1.e4
c6
2.d4
d5
3.e5
Bf5
So the question now is: has Shirov found an antidote to Anand's novelty in game three?
4.h4
Nope!
4...h5
5.Bg5
Qb6
6.Bd3
Bxd3
7.Qxd3
Qa6
Although never played at GM level, this move is not strange. Since b2 is taboo, this exchange offer makes sense, gaining a tempo to develop the knight, or challenging the white queen's dominating position. [7...e6
8.Nd2
Qa6
9.c4
Bb4
10.b3
Ne7
11.Ngf3
Nf5
12.0-0
0-0
13.Rfc1
Nd7
14.a3
Bxd2
15.Qxd2
Rac8
16.a4
Rfe8
17.Qc3
c5
18.cxd5
exd5
19.Qd2
Qe6
20.Bf4
Nxd4
21.Nxd4
cxd4
22.Qxd4
b6
23.Rxc8
Rxc8
24.Rd1
Rc5
25.b4
Rc4
26.Qxd5
Qxd5
1/2-1/2 (26) Shomoev,A (2562)-Akopian,V (2700)/Moscow 2008/CBM 123; Theory considers 7...Qxb2
to be unplayable, and the databases show a whopping 8.5/9 score for White, whether Black goes straight for the rook or sidesteps. The continuation has gone 8.e6
and the highest rated player to take on b2 as Black was Lalith (2480) in 2009. 8...Qxa1
9.Qb3
Qxd4
10.Qxb7
fxe6
11.Be3
Qa4
12.Qxa8
Qa5+
13.Nd2
Qd8
14.Ngf3
Nf6
15.0-0
g6
16.Rb1
Nbd7
17.Qxc6
Bg7
18.Ng5
1-0 (18) Perunovic,M (2580)-Lalith,B (2480)/Dubai 2009/CBM 130 Extra]
8.Qf3
e6
9.Ne2
c5
10.c3
Nc6
11.Nd2
Nge7
12.Nb3
cxd4
13.cxd4
Nf5
14.0-0
Be7
15.Bxe7
Ncxe7
16.g3
It is somewhat ironic that Black's queen is still on a6 but is now the stronger one.
16...b6
17.Nf4
g6
18.Nh3?!
An odd choice considering the knight and queen are hardly in any position to deliver mate even after Black castles. [The plain development move 18.Rfc1
was stronger.]
18...0-0
19.Qf4
Qe2
20.Rfd1
20...Rac8
[Anand prefers to continue the positional path, however there was no reason why the pawn could not be taken with 20...Qxb2
For example 21.g4
(21.Rd2
Qa3
) 21...hxg4
22.Qxg4
a5
23.h5
a4
just looks winning for Black.]
21.Rd2
Qg4
22.Qxg4
hxg4
23.Ng5
a5
24.f3
Rc4
25.Kf2
Rfc8
26.fxg4
Nh6
27.Rad1
The rook must exit to give the knight an escape square.
27...a4
28.Na1
Nxg4+
29.Kf3
Nh6
30.Kf4
Nef5
31.Nf3
b5
32.Ne1?
32...f6!
The beginning of the end.
33.exf6
33...e5+!!
Anand blows up the position to attack Shirov's king.
34.Kxe5
Ne3
35.Rb1
Re8+
36.Kf4
It is not a pretty picture. Aside from the king trying to fend off Black's army by himself, the knight on a1 and the rook on b1 make for a very ugly picture.
36...Rc6!
37.Kg5
Re4!
The World Champion plays the most efficient mating line.
38.Kxh6
38...Rg4??
Time is the culprit behind two unfortunate blunders. This move would actually allow White to save the game. [38...Ng4+
would have finalized the mating pattern. 39.Kxg6
Rxf6+
40.Kg5
Kg7
41.Ng2
Rg6+
42.Kf5
Nh6#
]
39.Rf2??
Tit for tat. [39.f7+!
would save the game incredibly. 39...Kxf7
40.Kh7
Rxg3
41.Nd3
Rc7
42.Kh8
Rh3
43.Ne5+
Ke6
44.Nxg6
Rc8+
(44...Kf6?
45.Rg1!
Nf5
46.Rf2
and White's rooks and knight start doing acrobatics worthy of the Cirque du Soleil. Ex: 46...Rc8+
47.Kh7
and White threatens Rxf5+ and Ne7. 47...Rc7+
48.Kg8
) 45.Kh7
Rc7+
46.Kg8
Rc8+
47.Kh7
]
39...Nf5+
40.Rxf5
gxf5
41.Kh5
Rc7
0-1