Anand beats Carlsen

Update 20.57 CET: comments to the games

The only decisive third round game was Carlsen-Anand 0-1. In a somewhat unusual Meran the queens were quickly exchanged and many expected a quick draw. Instead, Carlsen was outplayed. 18.g3 didn’t look very nice and Anand showed that with rooks on the board, opposite-couloured bishops aren’t that drawish. The other games were drawn.

Leko also defended with the Queen’s Indian against Topalov and a variation came on the board that is known from Topalov-Anand, San Luis 2005. Leko’s preparation looked good. I’m not sure about the opening in Morozevich-Aronian (a mix of the Exchange Variation of the Queen’s Gambit, the Ragozin and the Cambridge-Springs) but I know it’s very topical. Black’s extra pawn didn’t mean much with such an unsafe king. Leader Ivanchuk opted for the Petroff Defence against Svidler which led to an interesting ending with I think a small plus for White. the Ukrainian kept it balanced and is still leading, now together with Anand. (Tonight more about the games. But do come back because soon… a video!!)

The following comments are based on TWIC, Crestbook and Dennis Monokroussos’s entertaining blog, who always publishes lots of interesting analysis and so far paid much attention to Morelia/Linares.

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