[Event "2012 World Championship match"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.05.11"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Viswanathan Anand"]
[Black "Boris Gelfand"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D85"]
[Annotator "Sergey Shipov (Translated by Colin McGourty)"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2012.05.11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

{Hello, dear chess fans! This is Grandmaster Sergey Shipov welcoming you to
the World Championship. The match between the current Champion Vishy Anand and
the Challenger Boris Gelfand is about to begin in Moscow. It's a convincing
refutation of the widespread thesis that chess is getting younger. Between
them the match participants are 85 years old - only a few of the first
official matches a century ago could claim a greater sum. Vishy and Boris are
experienced fighters who have built up enormous experience. Their blood no
longer boils, at times they lack energy, but on the other hand they know much
more about chess than the youngsters. The unique feature of these players is
that they've been able to maintain a youthful nervous system. Maintaining good
physical shape in your 40s is something many are capable of, but constantly
maintaining the very highest level of concentration at the board, quickly
reacting to changing situations, calmly switching from defence to attack and
vice versa, withstanding the stresses and quickly recovering from failures -
that's something few can do. People like Anand and Gelfand... The players'
chances in the upcoming battle are almost equal. The Champion is, in my view,
a little stronger as a player - if you put a position that's unfamiliar to
both of them on the board he'll grasp the nuances quicker. On the other hand,
the Challenger has much greater motivation. What does the current match
represent for Anand? For a man who's been fighting for the title for almost
two decades, and who's competed against all of his great contemporaries...
It's not routine, of course, but simply a normal match, while for Gelfand the
current encounter is the peak of his career. What he's spent his whole life
striving towards. And therefore it's now that Boris is obliged to demonstrate
all he's capable of. To put everything into it! The recipe for success for
Gelfand is simple - to play as he did in Kazan (at the Candidates Matches) and
improve a little in the opening. It's in the opening stages that Boris should
lay the foundation for his triumph. Anand's recipe for success is to be
himself. To play as he played against Kramnik and Topalov. Let's see who can
put those proposed recipes into practice... In general, any World Championship
final is a magical phenomenon, something symbolic and even sacred. Regardless
of the format. For long years now I've been in favour of a match-tournament as
a method of deciding the Champion. There are a lot of benefits. For example,
that allows you to combine the concepts of "Champion" and "the world's best
chess player", which is quite an issue now. Everyone knows Garry Kasparov's
caustic assessment of the current match. Anand, and particularly Gelfand,
really are a long way from the top of the rating list. If you could add
Carlsen, Aronian and Kramnik to them... and a sixth player, then you'd get a
superb match-tournament for the World Championship. Six players and four
rounds. Meanwhile, however, the match system rules the chess world. Well,
let's watch the match! I wish both players success. May the best man win...} 1.
d4 {And they're off! They've bypassed the Petroff, so we await the Queen's
Gambit...} Nf6 {No, something else is possible.} 2. c4 g6 {A surprise.
Nowadays Boris is changing his opening preferences like gloves. Such are the
demands of modern life.} 3. Nc3 d5 {The Gruenfeld Defence - an evergreen,
sharp opening.} 4. Nf3 {Vishy didn't have doubts for long. Of course he was
ready for his opponent's choice.} Bg7 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 c5 8.
Bb5+ {The first interesting moment. Anand lands a moral counterpunch, choosing
a relatively rare continuation.} ({The main line here is considered to be} 8.
Rb1) 8... Nc6 {The most combative move. Black isn't afraid of a jab from the
d4-pawn.} ({After} 8... Bd7 {White would get a small advantage with} 9. Bxd7+
Qxd7 10. O-O {- there's no-one to pin the f3-knight here, so White's centre
holds.}) 9. d5 {Nevertheless! Back when I was a practicing player and studied
this variation for Black this advance struck me as totally harmless, by which
I mean White is risking no less - after all, his c3-pawn is hanging with check,
and the a1-rook stands behind it. But a lot of water has flowed under the
bridge since then. It seems the new computer analysis from Anand's team has
revealed another evaluation... Gelfand is taking a long think. The main reply
here was considered to be 9...a6, but what's going to follow in this game -
we'll see. The alternative is the queen coming to a5. In both cases a very
sharp battle will commence, in which it's extremely hard to know what's going
on without a computer on hand.} Qa5 {Played after serious hesitation. You
certainly can't conclude that Boris has thought up this move at the board.
More likely he knows the variation perfectly well, but he's simply making a
choice. He's trying to understand how he can avoid his opponent's possible
computer preparation. Where will it be easier to hide...} ({Here's a
highly-rated example of} 9... a6 {In the game Jan Gustafsson - Maxime
Vachier-Lagrave, Germany 2008, there followed:} 10. Be2 Bxc3+ 11. Bd2 Bxa1 12.
Qxa1 Nd4 13. Nxd4 cxd4 14. Qxd4 f6 15. h4 {and White got a certain initiative
for the exchange. In my view it wasn't a lethal one, which was confirmed by
the peaceful outcome of the game.}) 10. Rb1 {The only sensible reply. The rook
saves both itself and its comrade on b5. The c3-pawn doesn't enter the
reckoning - just as in a war. In the battle for the initiative such a minor
sacrifice isn't a sacrifice.} a6 {This is the only way to avoid losing a piece.
Vishy has started to think for the first time. His bishop has three roads
ahead, like the the hero of a Russian fairy tale. On c6 it'll put its head on
the block, while on a4 or e2 it can live a little longer...} ({I also couldn't
find any contraindications to the other move-order:} 10... Bxc3+ 11. Bd2 a6 {
and so on.}) 11. Bxc6+ {With the bishop gone it's much easier for the horse! 
[Shipov here adapts a Russian saying, "With the woman off the cart it's much
easier for the mare", which is sometimes translated as "good riddance to bad
rubbish". The Russian for "bishop" is "elephant", so it might be much easier!]
In principle, if you can make forwards moves then why retreat and lose tempos?
Perhaps because the exchange on c6 had always been considered harmless, but in
World Championship matches past theory is always subjected to doubt... Let's
see what comes next - the tension's mounting.} ({In the line} 11. Ba4 {I took
an interest in the game Z. Martic - A. Brkic, Croatia 2011, in which
materialism overcame idealism:} b5 12. dxc6 Bxc3+ 13. Bd2 Bxd2+ 14. Qxd2 Qxa4
15. O-O Qxe4 16. Rbd1 O-O 17. Rfe1 Qxc6 18. Qh6 Qf6 {and there turned out to
be no mate.}) 11... bxc6 12. O-O {White has completed his development and is
ready to go on the attack. He's not bothered about his foot soldiers, as
they're definitely not playing for pawns... I think Black has to reply in kind.
First of all he should ensure the safety of his king and only then get down to
eating up pawns. Although... Although it's not that simple. An accurate
move-order is important. For example, after castling there's the capture on c6,
and then it'll be tough to deal with that pawn. It needs thinking about!
Unfortunately I can't see the times on the players' clocks on the internet,
but it's clear that Gelfand has spent more time in the opening. And it's clear
that we've got a long way to go until time trouble.} Qxa2 {The most principled
approach. Black acquires an extra pawn with tempo. His queen should then
return to base. If he manages to defend then the passed pawn on a6 will become
a threatening force. But here the expression "if" is important...} ({I had a
quick look at the variation} 12... O-O 13. dxc6 {and became convinced that
Black has problems:} Bg4 ({bad is} 13... Qc7 14. Qd5 $1) ({and if} 13... Be6 {
then it's strong to play} 14. Bf4 {and c6-c7}) 14. Rb7 Rac8 15. Bg5 Rxc6 {-
Black nevertheless manages to eliminate White's dangerous pawn, but new
difficulties arise -} 16. Bxe7 Rfc8 17. Bd6 $1 Qxa2 18. e5 {- after building a
strong structure in the centre White intends to play h2-h3, after which he'll
have new attacking options.}) ({It would be too passive to play} 12... Qc7 {-
the Gruenfeld Defence isn't played like that. White develops an initiative with
} 13. Bg5 O-O 14. Qd2 {and so on.}) ({And, finally, Black can play} 12... Bg4 {
, after which I liked the bold attack} 13. d6 $1 Rd8 14. h3 Bxf3 (14... Rxd6
15. Rb8+) 15. Qxf3 exd6 16. Bg5 Rc8 17. Rb7 O-O 18. Be7 {and White puts
serious pressure on the f7-point.}) 13. Rb2 {A less-than-obvious but, it seems,
strong move. And it turns out to be a novelty. Boris is taking a long think
and looking at the paths by which his queen can retreat. Either via c4, or via
a5. In both cases you need to take the d5-d6 jab into account! The threat of
delaying the black king in the centre is very real.} ({The play of the
predecessors here was, to put in mildly, less than ideal:} 13. Be3 cxd5 14.
exd5 O-O 15. Bxc5 Rd8 16. Bxe7 Rxd5 17. Nd4 Bd7 {- draw, P. Niederwieser - H.
Kratschmer, Austria 2006.}) ({The move} 13. Bg5 {was crying out to be played.
In that manner White would both defend the rook and put pressure on the
e7-pawn. What was it Vishy didn't like there? Perhaps} cxd5 14. exd5 h6 15. Bh4
Bf5 16. Rb7 O-O $1 17. Bxe7 Rfb8 {and Black doesn't only manage to organise a
defence but also generates counterthreats.}) 13... Qa5 {The shortest route.
The second step will be to put the queen on c7 or d8. White needs to hurry...
I suspect Anand is still playing moves according to his home preparation, but
Gelfand is probably already thinking on his own. Without computer crutches...
The Champion's long pause demonstrates that he's also outside of his studied
variations. Vishy can't make up his mind to go for d5-d6. Taking on c6 seems
less promising to me - if only because it allows Black to castle... During
Anand's think I managed to get into some real depth analysing the continuation
14.d6 and found an interesting defence for Black, where he ends up with rooks
and two bishops against White's queen and rooks (with a lot of pawns) and now
I'm trying to work out if it's a fortress or not?} ({It seems the continuation
} 13... Qc4 {didn't equalise on account of} 14. d6 $1 Ra7 15. Bg5 f6 16. Be3
Rd7 (16... O-O $6 17. Nd2 $1 Qxc3 18. Rc2 {- the pawns on c5 and e7 will fall})
17. Nd2 Qxc3 18. Rc2 Qd3 19. dxe7 {- Black hasn't managed to accommodate his
king comfortably, his pawns have turned into firewood and White has an easy
and pleasant game.}) 14. d6 {Away with doubt, Vishy, you have to attack! There
was no other means of justifying White's previous play.} ({In case of} 14. dxc6
O-O {Boris would have breathed a sigh of relief. There might follow:} 15. Bf4
Qxc3 16. Rb6 Qa5 17. Qb1 c4 $1 {and, at the very least, Black has sufficient
counterplay for equality.}) ({Also unconvincing is} 14. Bg5 Bxc3 15. Rc2 f6 $1)
14... Ra7 {The most reliable move. Gelfand didn't, of course, waste the time
his opponent spent thinking. Anand's now almost level with him on time: 1.10 -
1.06. You can't rush in such a sharp position. The cost of an error and even
an inaccuracy is extremely great.} ({The other means of defence with} 14... Qd8
{gave White a persistent initiative:} 15. Bf4 $1 Bxc3 16. Rb1 O-O {(the king
can't suffer in the centre forever)} 17. dxe7 Qxe7 18. Bd6 Qxe4 19. Bxf8 Kxf8 {
- it seems as though Black has powerful compensation for the exchange, but
they're still not "playing for pawns" -} 20. Qc1 Bf6 21. Re1 Qf5 22. Qh6+ {
with a white attack.}) ({Allow me to amuse you, dear viewers, with a vivid
variation in the spirit of the 19th century:} 14... Bxc3 $2 15. dxe7 $1 Kxe7
16. Bg5+ f6 17. e5 $3 fxg5 18. Qd6+ Ke8 19. Qxc6+ Kf8 20. Nxg5 $1 Bxb2 21. Qf6+
Ke8 22. Qxh8+ Kd7 ({or} 22... Ke7 23. Qxh7+ Kd8 24. e6 {with a win}) 23. e6+
Kc6 24. Qxb2 {White has won back the material, and the mating attack continues.
}) 15. Bg5 {Something of a surprise.} ({I expected} 15. Bf4 {with the idea of}
O-O 16. Ne5 $1 {and here Black can of course follow the advice of the computer
and exchange the threatening white knight, but you'll agree that purely in
human terms it's a shame to give up the dark-squared bishop. Therefore I paid
attention to the flesh-and-blood variation} Qxc3 17. Rc2 Bxe5 18. Rxc3 Bxc3 19.
Qc2 Bd4 20. dxe7 Rxe7 21. Bd6 Rfe8 22. Bxe7 Rxe7 {- and... couldn't establish
an evaluation of the ensuing position. The black pieces have solid posts and
the king is well-guarded. Can White claim victory? I suggest, dear friends,
that you resolve that question yourself as homework. Do your preparation, and
tomorrow I'll check it...}) 15... exd6 $1 {Extremely accurate defence. The
invasion of the white queen on d6 only looks terrifying - in actual fact
Black's heavy pieces manage to use their own bodies to cover the king.} ({In
the variation} 15... f6 $6 16. Rb8 O-O {a terrible blow awaited Black:} 17. Ne5
$3 {- pretty, don't you think? -} exd6 ({or} 17... fxe5 18. dxe7 Re8 19. Qd8 {
and White wins}) 18. Qb3+ Kh8 19. Nxc6 {, and Black suffers losses. For
example,} c4 20. Qb2 Qxg5 21. Nxa7 {- with no real compensation for the
exchange.}) 16. Qxd6 {It's not entirely clear what the Champion spent so long
thinking about. The bishop can't return to f4! It seems that at greater depth
he noticed good defensive resources for Black and was simply upset - he tried
to calm down and overcome his disappointment. Vishy's probably already had
time to regret his 15th move. The bishop came out too far...} Rd7 {An only
move, but a sufficient one.} 17. Qxc6 {A far-from-obvious capture.} ({I also
looked at} 17. Qb8 O-O 18. Ne5 {, but I found a serious objection:} Rb7 $1 19.
Rxb7 Bxb7 {and exchanges favour Black. It seems the variation should be
continued with} 20. Qd6 $1 {- White has kept a slight initiative, but
objectively the position is about equal.}) ({It was probably too risky to try
and concentrate on the kingside:} 17. Qf4 Qxc3 18. Rb8 O-O 19. e5 Qc2 $1 20. h3
Rd1 21. Rxd1 Qxd1+ 22. Kh2 Be6 {- every fighter leaving the board brings a won
endgame for Black that little bit closer.}) 17... Qc7 {Strong armour. And the
tanks are still in reserve.} 18. Qxc7 {Another remarkably quick move. Vishy
has started to play in his usual manner for rapid chess - making a batch of
moves together.} ({It was worth considering the cunning} 18. Rb6 {in order to
get a more favourable queen exchange. However, it would only be by a
hair's-breadth...}) 18... Rxc7 {Black still hasn't managed to evacuate his
king to the flank, but after the exchange of queens the situation has become
much simpler and calmer. Nothing's left of White's attack. Black should be
fine on account of the pair of powerful bishops. Gelfand has successfully
resolved his opening problems and, it seems, has the right to start thinking
of more...} 19. Bf4 ({Here it was also possible to play} 19. Rb6 {, after
which it would be dangerous for Black to play} Bxc3 $6 20. Rc1 Bg7 21. Bf4 $1)
({However, there's a solid continuation:} 19. Rb6 O-O {, and after} 20. Bf4 {
it's good to play} Rb7 $1 21. Rxa6 Bxc3 22. Bd6 Re8 {with the trap} 23. Bxc5 $2
Rc7 $1) 19... Rb7 {An attempt to simplify play further - perhaps Black will
even manage to leave his king in the centre.} ({It also didn't look bad to play
} 19... Rc6 {, for example,} 20. Ne5 Re6 21. Nc4 O-O 22. Bd6 Rfe8 23. e5 Bd7 {
with the unpleasant threat of the bishop coming to b5.}) 20. Rc2 {An ugly and
awkward move, but a strong one. It's not the first time Anand's played like
that - he has great experience of working with computers.} O-O {Correct. While
there are four rooks on the board it's dangerous to leave the king in the
centre. It's easy to spot that White is already the one who needs to think
about equalising. That same a6-pawn which I mentioned in the opening is
gaining in strength by the move. The black bishops are strong and the c3- and
e4-pawns are weak. No doubt White has means of holding the defence, but from a
practical point of view playing a position like this for White isn't among the
most pleasant of pastimes. The clocks are also indicative: 0.27 - 0.55.} 21.
Bd6 {An understandable decision. You need to attack Black's only weakness.} Re8
{I don't think the disappearance of the c5- and e4-pawns will resolve all of
White's problems. After all, that very "problem" on a6 is perfectly safe.} 22.
Nd2 {An attempt to reinforce the outpost on e4. If you put a pawn on f3 then
it'll be possible to get down to other things... True, Black can already
create some tension in the centre with f7-f5. Opening lines favours Black, as
the bishops need space.} (22. e5 {would be met by an unpleasant response} Bf5
23. Ra2 f6 $1 {with the same outcome. The a6-pawn is of course inedible due to
Bf5-d3, and Black wins the exchange.}) 22... f5 {Correct. Well done, Boris!
He's skillfully upping the pressure. In case of f2-f3 the bishop on c8 will
travel to b5. In some lines White doesn't escape punishment for taking the
c5-pawn.} ({Also possible, in principle, was} 22... Bd7 {and for example in
case of} 23. Bxc5 Rc8 24. Be3 Rxc3 25. Rxc3 Bxc3 26. Rc1 Bb4 $1 {you get just
what Black needs - an ending with an outside passed pawn. True, White isn't
obliged to take on c5.}) 23. f3 {Vishy is of course trying to hold the centre.
The inclusion of the moves f7-f5 and f2-f3 is, in my view, favourable to Black.
His king is ready to come out to play, while the weakening of White's
rearguard might easily tell.} ({There was a complex piece configuration after} 
23. Bxc5 Rc7 24. Bb4 fxe4 25. Re1 Bb7 26. c4 {- the computer is amazingly
optimistic in its evaluation of this position for White, but to the human eye
it looks very dangerous.}) ({It was simply bad for White to play} 23. exf5 $2
Bxf5 24. Ra2 Re2 {and so on.}) 23... fxe4 {A new source of amazement. It
seemed to me that Black shouldn't rush, as after all it would be hard for
White to remove the tension...} ({...Having thought more about the ellipsis I
placed there I found the following option:} 23... Bd7 24. Re1 $1 {with the
idea of putting a pawn on e5, blocking the centre. For example,} a5 25. e5 a4
26. Ra2 {with solid defence for White. By the way, in the given position I get
the impression that the inclusion of the moves f7-f5 and f2-f3 is now
favourable for White - his king can come to f2 while the black bishop is
deprived of the f5-square. So everything's decided by subtle nuances.}) ({
Another interesting variation is} 23... Bd7 24. Re1 Ba4 25. Ra2 Bxc3 26. Rxa4
Bxd2 27. Re2 fxe4 $1 28. fxe4 (28. Rxd2 $2 Rb1+ 29. Kf2 e3+ $1) 28... Bc3 29.
Bxc5 a5 {- it seems Black's edge isn't enough for a win here -} 30. Ra3 $1) 24.
Nxe4 Bf5 {And here, which came as a surprise to me personally, the players
AGREED A DRAW! A strange decision by Gelfand. You have to ask why you wouldn't
play on in such a pleasant ending? There's no risk whatsoever, and there are
some chances... Of course, the exchange on e4 reduced the intrigue, but hardly
to zero. Well, it's time to sum up. The players really surprised each other
and the whole world in the opening stages. It seems to me that Anand got a
decent initiative but committed an inaccuracy on the 15th move, playing his
bishop with a little too much of a flourish. Gelfand defended accurately, got
a persistent advantage in the ending, but... But Boris didn't have sufficient
fighting spirit to "torture" his fearsome opponent seriously. He considered a
draw from a position of strength to be a good outcome. That's his right. This
has been Grandmaster Sergey Shipov working for you, dear viewers. I'll be
waiting for you tomorrow for the second game of the match. All the best!}
1/2-1/2

[Event "2012 World Championship match"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.05.12"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Boris Gelfand"]
[Black "Viswanathan Anand"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "Sergey Shipov (Translated by Colin McGourty)"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2012.05.12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

{Hello, dear friends! With you again is Grandmaster Sergey Shipov. Let's have
a look at the second game of the World Championship match together. The first
will have put the Challenger's fans in an optimistic frame of mind and given
the Champion's supporters pause for thought. The experts who were predicting a
landslide victory for Anand might reconsider and soften their tone. Gelfand
has shown that he's well prepared for the match (studying as sharp and
multi-branched an opening as the Gruenfeld Defence is no trifle), that he's
ready for a fierce battle and that he's in no way afraid of his fearsome
opponent. I expect we'll see even more surprises in topical variations and,
moreover, those will be ones that as a rule the players had never, or almost
never, played before. Whoever's first to spring a real surprise and manage to
lure his opponent onto his territory (where there are submerged computer mines)
will seize the initiative. I'd like to say a few words about the organisation
of the match. The surroundings are wonderful! Pictures, music, art. I also
really like the official site, particularly the pre-match articles and
statistics. However, at the moment there are problems with the broadcast of
the games, or rather, it's easy and a pleasure to listen to the commentary,
but the moves of the games themselves (a mere trifle) have turned out to be
very difficult to get. However, I hope the organisers will quickly eliminate
all the minor issues and all that will remain is our enjoyment... I'd again
like to remind the readers of www.crestbook.com that there's a prediction
contest on our forum and everyone is welcome to take part. I can't promise
dinner with the match winner as a prize, but on the other hand you'll win
honour and respect from us all.} 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 {The Slav Defence. Not a
mistake from Anand's side. And not a surprise.} 3. Nc3 {The most aggressive
move-order.} Nf6 ({After} 3... e6 {Black is gifted a legitimate gambit:} 4. e4
$1) ({The downside of White's move-order is Black having the option of} 3...
dxc4) 4. e3 {Striving to avoid the Czech Variation, i.e. 4.Nf3 dxc4. On the
other hand, the c1-bishop now can't get to g5, which means we're not going to
see the Anti-Moscow Variation...} e6 {We're heading for the Meran!} 5. Nf3 a6 {
A well-known hybrid of the Meran and the Chebanenko Variation. Black is
preparing to seize space on the queenside. The pure Meran Variation arises
after 5...Nbd7 6.Bd3 dxc4 and so on, while the pure Chebanenko comes after 4...
a6. Now the ideas of the variations become mixed and interweaved... The given
position was first encountered in the games of Rubinstein in the mid-1920s.} 6.
b3 {An understandable rejoinder, rooting out the Meran idea of exchanging
pawns on c4.} ({On encountering a new idea the classic player reacted very
aggressively:} 6. Ne5 Nbd7 7. f4 dxc4 8. Bxc4 b5 9. Bb3 Qb6 10. Qf3 Bb7 11. Qh3
Nxe5 12. fxe5 Nd5 13. Nxd5 cxd5 14. Bd2 Be7 15. O-O {and got an edge, A.
Rubinstein - A. Vaida, Budapest 1926.}) ({Then Akiba decided to play the
variation himself as Black and also didn't do badly:} 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Bd3 Bd6
8. Qc2 Nbd7 9. O-O O-O 10. a3 Re8 11. b4 Nf8 12. Bb2 Qe7 13. Na4 Bc7 14. Nc5
Ne4 {- such a Carlsbad doesn't worry Black, W. Winter - A. Rubinstein, England
1929.}) 6... Bb4 7. Bd2 ({The other means of defending the knight with} 7. Bb2
{isn't popular due to} Qa5 8. Qc2 (8. Rc1 Qxa2) 8... Ne4 9. Rc1 Qxa2 $1) 7...
Nbd7 8. Bd3 O-O 9. O-O {The players haven't hindered each other's development.
The difference is that White is now fully ready for the battle, while Black's
bishop is still slumbering on c8. Moreover, the threat now is a blow by the
c3-knight on d5.} Bd6 ({Also seen is the more natural} 9... Qe7 {It's worth
noting a recent game involving one of Gelfand's seconds:} 10. Ne5 Nxe5 11. dxe5
Nd7 12. f4 g6 13. Qc2 b5 14. cxd5 cxd5 15. Ne2 Bc5 16. Nd4 Bb7 17. Bc3 b4 18.
Bb2 a5 19. Bb5 Bb6 20. Bxd7 Qxd7 21. Qd2 Rac8 22. a4 Ba6 23. Rf2 Qe7 24. h3 Rc7
{, and further exchanges on the c-file led to a draw, A. Riazantsev - P.
Eljanov, Sochi 2012. It's hard for me annotate the moves at a glance, but my
first impression is that Black didn't equalise in the opening...}) 10. Rc1 {
White is preparing for the opening of the centre.} ({Also topical, of course,
is} 10. Qc2 {Here's a game played by the (Russian) commentators on the
official site:} h6 11. Ne2 Re8 12. Rad1 e5 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Bxe5 15. cxd5
cxd5 16. h3 Bd7 17. Bc3 Rc8 18. Qb2 Bxc3 19. Nxc3 Qc7 20. Ne2 Qe5 21. Qxe5 Rxe5
{with a small, but persistent edge for White, D. Jakovenko - S. Rublevsky,
Poikovsky 2011.}) 10... e5 {Yet another logical move. Anand is rousing the
c8-bishop the way the Decembrists roused Herzen.} 11. cxd5 cxd5 {Now White
can't allow the black pawn to get to e4. It seems he'll have to play e3-e4
himself. White's light-squared bishop isn't ideally placed for exchanging on
e5 and playing against the isolated pawn. From that point of view it would be
more useful on e2... However, that's debatable. Sometimes the e2-square is
actually needed by the c3-knight, as it switches to the kingside.} 12. e4 {As
was to be expected. At the moment this is the height of fashion. I knew that
before looking in the database. It's a historical phenomenon... The
contemplation by the players in this match shouldn't mislead anyone. They're
playing gradually and unhurriedly, as upstanding citizens should. However, for
the moment it is, of course, only a contest in knowledge and prepared analysis.
} ({At first it was more common here to play} 12. dxe5 {, but it soon became
clear that White's advantage has a tendency to gradually disappear. For
example,} Nxe5 13. Nxe5 Bxe5 14. h3 Bd7 15. Ne2 Rc8 16. Bc3 Bxc3 17. Nxc3 Qa5
18. Qe1 Qb6 19. Qd2 Rc7 20. Ne2 Rfc8 21. Nd4 a5 22. Rxc7 Qxc7 23. Ne2 Qb6 24.
Rc1 Rc5 25. Nd4 Qb4 26. Qb2 b6 {and so on, I. Bukavshin - S. Rublevsky,
Taganrog 2011.}) 12... dxe4 ({It also doesn't lose to play} 12... exd4 {In the
encounter S. Shankland - S. Erenburg, Philadelphia 2012, there followed:} 13.
Nxd5 Nxd5 14. exd5 h6 15. Nxd4 Nf6 16. Nf5 Bxf5 17. Bxf5 Ba3 18. Rc4 Qxd5 19.
Qc2 Be7 20. Bc3 Rad8 21. Re1 Rfe8 {- Black hasn't set his pieces up badly, but
he still hasn't fully equalised -} 22. Be4 $1) 13. Nxe4 Nxe4 14. Bxe4 {It's
clear that the last pair of central pawns will also be exchanged. After that
pieces alone will fight on the emptying board. Pure calculation (I go here, he
goes there) and memory come to the fore. The second is more important for now.
Vishy is taking a long think and hasn't taken the d4-pawn yet. Are there
really any alternatives? Times: 1.31 - 1.36.} Nf6 {A novelty. Perhaps one
leading to known positions by a transposition of moves, but maybe not... If
the e4-bishop retreats to b1 then Black will by no means be obliged to take on
d4. It's vastly more appealing to play e5-e4! So it's a real innovation. Boris
is having a hard think... You either need to take with the pawn on e5 (which
seems to lead to simplifications and equality) or bring the bishop to g5.
White's second option might well return us to the bosom of known theory, and
theory that's no danger to Black. Gelfand is using his time abundantly,
grasping what a crucial moment this is...} ({Previously people played} 14...
exd4 {, but after} 15. Rc4 $1 {they experienced certain problems. For example,}
Nf6 16. Bb1 Bg4 17. Bg5 h6 18. Bh4 Bxf3 19. Qxf3 g5 20. Bg3 Bxg3 21. fxg3 $1
Kg7 22. Qxb7 d3 23. Qb4 {with an obvious edge for White, A. Riazantsev - M.
Matlakov, Saint Petersburg 2011.}) 15. dxe5 {The choice has been made.} ({After
} 15. Bg5 exd4 {you couldn't play} 16. Qxd4 {because of} Bxh2+ $1 {with
exchanges that favour Black.}) ({More relevant is} 15. Bg5 exd4 16. Rc4 {which
led to a position from the game A. Goganov - Rublevsky, Taganrog 2011. Black
resolved all his problems without difficulty with} h6 ({also not bad is} 16...
Be7 17. Rxd4 Qb6) 17. Rxd4 hxg5 18. Rxd6 Qe7 19. Bb1 Bg4 20. Re1 Bxf3 21. Rxe7
Bxd1 22. Rxd1 Rfd8 23. Rde1 b5 {and so on.}) 15... Nxe4 16. exd6 Qxd6 {So then,
by their mutual efforts the players have cleared out the centre of the board.
Neither side has any weaknesses. White's small initiative will, in my view,
soon come to nothing.} 17. Be3 {New exchanges are possible, but you need to
remain accurate. You shouldn't exchange pieces in a way that improves your
opponent's pieces i.e. it's not clear that Black should take on d1 - in that
case the second white rook will also come into the action. It's probably
better to develop the c8-bishop - let White exchange queens on d6 himself.} Bf5
{Correct. I've got a strong suspicion that the Champion's team looked at this
position at home, while the Challenger's team clearly haven't looked at it...
The minor tactics that follow are pretty transparent. It seems Black has
successfully neutralised White's assault. The clocks are a good reflection of
the course of events: 0.58 - 1.36. Anand isn't troubling himself with too much
contemplation. He's got a lot of time in reserve.} 18. Qxd6 Nxd6 {Now it looks
obvious to launch a combined attack by the white pieces on the d6-knight, but
the pin doesn't bring the desired results. Invading with the rook on c7?
Firstly, the b7-pawn is capable of running away to b5, while the f7-point
clearly can't be taken in the absence of the light-squared bishop. Moreover,
Black can also take active counter-measures. For the moment White's back rank
is weak.} 19. Nd4 {A move that's in no way better or worse than others.} ({
After} 19. Bc5 Rfd8 20. Bb6 {almost any retreat by the black rook is good. Even
} Rd7 21. Rfd1 Re8 {- and White's unable to up the pressure.}) ({More
interesting is} 19. Rfd1 Rfd8 20. Bb6 {and here you need to display accuracy:}
Rdc8 $1 21. Rxc8+ Rxc8 {- and the absence of luft for the white king tells.})
19... Rfe8 {A surprise. I really didn't think the Champion would allow his
bishop to be exchanged. It's a concession, even if only a small one.} ({I
couldn't find any real dangers for Black after the natural reply of} 19... Bg6
{Perhaps Vishy was concerned about} 20. Rc7 ({it's clearly no good to play} 20.
Bf4 Nb5) 20... Rac8 21. Rfc1 {, but the path to equality isn't complicated
here either:} f6 $1 22. Ne6 ({the same follows after} 22. h3) 22... Rxc7 23.
Rxc7 Rf7 $1 {and White's activity vanishes. You'll agree it's not Newton's
binomial theorem.}) 20. Nxf5 {Of course. There might not be a second chance.} (
{After} 20. Rc7 {Black might have had second thoughts:} Bg6 21. Rfc1 Rad8 {and
it's nearly equal.}) 20... Nxf5 21. Bc5 {The bishop is traditionally stronger
than the knight in a battle on two flanks, but to succeed White also needs to
create weaknesses in Black's camp... But how? Another promising scenario
consists of exchanging at least one pair of rooks, and better two - after
which the white king will rush into the centre and, perhaps, outpace the black
king. It'll take up a dominant position and then break through on one of the
flanks. But for now that's only a pipe-dream.} h5 {Making luft with such a
flourish is perfectly appropriate here. The black king can later come into the
centre via h7 and g6. Moreover, the advance of pawns on the kingside is
capable of giving Black real counterplay in future.} 22. Rfd1 {Here's White's
first active idea - invading with the rook on d7. It's not much, but at least
something!} Rac8 {An accurate reply. White also has certain problems... For
example, he needs to resolve the problem of his back rank, and just by itself
the pin of the c5-bishop is unpleasant. It seems as though the exchange of the
bishop didn't seriously worsen Black's situation. Anand has chosen his means
of simplifying play. A matter of taste and style.} 23. Kf1 {Note that
Gelfand's king is creeping into the centre in advance - precisely in case the
rooks are exchanged.} ({Of course it was no good to play} 23. Rd7 $2 {due to}
Rxc5 24. Rxc5 Re1#) ({A reasonable alternative was} 23. g3 {with Kg1-g2, h2-h3
and g3-g4 possibly following.}) 23... f6 {His opponent responds in the same
manner. Now if 24.Rd7 there's the elegant refutation 24...Re7! However, the
white rook coming to d5 is interesting. It seems Vishy is prepared to exchange
rooks on e5 as well, significantly altering the structure.} 24. Bb4 {Boris is
stubbornly pursuing the goal he's set himself - invading with a rook on the
seventh rank.} ({Taking a closer look at the position after} 24. Rd5 Re5 25.
Rxe5 fxe5 {I realised that at the very least it's no worse for Black. There
might follow} 26. Ke2 Kf7 27. f3 Ke6 28. Be3 Rxc1 29. Bxc1 Kd5 {and you can't
play} 30. Kd3 $2 {because of} Nh4 $1) 24... Kh7 {But it's turned out that the
white rooks supposedly coming to feast on the seventh rank will find nothing
to eat! The b7-pawn will go to b5, while there's no way of White getting at
the g7-point.} 25. Rc5 {And here the players AGREED A DRAW. Well, that's a
fair result. Anand played an excellent novelty, confidently equalised and
reached the safe haven of a draw without any particular problems. So the score
in the match is level: 1-1. Tomorrow we've all got a rest day. Thank you for
your attention, dear viewers! Working for you (but not terribly over-worked)
has been Sergey Shipov. I'll be waiting for you at the same time and place on
Monday. All the best!} 1/2-1/2
[Event "2012 World Championship match"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.05.14"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Viswanathan Anand"]
[Black "Boris Gelfand"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "Sergey Shipov (Translated by Colin McGourty)"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2012.05.14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

{Greetings, dear chess fans and connoisseurs. This is Grandmaster Sergey
Shipov welcoming you to the third game of the World Championship match.
Yesterday, while the players were taking a break from play, I did the opposite
and played - a rapid chess exhibition tournament was taking place in Moscow 
[see some photos here: http://t.co/bBEOVxYk]. It didn't go badly, but I must
admit I'm a little tired... So now I'll take a rest observing the battle of
the titans! So far the match has developed into a roughly equal struggle. The
players are exchanging opening surprising but subsequently failing to generate
serious pressure. I must confess that in the traditional prediction contest on
the KasparovChess forum I'm planning on mainly backing the draw. I think the
shield will prove much stronger than the sword in this event, and a win by any
of the players will come as something of a surprise... As for the upcoming
game, the foremost question is: will Gelfand again go for the Gruenfeld
Defence? I don't think that's an opening you study as Black only in order to
play once as a surprise. It's simply too great an amount of work! Besides, the
current state of theory is overall favourable for the followers of the ancient
Gruenfeld. So Boris will no doubt return to that sharp opening again in this
match. Perhaps today. On the other hand, the Champion's team will also have
worked on it during the rest day and will probably have something prepared.
We'll see.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 {The expectations proved justified.} 3. f3 {The
most dangerous variation... for both players! White is planning to seize the
centre without allowing his opponent to exchange knights on c3. The first to
play like this was Salo Flohr in 1929 and... he lost. Then the baton was taken
up by a stronger player - Alexander Alekhine - who had better results.} d5 {
The principled continuation.} ({Switching to the King's Indian Defence had its
drawbacks. In case of} 3... Bg7 4. e4 O-O 5. Ne2 $5 {the king's knight, rather
than the queen's knight, might take a fancy to the c3-square, while in the
Samisch Variation it's usually blocked by the f1-bishop coming to e2.}) ({But} 
3... Nc6 {with the idea of e7-e5 is perfectly topical - that's a separate
branch of theory.}) 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 {As you can see, the knight has to
retreat without a fight.} Nb6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. Be3 {White is rapidly developing
his queenside, where he's planning to send his king.} O-O 8. Qd2 {A crucial
tabia of the opening. Black must choose his means of countering the white
centre. It's something you can't delay. If you wait for White to make the
moves 0-0-0 and h2-h4-h5 you can come under a direct mating attack and not
make 25 moves.} e5 {An attempt to open files and provoke exchanges which will
allow the black king to breathe easily.} ({The most common continuation here is
} 8... Nc6 9. O-O-O {and Black either breaks up the centre with f7-f5, or plays
} e5 10. d5 Nd4 11. f4 {and here by some means or other he carries out c7-c5.
Of course the theory has been worked out in great depth - to endgames which
favour White.}) 9. d5 {White objects to that.} c6 {Black insists.} 10. h4 {
Playing sharply for mate! White saves a tempo by not castling. For now the
king is safe on e1. It's important to do the groundwork on the kingside and
only then evacuate the king to the queenside.} cxd5 ({In the well-known game V.
Kramnik - A. Shirov, Casorla 1998, Black achieved success after} 10... h5 11.
Be2 cxd5 12. exd5 N8d7 13. d6 Nf6 14. Bg5 Re8 15. Rd1 Be6 16. Nh3 Nc4 17. Bxc4
Bxc4 18. b3 Ba6 19. Nd5 e4 $1 {and so on.}) ({But later it turned out that the
move} 10... h5 {gives White a hook for a direct storm} 11. g4 $1 cxd5 12. exd5
hxg4 13. h5 {and no clear defence has been found for Black.}) 11. exd5 N8d7 {
Not the only option.} ({After} 11... h5 {it's again strong to play} 12. g4 $1)
({It's hard to describe it as safe to play} 11... f5 12. h5) ({And finally
there's the amusing pawn sacrifice} 11... e4 12. fxe4 Bg4 {, but it seems
analysis hasn't confirmed Black has compensation.}) 12. h5 Nf6 {The knight is
rushing to help the king and at the same time putting pressure on the d5-pawn.}
13. hxg6 fxg6 {Of course this alteration in the structure greatly weakens
Black's rearguard, but beggars can't be choosers...} ({After} 13... hxg6 14.
Bh6 {Black is risking getting mated quickly.}) 14. O-O-O {It seems as though
the grandmasters are just playing out their prepared analysis. We've ended up
with a position with opposite-side castling in which there are, of course, the
prerequisites for a race between mating attacks. On the other hand, for now
it's impossible to describe the centre as stable - so it's precisely in the
centre that the most significant events are going to take place in the near
future. The d5-pawn is a serious trump card for White...} ({Here} 14. Bh6 {
doesn't give Black any problems due to} Bxh6 15. Qxh6 Rf7 {and Black will then
plan on taking the d5-pawn.}) 14... Bd7 {Black is preparing the counterattack
Ra8-c8 and Nb6-a4. Anand is taking a long think, although there's a very, very
long way to go until we reach the boundaries of knowledge! That's his right.}
15. Kb1 {Essential prophylaxis. It was hardly worth spending 15 minutes on it.}
Rc8 {Gelfand, on the contrary, is playing without the slightest doubt, thereby
demonstrating the confidence he has in his preparation. Here the main line is
considered to be pushing that trump: 16.d6, but it's by no means certain there
aren't other options. You could think about developing and attacking
simultaneously with the manoeuvre Ng1-h3-g5. In principle the current
structure favours White. If he manages to reinforce the e4-point he'll have a
serious positional advantage. But who'll let him? Tempos will decide
everything! For example, after 16.Nh3 you need to look at the immediate
counterstrike 16...e4, and in case of 17.fxe4 either the exchange sacrifice on
c3 or the Nb6-a4 attack. Of course you can't enter such dangerous
complications without computer preparation. It seems a more reliable
alternative to the theoretical 16.d6 is the prophylactic 16.Bg5, but of course
such multiple moves by a single piece at the cost of development are hard for
an experienced chess player to make...} 16. Ka1 {Again not new. This cunning
prophylaxis has already been played by White.} ({Its point is revealed by the
variation} 16. Bh6 $2 Bf5+ $1 17. Ka1 Nfxd5 $1 18. Nxd5 ({also bad is} 18. Bxg7
Nxc3 $1 19. Bxf8 Nxd1) 18... Rc2 $1 19. Qe1 Bxh6 20. Rxh6 Nxd5 {and White is
in a miserable situation.}) ({Of course I'm obliged to show you the main road
of theory:} 16. d6 {Many chess players from Israel have passed by here - i.e.
Gelfand's fellow countrymen. And White, as a rule, has won, though probably
not without some help from Black. For example,} Bf5+ 17. Ka1 e4 18. Bh6 e3 19.
Bxe3 Nfd5 20. Nxd5 Rc2 21. Ne7+ Qxe7 22. Qxc2 Qxe3 23. Qb3+ Qxb3 24. axb3 {and
Black couldn't find compensation for the exchange, E. Postny - A. Greenfeld,
Tel Aviv 2001.}) ({A more important encounter for theory seems to be T.
Hillarp-Persson - P. Voitsekhovsky, Jersey 2004, which saw} 16. d6 Be6 17. Nh3
Nbd5 18. Nxd5 Bxd5 19. Bg5 Be6 20. Nf2 {and here Black played too passively,
missing the opportunity to counterattack:} e4 $1 21. Bxf6 Qxf6 22. Nxe4 Qe5 {
with solid compensation for the pawn. I'm convinced Gelfand wouldn't have
missed such resources.}) 16... e4 {The novelty of the 2012 season! Black opens
up a working diagonal for his fearsome g7-bishop. Judging by the speed it was
played Boris is a little bored at the board for now. For us spectators and
commentators, however, it's lively, as the battle is becoming much sharper.
Vishy probably isn't dropping off to sleep either...} ({The game T.
Hillarp-Persson - A. Aberg, Stockholm 2002 was unsuccessful for both players:} 
16... Na4 17. Nge2 e4 18. d6 Re8 (18... Qa5 $1) 19. Rc1 (19. Bd4) 19... Qa5 20.
Nxa4 Rxc1+ 21. Qxc1 Qxa4 22. Nc3 Qb4 $2 (22... Qc6 $1) 23. Nxe4 Rc8 (23... Nxe4
24. Bc4+ Kh8 25. Rxh7+ $1) 24. Bc5 Be6 25. Bd3 {- White managed to complete
development, got an edge, but lost a complex struggle.}) 17. Bd4 {Anand has
found the first move that to some degree has come as a surprise to his
opponent. Moreover, it's very logical - one dark-squared bishop will prevent
the other dark-squared bishop from attacking White's queenside. Gelfand has
started to calculate... The clocks show: 1.19 - 1.47.} ({The
optimistically-inclined computer insisted on the response} 17. d6 {It was
probably looked at by the Challenger's camp. There might follow, for example:}
Na4 18. Nge2 Qa5 19. Nxa4 Qxd2 20. Rxd2 Bxa4 21. Bxa7 (21. Nc3 Nh5 $1) 21...
Nd7 {with another series of complications. Black has a certain initiative and
his pieces are more active, but the sacrificed pawn is an acceptable price.}) (
{Taking the e4-pawn doesn't come into consideration at all. The sad
consequences for White are too obvious:} 17. fxe4 $2 Rxc3 $1 18. Qxc3 Nxe4 19.
Qb4 Ng3 {and Black acquires extra material.}) ({No more reliable is} 17. Nxe4
$2 {due to} Nxe4 18. fxe4 Rxf1 $1 19. Rxf1 Nc4 {with a lethal black attack.
Such variations are a piece of cake for the players in this match.}) 17... Na4
{Quite a quick reply, but I've got the suspicion it was thought up at the
board... If that's the case, then it was worth taking a little longer to think
about it.} ({It was of course relevant to look at} 17... Nc4 18. Bxc4 Rxc4 19.
Nge2 exf3 20. gxf3 Qa5 {with unclear consequences.}) ({Naturally you could
also have chosen the cultured move} 17... Re8 {with the idea of} 18. fxe4 Rxc3
$1 {and taking on e4 with the knight.}) 18. Nge2 {A combination of defence and
development. I've got the impression that Anand is now breathing his first
sigh of relief. You get the feeling that White has successfully taken control
of the position in the centre. Bold combinations no longer work for Black,
while the positional factors tend to weigh in White's favour.} Qa5 {The most
aggressive and interesting continuation. Black maintains the maximum tension
in the centre. At the same time, however, it's important to grasp what will
happen after capturing on e4.} ({In case of} 18... exf3 19. gxf3 Qa5 {
simplifications led to a clear edge for White:} 20. Nxa4 $1 Qxa4 ({or} 20...
Qxd2 21. Rxd2 Bxa4 22. Bh3 $1 {and it's hard to find a defence against the
threat of 23.Be6+}) 21. Nc3 Qb4 22. Qh2 $1 {- this is the point. In the
absence of a pawn on g2 White manages to generate pressure against the h7-pawn,
which is important not only in itself. The continuation of the banquet sees
Black getting crushed -} Nh5 23. Bxg7 Kxg7 24. Qe5+ Kg8 ({more stubborn is} 
24... Kh6) 25. Rxh5 $1 gxh5 26. Bb5 Bf5 27. Rh1 Bg6 28. Bd7 {- the noose
tightens and the condemned king will perish.}) 19. Nxe4 {No other means of
improving the position was visible.} ({Much worse was} 19. fxe4 $6 Nxc3 20.
Bxc3 ({in case of} 20. Nxc3 Nxe4 21. Nxe4 Qxd2 {you can't take on d2 with the
rook due to mate on the back rank}) 20... Qa4 $1 21. Qd4 Rfe8 $1 {- Black
takes on e4 and develops a dangerous initiative.}) ({It looked a bit clumsy to
play} 19. Rh4 {, when there might follow} exf3 20. gxf3 b5 $1 {and Black again
has good counterplay.}) ({It was worth considering the creeping prophylactic
move} 19. a3 {, eliminating the back rank weakness. It seems that in this case
there would follow} exf3 20. gxf3 b5 {with the threat of b5-b4, which would
have forced new simplifications:} 21. Nxa4 Qxd2 22. Rxd2 bxa4 {with roughly
even chances.}) 19... Qxd2 20. Nxf6+ {What to take with? One way or another
Black will be left a pawn down. For a certain length of time or forever?
That's the question. Boris is having a hard think, making use of the spare
time he's accumulated: 0.51 - 1.06.} Rxf6 {The correct choice. The rook is
rushing to d6 to attack the d5-pawn.} ({In the variation} 20... Bxf6 21. Rxd2
Bxd4 22. Rxd4 Rc2 {White gradually repulses Black's attack:} 23. b3 Bb5 (23...
Nb6 24. Ng3 $1) 24. bxa4 ({you would also have to reckon on} 24. Rxa4) ({and} 
24. d6 $5) 24... Bxe2 25. Kb1 Rfc8 26. Bxe2 Rxe2 27. Rc1 {after which the
g2-pawn is inedible due to d5-d6-d7-d8=Q.}) 21. Rxd2 Rf5 $1 {Another accurate
decision.} ({I looked at} 21... Rd6 22. Bxg7 Kxg7 23. b3 Nb6 24. Nf4 Rc1+ 25.
Kb2 Re1 {and couldn't come to a final evaluation of the position. The d5-pawn
is still alive for now, but the black pieces are highly active. However, I'd
prefer to play White.}) 22. Bxg7 Kxg7 {Well, it's time to take a closer look
at the position. The outcome of the opening is favourable for White. A pawn is
a pawn. On the other hand, how do you play now? The advantage of the rook
being placed on f5 is that it doesn't allow the white knight to get to f4 i.e.
after 23.b3 Nb6 there's no-one to support the d5-pawn. So perhaps Boris
Abramovich Gelfand has managed to outcalculate all the world's computers and
demonstrate his own ultra-subtle and complex path to equality? I wouldn't rule
it out. It's important to take into account that besides aggression against
the d5-pawn Black can also push pawns on the kingside. In future White might
encounter difficulties on that area of the board.} 23. d6 {Fleeing the
chopping block. The Challenger has again frozen in thought... i.e. he hasn't
yet made his next move. Times: 0.47 - 0.57. By the way, in actual fact Gelfand
almost never sits still at the board. He makes movements with various parts of
his body, sometimes spinning a piece in his hands out of sight of his opponent,
or changing how he's seated to and fro. All of those manoeuvres are simply a
feature of his nervous system. Solid players exist who are capable of thinking
comfortably while remaining absolutely still for long periods of time, but
more often than not players "dance" a little at the board. As movement = life.}
({This was also possible after} 23. b3 Nb6 {-} 24. d6 {, but then there'd
follow} Rd5 $1 25. Nd4 Rc1+ 26. Kb2 Re1 {with Black very active. And the
d6-pawn still can't expect a long life.}) ({It was worth considering the
apparently unassuming play for development} 23. b3 Nb6 24. Nd4 Rxd5 25. Be2 {
The point is that Black's knight on b6 is bad, as in future it'll be hit by a
white pawn after a2-a4-a5, and the b7-pawn is weak. On the other hand, Black
has chances to attack on the kingside. Here as well there was probably no
guarantee of an edge for White.}) 23... Rfc5 $6 {Boris couldn't resist the
temptation to threaten mate! I don't like this impulsive decision. Oh, how I
don't like it!} ({A more correct path to a peaceful outcome was probably} 23...
Nb6 24. Nc3 Rd5 $1 {, for example,} 25. Rd3 Bf5 26. Rxd5 Nxd5 27. Bd3 Nxc3 28.
Bxf5 gxf5 29. bxc3 (29. Rc1 Rc6) 29... Rxc3 {- the d6-pawn won't queen and a
draw is inevitable.}) 24. Rd1 {World Champions don't miss mating threats
either. Now the second white rook will probably come out into the world via h4.
An important nuance is that it seems the invasion of the black rook on c2
holds no danger for White.} a5 {It seems the Challenger also intends to attack
the white king without queens.} ({During his reflections he clearly got upset,
shaking his head ruefully. I suspect that was because he'd just found the
following variation:} 24... Rc2 25. b3 Nc3 (25... Nb6 26. Rh4 $1) 26. Nxc3
R8xc3 27. Bd3 $1 Rxg2 28. Rhe1 {and the white rook's appearance on e7 is
decisive.}) ({There was some point to} 24... h5 {, in order to free the king
from defensive duties and send it into the centre.}) ({Or} 24... Nb6 $5 {with
the idea of} 25. Nc3 Nd5 $1) 25. Rh4 {White is completing the mobilisation of
his forces, fixing a persistent advantage. It's become absolutely clear that
at the very least Gelfand committed an inaccuracy on the 23rd move.} ({One
computer program (I won't name names) amused me with its sincere
recommendation of} 25. b3 Nb6 26. Kb2 $3 Rc2+ 27. Ka3 {As if to say, we'll
hide our king in a hollow and then wage war. But such a king placement isn't
recommended for people. It might suffocate!}) 25... Rc2 {Not a step backwards!
Such is Boris' motto in this game. The one who's about to die salutes us all,
sitting in the stands...} 26. b3 {Although the second rank looks weakened it's
unlikely the black rooks will manage to become very lively there, while if a
white rook gets to e7 Black will be on thin ice. The clocks show: 0.23 - 0.38.}
Nb2 {Following the motto mentioned! Well done, Gelfand. He's playing very
bravely.} ({It was truly miserable to play} 26... Nb6 27. Rhd4) ({never mind} 
26... Nc3 27. Nxc3 R8xc3 28. Bd3 {with the same plan of playing Rh4-e4-e7.})
27. Rb1 {The battle against spies and saboteurs is the sacred obligation of an
upstanding citizen.} ({Our metal friend would, without any doubt, choose the
bold} 27. Rdd4 {, ignoring the pitiful invasion of Black's feeble forces. But
such calm is beyond us flesh-and-blood players.}) 27... Nd3 {The knight's raid
makes an impression. All that's left is for him to get to b4 to justify the
extremely subtle move 24...a5.} 28. Nd4 {Finally White untangles himself and
will, it seems, exchange the malevolent alien.} Rd2 {It turns out the Champion
has less time left than I thought: 0.14 - 0.29.} 29. Bxd3 Rxd3 {A
simplification of play favouring White has taken place. His king is no longer
cut off on the second rank. That means there'll be time to carry out the
manoeuvre Rb1-e1-e7.} 30. Re1 {There it is. Judging by the video broadcast
Boris is incredibly nervous...} ({It wasn't as accurate to play} 30. Re4 {, as
after} Re8 31. Rxe8 Bxe8 {all the units on the d-file are hanging.}) 30... Rd2
{The best defence is counterattack! You need to restrict the movement of the
e1-rook.} ({Although it was also interesting to play the creeping} 30... Kf6 {
Then in the variation} 31. Re7 Bf5 (31... Rd2 32. Kb1 $1) 32. Rxb7 (32. Nxf5 $5
) 32... Rd2 33. Rc7 Re8 34. Rc1 h5 {you'd get an amazing position in which two
extra pawns don't guarantee White victory. Black's counterplay is pretty
strong. For example, after} 35. Nxf5 {he has} Ree2 $1 36. Ra4 gxf5 {and it's
White who has to be careful. The h5-pawn looks promising...}) 31. Kb1 {The
prudence of an experienced practical player. There's no point risking the life
of your own king in time trouble.} ({The alternative was} 31. Re7+ Kf6 32. Kb1
{, but just see if you can quickly spot ten differences at the board yourself.}
) 31... Bf5+ 32. Nxf5+ gxf5 {The rook ending will be intriguing. Black
maintains chances of survival due to the activity of his rooks.} 33. Re7+ {
There's no way of winning without this invasion. White needs to build up a
supply of pawns and prevent a draw by perpetual check on the second rank. But
it's by no means certain he'll manage...} Kg6 {The most stubborn move.} ({If} 
33... Kf6 {then there's the unpleasant} 34. f4 $1 {with the threat of mate. It
seems the forced} Rxd6 (34... Kg6 35. Rexh7 $1) 35. Rxb7 Rg8 36. Ra7 {would
bring White closer to victory.}) 34. Rc7 {It was impossible to make any other
move in time trouble. You instinctively want to have the option of covering
your king with Rc7-c2.} ({Sharper and more complex was} 34. d7 Rcc2 35. Rc4 $1
Rxc4 ({no good was} 35... Rb2+ $2 36. Kc1 Rxa2 37. Rc8 Rf2 38. Re6+ Kh5 39. g4+
$1 fxg4 40. fxg4+ Kxg4 41. Re4+ Kg3 42. Rg8+ Kh3 43. Rh4+ {and the pawn queens
with check}) 36. bxc4 h5 37. Kc1 {and now the king advances. I suspect that
was how White could have achieved success.}) 34... Re8 {Renewing the threat of
invading on the second rank.} 35. Rh1 $6 {And so the lack of time for thought
has had an effect! Anand has made a clearly second-rate and emphatically safe
move. Now Black is close to survival... Gelfand is looking at his opponent in
amazement. He didn't expect such a strange plot twist.} ({Anand needed to
again return the rook to its spot -} 35. Re7 {and after} Rc8 {return to the
idea of} 36. d7 $1) 35... Ree2 36. d7 {The players' trumps balance each other
out.} Rb2+ 37. Kc1 Rxa2 {White doesn't have time to queen the pawn. Mate in
one is threatened - no trifle. The repetition of moves can't be avoided. DRAW!
Both competitors deserve warm words. The Champion reacted extremely
successfully to the Challenger's prepared idea in the opening, seized the
initiative, applied pressure, was close to victory, but didn't have enough
stamina or time. An irony of fate - once the world's fastest player fell
victim to time trouble. Times have changed and Anand's no longer so young. ..
By the way, I'd like to note White's 15th move. That was when the 15 minutes
that were lacking in time trouble were lost on a well-known and obvious king
move... Well done, Gelfand, if only because he managed to save the toughest of
positions, and also managed to do it without passive defence - his play was
active and enterprising... My prediction again turned out to be correct. Thank
you for your attention, dear friends. Working for you has been Grandmaster
Sergey Shipov. I'll be waiting for you tomorrow for game no. 4.} 1/2-1/2
[Event "2012 World Championship match"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.05.18"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Boris Gelfand"]
[Black "Viswanathan Anand"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "Sergey Shipov (Translated by Colin McGourty)"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2012.05.18"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

{Hello, dear spectators. This is Grandmaster Sergey Shipov bringing you the
latest encounter between the title seekers. In yesterday's video [in Russian
at Crestbook.com] I already mentioned the enormous work done by the players'
teams. Each game we're seeing unexpected variations and theoretical
revelations. It's a pity that the match consists of only 12 games. Over a
length of 24 games they'd manage to uproot and improve the whole theory of
chess - unless, of course, the adversaries followed the example of the great
Ks and played one and the same position from the Queen's Gambit with both
colours. By the way, have you noticed that that very popular opening in recent
years hasn't yet been seen? For many, and for me in particular, that's a
surprise. In World Championship matches the Queen's Gambit is played, as a
rule - it's a century-old historical tradition. I think Anand and Gelfand
should continue it... Perhaps even today. However, from the point of view of
the Champion it would be logical to stick to his guns, as after all so far the
Slav Defence hasn't, by and large, raised any doubts. A tough nut to crack.} 1.
d4 d5 2. c4 c6 {So then, the Slav Defence again.} 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 a6
{And again the same variation - for the third time in a row. Vishy really is
following the approach bequeathed to him by his great predecessors. He's
mining the gold vein while it's still at least yielding something.} 6. Qc2 {
But this is the first surprise. White keeps the bishop on f1 with the hope of
capturing on c4 in a single move.} ({Previously Boris chose} 6. b3) 6... c5 {
The principled rejoinder to White's only half-developing queen move. After
opening up the centre Black won't develop the queen's knight to d7, but c6.
That's significant.} 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Be2 {Now, to a certain extent, the roles
are reversed. It's White who's waiting for the f8-bishop to be developed
before taking on c5, thereby winning a tempo.} Be6 ({It's more common to start
with} 8... Nc6 {, after which you also have to be ready for} 9. Ne5) 9. O-O Nc6
{Black, naturally, is resisting - he's making all the possible useful moves
without touching the dark-squared bishop. He's still got the Ra8-c8 manoeuvre
in reserve.} 10. Rd1 {Creating serious threats. With the rook on d1 sharp
attacks like, for instance, e3-e4, might follow.} cxd4 {A perfectly logical
reaction.} ({More games have been played with} 10... Nb4 {Here's an
illustrative example:} 11. Qb1 Qc8 12. Bd2 Bf5 13. Qc1 c4 14. a3 Nd3 15. Bxd3
Bxd3 16. Ne5 Bg6 17. e4 $1 dxe4 18. Na4 Qe6 19. Nxc4 Be7 20. Nc5 Qc6 21. Na5
Qd5 22. Naxb7 O-O {and in the encounter E. Tomashevsky - Ni Hua Black got some
compensation in exchange for the pawn.}) 11. Nxd4 Nxd4 12. Rxd4 {This is the
only way of preserving an interesting, fighting structure, but now Black
manages to complete his development.} Bc5 13. Rd1 Qe7 {A move that is, on the
one hand, cautious - the queen gets out of a dangerous opposition - but on the
other hand the d5-pawn is left without a reliable defence.} ({Also topical is
the bold} 13... Rc8 {, and in one of the recent games on that theme there
followed:} 14. Qd3 O-O 15. b3 Qd7 16. Bb2 Bf5 17. Qd2 d4 18. Na4 dxe3 19. Qxd7
exf2+ 20. Kf1 Nxd7 21. Nxc5 Nxc5 22. Ba3 g6 23. Rac1 b6 24. Rd6 {- White got a
serious initiative for the sacrificed pawn, but it only sufficed for a draw,
Li Chao - Bu Xiangzhi, Beijing 2012.}) 14. Bf3 {This is the point. The d5-pawn
is under attack, and you don't want to put the queen's rook on d8. Its ideal
location is c8.} O-O {A fundamental novelty. Black is ready to part with the
pawn for the initiative.} ({Intelligent people previously handled this
position as follows:} 14... Rd8 15. b3 O-O 16. Bb2 Rc8 $5 {(losing a tempo)}
17. Nxd5 Bxd5 18. Bxd5 Bxe3 19. Qe2 Nxd5 20. Rxd5 Bg5 21. Re5 Qf6 22. Re1 {and
White kept a small initiative. Sometimes the players with Black drew (for
example in the game L. Lenic - S. Rublevsky, Aix-les-Bains 2011), and
sometimes they didn't (for example, in the game M. Ragger - M. Kobalia,
Aix-les-Bains 2011).}) 15. Nxd5 {A matter of principle! You can't allow Black
to position his rooks ideally with Rf8-d8 and Ra8-c8.} Bxd5 16. Bxd5 Nxd5 17.
Rxd5 Rac8 {Now Black begins to have threats. The c5-bishop is intending to
land on e3 with a bang. White's problem is that he needs two or three tempos
to develop his queenside, but during that time various bad things could occur.}
18. Bd2 {A sensible practical decision. White returns his loot in exchange for
rapid development.} ({Gelfand didn't dare to go for the principled and greedy
continuation} 18. Qe2 {It seems he was worried about Anand's deep computer
preparation. There would probably have followed:} Qe4 19. Qd3 Qxd3 20. Rxd3
Rfd8 21. Rxd8+ Rxd8 22. Kf1 Rd1+ 23. Ke2 Rg1 24. g3 {- the black bishop is
heading for f6 and it would be extremely hard for White to develop without
losses.} Be7 $1) 18... Bxe3 19. Bc3 Bb6 {It's happened - for the third time
already in the Challenger's games with White we've got a position totally free
of pawns in the centre with a slight edge for White. The c3-bishop is putting
pressure on g7. My first impression is that Black should gradually squeeze the
life out of the position and fully equalise.} 20. Qf5 {The white pieces are
hovering unpleasantly above Black's redoubts...} Qe6 {An exchange on e6 would
allow the black rook on f8 to put pressure on f2, which is already being
watched by the b6-bishop.} 21. Qf3 ({It turns out that after} 21. Qxe6 {,
there was, besides the recapture, also a stronger refutation for Black:} Bxf2+
$1 {, and you can't play} 22. Kxf2 fxe6+ {as White loses the exchange. So
White simply loses a pawn.}) 21... f6 {Simply and strongly played. By limiting
the c3-bishop Black has neutralised all of White's possible tactical tricks.
The slight weakening of the seventh rank is probably of no great significance.
The players have plenty of time: 1.09 - 1.44. But what can you think about
here? There aren't many resources left for a struggle... If you fantasise a
little you can imagine the position after h2-h4-h5-h6! In that case you'd
again have a great battle on the board. However, Black can unquestionably deal
with the white saboteur. For example, with h7-h6.} 22. h4 {As you can see,
Boris is also inclined to dream and fantasise... I'm sure Vishy isn't in such
a romantic mood. He'll no doubt put an end to the fun. However, you can look
at more long-range consequences. Black's structure with f6-g7-h6 doesn't look
pretty with a white pawn on h5. It's very solid, but after an exchange of
rooks the white king and queen will play on the light squares. Black will
probably hold that fortress with correct play, but... but you need to check
that in reality rather than agree to a premature draw. For now Black doesn't
have the right to exchange a pair of rooks on d8, as the b7-pawn would be lost
i.e. you have to lose a move on Qe6-f7. That's why Gelfand didn't attack the
black queen from e1 with a rook... In the commentators' studio now on the
official website Kasparov is talking about the current condition of the
players in the match. Unfortunately [or not so unfortunately for most readers
here!], only in English... The ex-World Champion said that Gelfand's title
chances increase with each new draw... Garry is now comparing the current
match to the previous friendly match in Zurich between Kramnik and Aronian.
His assessment wasn't hard to predict... At the same time, he noted the
difference in the status of the matches, explaining that without the burden of
responsibility you can of course play more freely and riskily - as Vladimir
and Levon did. While Vishy and Boris can't allow themselves such liberties.}
Qc6 {It seems Anand is intending not only to exchange rooks, but also queens.
If that happens quickly then it won't be obligatory to play h7-h6. The most
remarkable thing is that in some lines it's also possible to have an exchange
on c6 with capture by the b7-pawn. Anand's even prepared to spoil his pawn
structure - just as long as it simplifies the position. He believes in his
defensive abilities.} ({Grischuk [commentating in Russian on the official
website] tried to telepathically encourage the Champion to lose on the spot by
suggesting the move} 22... Rce8 {, on which there'd follow} 23. Bb4 {, and
after} Rf7 {there's} 24. Rd6 {, winning a piece. But Vishy didn't support the
initiative.}) ({However, analysis shows that the move} 22... Rce8 {isn't bad
at all! After} 23. Bb4 {Black would land the fierce blow} Bxf2+ $1 {, after
which bad for White is} 24. Kxf2 Qb6+ 25. Bc5 Qxb2+ {and after digging a pit
for someone else he's fallen into it himself!}) ({Though in actual fact the
manoeuvre} 22... Rce8 {had the drawback that the f8-rook remains out of play.
White would continue to gradually improve his position with} 23. Rad1 Qe4 24.
Qg3 {and so on.}) 23. h5 {The raid continues. If you could cut off the support
for the f6-pawn then the c3-bishop would really cheer up and grow in strength.}
Rfd8 {As expected.} 24. Rxd8+ ({In case of} 24. Rad1 Rxd5 25. Rxd5 Rd8 26.
Rxd8+ Bxd8 27. Qxc6 bxc6 {you'd get a completely drawn bishop ending in which
the absence of the move h7-h6 is significant. Instead of that Black would soon
play the moves g7-g6 and f6-f5.}) 24... Rxd8 {What we were talking about. In
Vishy's opinion the exchange on c6 holds no danger for him. We'll see...} ({
After} 24... Bxd8 {he might have feared the move} 25. Qg4 $1 {with a small
white initiative.}) 25. Qxc6 ({Here on} 25. Qg4 {besides the banal 25...Qd7
there was also the mischievous} Rd5 {switching the rook to g5. It's worth
continuing:} 26. h6 Rg5 27. Qh3 g6 28. Rd1 Rf5 29. Bd4 (29. Rd2 Qe4 $1) 29...
Bxd4 30. Qb3+ Rd5 31. Rxd4 Qc1+ 32. Kh2 Qxh6+ 33. Kg1 Qc1+ {with perpetual
check.}) 25... bxc6 {An almost equal ending has arisen, in which White
maintains a small advantage due to the weakness of the c6-pawn. With normal
play, however, Anand should definitely hold. Easily and naturally! An
important nuance is that here after 26.h6 Black has 26...gxh6, with the idea
of replying to 27. Bxf6 with 27...Rd2 - such activity ensures Black will be
safe. Boris is continuing to study the position, trying to find a spring in
the desert...} 26. Re1 ({It struck me as more dangerous to play} 26. Rc1 {with
the cunning idea of} Kf7 $6 27. h6 g5 28. Bxf6 $1 Kxf6 29. Rxc6+ {and White
wins.}) ({But actually after} 26. Rc1 {there would probably have followed the
cool and solid} Rd6 $1 {, defending everything.}) 26... Kf7 {Now no pitfalls
are visible in this quiet backwater. The draw is close.} 27. g4 {A
demonstration of activity. The clocks show: 0.31-1.05.} ({Manoeuvring the rook
to c4 didn't yet work due to} 27. Re4 Rd1+ 28. Kh2 Bxf2) 27... Bd4 {By
exchanging the c3-bishop Black will get new squares for his rook to invade.
White can't reply 29.Rd1 due to the blow on f2.} ({Also leading to the goal was
} 27... Rd5 28. Re4 Ba5 $1) 28. Rc1 {Oh Boris, Boris... You should have put
the rook on c1 immediately! It's hard to see losing a tempo bringing any joy,
i.e. a win.} Bxc3 29. Rxc3 Rd4 {The most accurate path. The active move g2-g4
has come back to haunt White. In case of f2-f3 Black will invade with the rook
on the second rank. DRAW! Well, an absolutely objective and fair result of a
high-quality game. Yet another opening novelty proved a reliable foundation
for the World Champion's play. He didn't encounter any serious difficulties.
The score in the match is: 3-3. Thank you for your attention, dear friends.
Working for you has been Grandmaster Sergey Shipov. Tomorrow the Robot World
Championship match is taking place in Moscow, while the contest between people
will continue on Sunday... See you then!} 1/2-1/2
[Event "2012 World Championship match"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.05.21"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Viswanathan Anand"]
[Black "Boris Gelfand"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "Sergey Shipov (Translated by Colin McGourty)"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[EventDate "2012.05.21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

{Hello, dear friends! This is Grandmaster Sergey Shipov, again at my
post - in front of keyboards, mice, cats and monitors. The eighth game of the
World Championship match is about to start, and the suspense has reached fever
pitch. Anand finds himself in a tough situation - his play has been disjointed
and his form is clearly far from ideal. However, there's nowhere to hide as
the title is slipping out of his grasp. He has to gather himself together and
use his will power to become a dozen years younger and give all he's got.
After all, Vishy is immensely talented and for him there's nothing impossible
in chess. And his opponent seems to be beatable... Or at least he was! What
Boris will be like now after his long-awaited victory is hard to say. Of
course, success brings self-confidence, it inspires you, but negative
side-effects are also possible. For example dizziness, a loss of vigilance,
underestimating your opponent, and so on. On the other hand, Gelfand isn't a
young man but one who's upright and very serious. It's unlikely he'll commit
serious errors... As for today's encounter, then personally I expect the
Gruenfeld Defence. I think the Champion's team will have had sufficient time
to prepare an antidote. There's no shortage of sharp variations in that
opening, so there's scope for displaying your analytical talent and also
creativity at the board. Finding himself if not on the brink of the precipice,
then close to it, it's unlikely Anand will start to be cautious and impose
limits on himself. In any case, as White he needs to be ready for an all-out
fight, sparing neither his opponent nor himself.} 1. d4 {No surprise.} Nf6 2.
c4 g6 {My premonitions didn't fail me. We're heading for the Gruenfeld Defence.
} 3. f3 {Again that same Flohr-Alekhine variation.} c5 {Boris is the first to
leave the path marked out in the third game of the match.} ({Back then we saw} 
3... d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nb6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. Be3 {and so on.}) 4. d5 {White
seizes the centre. Here it's possible to switch to both the Benko (Volga)
Gambit and the Modern Benoni system.} d6 ({The lively gambit} 4... b5 {has
certain drawbacks in the given situation:} 5. cxb5 a6 6. e4 d6 (6... Bg7 7. e5)
7. Na3 Bg7 8. Ne2 O-O 9. Nc3 e6 10. Bc4 axb5 11. Naxb5 exd5 12. Nxd5 Nxd5 13.
Bxd5 Ra6 14. O-O {and in the encounter I. Kovalenko - V. Zvyagintsev,
Magnitogorsk 2011, Black didn't get the necessary compensation for the pawn.})
5. e4 Bg7 6. Ne2 {A well-known trick that I used to like in my distant
childhood. The king's knight rather than the queen's knight heads for c3.} ({
More common is the straightforward} 6. Nc3 {which leads to normal theoretical
continuations:} O-O 7. Bg5 e6 {and so on.}) 6... O-O {Gelfand hasn't yet
determined the direction of his counterattack. The b7 and e6 pawns are lying
in wait.} 7. Nec3 {Anand has carried out the manoeuvre mentioned, completely
ruling out any Benko ideas for Black. Now all that's left is the undermining
e7-e6. Or... The long pause in the Challenger's play has forced me to
fantasise a little, but so far I haven't been able to come up with anything
worthwhile. Surely Gelfand's team didn't only look at the banal Nb1-c3? That
would be an obvious hole in their preparation...} Nh5 {Nevertheless! I must
admit I wanted to write about this alternative for Black, but I thought it was
insufficiently solid - not something for a World Championship match. Black's
provoking a white pawn avalanche i.e. the obvious move now is the g2-g4
advance, after which it's hard to come up with anything other than retreating
to f6. And what do you get? Black will have lost one and a half tempos and
given White the basis for an attack. An extremely risky strategy from the
Challenger! As it's not hard to guess, this is a novelty. Previously people
played more simply and solidly.} ({Of course the most popular move is} 7... e6
{, for example,} 8. Be3 (8. Bg5 $5) 8... Na6 9. Be2 Nc7 10. a4 Nfe8 11. Qd2 f5
12. O-O Nf6 13. e5 dxe5 14. Bxc5 {with an incredibly complex struggle in which
Black came out on top, M. Sadler - V. Tkachiev, Enghien-les-Bains 1999.}) ({
Not so ambitious, but still within the bounds of our normal understanding of
chess is the continuation} 7... e5 {, after which White generally applied
pressure:} 8. Bg5 h6 9. Bh4 Qe8 10. g4 Nh7 11. Bd3 f5 12. Nb5 fxg4 13. Nxd6 Qd7
14. Nxc8 g5 15. Bf2 Rxf3 16. Be2 Rf4 17. Nxa7 Rxa7 18. Bxc5 Ra5 19. Be3 {-
it's hard to describe such play as dull, S. Slipak - A. Rodriguez Vila,
Pinamar 2002.}) 8. Bg5 {Vishy didn't go for it, but he made a perfectly
sensible move. White doesn't allow e7-e6 and in turn provokes Black into pawn
jabs i.e. the f7, g6 and h7 pawns might soon abandon their familiar places.
Boris is again having a long and hard think. It's absolutely clear that
already, on the eighth move, the grandmasters are playing on their own,
without home analytical support. A rare occurrence for World Championship
matches nowadays!} ({If Anand had been his previous self he'd have quickly and
confidently played} 8. g4 $1 {And then, it seems, he'd have stopped to think
about what to do after} Nf6 {Perhaps he didn't like the undermining h7-h5?
Although it's not entirely clear what would be wrong with the reply g4-g5.
Another possibility: the Champion didn't like Black's plan of e7-e6, Nf6-e8
and f7-f5. But still, it's hard for me to believe that Black is playing on an
equal footing here. For example, you could continue} 9. Be3 {with the idea of
placing the pieces according to a well-known system:} e6 10. Nd2) 8... Bf6 {
Every move is a cause for amazement.} ({I looked at the more natural} 8... h6 {
, after which it looks logical to play} 9. Be3 e6 10. Qd2 {, although it's
true that for now the h6-pawn is safe -} Re8 {and if} 11. Bxh6 $6 {there's the
strong} Qh4+ 12. Kd1 Ng3 13. Bxg7 Kxg7 14. Qe1 Rh8 $1) ({However, after} 8...
h6 9. Be3 e6 10. Qd2 Re8 {White isn't obliged to rush into sharp operations.
It's much stronger to develop gradually, for example with Bf1-e2 and 0-0.
There's also the interesting idea of bringing the b1-knight to a3 and castling
long...}) 9. Bxf6 ({Black had comfortable play after} 9. Qd2 Bxg5 10. Qxg5 Qb6
11. Qd2 e5 $1 {- in the absence of dark-squared bishops it makes sense to put
the pawns on dark squares.}) 9... exf6 {I've never seen something like this in
all my life. Black's pawns are doubled on the f-file, but his king's knight is
alive. Alive and still provoking the fire of the g2-pawn.} ({There's one
simple reason Boris didn't want to play} 9... Nxf6 {- he'd soon have to move
his knight from f6 again, and perhaps back to h5. For example, if} 10. Nd2 e5
11. Bd3 {then it's hard to find something more natural than} Nh5 $1 {with the
idea of f7-f5 and Qd8-g5. Here Black isn't doing badly, but psychological
barriers are hard for people to overcome. You want to play logically and
consistently...}) 10. Qd2 {The psychology of the Indian grandmaster is as
transparent as glass. At the moment he doesn't trust himself, so he's striving
to avoid sharp movements, preferring the methodical implacability of a steam
roller to the deft thrusts of a fencer. The pawn remains on g2. White is
completing his development according to plan. By the way, here as well it was
possible to think about the system with Nb1-a3 and 0-0-0, after which it would
be possible to attack without the slightest doubt about the rightness of your
cause.} ({It seems it was much stronger to play} 10. g4 {and then, for
instance, after} Nf4 11. Qd2 g5 (11... Qb6 12. Na3) 12. h4 $1 {White has a
strong attack.}) ({Therefore after} 10. g4 {Black would have to play} Ng7 {
with f6-f5 to follow. And you know... I understand why Vishy didn't like that
- he's not in the right condition to devise White's attack here. The play is
very unconventional, although in actual fact White has a clear advantage. It
looks good to play} 11. Qe2 {with the idea of Nb1-d2 and 0-0-0, while the
complications with} f5 12. gxf5 gxf5 $6 13. Rg1 $1 {are extremely dangerous
for Black.}) 10... f5 {But the Israeli grandmaster is, on the contrary,
feeling bold! Move by move he's sharpening play, dragging his opponent into
complications. Gelfand is striking while the iron's hot - before optimism
returns to Anand's play. And he's opening the centre before his opponent has
evacuated his king.} 11. exf5 {White's clearing out the centre.} ({After} 11.
Bd3 {you had to take into account} f4 {and Nb8-d7-e5.}) 11... Bxf5 ({The check
} 11... Qh4+ {doesn't look good, as after} 12. Qf2 {the exchange of queens is
bad for Black, as afterwards he won't manage to take on f5 with the bishop due
to g2-g4. And if} ({you also need to look at the bold} 12. Kd1) 12... Qg5 {
with the threat of invading on c1, there's simply} 13. Nd2) ({I also looked at
} 11... Qh4+ 12. Qf2 Qe7+ {and White won't repeat moves with Qf2-e2, Qe7-h4+,
but simply develop without fearing any raids:} 13. Be2 Nf4 14. O-O {and so on.
With an edge.}) ({I also checked} 11... Re8+ $5 12. Kf2 Bxf5 {, and here it's
extremely difficult to bring the calculation to a clear outcome. Here's my
first attempt:} 13. g4 Qh4+ 14. Kg1 Re1 $1 15. Qf2 Qe7 16. gxf5 (16. Ne4 $5)
16... Qg5+ 17. Qg2 Qc1 {and... White's in trouble! That means I was wrong and
he needs to play more cautiously. But we've left that behind now.}) 12. g4 {
Well done, Vishy! He's nevertheless dared to start a war. He's picked up the
gauntlet, and his pistol... The move in the game is unlikely to win White a
piece given Black has the exchange on b1 in reserve. What's more important,
though, is that White is squeezing out Black's active minor pieces. The clocks
show: 1.28 - 1.18. Boris just can't pick a path. There really is something to
think about here. The whole trick is that after Qd8-h4+ White won't shield
with his queen but will instead play Ke1-d1, and in case of Nh5-g3 the cunning
pin Qd2-e1! would follow, winning a piece. It seems Gelfand has sown the wind
and reaped the whirlwind...} Re8+ {Also a check.} ({So then, I considered the
main line here to be} 12... Qh4+ 13. Kd1 $1 ({much worse is} 13. Qf2 Re8+ 14.
Be2 Qg5 $1) 13... Bxb1 14. Rxb1 Ng7 15. Kc2 Nd7 16. Qe1 Qxe1 ({less successful
is} 16... Qd8 17. Qg3 $1) 17. Rxe1 f5 {- this ending doesn't look bad for
Black. Of course he doesn't have complete equality, as the g7-knight is
limited and the d6-pawn is weak, but life goes on.}) 13. Kd1 {And the same
reaction from White! After the black bishop is exchanged on b1 the white king
will comfortably locate itself on c2.} ({After} 13. Be2 {Black would play} Qh4+
14. Kd1 Bxb1 15. Rxb1 Nf6 $1 {, leaving the queen in an active position.})
13... Bxb1 {There was no other way of saving the piece.} 14. Rxb1 {Well then,
Black's bold knight will have to return home empty-handed. The Challenger is
sitting, thinking, grieving... Black's activity in the centre didn't bring
success and now he's worse. The Champion, on the other hand, is probably in a
good mood. In principle Anand has always been more restrained at the board
than Gelfand - he's less temperamental and the mask of indifference on his
face is more convincing. However, yesterday Vishy's feelings were very clear.
It was too bitter and painful a defeat...} Qf6 {Wha-a-a-t? Boris is continuing
to play riskily with the motto "Not a step backwards!". It's as if he has to
win at all costs and won't get another chance. Such sharp, provocative and
here hazardous play is something I really didn't expect to see from him.
Black's queen is heading to take the h1-rook and White is almost obliged to
sacrifice it, as defending the f3-pawn with the bishop would allow the
h5-knight to come to f4.} ({The peaceful continuations} 14... Nf6 15. Kc2 Na6
16. Rd1) ({or} 14... Ng7 15. h4 {gave White perhaps not a big, but a
persistent edge.}) 15. gxh5 {Absolutely the only move.} Qxf3+ 16. Kc2 Qxh1 {
But will the glutton return from its raid?} 17. Qf2 {Exactly. Black's queen is
hobbled. Bf1-d3 threatens to catch it. There can't be any doubt that Anand saw
this possibility back when he played g2-g4. Gelfand, meanwhile, seems obliged
to play 17...Nc6 now, saving the queen at the cost of a piece. Of course that
won't be a pleasant position, but at least he'll manage to play on a little
longer... BLACK RESIGNED! That was a catastrophe for Gelfand. I can only
imagine the shock his supporters are in now...} ({Having had a closer look I
realised that the resignation wasn't premature. The variation} 17. Qf2 Nc6 18.
dxc6 Qxc6 19. Bg2 Qc8 (19... Qd7 20. Nd5 $1) 20. Rf1 Qf5+ 21. Qxf5 gxf5 22.
Rxf5 {is absolutely hopeless for Black. Well, Anand managed to level the
scores incredibly quickly and easily. By the way, at the press conference just
now Vishy confirmed that he'd seen the finale of the game in advance. Of
course he got considerable help from Boris, who played the game too sharply,
nervously and impulsively. You can't operate like that in a World Championship
match! It's not the level for it... It seems my tentative suggestions in the
introduction to this game turned out to be correct - Gelfand simply couldn't
mentally adapt to the role of being ahead in the match. The proximity of the
desired summit sometimes puts much more pressure on a person than seeing it
grow more distant. Now the situation has been dramatically altered. The score
is level and a certain psychological edge has passed to the Champion... Thank
you for your attention, dear spectators. You'll agree that the match has
ceased to be dull and measured. From here on it's only going to get more
interesting! Working for you has been Grandmaster Sergey Shipov. Tomorrow
we'll all have a rest before we meet on Wednesday for the ninth game. All the
best!}) 1-0

[Event "2012 World Championship match"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.05.26"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Boris Gelfand"]
[Black "Viswanathan Anand"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "Sergey Shipov (Translated by Colin McGourty)"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2012.05.26"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

{Hello, dear friends! This is Grandmaster Sergey Shipov commentating on the
penultimate game of the World Championship match for you. The score's still
level and the stakes are incredibly high. The cost of each potential mistake
is hundreds of thousands of euros and the title. Can you imagine what's going
on inside Boris Gelfand just now? Inside a man who's never played such crucial
games before and who's never been so close to the chess Everest... I can, if
only in miniature. Here what's important is the contrast between the stakes
that had existed before and those that are being played for now. I remember my
first knockout World Championship in Las Vegas in 1999. At stake were sums
which were an order of magnitude higher than those in my tournaments before
then. Plus there was also the beckoning mirage of fame. So then, before the
games I was literally a wreck [Shipov uses a colloquial Russian verb derived
from "sausage"] - a culinary term, not a literary one, but it accurately
reflects the essence of the phenomenon. I wasn't myself. I couldn't sleep
calmly, or eat, or think about anything else. It was a real fever... And lots
of the Russian players I encountered were in the same state when they found
themselves in that new tournament for the first time. And now if you multiply
all I've said by a factor of ten - you'll get a vague idea of the whole weight
that's landed on Gelfand now. Of course, all of us dream of ending up in his
position and fighting for the title, but on the other hand, the one described
above, you wouldn't envy him now. Will Boris withstand it without cracking?
The games will show... There are only minutes left until the eleventh
encounter begins. We expect the Nimzowitsch Defence and a fierce struggle.} 1.
d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 {Yes, correct. The Nimzowitsch Defence.} 4. e3 {
Again the Rubinstein System.} O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 c5 {The players are quickly
repeating the moves from the ninth game. The pawns have entered a clinch in
the centre. The rapid death of the rank-and-file soldiers is inevitable...} 7.
O-O dxc4 8. Bxc4 Bd7 {But this is a local surprise! I've seen people bring out
the queen's knight to the d7-square, but the bishop... The move is, of course,
a developing one, as the knight will later come to c6. Although other
variations are also possible. Gelfand is, naturally, puzzled - he's carefully
studying the position that's arisen. He's remembering... In actual fact the
move has been seen more than a hundred times, starting from the middle of the
last century. Its instigator was David Bronstein, while in the new century
it's often been played by another outstanding offspring of the post-war Soviet
Union - Viktor Korchnoi. You might say it's the fashion of the 50s. The virtue
of Black's manoeuvre is that it's only the sixth most popular. So for those
who are playing White, including Gelfand, it's not the first thing they
prepare for... Vladimir Kramnik, who's commentating on the official website,
is using the long pause to talk about how chess players recover and maintain
themselves during a game. He says you need to drink fruit juice and eat fruit
and chocolate, supposedly to maintain the correct blood sugar level.
Personally I preferred chocolate. Our Soviet chocolate. For example,
"Vdokhnovenie" ["Inspiration"]. I recommend it! Meanwhile Anand has grown
tired of waiting for his opponent's reply - he's left the stage. It's a pity
he's unlikely to enter the commentary booth, as after all he might be able to
add something of interest! The absence of Anand sitting opposite him isn't
helping Boris either. He's behaving extremely nervously at the board, simply
unable to take a decision. He's clearly struggling with himself just now,
almost without thinking seriously about the position... The burden is weighing
on him more and more, while time is slipping away. Half an hour has already
passed. Boris, pull yourself together! It's time to play chess. White's got a
big choice: 9.a3, 9.Qe2, 9. Bd3, 9.Bd2, 9.h3 and lord knows what else. I
suspect Gelfand is choosing between the first two options. When he's not lost
in introspection.} ({In game 9 we saw} 8... cxd4 9. exd4 b6 10. Bg5 Bb7 11. Qe2
Nbd7 {and so on.}) 9. a3 {Probably the most logical and ambitious move. Black
also has a choice, by the way.} ({Against Bronstein people played} 9. dxc5 {
here, but that's so toothless you don't even want to look at it.}) ({For} 9.
Qe2 {I've chosen the following example:} Bc6 10. Rd1 Bxc3 11. bxc3 Nbd7 12. Bb3
Qa5 13. c4 cxd4 14. exd4 Qh5 {- an interesting manoeuver, don't you think? -}
15. Re1 Rfe8 16. Bf4 Qg4 17. Bg3 Bxf3 18. Qxf3 Qxd4 19. Rad1 Qb6 20. Ba4 Red8
21. Bh4 Nc5 22. Bxf6 gxf6 23. Qxf6 Nxa4 {and White soon organised perpetual
check, Artur Yusupov - Sebastien Feller, Moscow 2008.}) 9... Ba5 {As I was
saying.} ({A little more common is} 9... Bxc3 {, for example,} 10. bxc3 Bc6 11.
Ne5 (11. Qe2 Nbd7) 11... Bd5 12. Be2 cxd4 13. cxd4 Nbd7 ({In ancient times
people also played} 13... Nc6) 14. Nd3 Rc8 15. a4 Ne4 16. Bb2 Nb6 17. f3 Nc3
18. Bxc3 Rxc3 19. Qd2 Rc7 20. Nc5 Nd7 21. Nxd7 Qxd7 22. a5 Rfc8 23. Rfc1 Bc4 {
and Black got a comfortable position, Yaroslav Zherebukh - Sebastien Feller,
Paris 2010.}) ({After} 9... cxd4 {it's hard to resist the tricky pawn sacrifice
} 10. axb4 dxc3 11. bxc3 Qc7 12. Bd3 $1 {- that occurred in the game Alexandre
Lesiege - Viktor Korchnoi, Montreal 2004, and the grandfather of modern chess
decided not to take the bait:} e5 13. Qc2 Re8 14. Nd2 Nc6 15. Ba3 Rad8 16. c4
Be6 17. Ne4 {- but still couldn't equalise.}) 10. Qe2 {The correct choice.
White is developing according to a known pattern with the inclusion of the
moves a2-a3 and Bb4-a5. Who will that favour? That's the suspense in this line.
} ({For} 10. dxc5 {Black had prepared} Bxc3 $1 11. bxc3 {and rounding up the
weak white pawns on the queenside.}) 10... Bc6 {Yes, such a rearrangement of
Black's minor pieces is now considered almost obligatory here.} ({In case of} 
10... Nc6 11. Rd1 {the bishop on d7 would be left passive and vulnerable.}) 11.
Rd1 {The pressure from the rook can't be ignored. The d4-d5 break might also
be an option in some cases.} Bxc3 {A novelty in the given concrete situation,
but the exchange itself is banal.} ({The main line was previously considered
to be} 11... Qe7 {, but Black couldn't be satisfied with the recent attempts.
For example,} 12. Bd2 Bb6 13. dxc5 Qxc5 14. b4 Bxf3 15. gxf3 Qh5 16. f4 Ng4 17.
f3 Nf6 18. Kh1 Nc6 19. Rg1 {and White had a strong initiative, Valentin Iotov
- Nedelcho Cheparinov, Plovdiv 2004.}) ({If} 11... Nbd7 {then it really was
strong to play} 12. d5 $1 exd5 13. Nxd5 {, after which the a5-bishop feels
betrayed. Here, in the encounter Rainer Knaak - Artur Yusupov, Hamburg 1991,
Black took a risk:} Nb6 {, which was ultimately justified by White's weak play
-} 14. Nf4 ({White would have got powerful pressure for the pawn sacrifice} 14.
Nxb6 Qxb6 15. b4 $1 cxb4 16. Ne5 {and so on}) 14... Qc7 15. Ba2 Rae8 16. Bd2
Bxd2 17. Rxd2 Ne4 18. Rc2 Qe7 {and it developed into a roughly equal and
complex struggle.}) 12. bxc3 Nbd7 {So then, we've got the position from the
Yusupov - Feller game, but with a pawn on a3. A minor nuance? Who knows, who
knows...} 13. Bd3 {Boris is preparing to advance pawns in the centre. His
bishops [elephants in Russian!] are kicking their hooves, yearning for space!
Following the example of Artur Mayakovich and putting the light-squared
"hoofed one" on b3, in the absence of a pawn on a2, would make no sense - the
unstable position of the white pieces would be fraught with danger.} ({It was
no doubt also possible to start with} 13. Bb2 {However, there might be other
possible careers for the c1-bishop. For example, after e3-e4 it could head to
the right, let's say to g5.}) 13... Qa5 {Vishy is beginning to pester his
opponent's weaknesses on the queenside. In principle, it's turned out that
Black has completed his development first. He needs to extract some real
fruits from that temporary advantage, as otherwise he won't manage to equalise.
The contrast in time spent is becoming ever more pronounced: 1:02 - 1:55.
Anand's got almost an hour to spare!} 14. c4 {Again keeping the bishop on c1.
Cunningly played! I suspect the Champion will finally start to think.} ({It
would be interesting to find out what the Challenger didn't like about} 14. Bb2
{I couldn't immediately find anything clear and forced. Perhaps Black would go
for simplifications with} cxd4 15. cxd4 (15. exd4 Qh5) 15... Be4 $1 {and then
Black would start counterplay on the c-file... unless, of course, you could
play the bold blow} 16. Bxe4 Nxe4 17. d5 $1 {No, you shouldn't play like that.}
) ({In that case after} 14. Bb2 {you should immediately play} Be4 $1 {, for
example,} 15. c4 Bxd3 16. Rxd3 Rfd8 17. Rad1 cxd4 18. exd4 Rac8 {with mutual
chances.}) 14... cxd4 {A critical decision. Play is opening up and the
c1-bishop will become powerful.} ({Here as well he probably looked at} 14...
Be4 {, but some drawbacks were found.}) 15. exd4 {We've ended up with hanging
pawns - simultaneously a strength and a weakness. If they manage to advance
they'll ensure an edge, but if Black manages to limit White's activity,
simplify play and pounce on the pawns, then...} Qh5 {There it is, the foreseen
switch of the queen to the kingside. Does it seem as though Black's
threatening to double pawns on f3? Personally, I don't think it's a real
threat. Two bishops against two knights... for the third time in a row in the
match - that would be interesting! And dangerous for Black. In such an open
and dynamic position the knights are clearly weaker.} 16. Bf4 {Correct!
Gelfand calmly completes his development. The activity of his pieces
compensates for the potential structural weaknesses.} Rac8 {Anand is placing
his pieces attractively, although it's not yet clear what he should do next.
The time gap isn't narrowing: 0:42 - 1:40. Time trouble is close, but only for
one of the players in the match... It seems he's now deciding where to move
the f3-knight - to e5 or d2? From the point of view of simplifications and a
draw the first would be more reliable. From the point of view of maintaining
the suspense the second is better. A third path probably isn't bad either - 17.
a4 and then 18.a5. Having a wide choice isn't always a good thing, my friends.
You're beset by constant doubts and a lot of time and effort goes nowhere.} ({
From the point of view of exchanging on f3 and playing the e6-e5 break it
looked more logical to play} 16... Rfe8 {For example, some kind of routine
manoeuvre like} 17. Rac1 $6 {would be met with} Bxf3 18. Qxf3 (18. gxf3 e5 $1)
18... Qxf3 19. gxf3 e5 {with equal chances.}) ({While} 16... Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Qxf3
18. gxf3 {led to a persistent edge for White in the ending. He'd next switch
to the queen's flank and advance the a3-pawn.}) 17. Ne5 {In practical terms
Gelfand's choice is understandable. With so much less time he decided not to
take a risk.} ({In case of} 17. Nd2 e5 $1 {we'd get very interesting
complications, which are hard to analyse to a clear conclusion even with a
computer on hand. There might follow:} 18. dxe5 Rfe8 19. Qxh5 Nxh5 20. Be3 Rxe5
({worse is} 20... Nxe5 $6 21. Be2 $1 Nf6 22. Bxa7 $1) 21. Ne4 $1 ({it looks
dubious to play} 21. Bxa7 b6) 21... Ra8 $5 ({very dangerous is} 21... Bxe4 22.
Bxe4 Rxe4 23. Rxd7) 22. Bc2 Bxe4 23. Bxe4 Rxe4 24. Rxd7 b6 {- it seems Black
can hold this endgame -} 25. c5 Nf6 26. Rb7 bxc5 27. Bxc5 a5 {and so on.}) ({If
} 17. a4 {then I suspect Black would have played} Bxf3 18. Qxf3 Qxf3 19. gxf3
Rfd8 {and in concrete variations he manages to put pressure on the white pawns.
For example, with Nd7-b8-c6.}) 17... Qxe2 18. Bxe2 Nxe5 19. Bxe5 Rfd8 {The
position that's arisen is a little better for White, but Black has a huge
safety margin. For a real struggle for victory White lacks a pair of knights
on the board - that pair which was just exchanged. Without the joker-knight
it's hard to pose his opponent practical difficulties. It's not easy to create
new weaknesses.} ({The immediate knight raid} 19... Ne4 {could have led to a
new round of complications -} 20. d5 $1 Ba4 21. Re1 {- Black hardly needs such
adventures.}) 20. a4 {The good thing about the position for Boris, apart from
the advantage of the two bishops, is that it's extremely difficult, if not
impossible, to make a serious blunder. There are obvious useful manoeuvres and
no problems at all. It looks obvious to play a4-a5, f2-f3, Kg1-f2 and then
it'll be clear what you should undertake next. However, Black isn't obliged to
stand and wait... For almost the first time in the game Vishy is having a
serious think. It's not hard to predict his move - I'd say it's a 90%
likelihood that his knight will be set in motion.} ({Incidentally, I'd have
started with} 20. f3 {, so as not to think about the Nf6-e4 jump. However,
there would then have followed} Nd7 21. Bg3 ({worse is} 21. Bf4 e5 $1 22. dxe5
Re8 {with obvious equality}) 21... Nb6 {and Black blockades the a4-square.})
20... Ne4 {There it is. A cultured chess player isn't going to wait around to
be completely squeezed. The knight's threatening to come to c3, and if White
plays Ra1-a3 he has to deal with a blow on a4 - either immediately, or after
including the move f7-f6.} 21. Rd3 {This looks unattractive, but it's
functional.} ({The variation} 21. Ra3 f6 22. Bf4 Bxa4 $1 {really was good for
Black -} 23. Re1 (23. Rxa4 $2 Nc3) 23... Bc6 24. f3 Nd6 25. Rxa7 Nf5 26. d5
exd5 27. Bd3 g6 {- White has compensation for the pawn, but no more.}) ({And} 
21. Bg4 {would almost certainly have led to a repetition of moves -} Nf6 {,
and you have to return the bishop to e2, as there's no advantage after} 22. Bh3
({or} 22. Bxf6 gxf6 23. d5 Bd7 {and so on}) 22... Nd7 23. Bf4 Nb6 {with a
double attack, while after} 24. d5 {Black coolly plays} Bd7) 21... f6 {By
chasing away the enemy bishop Black is weakening the d4-point and, perhaps,
preparing the cunning switch Bc6-e8-g6. Strangely enough, the struggle is
still extremely concrete and fierce.} 22. Bf4 {The only move. If the
dark-squared bishop was exchanged for the knight White would end up on the
defensive.} Be8 {As expected. This isn't the only continuation, but it's the
most logical one. No-one is any longer interfering with the rooks putting
pressure on the white pawns. A capture is threatened on c4, and so far I can't
come up with anything other than c4-c5. However, each pawn advance in the
centre carries a strategic risk. Food for thought, but there's no longer any
time to have a serious think: 0:26 - 1:08.} ({It was also necessary to look at
the continuations} 22... Nd6) ({and} 22... b6 {, but one game isn't enough.})
23. Rb3 {It's obvious the Challenger is striving to avoid complex, calculating
play - which makes sense, given Boris really is in time trouble now. He's
nervous, and he doesn't trust his calculations.} ({Strictly speaking, White
could have continued to fight for a win, but to do that you'd need to make N
accurate moves:} 23. c5 Bg6 ({somewhat duller is} 23... e5 24. dxe5 Rxd3 25.
Bxd3 Nxc5 26. Bc4+ Bf7 27. Be2 $1 {with a persistent edge for White}) 24. Rc1
$1 Nxf2 25. Rb3 $1 ({White would be underweight after} 25. Kxf2 Bxd3 26. Bxd3
Rxd4 27. Ke3 Rxa4) 25... Rxd4 26. Rc4 (26. Be3 Nd3 27. Rcc3 Nf4 $1) 26... Rxc4
27. Bxc4 Ne4 28. Bxe6+ Bf7 29. Bxf7+ Kxf7 30. Rxb7+ Kg6 31. Rxa7 Rxc5 {and
Black holds the balance on account of his active pieces, despite White's
outside passed pawn.}) 23... Rxd4 24. Be3 {The position is being unloaded.
Exchanges bring us closer to a peaceful outcome.} ({I doubt Gelfand even
considered the capture} 24. Rxb7 {although it's not that straightforward:} Nc3
25. Bg4 $1 Bf7 26. g3 g5 {and instead of resigning, White continues the
struggle with} 27. Re1 $1 Re8 (27... gxf4 28. Rxf7 $1 Kxf7 29. Bxe6+) 28. Rxf7
Kxf7 29. Bh5+ Ke7 30. Bxe8 gxf4 $1 {- true, from a position of weakness.})
24... Rd7 {Of course you couldn't give up the b7-pawn. At this point the
players AGREED A DRAW.} ({There might have followed:} 24... Rd7 25. Bxa7 Nc5 ({
it doesn't do any good to play} 25... Rd2 {because of} 26. Kf1 $1 {with the
idea of f2-f3}) 26. Rb2 Nd3 27. Bxd3 Rxd3 28. Rxb7 Bxa4 29. Rb4 (29. Rxa4 $2
Rd1#) 29... Bc6 30. Be3 {, after which the peaceful outcome of the battle
would be even more obvious. Well then, Anand managed to neutralise Gelfand
having the white pieces without the slightest difficulty. A huge role in that
was played by his timely opening surprise. Everything new is, as we know,
something old that's been well-forgotten. And Boris had forgotten the
variation with 8...Bd7. He impressed, however, conducting a solid game and
even maintaining a slight edge, but he'd expended so much time and energy that
he couldn't really make a convincing attempt to play for a win. The draw was a
fair outcome of the simplifications and cultured manoeuvres by both players.
So then, the match score remains level: 5.5 - 5.5. All that's left is a single,
and perhaps deciding, game at the classical time control, in which the World
Champion will have the white pieces. That will take place the day after
tomorrow. This is me, Grandmaster Sergey Shipov, thanking all my viewers for
your attention. On Monday, a tough day, I promise to work wonders! All the
best!}) 1/2-1/2
[Event "2012 World Championship match"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.05.30"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Boris Gelfand"]
[Black "Viswanathan Anand"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "Sergey Shipov (Translated by Colin McGourty)"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2012.05.30"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

{Hello, dear friends! This is Grandmaster Sergey Shipov inviting you to watch
the tie-break games that will today decide the fate of the title. Four
encounters are planned at a time control of 25 minutes per game with a 10
second increment after each move. If the score ends 2-2 then we'll see blitz
with a 5+3 time control. And if five blitz mini-matches end 1-1 there'll be
Armageddon... In any case, the toughest of tests awaits the players. The
stakes are immensely high and nerves will be stretched to breaking point. For
Gelfand this spring day in Moscow is the most important of his career, and
perhaps of his whole life. He's at the peak and on the verge of taking a step
into immortality. While for the great Anand... That's the thing - what kind of
day this is for him will determine the outcome. After all, why should Vishy
worry too much? He's a multiple World Champion who's won the title in all the
formats and systems it's been held in. By the way, Anand's also been the rapid
and blitz World Champion. In principle, today's a normal weekday for the
Indian grandmaster. Just a Wednesday! He can turn up and play a rapid and
blitz chess match for a decent prize fund. If Vishy does that easily and
boldly, or at least coolly, he'll unquestionably win. However, if someone he
respects whispers in his ear this morning something like, "come on, fighter,
pull yourself together, get in the mood. Today's a really important day," then
he might be doing the Champion a disservice. Anand's nervous system is a
subtle and fragile substance. Sometimes it fails. Crumbles under the stress.
And that respected demon whispering in his ear might be himself - Vishy Anand..
. Well, and now a few words about more down-to-earth matters. I expect
surprises at the start of the games. The players will still have a lot of
opening ideas stashed away. In rapid chess it's especially important to force
your opponent to puzzle over things in the opening, as there's no option of
falling into an hour-long slumber, digging deep and producing a series of
accurate moves. The player ends up having to play on sight, and it's important
that happens not to you but to the person sitting opposite. So those are the
two keys to success in today's mini-match: it's just a Wednesday and opening
with a cunning serve. Well, and a little luck...} 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 {Again the
Slav Defence. The good old Nimzowitsch has been retired.} 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6
5. Nf3 Nbd7 {The Meran Variation?} ({Previously in the match the Champion chose
} 5... a6) 6. Qc2 {No, the Anti-Meran.} Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O e5 {A rare
continuation! Black usually takes on c4 and then attacks on the queenside.} 9.
cxd5 cxd5 10. e4 {The match tradition continues. Gelfand always opens the
centre as wide as possible.} exd4 11. Nxd5 Nxd5 12. exd5 {We're not going to
get a Tower of Babel [i.e. 8 pieces on the d-file], but rapid simplifications,
equalising and a draw are perfectly likely.} h6 13. b3 {Boris wasn't surprised
for long and has played a novelty! The c1-bishop couldn't get to g5. Now his
path leads to b2.} ({Previously seen were} 13. Nxd4) ({,} 13. h3) ({and} 13.
Re1) 13... Ne5 {Vishy's reaction was instant. Simplifications in the centre
favour Black.} 14. Nxe5 Bxe5 {The d5-pawn is already under attack. Will White
equalise?} 15. Re1 {Yes, he'll equalise! And even fight for an advantage. He's
better developed. The d5-pawn doesn't strike me as tasty. Anand is having a
serious think, as far as that's possible in the given chess genre.} Re8 {A
restrained and solid move.} ({In the line} 15... Qxd5 {there could have been
entertaining adventures:} 16. Ba3 Rd8 17. Bc4 Qa5 18. Qg6 $1 Qc7 19. Rxe5 {
(bold, but it doesn't win)} ({better is} 19. Qh5 $1) 19... Qxe5 20. Qxf7+ Kh8
21. Bf8 {and here Black doesn't resign but instead plays for a win with} Be6 $1
22. Bxg7+ Qxg7 23. Qxe6 d3 $1 {and so on.}) ({If} 15... Qd6 {there would
follow the cunning} 16. Qe2 $1 {with the trap} Bxh2+ 17. Kh1 Bf4 $2 18. Qe4 $1
{winning.}) 16. Bb2 {The d4-pawn is in the firing line.} Bd7 {Development and
active piece play should help Black. I can't work out what the clocks show -
in that regard the broadcast on the official site has been unimpressive.} 17.
Qd2 {With the clear intention of picking the apple on d4. A ripe one.} Qf6 {
Reinforcing the "apple" and provoking g2-g3 and f2-f4.} ({From the point of
view of playing for equality it looked good to play} 17... Qg5) 18. g3 {
Gelfand is standing up for his principles! Bravely.} Rac8 {Anand's ignoring
all the threats... It'll be interesting to see where the d3-bishop goes? To e4,
c4 or f1? It's possible that at some point Black will have to play g7-g5 to
defend against f2-f4. Visually the position strikes me as one in which Black
should find decent counterplay even if he loses a pawn. His pieces are
well-placed.} ({I managed to look at the complications after} 18... Bg4 19. f4
{but I'm not sure about the conclusion. Therefore I'll hide it from you...})
19. a4 $6 {A mysterious manoeuvre. I won't even try to comment on it! Let's go
on... Black's been given an important tempo. For instance, for Qf6-f3!, after
which White loses the pawn on either d5 or b3.} ({It was nevertheless stronger
to play} 19. Bf1 {, for example,} g5 20. Rac1 Rxc1 21. Rxc1 Bf5 22. Re1 Rd8 23.
Qb4 $1 {with an initiative for White.}) 19... Qf3 {Precisely! Now White is
forced to switch onto the defensive. The move 19.a4 turned out to be too
clever for its own good [in Russian "woe from wit" - the title of a famous
work of Russian literature]. Both players now have a single-digit [the Russian
word here also means "unequivocal"] number of minutes left i.e. less than ten.}
20. Be4 {Boris is looking for counterplay in the centre.} ({In rapid chess it
looked practical to get counterplay after} 20. Qe2 Qxd5 21. Bc4 Qd6 22. Qh5 {
, though I've no doubt analysis would show a defence for Black.}) 20... Qxb3 {
Nice loot.} 21. Reb1 {Another super-subtle decision. And when you're subtle
things tend to fall apart... [Shipov quotes a Russian saying which is similar
to: "it doesn't rain but it pours"]} ({On} 21. Bxd4 {there was the unpleasant}
Bxd4 22. Qxd4 Rc4 23. Qd3 Qxd3 24. Bxd3 Rxe1+ 25. Rxe1 Rd4 {with a tough
ending for White.}) 21... Bxg3 {A street fight has begun! Good manoeuvres have
been rejected as unnecessary. What's important is to play as quickly as
possible. However you can! White's e4-bishop is en prise, but Black's queen is
in a dangerous position...} ({The computer recommended the icy move} 21... Rc4
$1 {with an edge for Black, but people aren't capable of cooling down quite so
much at the board.}) 22. Ra3 {A strong response. Now they're playing for three
results. Black's also taking serious risks.} Qb6 {A human being couldn't play
otherwise.} ({The machine waxes lyrical about the variation} 22... Qc4 $1 23.
Rc1 Bf4 $1 24. Qxf4 Qe2 {with a double attack on e4 and b2. It says Black
would have an edge.}) 23. Bxd4 Bxh2+ 24. Kxh2 Qd6+ 25. Rg3 Rxe4 26. Bxg7 Kh7 {
As a result of a forced sequence of moves we've ended up with a totally crazy
position! Both sides are bad...} 27. Rxb7 {Bold! Boris is playing extremely
sharply, on the brink of the abyss. Well done!} Rg8 {With your flag hanging
kings come first. The experience of long years of play...} 28. Qxh6+ {This
leads to exchanges and a probable draw.} ({White still had winning chances
after} 28. Qd3 Qf4 29. Kg2 $1) 28... Qxh6+ 29. Bxh6 Rxg3 30. Kxg3 Bc8 {
Accurate defence. The outlines of the peaceful outcome are becoming ever
clearer.} 31. Rc7 Kxh6 32. Rxc8 Rxa4 {And the players agreed a draw! A vivid
battle! And now I'll switch to the next game - there's not much of a break.}
1/2-1/2
[Event "2012 World Championship match"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.05.30"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Viswanathan Anand"]
[Black "Boris Gelfand"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "Sergey Shipov (Translated by Colin McGourty)"]
[PlyCount "153"]
[EventDate "2012.05.30"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

{This is Grandmaster Sergey Shipov continuing commentary on the World
Championship match tie-breaks. The second rapid chess encounter is about to
begin. In the break between the games the most important thing is to breathe,
walk around a bit and cast off the tension on your shoulders. To rest at least
a little. We await the continuation of the battle... Anand was the first to
sit down. He's livened up and pulled himself together. The demon is whispering
in his ear... [see Shipov's introduction to the first game!]} 1. e4 c5 {The
Sicilian Defence.} 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 {The Rossolimo Variation} e6 4. Bxc6 bxc6
5. b3 e5 6. Nxe5 Qe7 7. d4 {The novelty of the season!} ({In the tenth game of
the match Vishy chose} 7. Bb2) 7... d6 8. Nxc6 Qxe4+ 9. Qe2 Qxe2+ 10. Kxe2 {
Black has sacrificed a pawn, luring the enemy knight to c6 - where it's in
danger.} Bb7 11. Na5 ({In case of} 11. d5 Ne7 $1 12. Nxe7 Bxe7 {White has no
time for} 13. c4 {due to} Bf6 $1) 11... Bxg2 12. Rg1 {Black has won back the
pawn and due to the advantage of the two bishops... No, it's too early to draw
conclusions. First you need to develop and avoid losing immediately. And then
things will be clearer.} Bh3 {It seems White should have an initiative.} ({
After} 12... Be4 {there might follow} 13. Be3 {with Nb1-c3 to come. They
wouldn't be playing for pawns there.}) 13. dxc5 {With a lead in development
you're obliged to attack.} dxc5 14. Nc3 {This threatens the newly-arrived
knight jumping to d5 or b5. The suspicion is that this is all still the
Champion's analysis. If that's the case, then it's going to be tough for the
Challenger... At the very least he's going to lose a lot of time resolving his
problems and will land straight in serious time trouble.} O-O-O {Killing two
birds with one stone. The king has fled the centre while his rook-assistant
has taken control of the d5-square.} 15. Bf4 {But will the black king feel
cosy on the queenside? It's not a certainty. For now there's the threat... or
rather the mild threat, of Nc3-b5-a7. And if a7-a6 there'd follow Nc3-a4! with
the threat of mate. Gelfand's already noticeably behind on time: 0:24-0:14.
That's no trifle.} Bd6 {A move precisely in Boris' style. He's ready to give
up a pawn or two, as long as he seizes the initiative. That's how he played in
the serious games as well, and in rapid chess that counterattacking method of
defence is particularly relevant.} ({The computer recommended the calm} 15...
Nf6 16. Nb5 Rd7 17. Rad1 Nd5 $1 {and, strangely enough, everything comes
together for Black. He doesn't lose immediately and there's an ocean of
struggle ahead.}) 16. Bxd6 Rxd6 {Should the g7-bait be taken?} 17. Rg5 $1 {A
very strong response. The c5-pawn is much more important than its friend on g7.
Gelfand is obviously suffering at the board. He realises he's fallen hook,
line and sinker. He's clearly worse. Much worse.} ({In case of} 17. Rxg7 Nh6 {
Black would get substantial counterplay, as the white king's got nowhere to
hide.}) 17... Nf6 {Better to develop late than never.} 18. Rxc5+ Kb8 {Black's
a pawn down and it seems his compensation is insufficient. The bishop is, of
course, strong, but for now it's firing into empty space. And empty space
feels no pain.} 19. Nc4 {An instinctive desire to play more solidly and
improve piece coordination.} Re8+ 20. Ne3 {Anand's grasped the bird in the
hand, paying no attention to bigger birds in the bush. His idea is simple - to
move the rook from a1, exchange a couple of pieces and gradually convert the
extra pawn.} ({Singer's sewing machine recommends} 20. Kf3 {, but it just
knows no fear. In contrast to Vishy.}) 20... Ng4 {Boris is attacking... but
what? Is the h2-pawn really so appealing? I don't think so.} ({For posterity
I'll leave the false path that the Russian commentators on the official site
led me along:} 20... Nh5 {An amusing trick. Gelfand offers his opponent the
chance to take the knight, blundering Bh3-g4+. But what's he attacking?
No-one's yet died from a check. The king will calmly go to f3.} 21. Ncd5 {A
understandable decision. Vishy is centralising his pieces and provoking his
opponent into an exchange operation connected to the exchange on d5.} ({I'd
have preferred the conceptual} 21. Rd1)) 21. Ncd5 {Everything's solid for
White.} Nxe3 22. Nxe3 $6 {Played very quickly. But is it correct?} ({It was
better to play} 22. fxe3 $1 {, freeing the f2-square for the king and
maintaining the knight hegemony in the centre. In that case White would retain
a persistent edge.}) 22... Bg4+ 23. f3 Bc8 {Black unexpectedly gets powerful
counterplay. Anand's play has clearly been unsuccessful. He's got a big edge
in terms of time, but how should he play now? The e3-knight is pinned and the
second rank is weak.} 24. Re1 {Vishy didn't lose his cool and has made the
most solid move. Singer approves!} Rh6 {Boris is skillfully keeping the flame
of the initiative alive. Throwing on firewood.} 25. Rh1 Rhe6 ({In time trouble
Gelfand wasn't capable of playing the extremely subtle} 25... Rd6 {with the
threat of Bc8-a6+. In that case the game might have finished with a peaceful
repetition of moves.} 26. Re1 Rh6 27. Rh1 Rd6 {and so on.}) 26. Rc3 f5 {The
knight is hanging over the abyss.} 27. Kd2 {His comrades will save him. Well
done, Anand - what can you say? He's wriggling his way out with great agility!}
f4 28. Nd5 g5 {Black continues the attack. He couldn't delay.} 29. Rd3 {An
interesting rearrangement. Lining up behind the d5-knight!} ({But it was
stronger to play} 29. h4) 29... Re2+ 30. Kc1 Rf2 {The black rooks have
developed terrifying activity. The Champion is already taking serious risks.}
31. h4 {He realised that passive defence will no longer help. Great
complications are about to begin. The clocks aren't in the Challenger's favour:
0:09-0:01!} Ree2 {Nevertheless.} ({I looked at the line} 31... Bb7 32. hxg5
Ree2 33. Nxf4 Rxc2+ 34. Kd1 Rxa2 35. Ke1 Rxf3 36. Rxf3 Ra1+ 37. Kd2 Rxh1 38.
Re3 {and things would end peacefully.}) 32. Rc3 ({The move} 32. Nb4 {had a
serious drawback -} g4 33. fxg4 Bxg4 {, and the f4-pawn becomes a force to be
reckoned with.}) 32... Bb7 33. Rd1 {Bold, but risky. Won't the black passed
pawn make it to h1?} gxh4 {Of course.} 34. Nxf4 Re8 {An extremely complex
position! In time trouble you wouldn't wish something like this even on your
worst enemy.} 35. Rh1 {Black's passed pawn has been neutralised. The smoke is
clearing...} Rc8 {Capturing on f3 was more interesting, but there was no time
to calculate.} 36. Rxc8+ Bxc8 37. Rxh4 Bf5 {Black is two pawns down, but his
activity leaves him with drawing chances. Good ones! Boris is playing under
the regime of 10 seconds a move. Vishy has the option of taking breaks.} 38.
Rh5 Bxc2 {It's already too late to take fright.} 39. Rb5+ Ka8 ({Of course not} 
39... Kc7 $2 40. Rc5+ $1) 40. Nd5 {Threatening mate-in-one.} ({Stronger was} 
40. Ne6 {, so that later the knight could take up a post on c5.}) 40... a6 {We
didn't get a blunder.} 41. Ra5 Kb7 {The suspense has been maintained.} 42. Nb4
Bg6 43. Nxa6 Rxf3 44. Nc5+ Kb6 45. b4 {White's two connected passed pawns are
good, but Black also has a trump. And his bishop is stronger than the white
knight.} Rf4 46. a3 Rg4 47. Kd2 {I've no longer got the time to commentate.
I'll simply enter the moves!} h5 48. Nd7+ Kb7 49. Ne5 Rg2+ 50. Kc3 Be8 51. Nd3
h4 {If I was playing White I'd be in a state of shock! Black's pawn is just
about to queen.} 52. Re5 {But Anand is calm.} Bg6 53. Nf4 Rg3+ 54. Kd4 Bc2 55.
Rh5 Rxa3 {A big achievement for Gelfand!} 56. Rxh4 {Things are ripening for a
draw.} Rg3 57. Nd5 Rg5 58. b5 {But the battle goes on. White's got practical
chances with his opponent's flag about to fall.} Bf5 59. Rh6 Bg4 60. Rf6 Rf5
61. Rb6+ Ka7 62. Rg6 Bf3 {A wonderful position for the bishop.} 63. Rg7+ Kb8
64. Nc3 Bb7 65. Kc4 Bf3 66. Kb4 Bd5 {A flattering offer to switch to
Philidor's drawn position.} 67. Na4 {Rejected.} Rf7 68. Rg5 Bf3 69. Nc5 {The
noose is tightening.} Kc7 70. Rg6 {Boris' flag almost fell here!} Kd8 71. Ka5 {
Vishy's like a steam-roller!} Rf5 72. Ne6+ {The knight jumps and sets up forks.
Very dangerous!} Kc8 73. Nd4 {And this is getting serious.} Rf8 74. Nxf3 Rxf3
75. Kb6 {And it's over! The black king gets squeezed out and you can't get
Philidor's positions.} Rb3 76. Rg8+ Kd7 77. Rb8 {Black resigned. The Champion
nevertheless managed to torture the Challenger in a drawn position! Playing on
flags the knight turned out to be stronger than the bishop. On the other hand,
the result was logical in a way. Anand already had a big edge after the
opening. And then we saw swings... Well, there's no time to discuss it. Let's
switch to the next game.} 1-0
[Event "2012 World Championship match"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.05.30"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Boris Gelfand"]
[Black "Viswanathan Anand"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "Sergey Shipov (Translated by Colin McGourty)"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2012.05.30"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

{This is Grandmaster Sergey Shipov, still with you, dear friends. Still alive!
The World Championship tie-breaks are continuing. Anand has surged ahead: 1.
5-0.5. However, it's still too soon to celebrate. Gelfand has come back more
than once in such situations in recent years. His Candidates Match against
Kamsky was particularly memorable in that regard. So everything's still
possible. We'll see! The players are at the board. And they're off...} 1. d4 d5
2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nh4 Bg6 7. Nxg6 hxg6 8. Bd3 Nbd7 9.
O-O {A well-known theoretical position in the Slav Defence.} Bd6 10. h3 O-O {
Both sides are completing development. White has the advantage of the two
bishops while Black has a triple safety margin.} 11. Qc2 {This seems to be a
novelty. Ideally White wants to open the centre and torture Black due to the
power of the long-range pieces...} ({Previously seen was} 11. e4 dxe4 12. Nxe4
Nxe4 13. Bxe4 Qc7 14. b3 Rfd8 15. Bb2 Nf6 16. Bd3 c5 17. dxc5 Bxc5 18. Qe2 Bd4
{, and Black equalised, G. Kagansky - S. Erenburg, Tel Aviv 2002. It's
unlikely that game escaped the gaze of the famous compatriot of those players.}
) 11... Qe7 {...but that's not easy to do. By the way, Black also has active
ideas. The b8-h2 diagonal looks appealing.} 12. Rd1 {The explosion is being
prepared.} Rac8 {And the opposing side is playing prophylactically.} 13. c5 {
An interesting plot twist.} Bb8 14. f4 {White's playing for a clamp! He's
prevented the e6-e5 break, but that doesn't exhaust Black's counterattacking
resources.} Ne8 {Making way for the f7-pawn and the black queen.} 15. b4 g5 {
Vishy is starting counterplay on the kingside. If he manages to open up lines
then White's actions on the queenside will turn out to be inappropriate.} 16.
Rb1 {Stunningly cold-blooded! It seems the players aren't coming up with
anything at the board so far. They're clearly perfectly familiar with the
possible plans in the given structure.} f5 ({Anand didn't even decide to play} 
16... a6 {, which wouldn't have changed anything due to} 17. a4 {However, some
specific features would have appeared...}) 17. b5 {A real war on both wings
has begun. It's extremely interesting!} gxf4 ({It was worth considering} 17...
cxb5 18. Rxb5 b6 {, reviving the c8-rook.}) 18. exf4 ({And here it was better
to play the exchanging intermezzo} 18. bxc6) 18... Nef6 $6 {The black knight
is heading for e4, but will it manage to create something real? After all,
White is already prepared to carry out an invasion on the queenside.} ({Here
as well it looked promising to play} 18... cxb5 {with b7-b6 to follow.}) 19.
bxc6 bxc6 20. Ba6 {There it is.} Rc7 $6 {A strange reply. The arrangement of
the black pieces is becoming incredibly awkward.} ({It was worth maintaining
piece coordination with} 20... Rcd8 {The c6-pawn can be disregarded, as
Black's counterplay in the centre and on the kingside will make up for all the
losses.}) 21. Be3 {Now the b8-bishop is locked away and no genuine basis for
counterplay is visible for Black. It seems White has the right to gradually up
the pressure. His advantage is obvious!} Ne4 {It seems Vishy is hoping to move
his queen and d7-knight so that his rook can then move from c7 on the seventh
rank. It's hard to believe that will work... White's banal pressure on the
b8-bishop might end the game in record time.} 22. Rb2 {There it is. Boris
intends to double rooks.} ({Even more interesting was} 22. Nxe4 fxe4 23. Rb3 {
with the idea not of doubling but tripling.}) ({If} 22. Rb3 {there might have
followed a desperate knight sacrifice for two pawns:} Ndxc5) 22... g5 {An
instant response! The Champion understands perfectly well the depth of the
hole he's fallen into. And he's trying to confuse his opponent - to get
complications at any price.} 23. Rdb1 {The Challenger is following his plan
consistently.} ({In the line} 23. Nxe4 fxe4 24. fxg5 {Black would play} e5 {
with... the illusion of counterplay.}) 23... gxf4 24. Bxf4 e5 {A break for
freedom, regardless of the losses. Objectively speaking Black should be
very-very bad, but anything's possible in a practical game.} 25. Bxe5 ({
Stronger was} 25. Nxe4 fxe4 (25... exf4 26. Nd6 $1) 26. Bxe5 Nxe5 27. dxe5 {
and Black loses a piece.}) 25... Nxe5 26. Rxb8 $6 {But here it's not all that
clear. Black has got rid of his worst piece without great losses.} ({It was
again worth choosing} 26. Nxe4 $1 {with a decisive advantage.}) 26... Ng6 27.
Nxe4 fxe4 {An interesting structure. White's extra pawn doesn't yet make
itself felt, while he's got a weakness on d4. The struggle goes on! Moreover,
Gelfand's also got less time: 0:10-0:16. Instead of a rapid victory we've got
an unclear struggle for three results.} 28. Qf2 {A sensible manoeuvre. Black's
king hasn't been safeguarded, and exchanging heavy pieces is overall in
White's favour.} Qg7 {Taking aim at d4. Boris is spending too much time. He is,
alas, playing impractically.} 29. Kh2 {A deliberately cunning move.} ({More
forcing was} 29. Rxf8+ Nxf8 30. Rb3 {, though Black wouldn't lose immediately:}
Rf7 31. Rg3 Ng6 32. Qe3 Qf6 33. Qh6 Rg7 {and so on.}) 29... Rcf7 {Black has
gathered all his forces together in a fist. He's hinting at real counterplay.}
30. Qg3 {Gelfand is staking everything on exchanging all the heavy pieces, but
won't he end up losing the d4-pawn?} Nf4 {The knight is heading closer to the
prey. Let's glance at the clocks: 0:02-0:12. Now that's time trouble!} 31. R8b3
{Another strange manoeuvre. Gelfand has clearly lost the thread of the play.} (
{The truth lay in the variation} 31. Rxf8+ Rxf8 32. Qxg7+ Kxg7 33. Rb7+ Kh6 34.
Rc7 {with an edge for White.}) 31... Qxg3+ 32. Rxg3+ Kh7 33. Rd1 {White's had
to switch to passive defence. The loss of the d4-pawn could lead to a worse
position, but even now there are no guarantees.} Ne6 {Black is attacking the
d4-pawn and hinting at invading on the second rank. His initiative is tangible.
} 34. Be2 {An interesting attempt to rearrange his forces.} Rf2 35. Bg4 Nf4 {
Black's activity is getting stronger and stronger. I think Anand's now playing
for a win! Being a pawn down has absolutely no significance.} 36. Rb1 {But
that's correct. It's important to maintain counterthreats. The white rook is
heading into Black's rearguard.} Rf7 {Sensible prophylaxis. The a2-pawn is
under attack, and the black passed pawn is just about to set off for the first
rank.} ({It would have been rash to play} 36... Rxa2 $6 37. Rb7+ Kh6 38. Rd7 $1
{and Rd7-d6.}) 37. Rb8 {A desperate counterattack! White is trying to generate
threats against the black king or, if beggars can't be choosers, the c6-pawn.
Gelfand is playing with his flag about to drop. A wounded animal is very
dangerous... Anand still has 10 minutes to spare.} Rxa2 {Principled play.} ({On
} 37... e3 {there'd follow} 38. Re8 $1) 38. Rc8 e3 {As if on cue a new round
of complications has begun during Boris' time trouble. It's tough for him, but
his position still isn't bad.} 39. Rxe3 {Played to be on the safe side, so the
pawn didn't slip through to queen under a hail of blows on the board.} Rxg2+
40. Kh1 {The white king is on the ropes. With four rooks on the board that's
very dangerous...} Rd2 {Black is still attacking.} 41. Rxc6 {Well done, Boris!
He's playing boldly, as you have to in the given position. Any delay or
passive play would lead to an inglorious defeat.} Ne6 {Threatening mate.} 42.
Rf3 {Accurate defence.} ({In the line} 42. Re2 Rxe2 43. Bxe2 Nxd4 44. Bd3+ Kg7
45. Rd6 Rf2 {Black would still manage to threaten the white king despite the
minimal forces.}) 42... Rxf3 43. Bxf3 Nxd4 44. Rc7+ Kh6 45. Bxd5 {White is
absolutely safe now the position's been unloaded! Gelfand has played
brilliantly, while at some point Anand didn't make the most of things...
Unfortunately I can't manage to find the next moves in the game - I'll simply
say what happened next. I can already see a rook ending with a single white
pawn on h6.} Rc2 46. Be4 Rc3 47. Kg2 Kg5 48. Kh2 Nf3+ 49. Bxf3 Rxf3 50. Rxa7
Rc3 51. Rc7 Kf4 52. Rc8 Ke5 53. c6 Kd6 54. h4 Ra3 55. Kg2 Re3 56. h5 Re5 57. h6
Rh5 58. Rh8 Kxc6 59. Rh7 $2 Kd6 {and the game ended in a draw. My impression
is that Boris let a concrete win slip in this nervous endgame. Yes, that's the
case! Instead of the strange manoeuvre 59.Rh7? he'd have had a theoretically
won ending after the banal 59.Kg3! And the number of winning continuations he
missed coming out of the opening is hard to count. In general, Vishy had luck
on his side in the third encounter - World Champion's luck!} 1/2-1/2
[Event "2012 World Championship match"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.05.30"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Viswanathan Anand"]
[Black "Boris Gelfand"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "Sergey Shipov (Translated by Colin McGourty)"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2012.05.30"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

{So then, dear friends, we've got the last rapid game coming up. The World
Champion is leading 2:1 and needs only a draw. The Challenger requires a
heroic feat! And he can do it, as his opponent clearly isn't made of steel...
With you again is Grandmaster Sergey Shipov. Let's watch, support and enjoy
the play!} 1. e4 c5 {The Sicilian Defence.} 2. Nf3 d6 {Heading for the Najdorf
Variation!} 3. Bb5+ {Simplifications will do Anand no harm.} Nd7 {Gelfand
objects.} 4. d4 Ngf6 5. e5 {Played very quickly. This leads to interesting and
no doubt theoretically well-known complications in the centre. Boris is taking
a serious think - it seems he hadn't prepared for this continuation.} ({White
more often chooses the restrained} 5. Nc3) 5... Qa5+ ({If} 5... cxd4 {it
wouldn't make sense to take the f6-knight because of the check on a5. Stronger
and simpler is} 6. Qxd4 $1) 6. Nc3 Ne4 {Black counterattacks, but the moment
the white king leaves the centre this activity might rebound in a powerful
white attack - after all, it's hard for the black king to flee the centre.} 7.
Bd2 {Anand is playing his moves confidently - he clearly knows this variation
well. You can't help but state that he's continually got lucky in opening
terms as well in today's rapid match - but that alleged luck is based on
colossal work by his team.} Nxc3 8. Bxd7+ Bxd7 9. Bxc3 Qa6 {Black has acquired
the advantage of the two bishops. In this match that's been the typical
scenario. The Champion calmly exchanges his bishops for his opponent's knights
and then demonstrates virtuoso play with knights against bishops. It's very
significant now that White can't yet castle - according to the rules of the
game. But Black is perfectly free to castle long - that would be interesting!}
10. exd6 {A clear desire to play more straightforwardly.} ({More ambitious is} 
10. d5 $1 {, which has been seen most often here.}) 10... exd6 {No. Gelfand
decided not to castle straight away here.} ({Although after} 10... O-O-O 11.
Ne5 (11. dxe7 $6 Bxe7 12. Qd3 Bb5 $1) 11... exd6 {Black has, at the very least,
equalised.}) 11. Qe2+ Qxe2+ 12. Kxe2 f6 {A pleasant turn of events for Boris!
It seems to me that he's got a dream position out of the opening. The two
bishops are a real force in such an ending. Only Black can have winning
chances here. Vishy clearly got carried away with the simplifications.} 13. b3
{A novelty. White previously played 13.Rhe1 here and also failed to equalise.
An important point is that White doesn't have the right to exchange pawns on
c5. In that case you'd get a classical position, known even in Steinitz's day.
Almost won for Black.} Bb5+ {An ambitious thrust.} 14. Kd2 {And what next? You
want to bring the bishop out to h6, of course, but then the white bishop will
also be much stronger, getting targets to attack on the long diagonal.} Bc6 15.
Rad1 {A sensible rearrangement. There isn't yet any reason to seriously fear
the exchange on f3.} Kf7 16. Kc1 Be7 {Now White needs to find a plan of action.
} 17. d5 {Not an obvious decision. It's also remarkable how quickly Vishy took
it.} Bd7 18. Bb2 b5 {But Black's plan of attack is obvious.} 19. Nd2 {White's
setup is pretty, but he doesn't have any targets to create counterthreats.} a5
{The pawn is rushing to a4, after which the tension on the queenside will be
dangerous for White.} 20. Rhe1 {It'll be interesting to see what Anand is
planning to do next. Doubling rooks only leads to exchanges that favour Black.
For now there are no clear markers by which White can orient his play. I think
it's going to be very tough for the Champion in this game.} Rhe8 {Precisely.
It's clear the Challenger is planning to half the stock of rooks. Just in case.
} 21. Re3 f5 {A slight surprise. On the one hand the e7-bishop is freed, but
on the other hand - the white minor pieces get additional options.} ({It
looked more flexible and simply better to play} 21... a4 {and just wait and
try and guess what this threatening pawn will do next.}) 22. Rde1 {And here's
White's first threat. The b2-bishop is intending to take on g7.} g5 {Correct!
Gelfand is playing very interestingly, creatively and constructively. He's
seizing space on both wings. He just has to be careful not to allow tactical
counterplay for White.} 23. c4 {Anand's intending to clarify the structure on
the queenside.} b4 {A perfectly logical reply. Boris clearly didn't want to
see the white knight on c4.} 24. g3 {Vishy is setting up barricades all over
the board. White's position is still worse, but it's now starting to look
perfectly solid. While in terms of time the picture is familiar: 0:15-0:07.
The Champion is playing twice as fast as his opponent! And one and a half
times worse. Let's see which factor turns out to be more important...} Bf8 {
The exchange of rooks will free the black king.} 25. Rxe8 Bxe8 {Another
questionable decision. The Challenger is leaving a pair of rooks on the board.
Well, that's also an option. Now we're going to have a pawn conflict on the
kingside. If lines are opened then the black pieces will spring into action.
However, you could also say the same about the white pieces, which, by the way,
are better coordinated at the moment. So it's a big moment.} ({Simpler was} 
25... Rxe8 {with comfortable play for Black.}) 26. Nf3 {Vishy is getting his
claws into the black pawns. It's extremely important to provoke dark-squared
weaknesses in Black's structure - White's minor pieces can then gain a
foothold there.} Kg6 {Amazing! The king is entering the fight. A check is
being allowed on e6.} ({After} 26... h6 {it seems Boris didn't like} 27. h4)
27. Re6+ {Anand couldn't resist the temptation. Or he simply saw a favourable
variation.} ({On the other hand, after} 27. h4 h6 {it nevertheless seems there
was nothing better than invading with the rook.}) 27... Kh5 {The king is ahead
of the whole army, which is stuck on the back rank.} 28. h3 {Playing to
restrict his opponent.} ({It was more logical and forcing to play} 28. h4 h6
29. hxg5 hxg5 30. Bf6 {, but at the board it would be very difficult to assess
the consequences:} Bd7 31. Re1 a4 $1 {with an initiative for Black.}) 28... Bf7
29. Rf6 Bg6 30. Re6 Re8 {And here's the answer to all the questions. By
eliminating the active rook Gelfand intends to break through on the kingside.}
31. Bf6 {The box for the black king looks interesting. And for now it's risky
to take on e6.} g4 {The king is striving for freedom. There are chances.} 32.
hxg4+ Kxg4 {He's heading to g2 via h3.} 33. Nh2+ {And White's inviting him
there himself. I genuinely admire the speed with which Anand is taking such
tricky decisions. Times: 0:02 - 0:08. The usual picture.} Kh3 34. Nf3 {The
knight returns and, it seems, is heading for g5. Black's structure has
worsened, but all four of his pieces have entered the fight, while White's
king is out of play.} f4 {A bold break! By clearing space Boris is activating
his bishops. It's also important that the h7-pawn can become a promising
passed pawn.} 35. gxf4 {Vishy is playing with the confidence of an automaton.
That's his game - concrete and quick.} Kg4 36. Ng5 ({By the way, on
automatons! The computer recommended} 36. Nh4 Bf7 37. Re3 {, even claiming
that White's better - something it's hard to believe...}) 36... Ra8 {An
interesting twist. The dueling rooks ended up not firing a shot at each other.}
37. Re3 {Freeing the e6-square for the knight.} Kf5 38. Bb2 a4 {Correct! Black
has chances on the queenside. The b3 and a2 pawns are potentially weak.
Gelfand is again playing with seconds to spare!} 39. Ne6 {Is transposing to an
opposite-coloured bishop ending likely? That won't be a draw either, by the
way.} Bh6 {Boris is avoiding exchanges as long as he can.} 40. Rh3 {Vishy
insists.} Bxf4+ 41. Nxf4 Kxf4 {White is still in danger. He's cramped on the
queenside and the h7-pawn is dangerous.} 42. Bf6 {What's this? Going after the
d6-pawn? It seems so.} Ra7 {Gelfand has no time to calculate complex
counterattacking variations. And he's giving his opponent important tempos...}
43. Re3 Be4 44. Bh4 $1 {A wonderful bishop switch. White gets big chances of a
positive result.} axb3 45. Bg3+ Kf5 46. axb3 Ra1+ {A harmless invasion.} 47.
Kd2 ({Even stronger was} 47. Kb2) 47... Ra2+ 48. Ke1 Ra6 {A sad necessity.
Black's no longer better.} 49. f3 Bb1 50. Kd2 h5 51. Kc1 h4 {The last doubtful
chance.} 52. Bxh4 Kf4 53. Bg5+ Kxg5 54. Kxb1 Kf4 55. Re6 {The fortress has
been built and a draw is inevitable. Anand's close to his goal!} Kxf3 56. Kb2 {
And the players agreed a draw. The World Champion has won the tie-breaks with
a 2.5-1.5 scoreline and retains his title! Vishy Anand showed what a stubborn
competitor he is and, despite not being in the best sporting form, he managed
to resolve the task that stood before him. Assessing the outcome of the games
today I'd say: it was a roughly equal battle in rapid chess and everything was
decided by the rapidity of fire of the Indian grandmaster. He acted more
practically and deserved his victory. Anand will remain the Champion for the
next two years - until the following match. Gelfand, meanwhile, will now
undertake a new attempt to climb the chess heights when he plays in the
Candidates Tournament next spring. Overall, Boris didn't disappoint - his play
was worthy and he had real chances of claiming the title. But it seems that
wasn't to be... Well then, dear friends, thank you for your attention! Working
for you was Grandmaster Sergey Shipov. I hope you enjoyed it. Until we meet
again!} 1/2-1/2