World Chess Championship 2013 round 7: Anand catches his breath with a quiet game

Nov 18, 2013 · 2 minute read · 0 Comments
chess World Chess Championship Magnus Carlsen Viswanathan Anand Berlin Defense

In my continuing coverage of the World Chess Championship between Anand and Carlsen, today I cover round seven, in which apparently Anand took a break by playing safe for a quiet draw.

Game and notes below:

Summary

As White, Anand played e4 yet again (I’m still waiting for d4, which he used effectively against Kramnik and Gelfand in past world championship matches), and as in round 4 and 6, Carlsen used the Berlin Defense. Anand played a quiet, unambitious anti-Berlin again with d3, as in round 6, but this time went for a delayed Exchange Variation, giving up the Bishop pair for doubling Black’s c Pawns. Nevertheless, this opening is considered harmless, and Carlsen chose a simple, effective plan that involved trading off his light Bishop for Anand’s Knight, and then after further simplifications, there was nothing left in the game and they created a draw by repetition.

The only interesting points in the game to me were the obvious opportunities Anand chose not to take to try for more aggressive plans: playing g4 or playing fxe3. That he chose not to indicated that he was content to just get the game drawn and over with to stay safe and avoid creating complications that might allow him to lose.

The state of the match

Anand is running out of time to catch up in the match, but may have bought some time to rest and recover psychologically from losing two games in a row.

Some people might criticize his failure to strike back immediately in this game, but if he knew himself and knew he was not ready, then it was the wise thing to do.

However, I believe that the next time he has White, Anand should switch away from opening with e4, to opening with d4 for the win, since it looks like Carlsen can easily neutralize e4.

The game

Move comment:

Event: FWCM 2013
Site: Chennai
Round: 7
Date: 2013.11.18
White: Anand, Viswanathan
Black: Carlsen, Magnus
Result: 1/2-1/2

Side to move: white

Last move: 1. variations:
Next move: 1. e4 variations:

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6

Carlsen has no fear of using the Berlin Defense again as in round 4 and round 6.

4. d3

Anand goes for a quiet anti-Berlin again.

4... Bc5 5. Bc6

A delayed Exchange Variation. Anand has given up the Bishop pair early in the opening before, as in his world championship match against Gelfand, in which he used the Rossolimo Variation against the Sicilian, with very similar positional ideas.

5... dc6 6. Nbd2

As in round 4 and round 6, Anand embarks on a Knight maneuver. This Knight can go to b3, or c4 or f1, then e3 or g3, and then possibly to f5.

6... Bg4

Carlsen plays to simplify by quick, active development, preparing to trade the Bishop for White's f3 Knight. Also, the plan is to castle Queen side to avoid a White attack on the King side.

7. h3 Bh5 8. Nf1

[8. Nc4 Looks more active. 8... Nd7 Black is fine.]

8... Nd7

And only now after getting the Bishop out does Carlsen play the thematic defensive move protecting e5.

9. Ng3 Bf3

Carlsen basically committed to this trade by playing Bg4 in the first place. [9... Bg6 Possible, but the light Bishop is not very active on this square.]

10. Qf3 g6

Preventing Nf5 ideas and also making it perhaps risky for White to castle King side.

11. Be3

A little surprising to me because shouldn't Anand avoid simplification to play for a win?

11... Qe7 12. O-O-O O-O-O

The position looks drawish. Black is slightly loose on the King side and does have the doubled c Pawns, but there has been much simplification.

13. Ne2

Making way for a possible g4.

13... Rhe8 14. Kb1 b6 15. h4

Trying for play on the King side. [15. g4 The move I expected was to try to get a bind on f5 and h5 before advancing with h4.]

15... Kb7 16. h5 Be3

Simplifying further.

17. Qe3

A surprise to me, basically conceding a quick draw, I think. [17. fe3 I had expected this recapture to try to put pressure on the half-open f file.]

17... Nc5

Now it is Black's turn with the Knight maneuver, planning to go to e6 and then probably d4.

18. hg6 hg6 19. g3

Aiming for an f4 advance prying at Black's e5 Pawn.

19... a5

If White doesn't do anything, Black may well choose to expand on the Queen side with a4 and other ideas.

20. Rh7 Rh8 21. Rdh1 Rh7 22. Rh7 Qf6

Preparing Rh8 to simplify further.

23. f4 Rh8 24. Rh8 Qh8 25. fe5 Qe5

Now it is a dead draw.

26. Qf3 f5 27. ef5 gf5 28. c3 Ne6

Now all Black has to do is shuffle around waiting for a draw.

29. Kc2 Ng5 30. Qf2 Ne6 31. Qf3 Ng5 32. Qf2 Ne6

Draw by repetition. Neither side can make progress.

Franklin Chen

World Chess Championship 2013 round 7: Anand catches his breath with a quiet game

Summary

The state of the match

The game