still fighting here, but White should convert in
the long run} (27. Ke1 Nc6)) 23... a5 {[%emt 0:05:45]} (23... Ne7 24. Rxg8 Rxg8
25. g3 Bf3 26. Rxh6 Ng6 {is similar to the previous line.}) 24. Bd1 {[%emt 0:
01:37]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:05:17]} 25. Bc2 {[%emt 0:03:46]} Rdg8 {[%emt 0:02:23]} 26.
Kd2 $4 {[%emt 0:01:03] A move that should have changed modern chess history.
White really needs to centralise his king, but it would be nice to achieve it
without blundering all his pawns.} (26. Kd1 Nf8 $1 27. Rf4 Be8 {is suddenly
awkward for White}) (26. Rg3 $5 {might be the best; although it becomes clear,
that White lost a lot of time, shuffling his pieces around.}) 26... a4 $4 {
[%emt 0:01:00] As they say, "returning the favour". I can't think of any other
example, where Vishy with loads of time on his clock had failed to spot
tactics that simple.} (26... Nxe5 $1 27. Rxg8 Nxc4+ 28. Ke2 Rxg8 29. g3 Nxe3
30. Kxe3 Bd5 {with a reasonably simple techical task.}) 27. Ke2 {[%emt 0:01:31]
Back in control.} a3 {[%emt 0:02:42]} 28. f3 {[%emt 0:01:20]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:09:
34]} 29. Ke1 {[%emt 0:08:04]} (29. Bxg6 fxg6 30. Rxg6 Ba4 31. Rxe6 Bc2 {
feels less clear than White would ideally like.}) 29... Rd7 {[%emt 0:01:18]}
30. Bc1 {[%emt 0:01:58]} Ra8 {[%emt 0:03:54]} 31. Ke2 {[%emt 0:08:42]} Ba4 {
[%emt 0:00:25]} 32. Be4+ {[%emt 0:02:26]} Bc6 $2 {[%emt 0:00:09] The last of
so many mistakes in this game.} ({After} 32... Ka7 $1 33. Bxa8 Kxa8 34. Bxa3 (
34. Rh1 Bc2) 34... Rd1 35. Rxh6 Ra1 {Black gets a surprising ammount of
counterplay} 36. Ke3 $1 {perhaps the best, but far from simple} (36. Rh7 Rxa2+
$13) (36. Rg5 Rxa2+ 37. Ke1 Nf4 (37... Rxa3 38. Rh7 $16) 38. Bc1 Nd3+ 39. Kf1
Bb3 (39... Nxc1 40. Rg7) 40. Rg7 Bxc4 41. Kg1 Kb7 42. Rxf7+ Kc6 43. Bg5 Rc2 {
is a mess}) 36... Nxe5 37. Rg7 Nxc4+ 38. Kf4 Nd6 39. Ke5 Rd1 40. Bc1 {and
White will prevail, probably :)}) 33. Bxg6 {[%emt 0:01:27]} fxg6 {[%emt 0:00:
19]} 34. Rxg6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Ba4 {[%emt 0:05:18]} 35. Rxe6 {[%emt 0:03:43]}
Rd1 {[%emt 0:04:02]} 36. Bxa3 {[%emt 0:02:10]} Ra1 {[%emt 0:01:53]} 37. Ke3 {
[%emt 0:01:55]} Bc2 {[%emt 0:03:43]} 38. Re7+ {[%emt 0:00:36] Luck always
favours the winner.} Ka6 39. Rxh6 Rxa2 40. Bxc5 1-0

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Anand +3-1=7"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2014.11.17"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Kasimdzhanov,R"]
[PlyCount "243"]
[EventDate "2014.11.08"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 4. O-O {[%emt 0:
00:10]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 5. d4 {[%emt 0:00:06] After a very sucessful
Anti-Berlin in game 2, Magnus switches to the main line.} Nd6 {[%emt 0:00:07]}
6. Bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:15]} dxc6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 7. dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Nf5 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} 8. Qxd8+ {[%emt 0:00:09]} Kxd8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 9. h3 {[%emt 0:
00:09]} Ke8 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 10. Nc3 {[%emt 0:03:15]} h5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 11.
Bf4 {[%emt 0:01:20]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 12. Rad1 {[%emt 0:02:15]} Be6 {
[%emt 0:01:04] The very main line these days; Black is solid, but does not
usually get many chances to win the game, and has to know his defences quite
exactly.} 13. Ng5 {[%emt 0:00:57]} Rh6 {[%emt 0:00:52]} 14. g3 {[%emt 0:01:30]}
(14. Rfe1 {is the main alternative, played by Vishy himself. Black had to
suffer to get a draw after} Bb4 15. g4 hxg4 16. hxg4 Ne7 17. Nxe6 Rxe6 18. Kg2
Bxc3 19. bxc3 Rd8 20. Rxd8+ Kxd8 21. Rh1 Nd5 22. Bg3 g5 23. c4 Nc3 24. Kf3 Rg6
25. a3 Na4 26. Ke4 Nc5+ 27. Kf5 Ne6 28. Rh8+ Kd7 29. c3 Ng7+ 30. Ke4 Ne6 31. f3
c5 32. Bf2 a6 33. Be3 b6 {in the game Anand,V (2770)-Karjakin,S (2766)
Khanty-Mansiysk 2014.}) 14... Bxg5 {[%emt 0:04:25] An introduction to the very
forced sequence.} 15. Bxg5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Rg6 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 16. h4 {
[%emt 0:00:57]} f6 {[%emt 0:00:29]} 17. exf6 {[%emt 0:00:21]} gxf6 {[%emt 0:00:
07]} 18. Bf4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Nxh4 {[%emt 0:00:41]} 19. f3 {[%emt 0:02:20]} Rd8
{[%emt 0:00:45]} 20. Kf2 {[%emt 0:01:08]} Rxd1 {[%emt 0:00:41]} 21. Nxd1 {
[%emt 0:00:19]} Nf5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 22. Rh1 {[%emt 0:00:48]} Bxa2 $1 {[%emt 0:
01:15] The point.} ({After} 22... Ng7 23. Ne3 {[%cal Ge3g2,Gg2h4] the rook on
g6 is in serious trouble.}) 23. Rxh5 {[%emt 0:00:13]} (23. b3 $2 Bb1) 23... Be6
{[%emt 0:00:12]} 24. g4 {[%emt 0:00:38]} (24. Bxc7 Rh6 {is just a draw.}) 24...
Nd6 {[%emt 0:05:03]} 25. Rh7 {[%emt 0:01:18]} Nf7 {[%emt 0:10:27] Only this
move is new, but in fact White's initiative is still quite nasty.} ({The
previous game saw} 25... f5 26. g5 (26. Rxc7 $1 {might be what Magnus had in
mind} Nb5 27. gxf5 Bxf5 28. Rxb7 Bxc2 29. Ne3 {there is not much material left,
but Black is in trouble because of his weak king and White's marching f-pawn})
26... Nf7 27. Rh5 Rg8 28. Kg3 Rh8 {led to an eventual draw in Giri,A (2768)
-Radjabov,T (2726) Tashkent 2014.}) 26. Ne3 {[%emt 0:01:45] Black is a pawn up,
but his position suffers from a serious lack of coordination; especially the
rook on g6 is out of play.} Kd8 {[%emt 0:08:54]} 27. Nf5 {[%emt 0:01:47]} c5 {
[%emt 0:05:33]} 28. Ng3 {[%emt 0:01:52] Around here Vishy sank into deep
thought; his position is quite precarious.} Ne5 $1 {[%emt 0:27:31] When played,
this looked like a major concession, but now I realise that, at least
practically speaking, this must be the correct choice. Alternatives look scary
over the board:} (28... Kd7 29. Nh5 Kc6 30. Be3 (30. Bxc7 Kxc7 31. Nf4 Rh6 32.
Nxe6+ Kd6 33. Rxf7 Kxe6 34. Rxb7 Rh2+ 35. Ke3 Rxc2 $11) 30... Ba2 $3 {but
clearly, nobody can see such lines over the board :)}) 29. Rh8+ {[%emt 0:24:53]
} Rg8 {[%emt 0:09:25]} 30. Bxe5 {[%emt 0:04:26]} fxe5 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 31. Rh5
{[%emt 0:00:08]} Bxg4 $1 {[%emt 0:05:05]} (31... Rf8 32. Ke3 Bd5 33. Ne4 Bxe4
34. Kxe4 {might be just lost} Rf4+ 35. Ke3 Rb4 36. Rxe5 Rxb2 37. Rxc5) 32. fxg4
{[%emt 0:00:31]} Rxg4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 33. Rxe5 {[%emt 0:00:30]} b6 {[%emt 0:
02:06] I spent some time looking at this ending; most probably it's drawn;
White's only chance is to go for c4, Nd5 and Re7, but before that Magnus
decides to shuffle around for a while.} 34. Ne4 {[%emt 0:00:26]} Rh4 {[%emt 0:
01:28]} 35. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:25]} Rh6 {[%emt 0:04:13]} 36. b3 {[%emt 0:01:48]}
Kd7 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 37. Kd2 {[%emt 0:01:42]} Kc6 {[%emt 0:01:53]} 38. Nc3 {
[%emt 0:02:15]} a6 {[%emt 0:03:01]} 39. Re4 {[%emt 0:00:49]} Rh2+ {[%emt 0:00:
48]} 40. Kc1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rh1+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. Kb2 {[%emt 0:00:34]}
Rh6 {[%emt 0:04:49]} 42. Nd1 {[%emt 0:01:06]} Rg6 {[%emt 0:05:55]} 43. Ne3 {
[%emt 0:00:34]} Rh6 {[%emt 0:01:09]} 44. Re7 {[%emt 0:04:29]} Rh2 {[%emt 0:02:
44]} 45. Re6+ {[%emt 0:00:58]} Kb7 {[%emt 0:01:36]} 46. Kc3 {[%emt 0:12:38]}
Rh4 {[%emt 0:04:57]} 47. Kb2 {[%emt 0:04:24]} (47. Kd3 {was a more direct try}
Rd4+ (47... a5 48. c4 c6 49. Re7+) 48. Ke2 a5 49. c4 {and now Black has a
choice:} Rh4 (49... c6 50. Nf5 Rf4 51. Re7+ Kb8 $1 (51... Ka6 52. Nd6 a4 53.
Nc8) 52. Ne3 Rh4 53. Kd3 Rh3 54. Ke4 Rg3 55. Kf4 Rh3 {and suprisingly, even
this might not be enough for a win:} 56. Rg7 b5 57. Re7 Rh2 58. Ke5 Rd2 59. Rg7
Re2 60. Ke4 Rb2) 50. Kd3 Rh3 51. Ke4 Rh4+ 52. Ke5 Rh2 53. Re7 Rb2 54. Nd5 Rxb3
55. Rxc7+ Ka6 $1 (55... Kb8 56. Kd6) 56. Rg7 a4 57. Nc7+ Ka5 58. Nd5 Ka6 {
with a draw.}) 47... Rh2 {[%emt 0:02:33]} 48. Nd5 {[%emt 0:02:15]} Rd2 {
[%emt 0:03:02]} 49. Nf6 {[%emt 0:01:20]} Rf2 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 50. Kc3 {[%emt 0:
01:28]} Rf4 {[%emt 0:06:27]} 51. Ne4 {[%emt 0:04:36]} Rh4 {[%emt 0:05:58]} 52.
Nf2 {[%emt 0:00:59]} Rh2 {[%emt 0:01:05]} 53. Rf6 {[%emt 0:00:29]} Rh7 {
[%emt 0:02:15]} 54. Nd3 {[%emt 0:00:55]} Rh3 {[%emt 0:05:12]} 55. Kd2 {[%emt 0:
00:45]} Rh2+ {[%emt 0:00:07]} 56. Rf2 {[%emt 0:00:26]} Rh4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 57.
c4 {[%emt 0:00:50]} Rh3 {[%emt 0:02:02]} 58. Kc2 {[%emt 0:00:37]} Rh7 {[%emt 0:
00:07]} 59. Nb2 {[%emt 0:00:59]} Rh5 {[%emt 0:02:58]} 60. Re2 {[%emt 0:00:00]}
Rg5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 61. Nd1 {[%emt 0:04:31]} b5 $5 {[%emt 0:04:54] Vishy
changes his tactics and does not even let the knight on to d5 any more.} 62.
Nc3 {[%emt 0:02:01]} (62. Nb2 Kb6 63. Nd3 c6 64. Kc3 Rg3 {does not change much.
}) 62... c6 {[%emt 0:01:37]} 63. Ne4 {[%emt 0:03:16]} Rh5 {[%emt 0:00:46]} 64.
Nf6 {[%emt 0:01:35]} Rg5 {[%emt 0:06:30]} 65. Re7+ {[%emt 0:15:33]} Kb6 {
[%emt 0:00:16]} 66. Nd7+ {[%emt 0:12:36]} Ka5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 67. Re4 {
[%emt 0:01:29]} Rg2+ {[%emt 0:08:09]} 68. Kc1 {[%emt 0:02:59]} (68. Kc3 b4+ 69.
Kd3 Rd2+ $1 70. Kxd2 {would have a picturesque finale.}) 68... Rg1+ {[%emt 0:
01:10]} 69. Kd2 {[%emt 0:00:23]} Rg2+ {[%emt 0:00:34]} 70. Ke1 {[%emt 0:00:37]}
bxc4 $1 {[%emt 0:08:48]} 71. Rxc4 {[%emt 0:01:24]} Rg3 {[%emt 0:02:22]} 72.
Nxc5 {[%emt 0:00:45]} Kb5 {[%emt 0:00:06] A very nice idea. White's knight on
c5 is not stable, so he can't hold on to his last pawn much longer.} 73. Rc2 {
[%emt 0:00:20]} a5 {[%emt 0:02:54]} 74. Kf2 {[%emt 0:03:41]} Rh3 {[%emt 0:00:
17]} 75. Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Kb4 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 76. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:36]} Rc3
{[%emt 0:00:56]} 77. Nd3+ {[%emt 0:01:22]} Kxb3 {[%emt 0:00:07] And the
remaining moves can be skipped with a clear conscience.} 78. Ra1 {[%emt 0:00:
06]} Kc4 {[%emt 0:02:29]} 79. Nf2 {[%emt 0:02:24]} Kb5 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 80.
Rb1+ {[%emt 0:00:22]} Kc4 {[%emt 0:00:59]} 81. Ne4 {[%emt 0:00:31]} Ra3 {
[%emt 0:00:38]} 82. Nd2+ {[%emt 0:00:30]} Kd5 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 83. Rh1 {
[%emt 0:00:13]} a4 {[%emt 0:00:34]} 84. Rh5+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} Kd4 {[%emt 0:00:
51]} 85. Rh4+ {[%emt 0:00:13]} Kc5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 86. Kd1 {[%emt 0:00:23]}
Kb5 {[%emt 0:01:02]} 87. Kc2 {[%emt 0:00:27]} Rg3 {[%emt 0:01:37]} 88. Ne4 {
[%emt 0:00:23]} Rg2+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} 89. Kd3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} a3 {[%emt 0:00:
11]} 90. Nc3+ {[%emt 0:00:14]} Kb6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 91. Ra4 {[%emt 0:00:24]} a2
{[%emt 0:00:13]} 92. Nxa2 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Rg3+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} 93. Kc2 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} Rg2+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} 94. Kb3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rg3+ {[%emt 0:
00:14]} 95. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rh3 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 96. Rb4+ {[%emt 0:00:12]}
Kc7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 97. Rg4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rh7 {[%emt 0:00:33]} 98. Kc4 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} Rf7 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 99. Rg5 {[%emt 0:00:28]} Kb6 {[%emt 0:00:
37]} 100. Na4+ {[%emt 0:00:09]} Kc7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 101. Kc5 {[%emt 0:00:10]}
Kd7 {[%emt 0:00:37]} 102. Kb6 {[%emt 0:00:59]} Rf1 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 103. Nc5+ {
[%emt 0:00:08]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 104. Kxc6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Rd1 {[%emt 0:
00:08]} 105. Rg6 {[%emt 0:00:48]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 106. Rh6 {[%emt 0:00:16]
} Rg1 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 107. Kd5 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Rg5+ {[%emt 0:00:08]} 108. Kd4
{[%emt 0:00:05]} Rg6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 109. Rh1 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Rg2 {[%emt 0:
00:23]} 110. Ne4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Ra2 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 111. Rf1+ {[%emt 0:00:
17]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 112. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Rh2 {[%emt 0:00:33]} 113.
Nd5+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} Kd6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 114. Rf6+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} Kd7 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} 115. Nf4 {[%emt 0:01:37]} Rh1 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 116. Rg6 {
[%emt 0:00:25]} Rd1+ {[%emt 0:00:13]} 117. Nd3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:
00:23]} 118. Ra6 {[%emt 0:00:29]} Kd7 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 119. Ke4 {[%emt 0:00:14]
} Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 120. Rc6 {[%emt 0:02:12]} Kd7 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 121. Rc1
{[%emt 0:00:07]} Rxc1 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 122. Nxc1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Anand +3-1=7"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2014.11.18"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2014.11.08"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} e6 {[%emt 0:
00:07]} 3. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 4. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Be7
{[%emt 0:00:39]} 5. Bf4 {[%emt 0:00:13] Anand doesn't mind to repeat the same
line that brought him success in game three.} O-O {[%emt 0:00:14]} 6. e3 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:13] This used to be the main line years ago,
but nowadays is out of fashion.} ({In game three there followed} 6... Nbd7 7.
c5 {which is the main line nowadays.}) 7. dxc5 {[%emt 0:00:28]} Bxc5 {[%emt 0:
00:16]} 8. a3 {[%emt 0:00:27]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 9. Qc2 {[%emt 0:00:54]} Re8
$5 {[%emt 0:00:12] Here is what Magnus and his team unleashed. Black's idea is
to prepare e6-e5. However, as long as Black's queen stays on d8, this gives
White numerous options to press on the Pd5. The quiet rook move is very rare
and has never really appeared on the top level so far. During and after the
game there were speculations as to whether the idea 9...Re8 was a one-shot
affair, or whether it may find followers and even become a new trend in the
Queen's Gambit!? Hard to say. After a certain analysis I can conclude that
White definitely can't refute Black's setup by force, but does have chances
for a slight advantage.} (9... Qa5 {is the main move.}) 10. Bg5 $6 {[%emt 0:11:
18] White has many logical options to consider. Anand's choice is one of them,
but unfortunately for him, is not the most challenging. In future games White
needs to seek for an advantage after 10.0-0-0 or 10.b4.} (10. b4 Bd6 ({A real
mess may arise after} 10... e5 $6 11. Bg5 d4 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. Nd5 e4 14. bxc5
exf3 15. O-O-O {which seems to be in White's favour.}) 11. Bxd6 Qxd6 12. c5 (
12. Be2 dxc4 13. Bxc4 $140 Ne5 $1 $11) 12... Qe7 13. Rd1 Rd8 14. Be2 e5 15. O-O
Bg4 16. Rfe1 {This position is slightly easier to handle as White.}) (10. O-O-O
e5 (10... h6 $5 {This prophylaxics deserves more atttention. Before developing
his counterplay on the queenside, Black covers the g5-square.} 11. Bg3 (11. Kb1
e5 12. cxd5 exf4 13. dxc6 Qc7 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. Qxc5 Nf6 16. exf4 Bg4 $132) (11.
Nb5 e5 12. Bg3 a6 13. cxd5 Na5 $1 14. Nc3 Bg4 $44 {and now} 15. b4 $2 Bd6 16.
bxa5 $2 Qxa5 {[%csl Rc1] leads to a disaster for White.}) 11... a6 $1 {Another
useful prophylactic move.} ({After} 11... Qa5 $6 12. Nb5 {is unpleasant.}) 12.
Kb1 Be7 13. Bh4 Bd7 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. cxd5 Na5 $1 16. dxe6 Rxe6 17. Rd5 Rc8 18.
Nd4 Re5 19. Rxe5 Bxe5 {with decent compensation.}) 11. Bg5 (11. cxd5 $6 exf4
12. dxc6 Qc7 {is fine for Black.}) 11... d4 12. Nd5 Be7 13. Nxe7+ Qxe7 14. exd4
Nxd4 (14... Bg4 15. dxe5 (15. d5 $6 Nd4 16. Qd3 Bxf3 17. gxf3 b5 $1 $44) 15...
Nxe5 16. Be2 b5 $5 (16... h6 17. Be3 $14) 17. Rhe1 bxc4 18. Bxc4 Bxf3 19. gxf3
Qc7 20. Be2 $14) 15. Nxd4 exd4 16. Rxd4 (16. Kb1 h6 17. Bh4 $14) 16... Qe5 17.
Be3 b5 18. c5 Bf5 19. Bd3 Rac8 20. b4 Bxd3 21. Rxd3 $14 {1-0 (39) Lalith,B 
(2569)-Thejkumar,M (2452) Jalgaon 2013}) (10. Rd1 e5 11. Bg5 d4 12. Nd5 Be7 13.
Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Bd3 g6 15. Nxf6+ Qxf6 16. O-O Bg4 $11 {1/2-1/2 (30) Romanov,S 
(2535)-Dibley,E (2463) ICCF email 2010}) ({In case of} 10. cxd5 exd5 11. Be2 {
Black can equalise by} d4 12. Rd1 Bg4 13. O-O Qe7 14. Na4 Bxf3 15. Bxf3 dxe3 $1
16. Nxc5 e2 17. Bxe2 Qxe2 $11) 10... Be7 $1 {[%emt 0:02:07] Magnus answered
quickly, clearly showing that Anand's reply had also been under thorough
investigation.} (10... d4 11. O-O-O e5 {would transpose to the line 10.0-0-0
e5 11.Bg5 d4 mentioned above.}) 11. Rd1 {[%emt 0:07:43]} (11. cxd5 Nxd5 12.
Bxe7 Qxe7 $11) (11. O-O-O Bd7 {is also perfectly playable for Black.} (11...
Qa5 $6 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. cxd5 {Here White's knight is not pinned, so White
wins a pawn.}) {It is now very risky for White to grab the pawn:} 12. Bxf6 $6
Bxf6 13. cxd5 exd5 14. Rxd5 Rc8 $36) 11... Qa5 {[%emt 0:01:00] Pinning the
knight, so now the Pd5 is protected.} 12. Bd3 {[%emt 0:06:50] Officially, only
this is a novelty. At first sight it looks like an improvement, but Carlsen
proves that Black has good grounds for keeping the balance.} (12. Be2 Ne4 13.
cxd5 Nxc3 14. Qxc3 Qxc3+ 15. bxc3 exd5 16. Bxe7 Nxe7 17. Nd4 Bd7 $11 {0-1 (66)
Correa de Almeida,C (1742)-Manheimer,G (1967) Lechenicher SchachServer 2010})
12... h6 {[%emt 0:00:34]} 13. Bh4 {[%emt 0:00:24]} dxc4 {[%emt 0:02:23]} (13...
a6 {was also possible and after} 14. O-O (14. cxd5 Nxd5 15. Bxe7 Ncxe7 $11)
14... dxc4 15. Bxc4 {could lead to the same position by a different order of
moves.}) 14. Bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:14]} a6 {[%emt 0:02:32]} 15. O-O {[%emt 0:07:30]}
b5 {[%emt 0:01:40]} 16. Ba2 {[%emt 0:07:59]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:00:53]} 17. Bb1 {
[%emt 0:03:35]} (17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. Ne4 (18. Rd7 Re7 $11) 18... Be7 19. Rd7 (19.
Nc5 Bxc5 20. Qxc5 Red8 $11) 19... Qb6 20. Bb1 g6 {White doesn't have enough
resources to create serious threats, his activity is temporary. For instance:
after} 21. h4 Rac8 {Black has no problems.}) 17... Rad8 $1 {[%emt 0:01:09] A
cold-blooded reply, showing that White's battery along the diagonal b1-h7 is
not so frightening.} 18. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:09:36]} Bxf6 {[%emt 0:00:37]} 19. Ne4 {
[%emt 0:04:31]} (19. Qh7+ $6 {is just a single check.} Kf8 {Black's king has a
safe shelter on e7. Meanwhile, White's queenside is under pressure.}) 19... Be7
{[%emt 0:00:10]} 20. Nc5 {[%emt 0:08:02]} Bxc5 {[%emt 0:00:40]} 21. Qxc5 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} b4 $1 {[%emt 0:05:00] After the exchange of queens the game
peters out.} 22. Rc1 {[%emt 0:05:11]} (22. Qxa5 Nxa5 23. axb4 Nc4 24. b3 Bxf3
25. Rxd8 (25. gxf3 $4 Nd2 $19) 25... Rxd8 26. bxc4 Be2 27. Rc1 Bxc4 $11) 22...
bxa3 {[%emt 0:03:27]} 23. bxa3 {[%emt 0:00:19]} Qxc5 {[%emt 0:01:36]} 24. Rxc5
{[%emt 0:00:14]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:01:56]} 25. Rfc1 {[%emt 0:03:42]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:
00:28]} (25... Bxf3 {is possible, but I wouldn't recommend it.} {After} 26.
gxf3 {White's bishop is slightly superior to the knight and the Pa6 may become
a target.}) 26. Bd3 {[%emt 0:01:57]} Red8 {[%emt 0:01:15]} 27. Rxc8 {[%emt 0:
02:28]} Rxc8 {[%emt 0:01:53]} 28. Rxc8+ {[%emt 0:04:58]} Nxc8 {[%emt 0:00:02]}
29. Nd2 {[%emt 0:01:41]} Nb6 {[%emt 0:01:06]} 30. Nb3 {[%emt 0:02:03]} Nd7 {
[%emt 0:00:14] Covering the c5-square and parrying White's last attempt to
squeeze something out of nothing.} 31. Na5 {[%emt 0:02:28]} Bc8 {[%emt 0:00:35]
} 32. Kf1 {[%emt 0:01:27]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:01:11]} 33. Ke1 {[%emt 0:00:22]} Ke7 {
[%emt 0:06:03]} 34. Kd2 {[%emt 0:01:31]} Kd6 {[%emt 0:03:16]} 35. Kc3 {[%emt 0:
00:30]} Ne5 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 36. Be2 {[%emt 0:00:32]} Kc5 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 37.
f4 {[%emt 0:02:25]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:01:17]} 38. Nxc6 {[%emt 0:01:41]} Kxc6 {
[%emt 0:00:02]} 39. Kd4 {[%emt 0:00:39]} f6 {[%emt 0:00:37] Black has a safe
fortress.} 40. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kd6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. e5+ {[%emt 0:01:07]
A success for Magnus neutralising one of Anand's last games as White in the
match.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Anand +3-1=7"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2014.11.20"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2014.11.08"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 4. O-O {[%emt 0:
00:09]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 5. d4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nd6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 6.
Bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} dxc6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 7. dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Nf5 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} 8. Qxd8+ {[%emt 0:00:08]} Kxd8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 9. h3 {[%emt 0:
00:06] This has been Carlsen's constant choice in this match.} Ke8 {[%emt 0:00:
10]} ({In the next Berlin game, Anand deviated with} 9... Bd7 $5 {Carlsen,M 
(2863)-Anand,V (2792) Sochi 2014 CBM 164 [Nielsen,PH] (1-0, 45). From the
course of the game this proved an attempt to level the score and, to a certain
point, quite a consistent one.}) 10. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} h5 {[%emt 0:00:09] A
logical reaction to White's unmasked intentions to gain kingside space with
g2-g4.} ({But the plan of developing the queen's bishop in the fianchetto is
possible without paying attention to the kingside, as in the recent game} 10...
b6 11. Rd1 Bb7 {Grischuk,A (2797)-Andreikin,D (2722) Baku 2014 CBM 163 [Marin,
M] (1/2-1/2, 77)}) 11. Ne2 {[%emt 0:00:37]} ({Carlsen is the first to deviate
from the previous Berlin game, in which, rather non-typically, his opening
preparation was better than Anand's, and quite impressively so!} 11. Bf4 {
Carlsen,M (2863)-Anand,V (2792) Sochi 2014 CBM 164 [Kasimdzhanov,R] (1/2-1/2,
122)}) 11... b6 {[%emt 0:00:59];Caruana,F (2801)-Negi,P (2645) Tromso ol (Men)
41st 2014 (3.1) 1-0 This is a generally useful move in the Berlin Defence.
Black prepares to place his queenside pawns on dark squares in order to
restrict the enemy bishop and ensure the highest mobility of his light-squared
bishop. A good example of what can happen if Black does not stick to this
policy is offered by the game} ({The most popular move in this still not that
heavily explored position is} 11... Be7 12. Re1 (12. Bg5 {Carlsen,M (2772)
-Jakovenko,D (2760) Dortmund 2009 CBM 131 [Mueller,Karsten] (1-0, 49)}) 12...
Nh4 13. Nxh4 Bxh4 14. Nd4 Be7 15. Bf4 g5 16. Bh2 Rh6 17. Rad1 a6 {[%csl Rb5]
[%cal Gc6c5]} 18. e6 Bxe6 19. Bxc7 c5 20. Nxe6 Rxe6 21. Rxe6 fxe6 22. Be5 $14 {
This is the kind of position which may not be too pleasant to play with Black,
but does not guarantee White very clear winning chances, Sutovsky,E (2642)
-Bacrot,E (2721) Poikovsky 2014 (1/2-1/2, 33). Still, it does not look like
something one would like to get against Carlsen!}) 12. Rd1 {[%emt 0:04:43]
White hurries to take the control over the open file, but this will lead tu
unnatural development.} (12. Bf4 c5 13. Rad1 {looks more harmonious, since the
king's rook basically belongs on e1, but after} Bb7 14. Ng5 Rh6 {Black managed
to regroup in time in McShane,L (2645)-Kramnik,V (2791) London 2010 CBM 140 
[Postny,E] (1/2-1/2, 139)}) ({The main threat created by the last move is
occupying the d4-square with the knight(s). Its immediate occupation would be
premature:} 12. Nfd4 Nxd4 13. Nxd4 c5 $1 14. Nb5 Kd7 $1 {[%cal Gd7c6] This is
why White needs controlling the d-file!}) 12... Ba6 $5 {[%emt 0:02:50]} ({If} 
12... Bb7 13. Nfd4 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 {White has some chances of retaining the
initiative.} Be7 (14... c5 $2 15. Nb5 $16) 15. Bf4 (15. Nf5 Bc8 16. Nxe7 Kxe7
17. Bg5+ Ke6 18. g4 hxg4 19. hxg4 Bb7 20. Kg2 c5+ 21. f3 Rh7 $132 {Volokitin,A
(2722)-Hracek,Z (2615) Austria 2013 (1/2-1/2, 31)}) 15... Rd8 16. Nf5 Rxd1+ 17.
Rxd1 Bc8 18. Nxe7 Kxe7 19. Bg5+ Ke6 20. Bd8 Kxe5 21. Bxc7+ Kf5 22. Bb8 a6 23.
Ba7 b5 24. Rd6 Rh6 25. Rd8 Be6 26. b3 Bd5 27. f3 a5 28. Bd4 Re6 {Grischuk,A 
(2763)-Jakovenko,D (2722) Moscow 2012 (1/2-1/2, 87). White retains only a
symbolic advantage based on his active pieces. This should not be enough to
counter-balance the drawish tendency yielded by the opposite bishops.}) 13. Nf4
{[%emt 0:13:35]} ({With the b5-square over-protected,} 13. Ned4 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 {
is not dangerous due to} c5 $1 {for instance:} 15. Nf5 Be2 16. Rd2 Bc4 17. Ne3
Be6 18. Nd5 Rc8 19. b3 c6 20. Ne3 Rd8 21. Rxd8+ Kxd8 22. Bb2 g6 23. Rd1+ Kc7
24. f3 Bh6 25. Kf2 a5 26. a4 b5 $132 {Kurnosov,I (2676)-Karjakin,S (2760)
Moscow 2010 CBM 140 [Ftacnik,L] (0-1, 63)}) 13... Bb7 $5 $146 {[%emt 0:06:08]
This aparent loss of time is not without logic. After accomplishing the
mission of avoiding Ned4, the bishop was not doing much on a6, being also
exposed to a4-a5. The last move prepares its activating with a well-timed ...
c6-c5.} (13... Rd8 14. Bd2 (14. Rxd8+ $1 Kxd8 15. e6 fxe6 16. Ne5 $44) 14...
Nd4 (14... Bc8 $5) 15. Nxd4 Rxd4 16. a4 Bc8 (16... g5 $1 {[%csl Rf4][%cal
Ga6e2]} 17. a5 gxf4 18. axb6 axb6 19. Rxa6 Bg7 $11 {[%cal Gd4d1]}) 17. a5 $36 {
Dominguez Perez,L (2726)-Ponomariov,R (2741) Leon 2012 (1-0, 66)}) 14. e6 {
[%emt 0:16:00] White cannot achieve much with such a radical move while his
development is incomplete as yet. But this mainly means that Anand's novelty
was a good antidote to 13.Rd1.} ({If} 14. b3 {, hoping to catch up in
development, Black can start fighting for kingside space:} Be7 15. Bb2 (15. e6
g5 {is similar.}) 15... g5 $1 16. e6 Rh6 $1 (16... f6 $6 17. Ng6 Rh6 18. Nxe7
Nxe7 19. h4 $36 {Black is weak on the dark squares.}) 17. exf7+ Kxf7 18. Ne2 (
18. Ne5+ Kg8) 18... c5 $13) 14... Bd6 {[%emt 0:01:20] The simplest solution.
The best way of maintaining the lead in development is... making a developing
move!} ({Black is not prepared for the over-ambitious} 14... f6 $2 {, hoping
to win the e6-pawn:} 15. Rd7 Bd6 16. Ng6 Rg8 17. Bf4 $1 {Suddenly, Black
cannot hold his position anymore.} Bc8 18. g4 $1 hxg4 19. hxg4 Nh6 20. Bxd6
Bxd7 21. exd7+ Kf7 {The last hope for avoiding material losses:} 22. Bxc7 Kxg6
23. Nd4 $1 Rad8 24. Bxd8 Rxd8 25. Ne6 $18 {Ironically, it is the king's
position that dooms Black. But the king HAD to capture the knight on d6...}) ({
There is no clear refutation to} 14... fxe6 {White surely has a strong
initiative for the pawn, but Black's ability to defend his centre with the
help of the king should not be underestimated, for instance:} 15. Ng6 Rg8 16.
Bf4 c5 17. Ng5 Bd6 18. Rd3 Kd7 19. Rad1 Bd5 (19... h4 $5) 20. b3 Rae8 {Black
has completed his development and the dangers are not too obvious.} 21. c4 Ba8
22. Nf7 (22. g4 Nd4 $15) 22... Nd4 23. Rxd4 {Less effective than it may look
at first sight.} cxd4 24. Rxd4 e5 $3 {A strong defence, clearing the e-file
for the rook.} 25. Bxe5 Kc8 26. Bxd6 (26. Nxd6+ cxd6 27. Bxd6 Re4 {[%cal Gg8d8]
} 28. Rxe4 Bxe4 29. Nf4 Kd7 $15) 26... Re1+ $1 {This is the point! The rook
escapes the fork with gain of time, using the open e-file.} 27. Kh2 cxd6 28.
Nxd6+ Kb8 29. Nf4 h4 $13 {White may be able to prove his compensation for the
exchange, but only Black could play for a win already. WHite will face
problems defending both his wings against the attack of the enemy rook(s).})
15. exf7+ {[%emt 0:10:08]} ({Keeping the tension with} 15. Re1 {could already
be met with} f6 {(not the only move, but quite an ambitious one, endangering
the far advanced pawn).}) 15... Kxf7 {[%emt 0:00:16][%cal Ga8e8,Gh5h4,Gc6c5]
Black is well developed and has a clear plan of strengthening his position.
Little wonder that, behind in development but leading on the score table,
Carlsen decides to force a draw.} 16. Ng5+ {[%emt 0:00:12]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:16]
} 17. Ne4+ {[%emt 0:00:10]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 18. Ng5+ {[%emt 0:01:32] 92}
Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:50]} 19. Ne4+ {[%emt 0:00:12]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 20. Ng5+ {
[%emt 0:00:06]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Anand +3-1=7"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2014.11.21"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D97"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2014.11.08"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} g6 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} 3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 4. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bg7
{[%emt 0:00:08]} 5. Qb3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} dxc4 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 6. Qxc4 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:14]} 7. e4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Na6 {[%emt 0:00:33]
} 8. Be2 {[%emt 0:00:35]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 9. d5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} e6 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} 10. O-O {[%emt 0:00:16]} exd5 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 11. exd5 {
[%emt 0:00:12]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:35]} 12. Bg5 {[%emt 0:11:40] A relatively rare
but promising idea posing new problems to the adherents of the 7...Na6 system.
White provokes ...h7-h6, which will later allow him to gain a tempo when his
queen will be forced to retreat to c1.} h6 {[%emt 0:03:02]} (12... Qb6 13. Qh4
Bf5 14. Bb5 Bd7 15. Bc4 Nb4 16. Rad1 $16 {[%cal Yd5d6] 1-0 (21) Limp,E (2440)
-Rosa,C (2223) Rio de Janeiro 2006}) 13. Be3 {[%emt 0:01:35]} (13. Bxf6 $6 {
makes no sense:} Qxf6 14. Rad1 Bd7 15. Rfe1 (15. Rd2 Rab8 16. a4 Qb6 17. d6 Nb4
18. Qb3 Rbd8 19. Bc4 Be6 20. Rfd1 Rd7 $132 {[%csl Rd6] 0-1 (37) Jakobsen,O 
(2410)-Welin,T (2215) Copenhagen 1980}) 15... Qb6 16. Rd2 Rad8 17. a3 Qa5 18.
Bf1 Rxe1 19. Nxe1 b5 $36 {1/2 (38) Oll,L (2405)-Gavrikov,V (2550) Tallinn 1985}
) (13. Bh4 Qb6 (13... g5 $5) 14. a3 (14. Rfd1 Bf5) 14... Bf5 15. Bd3 Bxd3 16.
Qxd3 Qxb2 17. Ra2 Qb6 18. Rb1 c4 19. Qxc4 Rac8 20. Qf1 Qc5 $36 {1/2 (41)
Szczechowicz,B (2275)-Miton,K (2375) Trzebinia 1998}) (13. Bf4 $5 Bf5 (13... g5
$5 14. Bg3 Nh5 {is probably better}) 14. Ne5 (14. Rad1 Ne4 15. Bd3 Nd6 16. Bxd6
Bxd3 17. Rxd3 Qxd6 18. a3 Nc7 19. Rfd1 b6 20. Ne4 Qd7 21. Nc3 Rad8 22. h3 Qd6
23. a4 {1/2 (23) Bolbochan,J-Pilnik,H Mar del Plata 1950}) 14... Qb6 (14... Nd7
$5 15. Nxd7 Qxd7) 15. d6 Be6 16. Qd3 Qb4 17. Qd2 g5 18. Bg3 c4 19. f4 $16 {
1-0 (28) Antoshin,V-Kozma,J Sochi 1963}) 13... Bf5 {[%emt 0:02:29]} 14. Rad1 {
[%emt 0:07:06]} Ne4 {[%emt 0:02:40]} (14... Qb6 {didn't solve Black's problems
in the following correspondence game:} 15. Rd2 ({but not} 15. b3 Rad8 16. Rd2
$6 Ng4 17. Bf4 Qa5 18. Rc1 {0-1 (67) Wojtaszek,R (2713)-Ponomariov,R (2729)
Poikovsky 2012} b5 $1 19. Qxb5 Bxc3 20. Qxa6 g5 $1 $17) 15... Rac8 16. h3 Ne4
17. Nxe4 Rxe4 18. Qc1 Ree8 19. Bc4 Qd6 20. Re2 g5 21. h4 f6 22. Rfe1 Nc7 23.
Bb3 b6 24. Nd2 Kh8 25. Nc4 Qd7 26. hxg5 hxg5 27. d6 $16 {1-0 (46) Langeveld,R 
(2696)-Schuster,P (2451) ICCF email 2010}) 15. Nxe4 {[%emt 0:02:11]} Bxe4 {
[%emt 0:10:55]} (15... Rxe4 16. Qc1 {[%cal Re3h6,Yd5d6]}) 16. Qc1 {[%emt 0:12:
38] This retreat is now unnecessary as the queen is not attacked.} (16. d6 $142
$1 $36 {[%csl Gd6]}) 16... Qf6 {[%emt 0:05:49] Black immediately exploits
White's inaccuracy. Still, he can't reach full equality.} (16... Kh7 $143 17.
d6 $1) 17. Bxh6 {[%emt 0:09:45]} Qxb2 {[%emt 0:00:30]} (17... Bxd5 {
(recommended by GM M.Golubev)} 18. Rxd5 Rxe2 19. Rd7 $5 (19. Bxg7 Kxg7 20. Rd7
Re7 $11) 19... Qxb2 20. Bxg7 Qxc1 21. Rxc1 Kxg7 22. Rxb7 {[%cal Rf3g5]} Rae8 $1
$14) 18. Qxb2 {[%emt 0:13:47]} Bxb2 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 19. Ng5 $1 {[%emt 0:08:07]
} Bd4 $1 {[%emt 0:33:49][%csl Gd4]} 20. Nxe4 {[%emt 0:14:02]} Rxe4 {[%emt 0:00:
09]} 21. Bf3 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Re7 {[%emt 0:01:52]} 22. d6 {[%emt 0:08:08]} Rd7
{[%emt 0:00:03]} 23. Bf4 {[%emt 0:00:42][%csl Gd6]} Nb4 {[%emt 0:05:55]} 24.
Rd2 $6 {[%emt 0:01:14][%mdl 32] By ceding the e-file to Black White loses
winning chances.} (24. Rfe1 $142 Rad8 {[%cal Yd7d6]} (24... Nxa2 $143 25. Re7
Rxe7 26. dxe7 Re8 27. Re1 {[%csl Ge7]}) 25. a3 (25. Re7 Kf8 $1) 25... Nc6 26.
h4 $14) 24... Re8 {[%emt 0:02:32]} 25. Rc1 {[%emt 0:05:57]} Re6 {[%emt 0:08:43]
} 26. h4 {[%emt 0:01:25]} Be5 {[%emt 0:04:58]} 27. Bxe5 {[%emt 0:01:45]} Rxe5
$11 {[%emt 0:00:02] Now White's d6-pawn can become weak. Vishy Anand decides
to force a draw.} 28. Bxb7 {[%emt 0:03:39]} Rxb7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 29. d7 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 30. d8=Q+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nxd8 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} 31. Rxd8+ {[%emt 0:00:12]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 32. Rd2 {[%emt 0:01:01]
} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Anand +3-1=7"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2014.11.23"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2014.11.08"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{With the score being 51/2-41/2 to Carlsen with 2 games to go, the match has
reached its crucial moment. Yet still there maybe was an expectation of
silence before the storm? A draw in this game at first seemed like a good
result for both, as Carlsen would guarantee himself a playoff, while Anand
could gamble everything with the white pieces in game 12. In tournaments
situations might often arise in which both player have mutual interests in a
draw, but in matches it is important to remember that what is good for your
oppenent, is bad for you! The discussions about the right strategy in these
situations reflect that its probably a very close decision, with no obvious
"correct" answer. In Brissago 2004, against Leko, Kramnik choose the Benoni as
Black, in order to gamble, while here Anand choose the Berlin, seemingly happy
to make a draw.} 1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:
06]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 4. O-O {
[%emt 0:00:09]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 5. d4 {[%emt 0:01:03] Carlsen hesitated
here for a few minutes, possibly contemplating the safer 5.Re1, as employed in
Chennai a year before, succesfully drawing and thus preserving his lead. There
however he was on +2, making a draw even more valuable.} Nd6 {[%emt 0:00:07]}
6. Bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:13]} dxc6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 7. dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nf5 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} 8. Qxd8+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} Kxd8 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 9. h3 {[%emt 0:
00:08]} Bd7 $5 {[%emt 0:00:18] Anand is the first to deviate from games 7&9
where he went 9...Ke8. It might seem a bit strange that after getting into
trouble in game 7 he repeated ...Ke8, while after securing an easy draw in
game 9, he changed. However not doing the obvious, is an excellent way of
surprising, and springing this "mini" surprise, might be an indication that
despite the choice of the Berlin, he is not against a fight.} 10. Nc3 $5 {
[%emt 0:00:08] A slightly surprising decision. In the previous match in
Chennai, Anand as White choose:} (10. Rd1 {which is part of the point behind 9
h3, as now if Black wants to get his king to c8, he has to enter the
complications after 10...Kc8 11.g4 Ne7 12.Ng5 Be8 13.f4 h5. Recently however
Black has done well here, as well as the general trend in this match is Anand
welcoming, and Carlsen avoiding forced lines.} Be7 {was Carlsen's own choice
in the previous match, when he came close to winning game 4 after} 11. Nc3 (11.
g4 Nh4 12. Nxh4 Bxh4 13. Nd2 Kc8 14. Ne4 b6 15. Bg5 Bxg5 16. Nxg5 h6 17. Nxf7
Re8 18. f4 Be6 19. Nxh6 gxh6 20. f5 Bxf5 21. gxf5 Rxe5 {was drawn after a
couple of exact defensive moves by Black in Karjakin-Carlsen, Shamkir 2014.})
11... Kc8 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bxe7 Nxe7 14. Rd2 c5 15. Rad1 Be6 {with Black having
solved his opening problems in the abovementioned game 4 of the 2013 WC-match.}
) 10... h6 {[%emt 0:00:48]} 11. b3 {[%emt 0:00:32]} Kc8 {[%emt 0:01:11]} 12.
Bb2 {[%emt 0:01:12]} c5 $5 {[%emt 0:01:30] Technically speaking a very rare
move, but in harmony with the current trend in this line, that Black will play
a quick ...c5.} (12... b6 {is the original concept, played by Kramnik in the
2000 WC-match against Kasparov, who got nowhere after} 13. Rad1 Ne7 (13... c5 {
Leko's move order, and would transpose to the main game.}) 14. Ne2 Ng6 15. Ne1
h5 16. Nd3 c5 17. c4 a5 18. a4 h4 {and Kasparov both in this game, as in the
match in general, did not manage to make any headway against the Berlin.}) 13.
Rad1 {[%emt 0:04:07]} b6 {[%emt 0:01:01] Despite the slight improvement in the
move order by Anand, it has now transposed into a recent game between Kokarev
and Leko from the Russian league. With Leko being one of Anand's seconds for
the previous match, one can guess at that it was preparation for Chennai. By
controlling the d4-square, Black avoids the White tries now considered maybe
most critical after 13...b6 starting with 14.Nd4!?, however at the cost at
giving white access to the d5-square. Optically it looks like an excellent
post for a white knight, but as the game shows, things are not as simple as
that.} 14. Rfe1 {[%emt 0:10:11]} (14. Nd5 a5 15. Nd2 Ne7 $1 {Contesting the
strong knight on d5 is part of Black's plan. If 16 c4, then ...a4 gives
excellent counterplay.} 16. Ne3 Nf5 17. Nd5 Ne7 18. Ne3 Nf5 {and the game was
drawn by repetition.}) 14... Be6 $5 {[%emt 0:09:58] Bologan and Jakovenko have
played ...Ne7 here, Ponomariov ...a5. Both decent moves, but so is Anand's,
getting ready to put his king on b7, and for the time being not retreating the
knight voluntarily.} 15. Nd5 {[%emt 0:02:42]} g5 {[%emt 0:01:35] Not allowing
a white Nf4, harassing the bishop on e6. It does create a "hole" on f6, but
gains space, and makes it more difficult for White to immediately expand on
the kingside.} 16. c4 {[%emt 0:10:30]} Kb7 {[%emt 0:09:49] A very principled
position, where both players have their intended setup. White's argument will
be that space does matter, that d5 is an outpost of value, and that he can
roll forward eventually on the kingside, while Black will claim his position
is solid, and that potentially White's queenside structure soon fixed on white
squares is vulnerable.} 17. Kh2 {[%emt 0:13:27] Not hesitating, Carlsen's
prepares for expanding on the kingside.} a5 {[%emt 0:14:59]} 18. a4 {[%emt 0:
01:37] Of course weakening b3, but allowing ...a4, would give Black immediate,
counterplay.} Ne7 {[%emt 0:00:32]} 19. g4 {[%emt 0:02:23]} Ng6 {[%emt 0:06:53]
A good defensive move, taking precautions against White's plan of Kg3+h4.
However already here instead of defense, being aggressive with: 19...b5!?
would have been an interesting try, as after 20.axb5 a4 Black has serious
counterplay.} 20. Kg3 {[%emt 0:02:59]} Be7 {[%emt 0:02:16] In line with the
idea of stopping a white h4.} 21. Nd2 {[%emt 0:09:31]} ({If} 21. Nxe7 Nxe7 22.
h4 $2 {then} gxh4+ $1 {followed by 23...Rag8 when it's Black who benefits from
the immediate opening of fire on the kingside.}) 21... Rhd8 {[%emt 0:07:06]}
22. Ne4 {[%emt 0:01:51]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:00:35] An interesting position. At first
sight it looks like Black is solid, but passive, and the defining factor will
be if White is able to break through on the kingside. However as shown by the
game, Black has a powerful resource in ...b5 creating counterplay on the
queenside. Thus the task for White here is to find a prophylactic measure,
preventing ...b5 but keeping the long-term prospects on the kingside. Easier
said than done.} 23. Nef6 {[%emt 0:09:34]} ({During the game I thought} 23. Bc3
$5 {was the right move, but even there after} b5 {Black has counterplay after}
24. axb5 c6 25. bxc6+ Kxc6 {when it's not easy for White to keep Black's
potential under control. In the game it's an even more difficult task, but
Carlsen manages it extremely well!}) 23... b5 $1 {[%emt 0:09:48] A strong and
thematic move. The idea is that after 24.axb5 a4 25.bxa4 Rxa4 Black has more
than sufficient compensation for the pawn, due to the a-file and the weakness
of the pawn on c4. An even worse move is 24.cxb5 c6! 25.bxc6+ Kxc6 undermining
the knight on d5, and thus the pawn on b3 will fall. However Carlsen adapts
very well to the situation, not panicking but instead very much adapting to
the circumstance with a realistic defensive move. Despite the momentum having
swung in Anand's favour, it is however worth noting that Carlsen's chances of
winning the game have also improved. For a while Black now gets chances, the
stakes have risen, and any mistake can turn the tables, while without ...b5
both players' margin of error was bigger.} 24. Bc3 $5 {[%emt 0:08:39] Getting
out of the way of a black rook soon to be in the b-file, as well as eying the
pawn on a5 too.} bxa4 {[%emt 0:03:59]} 25. bxa4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Kc6 {[%emt 0:
00:19]} 26. Kf3 $6 {[%emt 0:07:38] Much praised and combined with 23.Nef6
maybe match winning inaccuracies! Because while objectively Black now has the
chance to get the upper hand, Carlsen does seek to put pressure on his
opponent by marching forward with his king.} Rdb8 $6 {[%emt 0:21:53] Logical,
but letting a big chance slip.} ({With} 26... Be7 $1 {Anand could have given
the match a dramatic turn. The game would not at all be decided yet, but Black
keeps a stabe edge. It might seem pardoxical that Anand would play ...Be7
earlier in this game, instead of the maybe more obvious looking ...Bg7, but
there it had the specific point of preventing a white h4. Here however looks
just strange, but has the advantage that Nh5 is not with tempo, as indeed
would be the case after ...Bg7. The tactical problem is that after} 27. Ke4
Bxf6 $1 28. exf6 Bxd5+ $1 29. cxd5+ Kd6 {it's the black king which feels safe
and comfortable in the centre, as the d5-pawn provides him excellent cover,
while its white counterpart suddenly feels very awkwardly placed. Carlsen
certainly has ways to fight on after 26...Be7, and objectively the position
most likely is drawn, but he would be facing an uphill struggle, while now
certainly all 3 results are in play.}) 27. Ke4 {[%emt 0:02:54]} Rb4 $6 {
[%emt 0:03:22] As Anand admitted at the press conference his emotions got the
better of him, and he erred first. The stakes do simply not get higher, and
the pressure on the players obviously is immense. Anand tries maximising the
pressure on Carlsen, but while it does put pressure, the move lacks just a bit
in objective quality. The idea is right, the execution however flawed.} (27...
Rb3 $1 {is the better move.} {Thus} 28. Rb1 {is logical, but then Black has
the pleasant choice of either} ({If} 28. Rd2 {or 28.Rd3 then} Bg7 {will start
undermining the white centre.} (28... Kb7 $5)) {And} 28... Rb4 $5 {also
certainly makes sense, as the white rook obviously is placed worse on b1 than
on d1, after White accepts the offered exchange.} (28... Ra3 29. Ra1 Rb3 {
with a repetition} ({or} 29... Rxc3 {as an interesting exchange sacrifice.})))
28. Bxb4 {[%emt 0:00:42]} cxb4 $2 {[%emt 0:00:10] While the least move might
be sub-optimal, this one however is a clear mistake. It might look tempting to
get the c5-square for either the bishop or even the king, but now with very
concrete action, Carlsen manages to prove that Black's plan is too slow.} ({
With} 28... axb4 $1 {Black stays very much in the game. The positional
compensation with the pair of bishops as well as the the better structure
means that e.g. a passive approach like} 29. Ra1 ({It would be more
challenging if White plays for a direct f4 with} 29. Nh5 {similar to the game,
but after} Rxa4 30. Ra1 Rxa1 31. Rxa1 Bxd5+ $1 32. cxd5+ Kb5 {Black's passed
pawns are ready to march forward with a very complicated struggle ahead.})
29... Bg7 {is very playable for Black, who could even be better.}) 29. Nh5 $1 {
[%emt 0:09:58] As always Carlsen is a master in adopting to the circumstances,
and immediately jumps at his chance. Black's position does have potential, but
by attacking it immediately and with great force it's game, set and match.} Kb7
{[%emt 0:01:49]} 30. f4 {[%emt 0:01:21]} gxf4 {[%emt 0:00:38]} (30... Bd7 $5 {
looked a possible figthing chance, but after} 31. f5 Bxa4 32. fxg6 fxg6 33.
Nhf6 Bxd1 34. Rxd1 c6 {White do not retreat his knight, when the black pawns
indeed would become dangerous, but decides the game with} 35. Nd7 $1 {when the
white knights will either block the pawns, or after} cxd5+ 36. cxd5 {the white
pawns win the race, as} b3 37. Nxf8 a4 38. Nd7 {the white knight will return
in time.}) 31. Nhxf4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Nxf4 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 32. Nxf4 $1 {
[%emt 0:00:58] Again very much to the point. Of course allowing Black to take
on c4 gives him connected passed pawns, but keeping up the pace of the attack
is of much higher relevance. Now the bishop on e6 is attacked, and after...}
Bxc4 {[%emt 0:01:14]} 33. Rd7 $1 {[%emt 0:00:08] ...is the deciding point. The
c7-pawn is the target, and when it falls, the whole black position crumbles.} {
So Anand tries one last trick:} Ra6 $5 {[%emt 0:05:45] The rook aims for c6,
where it protects the weak pawn on c7, as well as the bishop on c4, meaning
that e.g. 34.Rc1 is parried. It almost works, but White do have one concrete
way of breaking through...} ({After} 33... Kc6 {White will simply retreat with}
34. Rd2 {when Rc1 next will decide.}) 34. Nd5 $1 {[%emt 0:01:23]} Rc6 {[%emt 0:
01:17]} 35. Rxf7 $1 {[%emt 0:00:51]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:38]} 36. Rxc7+ $1 {
[%emt 0:03:06] The final blow, netting an extra pawn as well as exchanging the
c6-rook that kept the black position together.} Rxc7 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 37. Nxc7
{[%emt 0:00:01]} Kc6 {[%emt 0:03:48]} ({Anand's misfortune is that after} 37...
Kxc7 38. Rc1 b3 39. Rxc4 b2 40. Rxc5+ {is check, gaining the decisive tempo
allowing Rb5 next, stopping the passed pawn.}) 38. Nb5 $1 {[%emt 0:01:28]
Allowing Black 2 connected passed pawns, but correctly judging that White's
one passer will prevail.} Bxb5 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 39. axb5+ {[%emt 0:00:07]} Kxb5
{[%emt 0:00:06]} 40. e6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} b3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. Kd3 {[%emt 0:
02:22]} Be7 {[%emt 0:01:34]} 42. h4 $1 {[%emt 0:01:29]} a4 {[%emt 0:02:21]} 43.
g5 {[%emt 0:00:38]} hxg5 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 44. hxg5 {[%emt 0:00:45]} a3 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} 45. Kc3 {[%emt 0:00:55] Stopping the passed black pawns, and
despite the fact that 45...Bb4+ wins the white rook on e1, what matters is the
pawns. 46.Kxb3 Bxe1 47.e7 and the pawn queens. Anand had no choice, but to
resign the game and thus the match. A very interesting last game. Like in game
9 in Chennai, Anand might have shown how to successfully attack Carlsen, but
by doing that he also forced him to display excellent defensive
resourcefulness once again netting him a full point!} 1-0

