World Chess Championship 2013 round 8: the most boring game in the match so far

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

Game and notes below:

Summary

As White, Carlsen played e4 for the first time in the match. Anand countered with the Berlin Defense. Unfortunately, all hope that an interesting game with colors reversed from usual were dashed at move 5, which was implicitly a draw offer by Carlsen. Re1 is a completely harmless reply against the Berlin Defense, and leads to a lifeless position in which usually a series of trades leads to a drawn position.

Sure enough, Carlsen basically forced the draw quickly thereafter.

A total snorefest.

The state of the match

Carlsen has every right to play for a draw and win the match based on his two-point lead. If Anand had been ready to fight for a win at all costs, he would not have played the Berlin Defense; he could have played the Sicilian instead, for example. I hope I’m wrong, but it’s looking like Anand may be going down without a fight, in fear of losing another game in the match.

The game

Move comment:
Event: FWCM 2013
Site: Chennai
Round: 8
Date: 2013.11.19
White: Carlsen, Magnus
Black: Anand, Viswanathan
Result: 1/2-1/2

Side to move: white

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

1. e4
 
Interesting choice by Carlsen, using Anand's e4.
 
1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6
 
And Anand uses the Berlin Defense!
 
4. O-O
 
Is Carlsen going into the Berlin ending?
 
4... Ne4 5. Re1
 
Sadly, no. This is a harmless continuation. I expect the game to be drawn soon.
 
5... Nd6 6. Ne5 Be7 7. Bf1 Ne5 8. Re5 O-O
 
The Pawn structures are symmetric. Black will unwind to complete development. White will complete development. Then there will be a draw.
 
9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 Re8 11. c3 Re1 12. Qe1 Ne8 13. Bf4 d5 14. Bd3 g6 15. Nd2 Ng7 16. Qe2 c6 17. Re1 Bf5
 
Both sides have completed development. Time to trade more pieces and draw.
 
18. Bf5 Nf5 19. Nf3 Ng7 20. Be5 Ne6 21. Bf6 Qf6 22. Ne5 Re8 23. Ng4 Qd8 24. Qe5
 
Implicitly asking for a draw.
 
24... Ng7
 
Forcing the simplification and draw.
 
25. Qe8 Ne8 26. Re8 Qe8 27. Nf6 Kf8 28. Ne8 Ke8
 
Come on, it's a draw.
 
29. f4 f5 30. Kf2 b5 31. b4 Kf7 32. h3 h6 33. h4 h5