Kasparov vs Anand, 2000

You should avoid getting into a line where you struggled to draw previously unless you are the first one to come up with an improvement that will enhance your position. However it was Kramnik that surprised Anand with the improvement 18.Re1.

Anand made a similar mistake in his 1995 WC match against GK, where he repeated the position played in Game 6 in Game 10 and paid for it. Analysis of Game 6 which was drawn showed that Kasparov might have been able to obtain an advantage after further play.

Kasparov vs Anand, 1995

Kasparov vs Anand, 1995

<INTRODUCTION>

Kramnik vs Anand, 2008 is the <tenth game of the 2008 title match>.

Quantitative mapping of this game between these players follows. Figures in brackets immediately after each move are the corrected engine evaluations generated on the forward slide that followed the initial reverse slide originating from the last move of the game after all moves had been inputted into the engine. Some evaluations are bolstered by analysis. This smoothed out many, but not all fluctuations in the engine’s evaluations, especially in the opening.

General methods used are described in the bio of the <bridgeburner chessforum> (in other words at the top of this page).

Engine preferences are included throughout the game where they differ from players preferences except in the well trodden opening, where evaluation values are included for completeness rather than in the interests of complete accuracy.

Some analysis is included to provide some idea of the reason for the engine preferences where they didn’t coincide with the moves played. Where the differences are minor, the accompanying analysis is brief and indicative, where the differences are pivotal, more extensive analysis is provided.

<Summary>

Kramnik is down by 6-3 and any further loss of points concedes the world crown. He comes good in this short, sharp and lethal game against Anand’s Nimzo-Indian (Romanishin Variation), but only delays the inevitable until the next game.

THE GAME

Commentary for this game was made by:

- GM Zsuzsa Polgar in her blog at http://susanpolgar.blogspot.com/200... during the course of the game;

- GM Ian Rogers at http://main.uschess.org/content/vie... ,

- GM Amador Rodriguez-Cespedes at http://www.uep-chess.com/cms_englis... and

- IM Malcolm Pein at http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail...

MOVES 1-3:

<1. d4> (=0.16) <1…Nf6> (=0.19)

<2. c4> (=0.16) <2…e6> (=0.15)

<3. Nc3> (=0.15)

Rodriguez: <The first indication that Kramnik is out for a big fight. >

GAME MOVES 3-5:

<3…Bb4> (=0.15)

<4. Nf3> (=0.12) <4…c5> (=0.20)

<5. g3> (=0.10)

Rogers: <Once considered innocuous, this is nowadays one of the trendy methods of combatting the Nimzo-Indian defence.>

Pein: <Garry must be smiling. In extremes Kramnik plays the Kasparov Variation.>

Rodriguez: <This line became very popular after Kasparov used it 5 times against Karpov during their second and third matches in 1985 and 1986. Later Kasparov played it a few more times, including games against Anand and Kramnik.>

GAME MOVE 5:

<5…cxd4> (=0.21)

<5…Qa5> was tried in Polugaevsky vs P Nikolic, 1984, and ended in a quick draw.

GAME MOVE 6:

<6.Nxd4 > (=0.20) <6…0-0> ( 0.27)

Pein: < 6...Ne4 7.Qd3 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 Nc5 is another way to play. White's pawns are ghastly but his bishops become powerful and Black has to watch his d6 square.>

NB: The statistics in the chessgames.com database for the results in the variation cited by IM Pein are +26 =41 -14: Opening Explorer

<6…d5> was played in Kasparov vs Kramnik, 1999, ending in a hard fought draw.

GAME MOVES 7-9:

<7. Bg2> ( 0.27) <7…d5> ( 0.27)

<8. cxd5> ( 0.27) <8…Nxd5> ( 0.27)

<9. Qb3> ( 0.27) <9…Qa5> ( 0.42)

Polgar: <So far, the players are within Opening Books. Bd2 here is the common move.>

Pein: <This is a long forcing variation in which the theory goes a long way.>

GAME MOVE 10:

<10. Bd2> ( 0.42)

Polgar: <Black's best choice is 10...Nc6 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.O-O =/ >

GAME MOVES 10-11:

<10…Nc6> ( 0.42)

<11. Nxc6> ( 0.42)

Note:

<11. e3> was played in V Zvjaginsev vs Ljubojevic, 1996, with the game drawn.

<11. Ne2> was played in Beliavsky vs Ivanchuk, 1995, and Black won quite handily in 29 moves.

GAME MOVE 11:

<11…bxc6> ( 0.42)

GAME MOVE 12:

<12. 0-0> ( 0.42) <12…Bxc3> ( 0.42)

Pein: <12...Rb8 13.Nxd5 cxd5 14.a3! Bxd2 15.Qxb8; 12...Nxc3 13.Bxc3 Bxc3 14.Qxc3 Qxc3 15.bxc3 and White's bishop is powerful; 12...Ba6 13.Nxd5 Bxd2 14.Ne7+ Kh8 15.Nxc6.>

<12…Nxc3 13. Bxc3 Bxc3 14. Bxc6 (instead of Pein’s <14. Qxc3>)> was played between computers inNimzo-8 vs Gambit Tiger, 2001, won by White.

The exchange sac motif in the game between the two computers had pre- and post crime echoes in two games in which <12…Rb8> were played, namely in Barsov vs J Rowson, 1999, which was played before the computer game, and in S Atalik vs A Stein, 2005, which was played several years later. The former was drawn and the latter won by White.

GAME MOVES 13-14:

<13. bxc3> ( 0.42) <13…Ba6> ( 0.42)

<14. Rfd1> ( 0.42)

Polgar: < If 14... Bxe2 15.c4 Qa6 16.cxd5 Bxd1 17.Rxd1 >

Pein: <Threatening c3-c4.>

Rodriguez: <Protecting the bishop, so White is now threatening 15.c4>

GAME MOVE 14:

<14…Qc5> ( 0.49)

Pein: <14...Bxe2 15.c4 has been shown to be better for White.>

<The engine’s preference>: <14…Rab8> ( 0.42) allows White to play <15. c4>, sacrificing Queen in return for Rook and Bishop and the establishment of a powerful passed pawn on c6; this has so far always ended disastrously for Black (+5 =0 -0 in favor of White): Opening Explorer

Analysis reveals that Black can defend the position, but has no chance of taking any initiative because of the powerful well-protected passed c-pawn. The signature line appears to be <14…Rab8 15. c4 Qc5 16. cxd5 Rxb3 17. axb3 Bxe2 (<17…Qc2 18. Rac1 Qb2 19. dxc6 Bxe2 20. Bc3 21. Rd7 Ba6 22. Rxa7 Qb6 23. Rd7 Bc8 24. Bd4 ( 0.86)> 18. Re1 Bd3 19.dxc6 Rc8 20. Rec1 Qe7 21. Ba5 e5 22. Rc3 Bf5 23. c7 e4 ( 0.42)>:

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The other rook move, <14…Reb8>, follows a similar pattern but fares slightly worse.

The move played by Anand is clearly better, notwithstanding the slightly worse evaluation because of the chances he retains that would not be available after <14...R (either) to b8>

GAME MOVE 15:

<15. e4> ( 0.49) <15…Bc4> ( 0.49)

Rodriguez: <we keep following the main line. [Anand won a beautiful quick game after 15...Nb6 16.Be3 Qh5 17.Rd6?! Nc4 18.Rxc6 Nxe3 19.Rxa6? Rab8 20.Qa4 Rb2 21.Re1 Qe2!! 0-1 Bacrot-Anand, Bastia 2001 ]>

GAME MOVES 16-17:

<16. Qa4> ( 0.49) <16…Nb6> ( 0.49)

<17. Qb4> ( 0.49) <17…Qh5> ( 0.49)

Rogers: <Anand is very familiar with this position; not only did he successfully defend it against Garry Kasparov in 2000 but his 'secret' assistant' Magnus Carlsen is also experienced in the line.>

GAME MOVE 18:

<18. Re1> (=0.06)

Polgar: < I do not recall off the top of my head of seeing this move before. I assume that this is a novelty. I believe 18.Bf4 and 18.Be3 have been played in a number of games before. In fact, Kasparov played 18.Be3 against Anand in 2000.

White's advantage is the Bishop pair. Black's plan is to play Be2 then Bf3 to trade off one Bishop. Therefore, 18.Re1 stops the threat of Be2. If 18...Be2 19.h3 Bf3 then 20.g4. This is the kind of position Kramnik is very comfortable with. He has a small edge and he is at liberty to squeeze his opponent all day long.

The reason why both players played very quickly so far is they have followed opening books until White's 18th move. This is the first time Anand is taking any significant time for a move.>

Rogers: < "This is a novelty,” said Kramnik. “Not a crushing one but it offers Black a choice. Normally White commits his bishop immediately to e3 or f4.”>

Pein: < A new move with some subtle points. 18.Be3 Be2 19.Rd2 Rab8 20.Bxb6 axb6 21.Qd6 Bf3 was Kasparov-Anand, Wijk aan Zee, where Black was in difficulties but drew in the end. 18...Rfc8 was played subsequently by Short and Leko and Black was OK; 18.Bf4 c5 19.Qb2 Be2= Bacrot-Carlsen Biel 2008.>

Rodriguez: <N. Here comes the novelty. There are many games starting with 18.Bf4 or 18.Be3, two logical moves, opening up new horizons for both the bishop and the rook. The white rook now voluntarily leaves the open file to occupy the modest square e1. It's all part of a concept than only a few players in the world are able to understand. The immediate effect of this new move is that now Black has a choice. There were many lines worked out against Be3 or Bf4, now Black has to work in the dark since it's not clear yet where the bishop will finally be placed.>

This has been played four more times, according to the CG.com database at Opening Explorer, resulting in 3 draws and another win for White.

<The main engine preferences> are <18. Be3> ( 0.49) and <18. Bf4> (=0.23).

GAME MOVE 18:

<18…c5> (=0.22)

Polgar: <Anand found a sound move when faced with a novelty.>

Pein: <18...Be2 19.h3!? Threat g4 19...c5 20.Qb3 Bc4 21.Qa3 .>

<Engine preference>: <18…Rfd8> (=0.06): <19. Be3 c5>

GAME MOVES 19-20:

<19. Qa5> (=0.22) <19…Rfc8> (=0.22)

<20. Be3> (=0.15)

Polgar: < = Anand is down by approximately 30 minutes on the clock. It is obvious that he was caught off guard.>

Rodriguez: <Why Be3 and not Bf4? Nobody knew, but Kramnik did, since he was playing fast. Obviously he was still in his preparation.>

GAME MOVE 20:

<20…Be2> (=0.15)

Polgar: < There are several threats with this move:

1. Black wants to eliminate one of White's Bishop pair with Bf3.

2. Black also has Nc4 with the same idea of trading off one of the Bishops. White's most logical move is 21.Bf4 to get out of the Nc4 threat.>

Pein: <Black's bishop needs rerouting.>

GAME MOVE 21:

<21. Bf4> (=0.15)

Polgar: < Some people are asking why Kramnik doesn't go nuts and play wildly? Well, that is not his style. His best chance to win is to go back to what suits him best. He lost the first 2 games in this match playing Anand's style and it did not work out well.

I just glanced at the evaluation of Fritz. It gives the position as equal. I disagree. I think White is slightly better and Anand has an uncomfortable position with White's Bishop pair pointing at his Rooks and his pieces are not very coordinated. In addition, it is not so simple for Black to come up with a sound strategic plan here. He just has to be careful.>

Pein: <Intriguing, Kramnik wastes a move to ensure Black's queen is cut off from the action.>

GAME MOVE 21:

<21…e5> ( 0.56)

Polgar: < This is a possible continuation 22.Bxe5 Nc4 23.Qa6 Qxe5 24.Rxe2 Qxc3 25.Ree1 >

Rogers: <Very committal. Commentator Artur Yusupov suggested 21...Bf3 as an improvement for Black.>

Pein: < 21...Bf3 22.Qa6 Bxg2 23.Kxg2 e5 24.Be3 f5 was a chance for counterplay but after 25.exf5 Qxf5 26.Rad1 White must have an edge.>

Rodriguez: <Is Black obliged to play e5? Hard to say, but one thing is clear, White was provoking him to play that move and now the bishop retreats again to e5, but this time with a trophy.>

Main engine preference: <21…Bf3> (=0.15).

GAME MOVE 22:

<22. Be3> (=0.08)

Polgar: < If 22...Nc4 23.Qa6 Nxe3 24.Rxe2 Nxg2 25.Kxg2 >

Rogers: < 22.Bxe5!? Nc4 23.Qa6 Qxe5 24.Rxe2 Qxc3 25.Ree1 is also slightly better for White but less unpleasant than the game.>

Pein: < There is no immediate threat to the c5 pawn for tactical reasons, but Kramnik is improving his pieces bit by bit. 22.Bxe5 Nc4 23.Qa6 Qxe5 24.Rxe2 Qxc3 25.Rd1 Rd8=.>

Rodriguez: <An amateur chessplayer won't have any idea about has is happening. The bishop went to e3 in move 20, to f4 in move 21 and back to e3 in move 22. At the press conference, Kramnik said that the position is difficult to understand even for top players, since a piece here or there is able to change the whole assessment of the situation.>

GAME MOVE 22:

<22…Bg4> ( 0.45)

Polgar: < I like 23.Qa6 here to prevent Nc4. Kramnik is still slightly better. Kramnik has an option to play 23.Bxc5 Nc4 24.Qb5 Nd2 25.Be7 Rab8 26.Qd3 and Black has compensation. The c3 pawn is weak and Black has some play on the Kingside.>

Rogers: < The first of two mistakes which turn Black's position from cramped to lost with remarkable speed.

Kramnik believed that 22...f6 was the most accurate choice.>

Pein: <Presumably Anand underestimated White's next move, because he deliberately avoided 22...Nc4 23.Qa6 Nxe3 24.Rxe2 Nxg2 25.Kxg2. "I am slightly worse" – Anand.>

Rodriguez: <The first mistake as Kramnik pointed out in the press conference. The structure of Black's position is intact, but the coordination among his pieces is deteriorating.

[ 22...f6 was best according to Kramnik ]

[ 22...Nc4 23.Qa6 Nxe3 24.Rxe2 Nxg2 25.Kxg2 Was also a major alternative, leading to a simplified version of the game without the two minor pieces. Anand considered this possibility but rejected it evaluating his position as slightly worse. It would have been much better to suffer here than in the game. Actually, that sequence would take us almost exactly to the position that appeared in the game Cheparinov-Carlsen, Khanty-Mansiysk RUS 2007 with the only difference that here the black rook is already in c8. Carlsen had a hard time to draw that game.]>

Note: the difficulty in defending the variation that Anand avoided (remarked upon by Pein and Rodriguez above), namely < 22...Nc4 23.Qa6 Nxe3 24.Rxe2 Nxg2 25.Kxg2> can be seen from the following engine evaluation of the three top lines (variation 1 17 ply, variations 2&3 – 16 ply):

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1. (0.69): 25...Rd8 26.Rb1 h6 27.Rb7 Rd1 28.h3 Rad8 29.Re3 Ra1 30.Rd3 Rxd3 31.Qxd3 Rxa2 32.Qd5 Ra4 33.Qxc5 Rxe4

2. ± (0.71): 25...h6 26.Rd1 Rd8 27.Red2 Qxd1 28.Rxd1 Rxd1 29.Qc6 Rb8 30.Qxc5 f6 31.Qxa7 Rb2 32.a4 Rdd2

3. ± (0.78): 25...c4 26.Rd2 Kh8 27.Rad1 h6 28.f3 f5 29.Qb7 a5 30.Qd5 f4 31.a4 Kh7 32.gxf4 Qg6+ 33.Kh1 exf4 34.Rd4 Rab8 35.Rxc4

<Main engine preference>: < 22...f6> (=0.08): <23.h4 Qg4 24.Kh2 Qh5 25.Rab1 Kh8 26.Bh3 Bg4 27.Qb5 Bxh3 28.Kxh3 Qf7 29.Bxc5 Qxa2 30.Ra1 Qe6+ 31.Kg2 Rab8>

GAME MOVE 23:

<23. Qa6> ( 0.45)

Polgar: < This is a much better choice for Kramnik than 23.Bxc5. A possible idea for Black here is play f6 to allow his Queen to retreat to f7 and possibly move the Queenside. He can also attempt to trade the g2 Bishop with Bf3 or Bh3.>

Note: the engine confirms that <23. Bxc5> was not as good, as White loses the initiative:

< 0.29 (22 ply) 23.Bxc5 Nc4 24.Qb5 Be6 25.Rab1 Nd2 26.Rbc1 Rab8 27.Qd3 Rd8 28.Qc2 Rb7 29.h4 Nf3+ 30.Bxf3 Qxf3 31.Qe2 Qf6 32.Rc2 Rc8 33.Qe3>

Pein: < ! A lovely 'creeping move'. It carries no specific tactical threat, but observes the key squares a7, b7, b6 and c4. 23.Bxc5 Nc4 24.Qb5 Nd2 with threats to the king via Nf3+. >

GAME MOVE 23:

<23…f6> ( 0.92)

Polgar: < White has a real threat with a4-a5. Black's Knight has few good squares to get to. In addition, White is basically trying to eliminate counter chances for Black while gaining space advantage. This is another promising game for Kramnik.>

Rogers: < "The decisive mistake," said Kramnik, who was most worried about 23...Be6 24.Bf1 Qf3 "bothering my e-pawn." However even here White keeps an edge with 25.a4.>

Pein: <?! Better 23...Be6 24.Bf1 Bh3 25.Bxh3 Qxh3 26.a4 . 24.a4! Black's knight has no stability and when the b-file opens his a pawn will be vulnerable and this will prevent him contesting it.>

Rodriguez: <? The final mistake. Black won't be in time to control the c4 square. Actually, the battle for the c4 square is so important, that it proves decisive in the outcome of this game as we shall soon see. Maybe 23...Be6 was a better resource for Black.>

<Engine’s preferred move> <23…Be6> ( 0.45): <24. Bf1 Bh3 25. Bxh3 Qxh3 26. a4>

<While the incremental evaluation jumps for moves 22 & 23 by Black were each less than 0.60, and therefore exempt from classification as either <dubious moves> or <bad moves> for the purposes of this Project, their combined impact is that of a <bad move>, and are deemed to constitute a <bad move> due to their combined evaluation increment of <<0.84>>. Error weighting is therefore <<1.0>>.>

GAME MOVE 24:

<24. a4> ( 0.92) <24…Qf7> ( 1.46)

Polgar: < White can play 25.Bf1 with the idea of pushing a5 and after the Knight moves away, White has Bc4.>

Rodriguez: <There were many alternatives, but none of them seemed to be enough to equalize.

[ 24...Be6 25.a5 Bc4 26.Qb7± ]
[ 24...Rc7 25.a5 Nd7 26.Rab1± ]
[ 24...Qe8 25.a5 Nd7 26.Reb1± ]>

<Main engine preference>: <24…Rc7 (and by transposition 24…Qe8)>: ( 0.92): <25.a5 Nd7 26.Rab1 Qe8 27.f3 Be6 28.Red1 Nf8 29.Rd6 Rd8 30.Bf1 c4 31.Rb2 Rxd6 32.Qxd6 Qd7 33.Qxd7 Nxd7> These options do not, of course, equalize, however they are technically defensible.

While Black’s 22nd and 23rd moves were poor moves, they did not, contrary to some opinions, appear to be losing moves, simply moves that worsened Black’s position making it much harder to defend. This plausible looking move appears to be losing, not merely on the basis of the engine evaluation, but based on extensive analysis which can be made available to the curious.

<Engine preference> <24...Rc7> ( 0.92): <25.a5 Nd7 26.Rab1 Qe8 27.f3 Be6 28.Red1 Nf8 29.Rd6 Rd8 30.Bf1 c4 31.Rb2 Rxd6 32.Qxd6 Qd7 33.Qxd7 Nxd7 34.Kf2 Kf7>

GAME MOVE 25:

<25. Bf1> ( 1.46)

Polgar: <And now Black may need to play Be6 to prevent the Bf4 [sic: Polgar probably means Bc4] threat.>

Pein: < !! Kramnik takes control of c4 with some crisp tactics. Anand's play has been refuted.>

GAME MOVE 25:

<25…Be6> ( 1.54)

Rodriguez: <It might seem that Black is in time to blockade on c4 as he has queen, bishop and knight, but unfortunately the tactics are working against him.>

<First engine preference>: <25…Rc7> ( 1.46): <26. a5 Bc8 27. Qb5 Bc7 28. Qd3 Nc8 29. f4>:

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<Second engine preference> <25…Kh8> ( 1.47): <26. a5 Nd7 27. Bc4 Qe7 28. Bd5 Nb8 29. Qc4 Nc6 30. Bxc5>:

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GAME MOVE 26:

<26. Rab1> ( 1.02 )

Rogers: <!!>

Pein: <!>

Rodriguez: <Which rook?. Deep Rybka as well as many grandmasters were in favor of the other rook. Kramnik did not take time to make up his mind, maybe he had taken that decision in his rest room, because when he came to the board he played this move instantly.>

This is a sad case of the Wrong Rook. <26. Reb1> ( 1.54) was necessary: <26…Rab8 27. a5 Bc4 28. Bxc4 Nxc4 29. Rxb8 Rxb8 30. Bxc5 and wins>:

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GAME MOVE 26:

<26…c4> ( 2.16)

Polgar: < I am not so keen on his move but the alternatives also give White an excellent game.>

Rogers: <Desperation. "Black is not in time to blockade on c4," said Kramnik who gave the pretty variation 26...Kh8 27.a5 Nc4 28.Rb7 Qg8 29.Bh6!! gxh6 30.Bxc4 and Black's position collapses.>

NB: In the line given by Kramnik and reported by Rogers, Black has <27…Na4>, which provides much stronger resistance as the Knight is no longer available to be taken at c4.

Pein: <? Anand is being outplayed and the tension of the match induces a blunder. The fact that four other lines all lose can't have helped. Lovely play by Kramnik. 26...Bc4 27.Bxc4 Qxc4 28.Rxb6!; 26...Bc4 27.Bxc4 Nxc4 28.Rb7 wins; 26...f5 27.a5 f4 28.Bxf4 exf4 29.axb6 wins a pawn.>

Rodriguez: <Complete capitulation, forgetting about c4 and opening up the strong diagonal for the white bishop.

[ 26...Bc4?? illustrates why Black was not in time to control c4. 27.Bxc4 Nxc4 (27...Qxc4 28.Rxb6 ) 28.Rb7 ]

[ 26...Kh8 also shows why black has to forget about the blockade on c4 27.a5 Nc4 28.Rb7 Qg8 29.Bh6!! gxh6 ( 29...Bf7 30.Rxf7 ) 30.Bxc4 a line Kramnik proudly showed after the game.]>

The value of <26. Reb1> is now seen because if Black had now played <26…Rab8>, then after <27. a5>, <27…Na4> holds the position as a rook on a1 would not have allowed this move, which is a much stronger move in this position than as subsequently played in the game after <26…c4>. If after <26. Reb1 Rab8 27. a5 Na4>, White plays <28. Rec1> then <28…Nb2> followed by <29…Bc4> holds the fort, eg: <28…Nb2 29. Rc2 Bc4 30. Qd6 Bxf1 31. Rbxb2 Rxb2 32. Rxb2 Bh3 33.Rb8 Qe8 34.Rxc8 Qxc8 35.Bxc5>:

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A better alternative for White after <26. Rab1 Rab8 27. a5 Na5> could be simply <28. f4>:

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As after <28…Nxc3 29. Rxb8 Rxb8 30. f5> followed by <31. Bxc5> wins. However, Black has can shed a couple of pawns for counterplay with <28…h6>, and if <29. Rxb8 Rxb8 30. fxe5 fxe5 31. Qd6 Rb3 32. Bxc5>:

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<1. ± (0.99): 32...Nxc5 33.Qxc5 Rb2 34.Re2 Rb1 35.Rf2 Qd7 36.Qxe5 Rd1 37.h4 Bh3 38.c4 Qc8 39.Qh5 Re1 40.Qd5+ Be6 41.Qd2 Rxe4 42.Bd3 Re5 43.Kh2 Rc5 44.Qe3

2. ± (1.03): 32...Bc4 33.Rd1 Nxc5 34.Qxc5 Be6 35.Qxe5 Rb2 36.Qd4 Qh5 37.Rd2 Rxd2 38.Qxd2 Qxa5 39.Be2 Qa1+ 40.Kg2 Qb1 41.Qd4 a5 42.h4>

If instead of <32. Bxc5>, White plays <32. Qxe5>, there may follow <32…c4 33. Bd4 Nb2 34. Qf4>:

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With a complex position favoring White, but with enough play for Black to make a fight of it; an indicative line is:

<± (1.08): 34...Nd3 35.Qxf7+ Kxf7 36.Ra1 a6 37.h3 Rb5 38.Kg2 Nc5 39.Bxc5 Rxc5 40.Kf3 Kf6 41.Ra4 Ke5 42.Ke3 Rb5 43.Bxc4 Bxc4 44.Rxc4 Rxa5 45.Rc7 g5 46.Rf7>

<<Engine preference> <<26...Re8> ( 1.02) (threatening <27…Bc8>) <27.Bxc5 Rec8 28.Bxb6 axb6 29.Qxb6 Rxa4 30.Red1 Raa8 31.Rd6 Ba2 32.Rbd1 Qc7 33.Qxc7 Rxc7 34.Rc1 Kf7 35.h4 Ke7 36.Rb6 Bc4>>>

<As the move that was played, namely <<26…c4>> concedes the game (carrying the engine evaluation over 1.40), it is a <<blunder>> as defined, and adds <<2.00>> to the game’s error weighting.>

GAME MOVE 27:

<27. a5> ( 1.99)

Polgar: <There are other options but I like this move the best. As I mentioned earlier, Black has a tough time finding a good square for his Knight.>

Pein: <Black is already lost.>

GAME MOVE 27:

<27…Na4> ( 2.77)

Rodriguez: <?! [ 27...Nd7 Offered more resistance but even so after 28.Rb7 it's best to forget about this game. ]>

NB: The pawn being at c4 rather than c5 makes the difference between a completely lost game and a defensible game – see editorial comments and analysis after <26. Rab1>.

<Engine preference>: <27…Nd7> ( 1.99): <28.Rb7 Nb8 29.Rxf7 Nxa6 30.Re7 Re8 31.Rxa7 Rxa7 32.Bxa7>

<28. Rb7> ( 2.77)

Polgar: <I think Kramnik smells a victory here. If he succeeds, the pressure is back on Anand's side, especially with the way how Kramnik has played in the past 2 games.>

GAME MOVE 28:

<28…Qe8> ( 2.77)

GAME MOVE 29:

<29. Qd6> ( 2.77)

Polgar: < The threat is Qb4 to go after an out of place Knight.>

Rogers: <After 29...Bf7 (On 29...Nxc3 30.Re7 wins the bishop.) 30.Qb4, Black can hardly move without losing material and White threatens Rd1-d7.>

Pein: <! Re7 and Qb7 cannot both be prevented. The a7 pawn falls and Black is lost. 29.Qd6 Bf7 30.Qb4 with the simple plan of a6 and taking on a7 with total control; 29.Qd6 Rd8 30.Qb4 Rab8 31.a6 when Black can hardly move and a7 falls. >

Rodriguez: <here are some ways to avoid the immediate threat 30.Re7, but then the White queens goes to b4 when the a pawn is falling, the knight is having a hard time on a4 and in general, Black;s position is quickly collapsing. Anand, who was running out of time, decided to resign immediately. After this game, the match gets fresh air, there is again a fight. Let's wait for game 11 on Wednesday that promises to be full of emotion.>

Black resigns

Final position:

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If <29…Rc6> or <29…Bf7> or <29…Rd8>, or <29…Bg4>, then <30. Qb4> wins. <30. Re7> wins against other moves, apart from the overtly suicidal which are dealt with by self evident responses.

Black’s strongest response is <29…Rd8>, to which White responds <30. Qb4>:

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<CONCLUSION>