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Yesterday Anand brilliantly took lead in the match. Applying an important novelty, he gained an advantage of about an hour on the clock. Kramnik reacted well but the Indian, having the initiative, was very persistent and forced his opponent into a time trouble. Then a series of inaccuracies and a blunder decided the game. Would the Russian be able to come back rapidly after such a defeat or Vishy, having White, will try to enlarge the gap is a question that will be answered soon. Stay tuned at 15.00 CET.
1.d4 Nf6 Once again Kramnik deviates from 1...d5.
2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Anand is obviously not stisfied with the opening outcome in the Nimzo-Indian - game 2 - and returns to his usual 3.Nf3.
3... d5 Back to Queen's Gambit.
4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bf4 ( No need to enter the Tartakower System - 5.Bg5 O-O 6.e3 h6 where the Russian has extensive experience.)
5... O-O 6.e3 Nbd7 ( Kramnik is no mood to play double edged positions, as in the main line 6... c5 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.Qc2 Nc6 9.a3 Qa5)
7.a3 The usual chice of the high level chess players.
7... c5 8.cxd5 Nxd5 9.Nxd5 exd5 10.dxc5 Nxc5 11.Be5 Bf5 (11... Bf6 is a more common choice in the fight for equality.)
12.Be2 Bf6 The White Bishop is too strong soo this exchange has it's reason. Anyway, this should lead to a small but long lasting advantage for White. ( The inclusion of 11...Bf5 has the idea to prevent the usual White set up after 11...Bf6. 12.Bxf6 Qxf6 13.Qd4. If White plays so now, then after 12... Bf6 13.Bxf6 Qxf6 14.Qd4 Qd6 15.Rd1 Rfd8 there is the threat Bc2+Nb3.)
13.Bxf6 (13.Bd4 is an option.) ( The natural 13.O-O was played as well in a recent game.)
13... Qxf6 14.Nd4 Ne6 At first glance Black had effortlessly equalized.
15.Nxf5 Qxf5 16.O-O Rfd8 Judging by the speed Kramnik is playing his moves with, one may be certain that he is still following his home preparation.
17.Bg4 Seems to be the best square for the Bishop es after Qf5-e5 and d5-d4 it would be vulnerable on 'e2'.
17... Qe5 18.Qb3 ( Now 18.Qb3 d4 should lead to full equality: 19.exd4 (19.Qxb7 d3 allows a dangerous passed pawn.) 19... Rxd4 20.Qxb7 Rb8 21.Qf3 Ng5 22.Qf5 Qxf5 23.Bxf5 Rxb2 and a draw ending is reached.)
18... Nc5 Kramnik prefers to keep the tension.
19.Qb5 With skillful manoeuvres Anand is trying to get some edge.
19... b6 20.Rfd1 Rd6 (20... d4 21.b4)
21.Rd4 First small achievement - the pawn is blocked.
21... a6 22.Qb4 h5 In order to secure 'e6' for the Knight Kramnik is trying to chase away the Bishop from the h3-c8 diagonal. Else on Nc5-e6 White captures, then doubles on the 'd' file and prepares the e3-e4 push.
23.Bh3 Rad8 24.g3 ( Another subtle move. 24.Rad1 Ne4 followed by Qf6 hinders the coordination of White pieces. Now Ne4 can be met by Bh3-g2.)
24... g5 25.Rad1 g4 Finally Nc5-e6 is possible.
26.Bg2 Ne6 27.R4d3 Now everything is prepared for d5-d4.
27... d4 28.exd4 Rxd4 29.Rxd4 Rxd4 Draw agreed. The position is completely equal after Kramnik with strong non-typical moves managed to prepare a breakthrough in the center. Anyway he didn't have too much problem as Black and has a day to rest and plan his strategy for his next White pieces.
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