2.5-5.5 down Vlad had to play for a win with black, or win 'away from home'. The last time he managed that was 2006 when Veselin Topalov missed a mate before losing. However, I was following the chess from Stamford Bridge the home of Chelski Football Club (the home of no European Cups) and by the time Anand had played 1.d4 Alonso had already put the mighty Liverpool FC 0-1 ahead and Chelsea, who had not lost at home for 4.5 years were on their way to defeat (hurrah). So one record was about to be broken perhaps another would go.
1.d4
d5
2.c4
e6
3.Nf3
Nf6
4.Nc3
c6
5.Bg5
h6
6.Bh4
Surprising as [6.Bxf6
Qxf6
7.e3
is the solid Moscow variation and more suited to the match situation. However Anand's strategy has been to play for complications most of the time.]
6...dxc4
Kramnik has to accept the challenge and he enters the sharp Anti Moscow Gambit. He must have been delighted to get such an unbalanced position
7.e4
g5
8.Bg3
b5
9.Be2
Bb7
10.Qc2
[10.h4
is more cutting edge]
10...Nbd7
11.Rd1
Bb4
12.Ne5
Qe7N
Kramnik finally gets to play a strong novelty. 12...Rg8 and 12...Nxe5 have been played before. [12...c5
Is the move Black wants to play in general terms but after 13.0-0
Bxc3
14.Qxc3
Nxe4
15.Qe3
his position is very ropey and if 15...Nxg3
16.fxg3!
; Not 12...Nh5
13.d5!
]
13.0-0
[Now the typical thrust 13.h4
is a waste of time after 13...0-0-0
]
13...Nxe5
14.Bxe5
0-0
15.Bxf6
[Anand concedes the dark squares and now he cannot be better but if 15.f4
Nd7!
Threatening f6 gives Black a big advantage]
15...Qxf6
16.f4
Qg7
17.e5
Anand intends Nc3-e4, fxg5 and Rf3. Kramnik had a long think and correctly decides to sacrifice a couple of pawn to open up the game for his bishops. This is necessary in general terms and the time is clearly right
17...c5!
[If 17...Bxc3
18.bxc3
strengthens whites centre.; and 17...f5
18.exf6
Rxf6
19.fxg5
Qxg5
20.Rxf6
Qxf6
21.Ne4
gives White sufficient play for the pawn]
18.Nxb5
cxd4
19.Qxc4
a5!
20.Kh1
[20.Nxd4
gxf4
Threatening mate on g2 21.Nf3
Rac8
22.Qxf4
Rc2
23.Rf2
Rxb2
Is very good for Black]
20...Rac8
21.Qxd4
gxf4
[21...Bc5
22.Qd2
gxf4
23.Bf3
Be3-/+
Looks even better]
22.Bf3
Ba6
23.a4?!
[23.Qb6
Bxb5
24.Qxb5
Rc5
25.Qa4
Rxe5
26.a3
Be7
27.Qxf4=
]
23...Rc5
24.Qxf4
Rxe5
25.b3
Anand has decided to give up a pawn to head for a position with opposite coloured bishops which have a drawing tendency [25.Be4
Bxb5
26.axb5
Rxb5
27.Rd7
Also looks well playable]
25...Bxb5
26.axb5
Rxb5
27.Be4
Bc3
28.Bc2
19 minutes left each Kramnik is a clear pawn up but it's not easy
28...Be5
29.Qf2
Bb8
30.Qf3
Rc5
31.Bd3
Rc3
32.g3
Kh8
[32...Rxb3
33.Bh7+
]
33.Qb7
f5
34.Qb6
Qe5
35.Qb7
[Anand missed 35.Bxf5!
after which 35...Rxf5
36.Rxf5
exf5
37.Qxh6+
Kg8
38.Qg5+
Qg7
39.Rd8+
wins; But 35.Bxf5!
exf5
36.Rfe1
Qg7
37.Re6
Bc7
38.Rxh6+
Kg8
39.Qe6+
Qf7
40.Rg6+
Kh8
41.Rh6+=
]
35...Qc7?!
[35...Bc7
has a trick 36.Bc4
Rxg3!
37.hxg3
Qxg3
38.Qg2
Qh4+
39.Kg1
Bb6+
40.Rf2
Rg8-+
; 35...Bc7
36.Qb5
may hold 36...Qxb5
37.Bxb5
Rxb3
38.Bc4
wins back a pawn because 38...Rb6
39.Rd7
Bb8
40.Re7
e5
41.Rd1
gives White too much play; But Black can refine this idea with 35...Rg8!
Just ramping up the pressure and Anand would be suffering. I can't see a good move for White after this. Kramnik can calmly consolidate with Bc7 then there are threats to b3 and pressure against the kingside. 36.Qb5
Qe3
37.Qd7
Bxg3!-+
; 35...Rg8
36.Qf3
Rd8-/+
]
36.Qxc7
Bxc7
37.Bc4
Re8
[37...a4
38.Rd7
axb3
39.Bxb3
Rxb3
40.Rxc7
holds comfortably for example 40...Kg8
41.Re1
Rf6
42.Re7
Rb6
43.Kg2
Kf8
44.Rh7
]
38.Rd7!
Perhaps the ramifications of this were overlooked by Kramnik who appeared shattered after this
38...a4
Tricky but only good for what is most likely a draw 3 v 2 R+P endgame [38...Bb8
39.Rfd1
a4?
40.Rd8
wins]
39.Rxc7
axb3
40.Rf2
Rb8
41.Rb2
h5
[41...Rc2
42.Rxc2
bxc2
43.Bxe6!
(Not 43.Bf1
Rb2!
) 43...Rb1+
44.Kg2
c1Q
45.Rxc1
Rxc1
46.Bxf5
should be drawn ]
42.Kg2
h4
43.Rc6
Threatening to unpin with Bd5, this is good enough to draw
43...hxg3
44.hxg3
Rg8
45.Rxe6
Rxc4
1/2-1/2