Anand holds slight advantage

[CaptainJackSparrow]

Anand holds slight advantage
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Boris Gelfand and Viswanathan Anand (right) during the World Chess Championship in Game 6. Photo: Special Arrangement

Having bounced back with an emphatic victory in the previous round, Indian Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand holds a slight advantage going into the crucial remaining four games of the World Championship match against Israeli Boris Gelfand here.

With points levelled at 4—4 and with four games to go, the championship match is interestingly poised.

The eighth game provided the Indian ace a much needed breather after a shocking loss in the seventh game, and the manner it came was something that’s bound to dent the confidence of Gelfand.

This match is reminiscent of the 1995 World Championship clash between Garry Kasparov and Anand that the latter lost in a tight finish. The first eight ties of the 20—game match had then ended in draws, and then Anand drew first blood thanks to some careless play by Kasparov.

From the 10 game on, Kasparov was well prepared in the opening, and outclassed Anand in all departments of the game.

Playing the first 20 moves in under five minutes, Anand lost the game and was shaken to the extent that he blundered and lost again in the 11th game.

The Indian ace ran for cover, but did not succeed. What was 5—4 after nine games became 7.5—10.5 after 17 games. The match was over.

Seventeen years later, Anand would want a reverse of fortunes. In the first six games, draws, some very dull, were the order of the day. Anand had been patiently waiting for his chances and came close in the third game. A slight slip and another draw happened.

In game 8, an unexpected move seven by Anand saw Gelfand reply with little thought. Just 10 moves later, Gelfand resigned, falling into what chess pundits have acknowledged as a ‘devilish trap’.

Anand now plays black in the ninth game on Wednesday after a day’s break in the USD 2.55 million Championship.

For the Indian, this is turning out to be a roller—coaster ride. Many pundits had expected a runaway victory for Anand in the match. That certainly has not happened, but he can now take solace that his idea has clicked incredibly well after a series of disappointments on this front.

Gelfand was a picture of confidence coming into the eighth game. He put up a brave front after the loss, even occasionally invoking laughter from the pressmen in the post—match conference. If he was disturbed, he did not show it.

Anand will be hoping for an encore with white pieces. As black, the reigning world champion is now expected to be very solid.

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