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14. h4h5
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6
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14... h7h6
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Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line.
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5
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15. e1c1
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line.
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15... c8b7
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1
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16. d1d3
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Simple and effective.
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7
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16... c6c5
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective.
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17. d3g3
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5
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17... a8g8
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3
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18. f1d3
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Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet.
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8
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18... d7f8
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet.
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19. f4e3
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"I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen)
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8
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19... g7g6
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The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position.
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen)
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20. h5g6
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position.
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20... f8g6
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6
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21. h1h5
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There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed.
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6
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21... b7c6
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed.
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22. d3c2
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One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop.
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6
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22... c7b7
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop.
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23. g3g4
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White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file.
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7
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23... a6a5
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file.
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24. c2d1
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5
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24... g8d8
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1
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25. d1c2
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"I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen)
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8
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25... d8g8
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First Magnus repeated the moves and then with...
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8 25. d1c2 "I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen)
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26. c1d2
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he committed the blunder of the match so far! This loses at least a pawn and Magnus saw it at the moment he played it.
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8 25. d1c2 "I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen) 25... d8g8 First Magnus repeated the moves and then with...
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26... a5a4
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Returning the favor! This was probably the critical moment of the match.
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8 25. d1c2 "I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen) 25... d8g8 First Magnus repeated the moves and then with... 26. c1d2 he committed the blunder of the match so far! This loses at least a pawn and Magnus saw it at the moment he played it.
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27. d2e2
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8 25. d1c2 "I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen) 25... d8g8 First Magnus repeated the moves and then with... 26. c1d2 he committed the blunder of the match so far! This loses at least a pawn and Magnus saw it at the moment he played it. 26... a5a4 Returning the favor! This was probably the critical moment of the match.
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27... a4a3
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The pawn on a2 is fixed and Anand is hoping that the a3 pawn will once become a queen. For instance after Bc6-a4-b3!
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8 25. d1c2 "I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen) 25... d8g8 First Magnus repeated the moves and then with... 26. c1d2 he committed the blunder of the match so far! This loses at least a pawn and Magnus saw it at the moment he played it. 26... a5a4 Returning the favor! This was probably the critical moment of the match. 27. d2e2
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28. f2f3
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8 25. d1c2 "I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen) 25... d8g8 First Magnus repeated the moves and then with... 26. c1d2 he committed the blunder of the match so far! This loses at least a pawn and Magnus saw it at the moment he played it. 26... a5a4 Returning the favor! This was probably the critical moment of the match. 27. d2e2 27... a4a3 The pawn on a2 is fixed and Anand is hoping that the a3 pawn will once become a queen. For instance after Bc6-a4-b3!
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28... g8d8
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Takes control of the open file and prepares the following maneuver.
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8 25. d1c2 "I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen) 25... d8g8 First Magnus repeated the moves and then with... 26. c1d2 he committed the blunder of the match so far! This loses at least a pawn and Magnus saw it at the moment he played it. 26... a5a4 Returning the favor! This was probably the critical moment of the match. 27. d2e2 27... a4a3 The pawn on a2 is fixed and Anand is hoping that the a3 pawn will once become a queen. For instance after Bc6-a4-b3! 28. f2f3
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29. e2e1
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Magnus steps away from a possible check on d3.
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8 25. d1c2 "I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen) 25... d8g8 First Magnus repeated the moves and then with... 26. c1d2 he committed the blunder of the match so far! This loses at least a pawn and Magnus saw it at the moment he played it. 26... a5a4 Returning the favor! This was probably the critical moment of the match. 27. d2e2 27... a4a3 The pawn on a2 is fixed and Anand is hoping that the a3 pawn will once become a queen. For instance after Bc6-a4-b3! 28. f2f3 28... g8d8 Takes control of the open file and prepares the following maneuver.
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29... d8d7
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8 25. d1c2 "I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen) 25... d8g8 First Magnus repeated the moves and then with... 26. c1d2 he committed the blunder of the match so far! This loses at least a pawn and Magnus saw it at the moment he played it. 26... a5a4 Returning the favor! This was probably the critical moment of the match. 27. d2e2 27... a4a3 The pawn on a2 is fixed and Anand is hoping that the a3 pawn will once become a queen. For instance after Bc6-a4-b3! 28. f2f3 28... g8d8 Takes control of the open file and prepares the following maneuver. 29. e2e1 Magnus steps away from a possible check on d3.
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30. e3c1
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8 25. d1c2 "I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen) 25... d8g8 First Magnus repeated the moves and then with... 26. c1d2 he committed the blunder of the match so far! This loses at least a pawn and Magnus saw it at the moment he played it. 26... a5a4 Returning the favor! This was probably the critical moment of the match. 27. d2e2 27... a4a3 The pawn on a2 is fixed and Anand is hoping that the a3 pawn will once become a queen. For instance after Bc6-a4-b3! 28. f2f3 28... g8d8 Takes control of the open file and prepares the following maneuver. 29. e2e1 Magnus steps away from a possible check on d3. 29... d8d7
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30... h8a8
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The threat is Ba4 to trade the good bishop and check on d1 is it retreats.
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8 25. d1c2 "I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen) 25... d8g8 First Magnus repeated the moves and then with... 26. c1d2 he committed the blunder of the match so far! This loses at least a pawn and Magnus saw it at the moment he played it. 26... a5a4 Returning the favor! This was probably the critical moment of the match. 27. d2e2 27... a4a3 The pawn on a2 is fixed and Anand is hoping that the a3 pawn will once become a queen. For instance after Bc6-a4-b3! 28. f2f3 28... g8d8 Takes control of the open file and prepares the following maneuver. 29. e2e1 Magnus steps away from a possible check on d3. 29... d8d7 30. e3c1
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31. e1e2
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8 25. d1c2 "I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen) 25... d8g8 First Magnus repeated the moves and then with... 26. c1d2 he committed the blunder of the match so far! This loses at least a pawn and Magnus saw it at the moment he played it. 26... a5a4 Returning the favor! This was probably the critical moment of the match. 27. d2e2 27... a4a3 The pawn on a2 is fixed and Anand is hoping that the a3 pawn will once become a queen. For instance after Bc6-a4-b3! 28. f2f3 28... g8d8 Takes control of the open file and prepares the following maneuver. 29. e2e1 Magnus steps away from a possible check on d3. 29... d8d7 30. e3c1 30... h8a8 The threat is Ba4 to trade the good bishop and check on d1 is it retreats.
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31... c6a4
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8 25. d1c2 "I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen) 25... d8g8 First Magnus repeated the moves and then with... 26. c1d2 he committed the blunder of the match so far! This loses at least a pawn and Magnus saw it at the moment he played it. 26... a5a4 Returning the favor! This was probably the critical moment of the match. 27. d2e2 27... a4a3 The pawn on a2 is fixed and Anand is hoping that the a3 pawn will once become a queen. For instance after Bc6-a4-b3! 28. f2f3 28... g8d8 Takes control of the open file and prepares the following maneuver. 29. e2e1 Magnus steps away from a possible check on d3. 29... d8d7 30. e3c1 30... h8a8 The threat is Ba4 to trade the good bishop and check on d1 is it retreats. 31. e1e2
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32. c2e4
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8 25. d1c2 "I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen) 25... d8g8 First Magnus repeated the moves and then with... 26. c1d2 he committed the blunder of the match so far! This loses at least a pawn and Magnus saw it at the moment he played it. 26... a5a4 Returning the favor! This was probably the critical moment of the match. 27. d2e2 27... a4a3 The pawn on a2 is fixed and Anand is hoping that the a3 pawn will once become a queen. For instance after Bc6-a4-b3! 28. f2f3 28... g8d8 Takes control of the open file and prepares the following maneuver. 29. e2e1 Magnus steps away from a possible check on d3. 29... d8d7 30. e3c1 30... h8a8 The threat is Ba4 to trade the good bishop and check on d1 is it retreats. 31. e1e2 31... c6a4
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32... a4c6
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This loses.
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8 25. d1c2 "I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen) 25... d8g8 First Magnus repeated the moves and then with... 26. c1d2 he committed the blunder of the match so far! This loses at least a pawn and Magnus saw it at the moment he played it. 26... a5a4 Returning the favor! This was probably the critical moment of the match. 27. d2e2 27... a4a3 The pawn on a2 is fixed and Anand is hoping that the a3 pawn will once become a queen. For instance after Bc6-a4-b3! 28. f2f3 28... g8d8 Takes control of the open file and prepares the following maneuver. 29. e2e1 Magnus steps away from a possible check on d3. 29... d8d7 30. e3c1 30... h8a8 The threat is Ba4 to trade the good bishop and check on d1 is it retreats. 31. e1e2 31... c6a4 32. c2e4
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33. e4g6
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8 25. d1c2 "I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen) 25... d8g8 First Magnus repeated the moves and then with... 26. c1d2 he committed the blunder of the match so far! This loses at least a pawn and Magnus saw it at the moment he played it. 26... a5a4 Returning the favor! This was probably the critical moment of the match. 27. d2e2 27... a4a3 The pawn on a2 is fixed and Anand is hoping that the a3 pawn will once become a queen. For instance after Bc6-a4-b3! 28. f2f3 28... g8d8 Takes control of the open file and prepares the following maneuver. 29. e2e1 Magnus steps away from a possible check on d3. 29... d8d7 30. e3c1 30... h8a8 The threat is Ba4 to trade the good bishop and check on d1 is it retreats. 31. e1e2 31... c6a4 32. c2e4 32... a4c6 This loses.
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33... f7g6
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8 25. d1c2 "I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen) 25... d8g8 First Magnus repeated the moves and then with... 26. c1d2 he committed the blunder of the match so far! This loses at least a pawn and Magnus saw it at the moment he played it. 26... a5a4 Returning the favor! This was probably the critical moment of the match. 27. d2e2 27... a4a3 The pawn on a2 is fixed and Anand is hoping that the a3 pawn will once become a queen. For instance after Bc6-a4-b3! 28. f2f3 28... g8d8 Takes control of the open file and prepares the following maneuver. 29. e2e1 Magnus steps away from a possible check on d3. 29... d8d7 30. e3c1 30... h8a8 The threat is Ba4 to trade the good bishop and check on d1 is it retreats. 31. e1e2 31... c6a4 32. c2e4 32... a4c6 This loses. 33. e4g6
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34. g4g6
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8 25. d1c2 "I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen) 25... d8g8 First Magnus repeated the moves and then with... 26. c1d2 he committed the blunder of the match so far! This loses at least a pawn and Magnus saw it at the moment he played it. 26... a5a4 Returning the favor! This was probably the critical moment of the match. 27. d2e2 27... a4a3 The pawn on a2 is fixed and Anand is hoping that the a3 pawn will once become a queen. For instance after Bc6-a4-b3! 28. f2f3 28... g8d8 Takes control of the open file and prepares the following maneuver. 29. e2e1 Magnus steps away from a possible check on d3. 29... d8d7 30. e3c1 30... h8a8 The threat is Ba4 to trade the good bishop and check on d1 is it retreats. 31. e1e2 31... c6a4 32. c2e4 32... a4c6 This loses. 33. e4g6 33... f7g6
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34... c6a4
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8 25. d1c2 "I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen) 25... d8g8 First Magnus repeated the moves and then with... 26. c1d2 he committed the blunder of the match so far! This loses at least a pawn and Magnus saw it at the moment he played it. 26... a5a4 Returning the favor! This was probably the critical moment of the match. 27. d2e2 27... a4a3 The pawn on a2 is fixed and Anand is hoping that the a3 pawn will once become a queen. For instance after Bc6-a4-b3! 28. f2f3 28... g8d8 Takes control of the open file and prepares the following maneuver. 29. e2e1 Magnus steps away from a possible check on d3. 29... d8d7 30. e3c1 30... h8a8 The threat is Ba4 to trade the good bishop and check on d1 is it retreats. 31. e1e2 31... c6a4 32. c2e4 32... a4c6 This loses. 33. e4g6 33... f7g6 34. g4g6
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35. g6e6
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8 25. d1c2 "I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen) 25... d8g8 First Magnus repeated the moves and then with... 26. c1d2 he committed the blunder of the match so far! This loses at least a pawn and Magnus saw it at the moment he played it. 26... a5a4 Returning the favor! This was probably the critical moment of the match. 27. d2e2 27... a4a3 The pawn on a2 is fixed and Anand is hoping that the a3 pawn will once become a queen. For instance after Bc6-a4-b3! 28. f2f3 28... g8d8 Takes control of the open file and prepares the following maneuver. 29. e2e1 Magnus steps away from a possible check on d3. 29... d8d7 30. e3c1 30... h8a8 The threat is Ba4 to trade the good bishop and check on d1 is it retreats. 31. e1e2 31... c6a4 32. c2e4 32... a4c6 This loses. 33. e4g6 33... f7g6 34. g4g6 34... c6a4
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35... d7d1
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8 25. d1c2 "I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen) 25... d8g8 First Magnus repeated the moves and then with... 26. c1d2 he committed the blunder of the match so far! This loses at least a pawn and Magnus saw it at the moment he played it. 26... a5a4 Returning the favor! This was probably the critical moment of the match. 27. d2e2 27... a4a3 The pawn on a2 is fixed and Anand is hoping that the a3 pawn will once become a queen. For instance after Bc6-a4-b3! 28. f2f3 28... g8d8 Takes control of the open file and prepares the following maneuver. 29. e2e1 Magnus steps away from a possible check on d3. 29... d8d7 30. e3c1 30... h8a8 The threat is Ba4 to trade the good bishop and check on d1 is it retreats. 31. e1e2 31... c6a4 32. c2e4 32... a4c6 This loses. 33. e4g6 33... f7g6 34. g4g6 34... c6a4 35. g6e6
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36. c1a3
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8 25. d1c2 "I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen) 25... d8g8 First Magnus repeated the moves and then with... 26. c1d2 he committed the blunder of the match so far! This loses at least a pawn and Magnus saw it at the moment he played it. 26... a5a4 Returning the favor! This was probably the critical moment of the match. 27. d2e2 27... a4a3 The pawn on a2 is fixed and Anand is hoping that the a3 pawn will once become a queen. For instance after Bc6-a4-b3! 28. f2f3 28... g8d8 Takes control of the open file and prepares the following maneuver. 29. e2e1 Magnus steps away from a possible check on d3. 29... d8d7 30. e3c1 30... h8a8 The threat is Ba4 to trade the good bishop and check on d1 is it retreats. 31. e1e2 31... c6a4 32. c2e4 32... a4c6 This loses. 33. e4g6 33... f7g6 34. g4g6 34... c6a4 35. g6e6 35... d7d1
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36... d1a1
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It seems as the bishop is trapped, but...
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8 25. d1c2 "I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen) 25... d8g8 First Magnus repeated the moves and then with... 26. c1d2 he committed the blunder of the match so far! This loses at least a pawn and Magnus saw it at the moment he played it. 26... a5a4 Returning the favor! This was probably the critical moment of the match. 27. d2e2 27... a4a3 The pawn on a2 is fixed and Anand is hoping that the a3 pawn will once become a queen. For instance after Bc6-a4-b3! 28. f2f3 28... g8d8 Takes control of the open file and prepares the following maneuver. 29. e2e1 Magnus steps away from a possible check on d3. 29... d8d7 30. e3c1 30... h8a8 The threat is Ba4 to trade the good bishop and check on d1 is it retreats. 31. e1e2 31... c6a4 32. c2e4 32... a4c6 This loses. 33. e4g6 33... f7g6 34. g4g6 34... c6a4 35. g6e6 35... d7d1 36. c1a3
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37. e2e3
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8 25. d1c2 "I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen) 25... d8g8 First Magnus repeated the moves and then with... 26. c1d2 he committed the blunder of the match so far! This loses at least a pawn and Magnus saw it at the moment he played it. 26... a5a4 Returning the favor! This was probably the critical moment of the match. 27. d2e2 27... a4a3 The pawn on a2 is fixed and Anand is hoping that the a3 pawn will once become a queen. For instance after Bc6-a4-b3! 28. f2f3 28... g8d8 Takes control of the open file and prepares the following maneuver. 29. e2e1 Magnus steps away from a possible check on d3. 29... d8d7 30. e3c1 30... h8a8 The threat is Ba4 to trade the good bishop and check on d1 is it retreats. 31. e1e2 31... c6a4 32. c2e4 32... a4c6 This loses. 33. e4g6 33... f7g6 34. g4g6 34... c6a4 35. g6e6 35... d7d1 36. c1a3 36... d1a1 It seems as the bishop is trapped, but...
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37... a4c2
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8 25. d1c2 "I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen) 25... d8g8 First Magnus repeated the moves and then with... 26. c1d2 he committed the blunder of the match so far! This loses at least a pawn and Magnus saw it at the moment he played it. 26... a5a4 Returning the favor! This was probably the critical moment of the match. 27. d2e2 27... a4a3 The pawn on a2 is fixed and Anand is hoping that the a3 pawn will once become a queen. For instance after Bc6-a4-b3! 28. f2f3 28... g8d8 Takes control of the open file and prepares the following maneuver. 29. e2e1 Magnus steps away from a possible check on d3. 29... d8d7 30. e3c1 30... h8a8 The threat is Ba4 to trade the good bishop and check on d1 is it retreats. 31. e1e2 31... c6a4 32. c2e4 32... a4c6 This loses. 33. e4g6 33... f7g6 34. g4g6 34... c6a4 35. g6e6 35... d7d1 36. c1a3 36... d1a1 It seems as the bishop is trapped, but... 37. e2e3
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38. e6e7
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A heartbreaker!
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... e7e6 Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four. 3. d2d4 Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color. 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... a7a6 Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.] 5. c2c4 Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces. 5... g8f6 6. b1c3 6... f8b4 Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both 7. d1d3 The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White. 7... b8c6 I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push 8. d4c6 8... d7c6 9. d3d8 9... e8d8 10. e4e5 The engame is extremely pleasant for White. 10... f6d7 11. c1f4 11... b4c3 A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares. 12. b2c3 12... d8c7 The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6. 13. h2h4 However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary. 13... b7b6 14. h4h5 14... h7h6 Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line. 15. e1c1 15... c8b7 16. d1d3 Simple and effective. 16... c6c5 17. d3g3 17... a8g8 18. f1d3 Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet. 18... d7f8 19. f4e3 "I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen) 19... g7g6 The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position. 20. h5g6 20... f8g6 21. h1h5 There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed. 21... b7c6 22. d3c2 One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop. 22... c7b7 23. g3g4 White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file. 23... a6a5 24. c2d1 24... g8d8 25. d1c2 "I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen) 25... d8g8 First Magnus repeated the moves and then with... 26. c1d2 he committed the blunder of the match so far! This loses at least a pawn and Magnus saw it at the moment he played it. 26... a5a4 Returning the favor! This was probably the critical moment of the match. 27. d2e2 27... a4a3 The pawn on a2 is fixed and Anand is hoping that the a3 pawn will once become a queen. For instance after Bc6-a4-b3! 28. f2f3 28... g8d8 Takes control of the open file and prepares the following maneuver. 29. e2e1 Magnus steps away from a possible check on d3. 29... d8d7 30. e3c1 30... h8a8 The threat is Ba4 to trade the good bishop and check on d1 is it retreats. 31. e1e2 31... c6a4 32. c2e4 32... a4c6 This loses. 33. e4g6 33... f7g6 34. g4g6 34... c6a4 35. g6e6 35... d7d1 36. c1a3 36... d1a1 It seems as the bishop is trapped, but... 37. e2e3 37... a4c2
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1. e2e4
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1... e7e5
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1. e2e4
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2. g1f3
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5
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2... b8c6
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3
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3. f1b5
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6
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3... g8f6
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As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors.
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5
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4. e1g1
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors.
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4... f6e4
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1
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5. d2d4
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4
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5... e4d6
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4
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6. b5c6
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6
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6... d7c6
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6
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7. d4e5
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6
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7... d6f5
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5
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8. d1d8
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5
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8... e8d8
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8
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9. h2h3
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8
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9... d8e8
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3
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10. b1c3
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8
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10... h7h5
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3
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11. c1f4
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5
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11... f8e7
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4
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12. a1d1
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7
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12... c8e6
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Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black.
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1
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13. f3g5
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black.
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13... h8h6
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Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop.
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5
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14. g2g3
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop.
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14... e7g5
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Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3
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15. f4g5
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced
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15... h6g6
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5
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16. h3h4
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The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6
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16... f7f6
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw
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17. e5f6
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6
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17... g7f6
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6
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18. g5f4
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6
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18... f5h4
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4
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19. f2f3
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The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure.
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4
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19... a8d8
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Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet.
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure.
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20. g1f2
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet.
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20... d8d1
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2
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21. c3d1
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1
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21... h4f5
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1
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22. f1h1
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This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer.
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5
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22... e6a2
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Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn.
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer.
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23. h1h5
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn.
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23... a2e6
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5
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24. g3g4
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6
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24... f5d6
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4
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25. h5h7
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6
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25... d6f7
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The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7
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26. d1e3
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This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material.
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went
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