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[Event "WCC Bonn 2008"]
[Site "www.unspe.com"]
[Date "2008.10.29"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[BlackElo "2400"]
1. e4 {Anand plays e4 for the first time in this match!} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4
cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. Bxf6 gxf6 9. f5 Qc5 10.
Qd3 Nc6 11. Nb3 Qe5 {A logical move to keep pressure in the center. I think
White has to consider O-O-O here. The Black King can reasonably stay in the
center due to his strong center pawn structure. White cannot afford to do
the same.} 12. O-O-O {White basically offers the f5 pawn sacrifice. The
compensation for White is to be able to break up black's center pawn chain
while opening up the critical e file. I would not take it. I prefer either
12...Bd7, 12....Rg8, or even 12...b5 better. 12...exf5 is too scary, but
you never know what Kramnik may do when he needs to win and a draw is no
good.} exf5 {A very brave Kramnik! Bravo! No matter what happens, no one
can say that Kramnik backs off from a tough fight. This is not a blunder.
It is a playable move, just dangerous. This is what the chess fans want to
see, two heavyweight champions not backing off an inch. If 13.Re1 Bh6+
14.Kb1 Be6 and the position is unclear. This is another possibility 13.Kb1
fxe4 14.Qxe4 Be7 15.Qf3 Be6 and it is also unclear.} 13. Qe3 {I personally
did not expect this move. In addition to clearing the diagonal for this
Bishop, the d5 square for his Rook or Knight, the square b6 will be one
White would have an eye on. Black might as well consider playing 13...fxe4
since he already played exf5. This position is still unclear. However, if
you are Kramnik, you cannot ask for more than just a chance to have a sharp
game to score a full point, even though this type of position generally
favors Anand. Kramnik has a tough decision to make. What should he play?
Take on e4? Bd7, Be6, Bg7, or h5? The dynamics of the game will change
quite a bit with these choices. I would probably narrow my choices to
13...Be6 or 13...h5. He is taking a lot of time for this move. He obviously
understands that one error in judgment can end the match today. I would
like to make a comparison to other sports. As you probably know, it is the
hardest to close out the final 2 minutes of a basketball game or to win the
final game to win a tennis match. It is the same in chess. The final game
to win the World Chess Championship is the hardest to play.} Bg7 {A very
unusual choice! I do not think this is the best option for Kramnik. It is
not a blunder, just not the most aggressive move. I do not think Anand was
unhappy seeing this move. It looks like Kramnik may want to get his King to
the Kingside. Therefore, two good options for Anand are 14.Nd2 or 14.Rd5,
both are unclear but definitely not worse for Anand. If 14.Nd5 then O-O and
Black is better.} 14. Rd5 {The best move here is 14...Qe7. He needs to save
the e6 square for his Bishop.} Qe7 {The most promising move for White is
15.Qg3 to attack both the d6 pawn and Bishop on g7.} 15. Qg3 {This is a
possible line 15...Rg8 16.Qxd6 fxe4 17.Qxe7+ Kxe7 18.Nxe4 f5 =+. Here are
more options: 15...Rg8 16. Qh4 fxe4 17. Nxe4 (17. Qxh7 Kf8 unclear) 17...
Be6 18. Nxd6+ Kf8 19. Rd3 =+ Another factor to consider is both players may
get into time pressure soon. They are both under 60 minutes after only 15
moves made.} Rg8 {As I pointed out in the lines above, 15.Rg8 is a good
choice for Kramnik.} 16. Qf4 {Black is fine with 16...Be6 if 17.Rxd6 then
Bh6 +-. White should just retreat the Rook to e1. 16...fxe4 is also
playable.} fxe4 {If 17.Nxe4 Be6 18.Nxd6+ Kf8 19.Rd1 Rd8 and the position is
unclear. White is about 6-7 minutes ahead on the clock.} 17. Nxe4 f5
{Perhaps 18.Nxd6+ Kf8 19.Nxc8 Rxc8 =/+=} 18. Nxd6+ {19.Nxc8 Rxc8 White is
slightly better as I pointed out above. The idea for Anand is quite simple.
The position was very complicated. Therefore, it is to his advantage to
trade pieces and simplify the position where there will be less chances to
blunder tactically.} Kf8 19. Nxc8 Rxc8 20. Kb1 {+= There is a very strong
chance now for Anand to get at least a draw. The complications just passed
and Anand came out OK. Black must try 20...Qe1 21.Nc1 Ne7 to give Black any
last hope. 21.Qc1 is also fine for White, not much for Black.} Qe1+ 21. Nc1
{I see very few options for Kramnik to pull out a win.} Ne7 {as expected.
The best response for White is Qd2 attempting to trade Queens. That would
guarantee Anand a draw at the very least.} 22. Qd2 {Black has no choice but
to trade Queens. Otherwise, he would face checkmate with Rd8+.} Qxd2 23.
Rxd2 Bh6 {Now 24.Rd7 =/+=} 24. Rf2 {The position is still even. The only
way Kramnik can win here is if Anand blunders. Once Anand gets his pieces
out, Black has nothing. I assume a draw will come very soon.} Be3 {1/2
Thank you everyone for joining me for the LIVE commentary. It has been
great sharing the excitement of these games with all of you.
Congratulations to Anand for retaining his title. Excellent fighting spirit
by Kramnik! Both players deserve plenty of respect.} 1/2-1/2
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