Reports | October 21, 2008 21:32

World Championship: third win for Anand

Anand-Kramnik, Game 6Update: video added.
After winning the 6th match game today, reigning world champion Viswanathan Anand increased his lead even further. Three points down, challenger Vladimir Kramnik finds himself in a hopeless situation half-way the match.

Before the game Anand was leading 3.5-1.5 and everybody wondered: would Kramnik go for a win, or would he follow the advice of Kasparov, who said "he should just worry about surviving [...] after such a blunder in game five, then decide on a game plan for the final six games"?

Following the opening of the sixth round, it appeared that Kramnik was having similar thoughts as Kasparov's, when he went for the Classical Nimzo-Indian with 4?¢‚Ǩ¬¶d5 and 6?¢‚Ǩ¬¶Qf5. However, it turned out that Anand himself was in the mood for more than just a quiet ending.

The Indian avoided the ending with 7.Qb3 and two moves later he brought an interesting novelty, again taking the initative as it comes to opening theory. This time Kramnik reacted quicker than in previous games, but still he found himself in a slightly worse ending around move 15.

And then Anand just outplayed Kramnik. His advantage got bigger, he won a pawn, he won another one and easily countered his opponent's threats that weren't really serious threats anyway. His pieces seemed to lack coordination, but Anand managed to untangle and convert his material quite elegantly.

And so we're suddenly left with the second half of the match still to be played, but nobody believes it will be a real fight anymore ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú the general consensus is that Anand has won the match today. For the first time he actually smiled several times during the press conference.

spectators

About half of the seats already filled at about around 14:50

g6_03

Kramnik grabbing his bishop to go for a Nimzo-Indian again...

anand_moves

...and Anand playing 5.cxd5

press

There were a few more photographers than in game 2-5, because...

karpov2

...former world champion Anatoly Karpov (left to UEP President J. Resch)
came up on stage today to play the first move

Here's the sixth game of the match, co-commented by IM Merijn van Delft and by your editor-in-chief:



Match score:

Name Nat. Rtg
G01
14/10
G02
15/10
G03
17/10
G04
18/10
G05
20/10
G06
21/10
G07
23/10
G08
24/10
G09
26/10
G10
27/10
G11
29/10
G12
31/10
Anand IND 2783
?Ǭ?
?Ǭ?
1
?Ǭ?
1
1
4?Ǭ?
Kramnik RUS 2772
?Ǭ?
?Ǭ?
0
?Ǭ?
0
0
1?Ǭ?



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Peter Doggers's picture
Author: Peter Doggers

Founder and editor-in-chief of ChessVibes.com, Peter is responsible for most of the chess news and tournament reports. Often visiting top events, he also provides photos and videos for the site. He's a 1.e4 player himself, likes Thai food and the Stones.

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Comments

tommy's picture

tommy

4 years 7 months ago

Kd1 f3 and e4 will follow and after freeing the white rook, the b pawn will advance and queen -> 1:0

raj's picture

raj

4 years 7 months ago

f3 now

Sutton's picture

Sutton

4 years 7 months ago

"Bd2 looks even better than what I had in mind!"

Don't mean to make fun, Ajay, but that comment is very funny. You mean one of the greatest players of all time came up with a better move than you? Wow!

raj's picture

raj

4 years 7 months ago

sure f3!

Bharat's picture

Bharat

4 years 7 months ago

What is going on? After Kd1 I think white is simply a pawn up

raj's picture

raj

4 years 7 months ago

haha

take the pawn...........make a file! -------black king in trouble! behind castle!

raj's picture

raj

4 years 7 months ago

okay..........this is anand's game again..........

i hope..... 4.5-1.5 ................................. AND REMEMBER, KRAMNIK ISNT BOBBY FISCHER!!!

Bharat's picture

Bharat

4 years 7 months ago

I am not sure anand is winning -- but he cant lose from here

ajay's picture

ajay

4 years 7 months ago

Hello Sutton...these guys spend all their time playing chess...I am a part-timer! That said that, this match has picked up quite a bit

Bharat's picture

Bharat

4 years 7 months ago

If Kramnik had Anands position, he would win for sure

tommy's picture

tommy

4 years 7 months ago

anand has like a fortress - he can now very slowly advance the position of his pieces - especially the rook and th bishop or exchange the bishop and play for a win. Without him making a blunder he should be able to win this in the next 20 moves

Bharat's picture

Bharat

4 years 7 months ago

This is desperation from Kramnik -- now he will lose

tommy's picture

tommy

4 years 7 months ago

31. gxf5 1:0?????

Jos's picture

Jos

4 years 7 months ago

Don't know guys but according to me Anand is worse and should watch out. kram seems to have the initiative for the pawn and anyhow, he played bravely today.

Jos

ajay's picture

ajay

4 years 7 months ago

very tricky...anand's rook has to stay on row 2 to avoid being mated

Bharat's picture

Bharat

4 years 7 months ago

Kd2 to f3 -- what does Kramnik have up his sleeve?

ajay's picture

ajay

4 years 7 months ago

I would go Bd2

ajay's picture

ajay

4 years 7 months ago

Now Kd1

Bharat's picture

Bharat

4 years 7 months ago

That is the winning move

ajay's picture

ajay

4 years 7 months ago

Looks like Kramnik is toast

Bharat's picture

Bharat

4 years 7 months ago

e4 nc6 bc3 and it looks bad for black

Bharat's picture

Bharat

4 years 7 months ago

oops e4 nb6 bc3

Jos's picture

Jos

4 years 7 months ago

Rg4. Looks like he's gonna do it again and iI was too pessimistic.

joan's picture

joan

4 years 7 months ago

Why not 36. e4

Bharat's picture

Bharat

4 years 7 months ago

rg3 games over

Sutton's picture

Sutton

4 years 7 months ago

From what I can see - Anand is very un-coordinated, Kramnik should regain a pawn with plenty of activity. He is not going to win though. Whats the clocks like?

ajay's picture

ajay

4 years 7 months ago

dc3

Bharat's picture

Bharat

4 years 7 months ago

How can I win this? let me count the ways

Joe's picture

Joe

4 years 7 months ago

What a whipping!! Kramnik is completely lost.
Anand will certainly retain his crown

ajay's picture

ajay

4 years 7 months ago

e5 may be better

joan's picture

joan

4 years 7 months ago

38. bc3 1:0?

Bharat's picture

Bharat

4 years 7 months ago

Bh6?

Joe's picture

Joe

4 years 7 months ago

Please someone stop this massacre!

tommy's picture

tommy

4 years 7 months ago

kramnik can still win the title

tommy's picture

tommy

4 years 7 months ago

... if Anand falls dead from his chair

ajay's picture

ajay

4 years 7 months ago

f6...go for it buddy

Jack's picture

Jack

4 years 7 months ago

Shirov is relieved today like he attained Nirvana. He always believed that it his crown that Kramnik was roaming around with.

Bharat's picture

Bharat

4 years 7 months ago

bc3 nd4+ nxd4 rxc3 wins slowly I think
these lines win faster

Jos's picture

Jos

4 years 7 months ago

oh my Gawd, hes gonna loose again!

Bharat's picture

Bharat

4 years 7 months ago

resigns now or in two moves

Merijn van Delft's picture

Merijn van Delft

4 years 7 months ago

check mail Peter

Joe's picture

Joe

4 years 7 months ago

Anything wins. Anand can even call his wife to finish the game for him!

ajay's picture

ajay

4 years 7 months ago

fg7 is called for

Sutton's picture

Sutton

4 years 7 months ago

I still think Kramnik has chances - provided he was playing down my club or if Anand was drunk. This is startling. Never would have expected 3-0 at half way stage.

Joe's picture

Joe

4 years 7 months ago

On the bright side Kramnik is lasting more than the last game (35 moves).
A good result for him I presume!

Hortensius's picture

Hortensius

4 years 7 months ago

It will be another point for Anand...

tommy's picture

tommy

4 years 7 months ago

why 39... Kf7?? and not Rc7?

pepi's picture

pepi

4 years 7 months ago

Jon, it's even easier than this: maybe he should even call your retarded grandfather!

kamal's picture

kamal

4 years 7 months ago

what about 38 Bc3......

Bharat's picture

Bharat

4 years 7 months ago

Bb4 resigns

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