World Chess Championship Parallel Tournaments: Mary Ann Gomes wins WGM Chess Open

There are several chess tournaments and events being held on the sidelines of the Anand - Carlsen World Chess Championship. A special chess event organised was the Women Grandmasters' chess tournament. (Left: WGM Mary Ann Gomes/official website)

WGM Mary Ann Gomes won the chess event with 8.5 points in Chennai on the basis of better tie-break score after 11 rounds at the Multipurpose Indoor Stadium. WGM Batsiashvili Nino of Georgia and International Master S Vijayalakshmi finished second and third on tiebreak. All three scored 8.5 points. Keti Tsatsalashvili (Georgia) and Soumya Swaminathan (India) shared the fourth spot with 8.0 points.

Final top standings (Indians unless specified):
1-3 Mary Ann Gomes, Batsiashvili Nino (Geo), S Vijayalakshmi 8.5, 4-5 Keti Tsatsalashvili (Geo), Soumya Swaminathan 8.0, 6-10 Ivakhinova Inna (Rus), S Meenakshi, Swathi Ghate, Gevorgyan Maria (Arm), Guramishvili Sopiko (Geo) 7.5 pts

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Game 6: Carlsen Wins Again to Lead 4 -2 vs Anand at Chennai World Chess Championship 2013

Chennai World Chess Championship Game 6 - Viswanathan Anand - Magnus Carlsen 0-1: They said Magnus Carlsen does not know chess openings. They said Magnus Carlsen does not have the match experience. The World No. 1 didn't hear what they said. At 22, Magnus Carlsen is now the heavy favourite to become the next World Chess Champion. He has won both Game 5 and 6 and leads 4-2 as the World Chess Championship 2013 goes into half-time.

World Chess champion Viswanathan Anand struggled once again with White pieces in the sixth game on Saturday. The overnight shock continued with a second successive defeat for the Indian who has struck back after similar losses in previous World Chess Championships and eventually won the title.

But, Magnus Carlsen, held steady today. Ironically, any "lesser player" but for Magnus Carlsen would have settled for a draw in both Game 5 and Game 6 which should have been the games' logical conclusions. 

Game 6 photos by Ananstasiya Karlovich/Official website

Not so with Carlsen. The experts can say the game's a draw. The strongest of computer engines can say the game's a draw. Magnus Carlsen has to play it all and find out for himself.

Anand opened with 1.e4 and faced the Challenger's Berlin Ruy Lopez. Anand stayed away from an early Queen exchange and tried 4.d3 which he has used previously to beat Russian talent Sergey Karjakin. Anand sprung a novelty with 10.Bg5 to pin the Black knight on f6 taking advantage of the fact that Carlsen’s dark-squared bishop is outside the pawn chain. Carlsen traded the light-squared bishops, steered his Knight back from c6 to b8 to d7 to support the Knight pinned on f6. 

Game 6 press conference

The game was very much level even after Carlsen neutralised Anand's subsequent central operations. Anand tried to push considering the previous loss in Game 5 and walked straight into an endgame to the liking of the World No. 1. Carlsen was quick to end all White's chances with a series of exchanges diluting down to a Queen and Rook plus pawns endgame.

Anand, unable to deny his inherent human element, faltered while facing Carlsen's adamant chess. Even then, versus someone else, such minute mis-steps by the World Chess Champion would not have mattered. Unfortunately, for fans rooting for Anand, Carlsen pounces upon even the slightest of errors like a carnivore looking to devour.

Thereafter, it was Carlsen playing for a win or draw, while Anand was on the backfoot trying to save a draw. Carlsen soon went pawn up even though the position was still theoretically a draw. This was exactly the case in Game 5 as well. Magnus Carlsen played on and on to win again.

In the post-game press conference, Carlsen said he was happy to have a nice lead at the half-way stage in the World Chess Championship Match. Viswanathan Anand said the loss was a blow and he would not try to pretend otherwise.

Magnus Carlsen needs just 2.5 points more from six games to become the new World Chess Champion. Sunday is a rest day and Game 7 will be played on Monday. -- Rajat Khanna

[Event "FWCM 2013"]
[Site "Chennai"]
[Date "2013.11.16"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2870"]
[PlyCount "134"]
[EventDate "2013.16.11"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O Re8 7. Re1 a6 8. Ba4 b5 9. Bb3 d6 10. Bg5 Be6 11. Nbd2 h6 12. Bh4 Bxb3 13. axb3 Nb8 14. h3 Nbd7 15. Nh2 Qe7 16. Ndf1 Bb6 17. Ne3 Qe6 18. b4 a5 19. bxa5 Bxa5 20. Nhg4 Bb6 21. Bxf6 Nxf6 22. Nxf6+ Qxf6 23. Qg4 Bxe3 24. fxe3 Qe7 25. Rf1 c5 26. Kh2 c4 27. d4 Rxa1 28. Rxa1 Qb7 29. Rd1 Qc6 30. Qf5 exd4 31. Rxd4 Re5 32. Qf3 Qc7 33. Kh1 Qe7 34. Qg4 Kh7 35. Qf4 g6 36. Kh2 Kg7 37. Qf3 Re6 38. Qg3 Rxe4 39. Qxd6 Rxe3 40. Qxe7 Rxe7 41. Rd5 Rb7 42. Rd6 f6 43. h4 Kf7 44. h5 gxh5 45. Rd5 Kg6 46. Kg3 Rb6 47. Rc5 f5 48. Kh4 Re6 49. Rxb5 Re4+ 50. Kh3 Kg5 51. Rb8 h4 52. Rg8+ Kh5 53. Rf8 Rf4 54. Rc8 Rg4 55. Rf8 Rg3+ 56. Kh2 Kg5 57. Rg8+ Kf4 58. Rc8 Ke3 59. Rxc4 f4 60. Ra4 h3 61. gxh3 Rg6 62. c4 f3 63. Ra3+ Ke2 64. b4 f2 65. Ra2+ Kf3 66. Ra3+ Kf4 67. Ra8 Rg1 0-1

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World Chess Championship Game 5: Carlsen Tortures Anand to Win Rook Ending, Takes Lead 3 -2

Chennai World Chess Championship 2013 Game 5 goes down in history as the first game won by Magnus Carlsen at the event versus Viswanathan Anand: What was it? The overnight stay at Fisherman's Cove, the Pyjama Girls' effect, sister Ellen's intuitive tweets of a victory for Magnus Carlsen, more supporters at the venue, or just pure chess? Possibly all combined.

This one's going to be one for both history and chess classrooms: World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand lost to World No.1 Magnus Carlsen after 58 moves (five and a half hours) in a Rook ending that really wasn't losing until the very end. Finally, Anand blinked on Friday. All earlier four games at the World Chess Championship Match have been drawn so far. 



The Challenger, for the first time in the match, played 1.c4 instead of 1.Nf3 which he had tried so far with White. Not opting for the main variations, the game steered from Semi-Slav to Noteboom to Marshall Attack and a Nimzo-Indian pawn structure with the rare 6.Nc3. Carlsen also sprung a surprise with 10.Qd3. Eventually, the pair of central pawns were exchanged and white dark-squared bishop had better scope.

Black ‘won’ the bishops pair and isolated one of the opponent’s pawns, but white completed the development and was ready for action. One careless move by black – 13…Bc7 – allowed Carlsen to perform convenient exchanges and transform the structure to his advantage.

Both players had pawn weaknesses but white pieces enjoyed greater activity. White was slightly better without any risks. Anand’s bishop was passive but it successfully protected the entry points on the 7th rank. Black also activated the rook along the fifth rank though it seemed to get blocked there. Both of Black's rooks remained disconnected for ages. 

Game 5 at Chennai World Chess Championship 2013: Magnus Carlsen - Viswanathan Anand 1-0 Photos Official website. 

White couldn’t break in and black pieces gradually gained activity. However, Anand still had to find the best moves just to stay in the game. He did so for some time until a careless check 45…Rc1+ cost him the a-pawn. In the resulting rook endgame with ‘a’ and ‘h’ pawns, white pieces were ideally placed to force the quick advance of the passed pawn on the a-file. Anand resigned after Carlsen got the second passed pawn on the h-file rolling.

In the post-match press conference, Carlsen said the first to win a game does not mean he has won the match. There are still seven games to go. The sixth game, in which Anand has White, will be played on Saturday. Here is a summary of all live streams that you can use for viewing Game 6 live. -- Rajat Khanna (inputs via official website)

Game 5 Moves Carlsen - Anand 1-0

Chennai World Chess Championship 2013

[Event "FWCM 2013"]

[Site "Chennai"]

[Date "2013.11.15"]

[Round "5"]

[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]

[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]

[Result "1-0"]

[ECO "D31"]

[WhiteElo "2870"]

[BlackElo "2775"]

[PlyCount "115"]

[EventDate "2013.15.1"]

[EventCountry "IND"]

[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]

1. c4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Nc3 c5 7. a3 Ba5 8. Nf3 Nf6 9. Be3 Nc6 10. Qd3 cxd4 11. Nxd4 Ng4 12. O-O-O Nxe3 13. fxe3 Bc7 14. Nxc6 bxc6 15. Qxd8+ Bxd8 16. Be2 Ke7 17. Bf3 Bd7 18. Ne4 Bb6 19. c5 f5 20. cxb6 fxe4 21. b7 Rab8 22. Bxe4 Rxb7 23. Rhf1 Rb5 24. Rf4 g5 25. Rf3 h5 26. Rdf1 Be8 27. Bc2 Rc5 28. Rf6 h4 29. e4 a5 30. Kd2 Rb5 31. b3 Bh5 32. Kc3 Rc5+ 33. Kb2 Rd8 34. R1f2 Rd4 35. Rh6 Bd1 36. Bb1 Rb5 37. Kc3 c5 38. Rb2 e5 39. Rg6 a4 40. Rxg5 Rxb3+ 41. Rxb3 Bxb3 42. Rxe5+ Kd6 43. Rh5 Rd1 44. e5+ Kd5 45. Bh7 Rc1+ 46. Kb2 Rg1 47. Bg8+ Kc6 48. Rh6+ Kd7 49. Bxb3 axb3 50. Kxb3 Rxg2 51. Rxh4 Ke6 52. a4 Kxe5 53. a5 Kd6 54. Rh7 Kd5 55. a6 c4+ 56. Kc3 Ra2 57. a7 Kc5 58. h4 1-0

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Magnus Carlsen Chess Fans: The Pyjama Girls Turn Around, Believe Magnus Will be World Champion

Magnus Carlsen fans cheer for the World No. 1 at the Chennai World Chess Championship 2013 versus Viswanathan Anand. They are the 'Pyjama Girls'.

This is a photo is of the 'Pyjama Girls' thus nicknamed after their photograph went viral via Twitter during the third game of the Carlsen - Anand World Chess Match on Tuesday. 

The girls were happy enough to turn around for us! This is a photo of them at school where they often play chess. .

Amalie Pedersen (the blonde in Black) told us, "My friends and I, sat and watched Carlsen against Vishy Anand. We love Magnus Carlsen and wanted to give Carlsen our support, so we got my mom to take a picture of us and we posted it on twitter with hashtag #nrksjakk."

Amalie told us, "We are four girls of 16 years, who are studying in our first year in high school. We are all very interested in chess, and especially Magnus Carlsen. We have followed through on Carlsen's progress in chess since we were 10 years old. He is our idol. But when we play chess, it’s just for fun and as a hobby."

"Sometimes we have chess evenings together where we sit and play some chess. I think that Magnus has great chances to win the title of World Champion in chess. He is smart and I think he has planned some good moves, and he has the highest chess rating of all time," she said.

GM Nigel Short ‏was quick to tweet: Why weren't there any girls taking their clothes off when I played the World Ch? #jealous

GM Parimarjan Negi promptly tweeted back: I guess Aruna is hoping that Indian girls are not so daring :)

The girls said, "We tuned in to the World Chess Championship match first on Saturday. And, now we cannot stop watching. Magnus Carlsen has become our idol. We are interested in chess and have special interest in Carlsen."

Speaking about their town, Amalie said, "We live in a small place called Andebu. It is slightly off Tøsnberg which is Norway's oldest city. In middle school we had a chess board in the classroom that anyone could use during recess, but otherwise it's not so much chess interest here. However, we are interested in chess now with this World Chess Championship Match, so more young people could also be interested now in Norway."

Here is the VGTV video interview of the girls in Norwegian

Andebu is a municipality in Vestfold county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Andebu. The parish of Andebo was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838. Andebu has large areas of woodland. -- Rajat Khanna

* Pattaya Kelappu Thala

* Get Free Simen Agdestein book on Magnus Carlsen, Parents and kids can play chess in Norway

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Game 5 at World Chess Championship: How Crucial is it Before Double White for Viswanathan Anand

World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand will look forward to another positive game with black pieces before he gets a double white against challenger Magnus Carlsen of Norway in the 5th round of their World Championship Match 2013 in Chennai on Friday.

With the first four games ending in draws, there has been a certain replication about this world championship that has never been seen before in a match. After the next black game Anand is due to get two whites in a row as per regulations and the Indian maestro can look forward to putting more pressure in the sixth and seventh game.

If the first game showed Anand in great spirits and giving nothing away in a 16-moves draw, Carlsen bounced back with a remarkable show of preparation when Anand could do little against his Caro Kann defense in the second game.

Anand yet again showed better skills as black and pressed hard for a victory in the third game without any real success. In the fourth game Carlsen came close to winning before throwing it away in Anand’s time pressure. To sum it up both players are coming out with some very smart work with black pieces while they are still trying to figure out where to hit while they are white.

Carlsen's jump from Caro Kann to Berlin is quite suggestive for the chess buffs. The Norwegian wants to keep the Indian ace guessing. One wouldn't be surprised if he comes up with a Sicilian in the next and a French in the seventh game when he is black. Being an all round player, this could be an important part of the strategy for Carlsen who has kept Anand guessing in the first two black games.

The black pieces in chess are considered a slightly unfavourable colour in the game. Anand is obviously happy to get some forcing variations thus far and this is a cause for worry for Carlsen who has not got things to his liking as far as his first two white games are concerned.

The main worry for the Anand camp is how to break through. The team would have spent a considerable time on the Caro Kann and now they have a side variation in the Berlin defense to look deeply. If Carlsen has a third opening against 'e4' that looks like the most likely scenario as of now, then it only adds to the work pressure for team Anand. -- PTI

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Crocin Cold Flu Max Chess Challenge via Facebook: Winner gets to Play with Viswanathan Anand

GSK Consumer Healthcare’s Crocin Cold & Flu Max, a variant from the healthcare brand Crocin, provides chess players across India with an opportunity to meet their idol – five-time World Chess Champion and Padma Vibhushan Viswanathan Anand. 

The campaign has been conceptualised by Grey Digital. Consumers can participate in the Chess Challenge on Crocin’s Facebook page and stand a chance to win. Players can register on the Crocin Chess Challenge Facebook app and begin to earn points by playing against the computer. All games against the computer are timed. 

Players can also earn points by taking the quiz which has chess-based questions or inviting friends to the Chess Challenge. The pecking order of the players on the game’s leader board is constructed classifying players as Brilliant Bishops, Relentless Rooks, Knowledgeable Knights and the Chess Champion based on increasing order of their performance and points. 

While five Relentless Rooks stand to win Viswanathan Anand merchandise every day, top 10 Knowledgeable Knights will get a chance to meet the legend himself. One chess champion will be crowned from among the top 10 performers who will get to play a game of chess with Viswanathan Anand. 

Speaking about the contest, Jayant Singh, EVP-Marketing, GlaxoSmithKline India, said, “Over the years, Crocin has been trusted by millions of consumers in India to get effective relief from pain. New Crocin Cold & Flu Max not only provides effective relief from 5 signs of Cold and Flu but also helps bring back your focus. Chess is one such game that epitomizes focus and concentration. We are glad to host the ‘Chess Challenge’ with the brand ambassador for Crocin Cold & Flu Max Vishwanathan Anand. We wish him a great championship ahead!” 

Viswanathan Anand, said, “Chess is a unique game that truly tests the player’s ability to strategize and foresee. I am glad to be a part of the Crocin Cold & Flu Max ‘Chess Challenge’; the contest provides a platform for chess lovers to enjoy the game and also showcase their knowledge about the game through the quiz. What is interesting is that the game can also be enjoyed by inviting friends to join. I am looking forward to being challenged by the contest winner; it will certainly be an exciting game of chess!” 

Sudhir Nair, Sr VP & Head – Grey Digital, said, “We were sure that the championship will create good social chatter and we were tracking what people had to say through listening services. We are already seeing good traction for the game and are confident that this will play an important role in building Crocin in the digital space.” 

The Chess Challenge is supported by an extensive campaign consisting of display banners, YouTube video pre-rolls and stamp ads. The campaign duration is from November 7 to November 28, 2013. To participate, click here for access to the Crocin Facebook page.

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Grandmaster Chess Open begins in Chennai Today; to Run Parallel to the World Chess Championship 2013

There are several chess events running parallel to the Anand versus Carlsen 2013 World Chess Championship in Chennai. The Grandmaster International Chess Open will run from November 15-23 on an 11-round format with a total prize fund of $16,000. (Photo: Russian Chess Fed)

The top players among the 104 players listed to participated are: GM Popov Ivan 2652 RUS, GM Vidit Santosh Gujrathi 2582 IND, GM Lalith Babu M.R. 2570 IND, GM Ter-Sahakyan Samvel 2568 ARM, GM Borovikov Vladislav 2558 UKR, GM Sethuraman S.P. 2553 IND, GM Strikovic Aleksa 2529 SRB, GM Venkatesh M.R. 2524 IND, GM Mirzoev Azer 2519 AZE, GM Papin Vasily 2510 RUS, IM Stopa Jacek 2510 POL, GM Babujian Levon 2510 ARM, IM Mozharov Mikhail 2508 RUS and GM Neverov Valeriy 2508 UKR.

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Chess Prodigy Magnus Carlsen's Father Advises Parents not to Pressure Kids into Doing Anything

World Chess Championship Challenger Magnus Carlsen's father, Henrik has some great advice for parents, particularly chess parents: Don't push your kids into anything. Here are excerpts from a LiveMint interview with the World No. 1's father (Photo: Photo: SaiSen/Mint)

How was Magnus as a child different from his three sisters? He wasn’t different at all as child. He was pretty much the same as his sisters. We didn’t notice anything unusual at all. For instance, I am good with numbers. So was Magnus till he turned 5, but after that, he didn’t take interest in numbers at all.

Honestly, it took us a long time to figure out that Magnus could be good at chess or be different from his sisters in any way at all. So the way we brought him up wasn’t different at all from the way we raised our other children.

But it was you who introduced Magnus to chess, isn’t it? Yes, I taught him the game when he was 5, but initially he didn’t take much interest in it. It was like that for many years, and I didn’t care. He suddenly started taking interest in chess when he was about to turn 8. And he developed that interest completely on his own. At that time, he was also interested in football, and till about 12, he played a lot of football as well.

At what point did you realize that he was a gifted chess player?When he started taking interest in chess, he could really focus on it. He wasn’t interested in anything else at all. It was only then that we realized that Magnus could focus on only one thing, unlike other children who would be interested in several things. For Magnus, it was chess and chess alone.

That was the time when we realized that he was somewhat different from other children of his age. He must have been 8 or 9 at that time.

By the time, he turned 9 or nine-and-a-half, he started beating me at chess. So, looking at his drive from within, we thought maybe Magnus wants to play chess seriously. My wife, though, wasn’t much interested in chess initially.

He quit studies quite early in his life. Was it his decision? Did you agree with him when he did that? He must have been 16 by the time he decided to quit studies. Initially, we always encouraged him to pay attention to his studies as well. There were times when we would have to ask him to stop playing chess, skip tournaments and so on, so that he could finish his homework and cope with studies. But never the other way round.

When he eventually decided to quit studies—and that was completely his own decision—we didn’t object to it because by that time it was clear to everyone that he definitely had a future in chess. Chess always came first, so we would never have to push him to train in chess.

Also, being a Norwegian helped. Because of the high standards of social security in Norway and other Scandinavian countries, children there are able to explore special things.

For somebody of Magnus’ IQ, he would have been good at many other things, not just chess. What do you think he could have become had he not taken a liking for chess? No, no, no… I don’t know about his IQ. I don’t know what he could have become had he not played chess. You should ask him what he wishes to be when he quits playing. So far, he has only played chess and has always focused on it.

Having brought up a prodigy, what is your advice to young parents?
Honestly, we never thought of Magnus as a prodigy and bringing him up wasn’t in any manner different from bringing up my other children. We treated him in the same way as the others in the family because, as I said, he never appeared to be different in any manner.

It was only when he started focusing on chess and we could see that he could switch himself off from everything else, did we realize that he turned out to be somewhat different from his sisters, or other children for that matter. Since then, he has only been doing what he loves to do: play chess. And we didn’t stop him from following his passion.

My advice to young parents is that they shouldn’t pressure their children into doing anything. They should allow the children to decide for themselves what they like. This can take time but if eventually a child can focus on something—like Magnus could focus on chess—allow him to pursue a career in what he enjoys doing.

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Anand, Carlsen Press Conference Comments on Game 4 at Chennai World Chess Championship 2013

Defending World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand on Thursday conceded that he came out of a lost position in Game 4 of the World Chess Championship match against Magnus Carlsen of Norway. The game ended in a gruelling draw in Chennai on Thursday. (Photo: Official website)

"Something went wrong in the opening. I made one illogical move after the next and then I missed something with this knight move. And then I was just basically lost," Anand said at the post-game press conference.

"I am sure he had many wins in what he played. Towards the endgame it was a little bit scary in this four rooks endgame but finally when I gave a check on a8 and then moved my rook, I was safe," Anand said.

"I was lucky twice. Just before the time control I could give a check and made my next move and reached the time control. It happened twice."

Asked whether he missed losing the pawn, Anand said: "I didn't really miss it. If I didn't play Ne2 what do I do. I was just being consistent."

Carlsen was pretty happy with the way things went for him today.

"I was doing pretty good, and then when I won the pawn I was very optimistic. He kept on finding resources and I was missing some little things. He really fought very well. It's bit of a pity to have spoiled such a good position but it was a very good fight," he said. Carlsen was all praise for Anand in his usual ways.

"He kept finding very good resources that at least I could not deal with. I didn't see any clear win. Anyways you have to do something and right before the time control I thought I might be winning but it was not the case. It's not so easy, there were many tactical possibilities. I was just trying to navigate through them," he said.

On a lot of energy going in these long games the Norwegian showed his funny side.

"It's a rest day tomorrow and we are playing a world championship match. On move 56 Anand had one minute, there is a chance that he will fall in to checkmate," explained Carlsen on why he was continuing in a level position.

Anand said something similar about Carlsen.

"Magnus too kept on finding resources when I thought it should be a draw. I was lucky that I could play last two moves quickly when down to one minute."

The match will resume on Friday after a rest day on Thursday and Carlsen will have white pieces in the fifth game. Anand will have White pieces in both the sixth and seventh games. --PTI

* World Chess Match Game 4: Thrilling Draw as Anand Finds Excellent Resources for all Magnus Threats
* Game 3 a Fighting Draw even as Carlsen "happy to survive" against Anand at World Chess Championship
* Chennai World Chess Championship Game 2 Anand - Carlsen 1/2- 1/2; Carlsen: We are both settling in
* Chennai World Chess Championship Game 1 Carlsen - Anand 1/2- 1/2

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World Chess Match Game 4: Thrilling Draw as Anand Finds Excellent Resources for all Magnus Threats

Game 4 at Chennai World Chess Championship Viswanathan Anand vs Magnus Carlsen 1/2-1/2: Were it not for reigning World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand's 'Houdini' escape act with clever defence, challenger Magnus Carlsen could have scored the first win of the event.

The World Chess Champion survived the Berlin Defence with an extremely patiently played Game 4 in Chennai. Carlsen tried to push with all his might for a win while playing almost the entire game a pawn up, but it was not to be. Carlsen did not play the Caro Kann as he had done with Black in Game 2.

Photo: Official website (For all links for viewing live World Chess Championship, check our summary of live links.)

The Berlin defense became famous after Vladimir Kramnik used it to beat Garry Kasparov in the World Chess Championship Match of 2000 in London. Carlsen deviated from the more popular line of 10...Ke8 with 10...Be7. It's not a novelty, but it has particularly been played lately by Jon Ludvig Hammer - Magnus Carlsen's friend and second. Also, on the 15th move, Carlsen went Be6 instead of the more popular Bc6.

The 64 moves of Game 4 were pure gold. Anand had won a game versus Sergey Karjakin earlier this year by using the 4.d3 sideline. However, he used the main line against Carlsen in Game 4. 

Magnus Carlsen went into a long think at the 18th move to decide whether to take the a-pawn or not. Thereafter, the game became a struggle of regrouping pieces while Black had to find a way to activate his Black Rook on a8 despite being a pawn up. White managed to withstand any damage by advancing his Kingside pawn majority and keeping the pressure on Carlsen. 

The position became extremely complicated. Anand found a fantastic resource in 35.Ne4! which helped him to finally open up Black's King on the Queenside and equalise. The defending champion remained a pawn down, but as more and more material got exchanged, White came closer to a draw and finally achieved it.

Right till the end, Carlsen even tried all kinds of checkmating threats living up to his promise of playing to the end, but Anand was up to the challenge all through. The game lasted just about six hours.

Eight classical time-control games are still to be played in the 12-game World Chess Championship Match. The score is now tied at 2-2. The last two games have been deadly energy-draining fights to the bitter end. More exciting chess is surely likely after the second rest day on Thursday. -- Rajat Khanna

Game 4 moves

[Event "FWCM 2013"]

[Site "Chennai"]

[Date "2013.11.13"]

[Round "4"]

[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]

[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]

[Result "1/2-1/2"]

[ECO "C67"]

[WhiteElo "2775"]

[BlackElo "2870"]

[PlyCount "127"]

[EventDate "2013.??.??"]

[EventCountry "IND"]

[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 Bd7 10. Rd1 Be7 11. Nc3 Kc8 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bxe7 Nxe7 14. Rd2 c5 15. Rad1 Be6 16. Ne1 Ng6 17. Nd3 b6 18. Ne2 Bxa2 19. b3 c4 20. Ndc1 cxb3 21. cxb3 Bb1 22. f4 Kb7 23. Nc3 Bf5 24. g4 Bc8 25. Nd3 h5 26. f5 Ne7 27. Nb5 hxg4 28. hxg4 Rh4 29. Nf2 Nc6 30. Rc2 a5 31. Rc4 g6 32. Rdc1 Bd7 33. e6 fxe6 34. fxe6 Be8 35. Ne4 Rxg4+ 36. Kf2 Rf4+ 37. Ke3 Rf8 38. Nd4 Nxd4 39. Rxc7+ Ka6 40. Kxd4 Rd8+ 41. Kc3 Rf3+ 42. Kb2 Re3 43. Rc8 Rdd3 44. Ra8+ Kb7 45. Rxe8 Rxe4 46. e7 Rg3 47. Rc3 Re2+ 48. Rc2 Ree3 49. Ka2 g5 50. Rd2 Re5 51. Rd7+ Kc6 52. Red8 Rge3 53. Rd6+ Kb7 54. R8d7+ Ka6 55. Rd5 Re2+ 56. Ka3 Re6 57. Rd8 g4 58. Rg5 Rxe7 59. Ra8+ Kb7 60. Rag8 a4 61. Rxg4 axb3 62. R8g7 Ka6 63. Rxe7 Rxe7 64. Kxb3 1/2-1/2

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Game 3 a Fighting Draw even as Carlsen "happy to survive" against Anand at World Chess Championship

Defending champion Viswanathan Anand on Tuesday gave his Norwegian challenger Magnus Carlsen a scare despite playing with black pieces even though the third game of the World Chess Championship clash ended in a long-grinding draw.

The third game turned out to be a hard fought affair lasting 51 moves after a rather sedate start that had seen the first two games ending in draws without any real excitement.

Midway into the third game today, Anand appeared to have seized the initiative with some 'spot on' manoeuvres, but the world number one Carlsen saved the situation with his counter play.

Later at the post-game conference, Carlsen conceded that he felt "scary" though he averted the danger.

The Game 3 handshake: official website

"I was worse, and then I probably made it more worse. I missed some simple things in the middle game, may be I had enough play and it was not a disaster but it was scary," Carlsen said.

After the third draw on the trot, the deadlock continues with none of the two rivals refusing to blink so far, but what happened at the Hyatt on Tuesday was probably a clear indication that a rough battle is now shaping up.

The scores stand at 1.5 points for both players and the five-time world chess champion Anand will have the advantage of playing with white pieces in the fourth game tomorrow.

Carlsen showed his intentions of a bloody battle when, contrary to the popular belief, repeated the Reti opening.

"I was expecting that Carlsen would jump from one opening to another," said Grandmaster RB Ramesh, who is a part of the live commentary team here.

As is typical of the Reti opening, the changes to several set ups is possible. Carlsen went for a position akin to the English opening that was more of a Sicilian Dragon with colours reversed.

The Middle game took a major turn when Carlsen deviated his attention to the King side by a queen sortie but Anand was alert enough.

With some 'spot on' manoeuvres, the Indian world chess champion then seized the initiative pushing the white queen to the edge of the board only to see Carlsen avert the danger with his counter play.



As the game progressed, Carlsen got back in his groove and got his counter play in the form of a thematic central break through. Thereafter, the Norwegian was pretty much at ease as the game quickly changed shape once again.

Anand knew there was sufficient play for both sides when he allowed liquidation to a position that had Bishops of opposite colours. The Indian had a small weakness on the king side that could be easily covered.

"Obviously for black what he is getting is the two Bishops, if I can role my queen side pawns down I would be better," Anand noted in the post-game chat.

Anand won a pawn in the small tactical battle that ensued but it was not enough. Carlsen was quick to launch some threats and the Indian decided to go for further liquidation by trading the last pair of rooks on the 37th move.

Carlsen accepted the exchange offer and won the pawn with his next few precise moves and after that it was a completely drawn position on the board.

However, the players continued the battle almost till the last nail. It was just the two Bishops remaining on board when the players signed the truce after 51 moves.

In the fourth game on Wednesday, Anand will get his second white in the 12-game match that has Rs 14 crore as the prize fund.

If it were tennis, it's advantage Anand for now. -- PTI

Game 3 Moves PGN

[Event "FWCM 2013"]
[Site "Chennai"]
[Date "2013.11.12"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2870"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2013.12.11"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 g6 3. c4 dxc4 4. Qa4+ Nc6 5. Bg2 Bg7 6. Nc3 e5 7. Qxc4 Nge7 8. O-O O-O 9. d3 h6 10. Bd2 Nd4 11. Nxd4 exd4 12. Ne4 c6 13. Bb4 Be6 14. Qc1 Bd5 15. a4 b6 16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. a5 Rab8 18. Re1 Rfc8 19. axb6 axb6 20. Qf4 Rd8 21. h4 Kh7 22. Nd2 Be5 23. Qg4 h5 24. Qh3 Be6 25. Qh1 c5 26. Ne4 Kg7 27. Ng5 b5 28. e3 dxe3 29. Rxe3 Bd4 30. Re2 c4 31. Nxe6+ fxe6 32. Be4 cxd3 33. Rd2 Qb4 34. Rad1 Bxb2 35. Qf3 Bf6 36. Rxd3 Rxd3 37. Rxd3 Rd8 38. Rxd8 Bxd8 39. Bd3 Qd4 40. Bxb5 Qf6 41. Qb7+ Be7 42. Kg2 g5 43. hxg5 Qxg5 44. Bc4 h4 45. Qc7 hxg3 46. Qxg3 e5 47. Kf3 Qxg3+ 48. fxg3 Bc5 49. Ke4 Bd4 50. Kf5 Bf2 51. Kxe5 Bxg3+ 1/2-1/2

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Andres Guadalupe's Spanish Cartoons and Chennai Anand - Carlsen World Chess Championship 2013

Chess and humour do go together. Andrés Guadalupe, a cartoonist and illustrator, has played chess ever since he can remember. He has been a club player as well and has always, always been passionate about chess. The Anand - Carlsen Chennai World Chess Championship 2013 is a special opportunity for him to explore his love for both chess and cartooning. Of course, a cartoonist always sees what mere mortals cannot!

"I've been making cartoons many years ago and not only chess, editorial cartoons, graphic humor in general, illustrations as well. Many subjects,' says Guadalupe, adding, "I'm doing chess cartoons regularly and now eventually doing a serial cartoons about the world chess championship."

"My favorite cartoons always are the last, in this case the ones about the world chess championship."

Guadalupe says, "My favorite player is Mikhail Tal. And finally my subjects apart from chess obviously, are editorial cartoons. My subjects are Everything. The life that surrounds me."

Guadalupe begins with paper first, pencil and ink, then scans and puts in the text and coloring in Photoshop.

He says, what a whole lot of us want to say all the time, "I would like that the chess was as popular as the football and other similar sports."

Don't forget to check out Andrés Guadalupe's great blog 'Ajedrez con humor'. It's in Spanish, but don't you worry, cartooning, like chess is a universal language. Also, don't forget to give Andrés Guadalupe a Like on his FB fanpage. -- Rajat Khanna

Andres Guadalupe will soon be making an exclusive cartoon for us, so stay tuned.

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Anand - Carlsen Match will become Exciting Soon, Even Heavyweight Boxing Starts Slow: Kasparov

Chennai World Chess Championship Chennai 2013 GM Interview: Former World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov has said the Anand - Carlsen World Chess Match will witness a close finish. 

Speaking to journalists at the Hyatt Regency, the former world chess champion said, "I am amazed by the publicity for the match and reminds me of my match with Anatoly Karpov and the Spassky-Fischer game. I hope Anand vs Carlsen match will be the revival of chess, it shows the importance of the title and is an amazing clash of generations."

Garry Kasparov reached Chennai with his wife Daria as a "chess tourist" and said even though he felt the 22-year-old Norwegian challenger has a slight edge, the experience of the 43-year-old defending champion Viswanathan Anand could come into play.

Kasparov said, "I have a very good relation with Carlsen and his team but my talk will be limited to wishing him good luck. I cannot hide the fact that my sympathies are with Carlsen, not because we have worked before but because I believe that the future belongs to the younger generation and Carlsen is half of Vishy's age."

"Having said that, World Championship is a highly unpredictable event and Vishy has plenty of experience and is on his home turf. The match will be very close and I would not share the optimism of many commentators saying Carlsen will have an easy job. There is no easy walk to World Championship."

Kasparov said, he didn't make much of the two draws so far. He said, the match would become exciting later on. "I wasn't critical because there is too much at stake. When you look at heavyweight boxing it very often starts slow." 

"It could be dramatic but normally they find to find a weakness but eventually it gets faster. Nobody wants to make a mistake or give the opponent an early lead. The match will become exciting," said Kasparov. (B&W With inputs from PTI)

* GM opinions on Chennai Anand - Carlsen World Chess Championship 

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