<INTRODUCTION>

Anand vs Kramnik, 2008 is the <eleventh and final 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, while some are the result of further slides. This smoothed out all fluctuations in the engine’s evaluations, apart from in the opening.

General methods used are described in the bio of the <bridgeburner chessforum> (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 6-4 and any further loss of points concedes the world crown.

At no stage in the game did Kramnik gain the upper hand, and in his desperate efforts to complicate the game, he conceded the advantage to Anand with <17…f5>. Anand declined to press his advantage, settling for an early draw, which was all he needed to clinch the match and to take the crown from Kramnik to become the 15th classical world champion.

Final result: Anand 6.5 – Kramnik 4.5.

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://chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp...

THE GAME

GAME MOVE 1:

<1. e4> ( 0.33)

Polgar: <Anand plays e4 for the first time in this match!>

Rogers: <A small surprise for Kramnik, who spent a couple of minutes before replying. “I take a few seconds to get concentrated,” Kramnik explained.>

Pein: <A change from the 1.d4 we saw in games 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9. Anand invites Kramnik to play his favourite Petroff Defence, which can be very drawish, particularly if White wants it to be. The Petroff is one of the reasons Kramnik has not won with black for two years.>

Rodriguez: <As it was easy to predict, Anand made the right choice to retain his title, 1.e4!, a powerful move that only Kramnik has been able to neutralize. He kept undefeated in 5 games against Kasparov in their London 2000 match and made 1. 5 out of 2 against Leko in their Brissago 2004 match. That was enough to convince his opponents that he is invulnerable in those grounds. Leko switched immediately to 1.d4, Topalov in Elista 2006 did not bother to try 1.e4 in a single game, and so had done Anand until today. However, Kramnik's preparation against 1.e4 is directed to reach equality and no more. It's impossible to use the Berlin or the Petrov as a must win weapon. So what to do? Over the board, Kramnik improvised, played the always fashionable Najdorf, but soon landed out of book, felt uncomfortable with the position and made the wrong decisions.>

GAME MOVE 1:

<1…c5> ( 0.33)

Polgar: <Kramnik took about 2 minutes to respond with c5.>

Pein: <Given the match situation this is the best option and was widely anticipated. Kramnik has to head for an unbalanced position.>

GAME MOVES 2-6:

<2. Nf3> ( 0.33) <2…d6> ( 0.46)

<3. d4> ( 0.41) <3…cxd4> ( 0.41)

<4. Nxd4> ( 0.41) <4…Nf6> ( 0.41)

<5. Nc3> ( 0.41) <5…a6> ( 0.47)

Polgar: <It is obvious that Kramnik is going for broke employing one of the sharpest openings, the Sicilian Najdorf.>

Rogers: <“I spent some time yesterday trying to find a forced win for Black against both 1.d4 and 1.e4,” said Kramnik. “The Najdorf is not a bad opening, you know.”>

Pein: <A Najdorf! Hardly a Kramnik speciality but needs must. Having missed a win in game 9 and won game 10 at 4-6 down it's win or bust.>

GAME MOVE 6:

<6. Bg5> ( 0.32)

Pein: <6.Be3 Is the main move nowadays but ever since Radjabov and others including Anand have revitalised the Poisoned Pawn for White it has increased the popularity of Bg5.>

GAME MOVES 6-7:

<6…e6> ( 0.32)

<7. f4> (=-0.01)

Pein: <7...Qb6 the Poisoned Pawn would not suit Kramnik now as it's Anand's territory and White has many forced drawing lines.>

GAME MOVE 7:

<7…Qc7> ( 0.42)

Polgar: <There are a number of other good choices as well such as 7...Be7, 7...Qb6, 7...Nbd7, etc.>

Pein: <7...Qb6 8.Qd2 Qxb2 9.Rb1 Qa3 10.e5 is the focus of attention>

Rodriguez: <A side line. Most players as White are afraid of 7...Qb6 which has been analyzed heavily with most lines leading to a good evaluation for Black. The problem with 7...Qb6 is that many variations are leading to a draw by force, so Kramnik could not go for it precisely today.>

Opening Explorer indicates this is a fairly recent move, with the first game using this move being played in 1955.

GAME MOVE 8:

<8. Bxf6> ( 0.42)

Polgar: <Here 8.Qf3 is quite popular as well.>

Strangely, given the invitation implicit in White’s 8th move, it wasn’t until 1957 that this move was first played: Opening Explorer

It may be that White’s 8th was only played very few times before 1957.

GAME MOVE 8:

<8…gxf6> ( 0.42)

Pein: <In 1992 Anatoly Karpov needed a win with Black against Nigel Short at their Candidates match at Linares in 1992. Suffering in 1.e4 e5, Karpov played the Sicilian, allowed Bxf6 gxf6 and Short gave him a good tonking. in a Richter Rauzer, in which Black castled kingside into the weakened pawns.>

GAME MOVE 9:

<9. f5> ( 0.28)

Pein: <9.Be2 Nc6 10.Nb3 Qb6 11.Qd2 h5.>

<Polgar>: <White also has many other options such as 9.Qd2, 9.Be2, 9.Qf3, etc... If Anand wins or draw with ease, he will look like a genius for employing 1.e4 to shock his opponent. On the other hand, if he loses in a sharp game, he will be questioned for his decision to play aggressively instead of going for something quiet when he needs only 1/2 point to retain his title. If I am Kramnik, I would be happy to have a chance to score in a sharp opening, especially when a draw is no good for me.>

GAME MOVE 9:

<9…Qc5> ( 0.33)

Polgar: <I cannot remember how many times Kramnik has used the Sicilian Najdorf in his career. You can check your database for the exact number. If I remember correctly, probably between 5-10 at most and I do not believe that he has done so well with it. I do not remember Kramnik winning any game with the Najdorf. On the other hand, at this stage of the match, the surprise element and nerve will play a very big role.

Anand surprised Kramnik with 1.e4 and Kramnik surprised Anand by choosing the Najdorf. Welcome to the psychological part of chess! This Qc5 move seems to be a surprise for Anand. He is spending quite a bit of time on his 10th move.>

Rogers: <!? “Quite interesting,” said Anand. “I had no clue about the theory,” admitted Kramnik. “I thought this was a novelty and I keep the game sharp. 9…Nc6 was all I knew about.”>

Pein: <This looks very odd as it contradicts the basic rules of development but this move prevents both Qh5 and fxe6 and Qh5+.>

Rodriguez: <At the press conference Kramnik said that he had found this move, probably a new move ..... The truth is that there are many games with this move, one of them played by Kasimdzhanov, one of Anand's seconds in this match. Kramnik was simply trying his best, but he was in unfamiliar grounds.

[ 9...Nc6 10.fxe6 fxe6 11.Bc4 Nxd4 12.Qxd4 Rg8 13.0-0-0÷ is one of the latest games in this line at the high level, Radjabov-Grischuk, Sochi 2008 ]>

Also prevents castling on the king side.

GAME MOVE 10:

<10. Qd3> ( 0.33)

Polgar: < A logical move It clears the way for White to castle Queenside. It also protects the f5 pawn. 10...Bh6 is now a logical move to prevent White from castling. 10...Nc6 is also a good move to put pressure in the center. In my opinion, Black has already equalized. Black has a good presence in the center and the Bishop pair. White's pieces are not optimally coordinated. I think Black has a comfortable position.>

Rodriguez: < The main move. There is also 6.Be2, 6.Nb3 and a few other minor Moves>

Note: <10. Be2> was played in Gabriele Botta vs R Pereira, 2008, but after <10…Nc6 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Qd3? (<12. Qd2> was necessary) Bh6>, White was also unable to castle on the queenside and soon lost.

GAME MOVES 10-11:

<10…Nc6> ( 0.33)

If <10…Bh6 11. Rd1> threatening the d6 pawn is strong.

<11. Nb3> ( 0.33)

Polgar: <White should not trade the Knight. This trade would favor Black.>

Pein: <We are following Kavalek-Chandler, Bundesliga 1982 [Kavalek vs Chandler, 1982;

GAME MOVE 11:

<11…Qe5> ( 0.56)

Polgar: < A logical move to keep pressure in the center. I think White has to consider O-O-O here. The Black King can reasonably stay in the center due to his strong center pawn structure. White cannot afford to do the same.>

Pein: < 11...Qb6 12.0-0-0 Bh6+ 13.Kb1 Bf4 coming to e5 looks reasonable also.>

<Main engine preference> <11...Qb6> ( 0.33): <12.Qh3 Bd7 13.Bc4 Ke7 14.0-0-0 h5>

Note: <12. Qh3> prevents <12…Bh6+>

GAME MOVE 12:

<12. 0-0-0> ( 0.56)

Polgar: < White basically offers the f5 pawn sacrifice. The compensation for White is to be able to break up black's center pawn chain while opening up the critical e file. I would not take it. I prefer either 12...Bd7, 12....Rg8, or even 12...b5 better. 12...exf5 is too scary, but you never know what Kramnik may do when he needs to win and a draw is no good.>

GAME MOVE 12:

<12…exf5> ( 0.58)

Polgar: < A very brave Kramnik! Bravo! No matter what happens, no one can say that Kramnik backs off from a tough fight. This is not a blunder. It is a playable move, just dangerous. This is what the chess fans want to see, two heavyweight champions not backing off an inch. If 13.Re1 Bh6+ 14.Kb1 Be6 and the position is unclear. This is another possibility 13.Kb1 fxe4 14.Qxe4 Be7 15.Qf3 Be6 and it is also unclear.>

Rogers: < !? A surprising decision, but “If I don’t play this move I am structurally worse,” said Kramnik.>

Pein: < Black does not usually do this. It might win a pawn but it ruins the pawn structure and opens lines towards the king. The d5 square is screaming for equine occupation. In fact Kramnk judged this well, Black is doing reasonably well.>

Rodriguez: < An ugly move, an indication of the tension and the desire by Kramnik to complicate the game. In these Rauzer positions, taking on f5 is normally not good for Black.>

Note: the <engine preference> is <12…Bd7> ( 0.56), a negligible difference.

GAME MOVE 13:

<13. Qe3> ( 0.43)

Polgar: < I personally did not expect this move. In addition to clearing the diagonal for this Bishop, the d5 square for his Rook or Knight, the square b6 will be one White would have an eye on. Black might as well consider playing 13...fxe4 since he already played exf5. This position is still unclear. However, if you are Kramnik, you cannot ask for more than just a chance to have a sharp game to score a full point, even though this type of position generally favors Anand.

Kramnik has a tough decision to make. What should he play? Take on e4? Bd7, Be6, Ng7, or h5? The dynamics of the game will change quite a bit with these choices. I would probably narrow my choices to 13...Be6 or 13...h5. He is taking a lot of time for this move. He obviously understands that one error in judgment can end the match today.

I would like to make a comparison to other sports. As you probably know, it is the hardest to close out the final 2 minutes of a basketball game or to win the final game to win a tennis match. It is the same in chess. The final game to win the World Chess Championship is the hardest to play.>

Rogers: < ! “White is just in time,” said Anand, giving the variation 13…Be6 14.Qb6 fxe4 15.Qxb7 Rc8 16.Bxa6 0-0 17.Qb6 and White wins material. “I was analysing the same line,” admitted Kramnik. “After 17…f5 I have activity but it is not enough.”>

Pein: < We can only admire Kramnik's bravado and he was making Anand think. [13.Nd5!?]>

Rodriguez: < ! Anand is really good at the white side of the Sicilian. At the press room most grandmasters where considering moves like 13.Qf3, 13. Be2, 13.Nd5 and 13.Kb1>

Note: It took the engine quite some time to come to the conclusion that this was a good move, and not a mistake (originally rated at =-0.04). However, further analysis of the main lines revealed the complexity of the position and eventually the computer revised the evaluation to that given. Like all evaluations, it is provisional and contingent upon the volume of analysis done by the engine.

The <engine preference> at this point is <13. exf5> ( 0.55): <13…Bxf5 14. Qf3)>:

click for larger view

White builds a strong bind: <14...Bd7 15.Bc4 0-0-0 16.Kb1 Qg5 17.Qf2 Bg4 18.Rd2 Be6 19.Nd5 Ne7 20.h4 Qf5 21.Nxe7+ Bxe7 22.Bxe6+ fxe6 23.Qxf5 exf5 24.Nd4> White is good, Black is not.

Black can dig himself deeper with <14...h5 15.Bb5 Bh6+ 16.Kb1 0-0 17.Rde1 Bg4 18.Qf1 Qf4 19.Bxc6 bxc6 20.h3 Qxf1>.

GAME MOVE 13:

<13…Bg7> ( 0.48)

Polgar: < A very unusual choice! I do not think this is the best option for Kramnik. It is not a blunder, just not the most aggressive move. I do not think Anand was unhappy seeing this move. It looks like Kramnik may want to get his King to the Kingside. Therefore, two good options for Anand are 14.Nd2 or 14.Rd5, both are unclear but definitely not worse for Anand. If 14.Nd5 then O-O and Black is better.>

Pein: < This looks grim but the bishop will emerge.>

Rodriguez: < This came also as a surprise, but the alternatives were not looking better, for instance

[ 13...Be6 14.Qb6 fxe4 ( 14...Rb8 15.Bxa6± ) 15.Qxb7 Rc8 16.Bxa6 Bh6+ 17.Kb1 0-0 18.Qb6± ] [ 13...fxe4?! 14.Rd5 Qe6 15.Nd4 Nxd4 16.Qxd4 Bd7 17.Bc4‚ ] [ 13...f4 14.Qb6 Bg7 15.Nd2 with the idea of Nc4 and Nd5 looks strong for White ]>

<Engine preference>: <13…Ne7> ( 0.43): <14. Be2 Bd7 15. Bf3 Bc6 16. Qd3 0-0-0>

GAME MOVE 14:

<14. Rd5> (=0.05)

Polgar: < The best move here is 14...Qe7. He needs to save the e6 square for his Bishop.>

<Engine preference> <14. Nd2> ( 0.48): <14…Be6 15. Nc4 Bxc4 16. Bxc4 0-0 17. Rd5 Qe6 18. Rhd1 fxe4 19. Qxe4 Ne5 20 Bb3>

GAME MOVE 14:

<14…Qe7> (=0.05)

Polgar: < The most promising move for White is 15.Qg3 to attack both the d6 pawn and Bishop on g7.>

GAME MOVE 15:

<15. Qg3> (=0.05)

Polgar: < This is a possible line 15...Rg8 16.Qxd6 fxe4 17.Qxe7+ Kxe7 18.Nxe4 f5 . Here are more options: 15...Rg8 16. Qh4 fxe4 17. Nxe4 (17. Qxh7 Kf8 unclear) 17... Be6 18. Nxd6+ Kf8 19. Rd3 Another factor to consider is both players may get into time pressure soon. They are both under 60 minutes after only 15 moves made.>

GAME MOVE 15:

<15…Rg8> (=0.06)

Polgar: < As I pointed out in the lines above, 15.Rg8 is a good choice for Kramnik.>

Rogers: <“White is better after 15…0-0,” said Kramnik, “but this was a better chance.”>

Rodriguez: < [ 15...0-0 16.exf5 Ne5 17.Qf4± ]>

GAME MOVE 16:

<16. Qf4> (=0.00)

Polgar: < Black is fine with 16...Be6 if 17.Rxd6 then Bh6 . White should just retreat the Rook to e1. 16...fxe4 is also playable.>

Pein: < An implausible variation is 16.Qf4 Be6 17.Rd1 fxe4 18.Nxe4 Bg4 19.Nxd6+ Kf8 20.Bc4 Bxd1 21.Rxd1 Ne5 22.Be2 Rd8 23.Nf5 Rxd1+ 24.Bxd1 Qc7 25.Qb4+ Ke8 26.Nd6+ Kf8 27.Nf5 ; 16.Qh4!?>

Rodriguez: <! A critical moment, where most grandmasters evaluated the position as slightly better for White or unclear. The next two moves by Kramnik are dubious, clarifying the position in White's favor.>

<Engine preference> <16. Qh4> (=0.06): <16…fxe4 17. Qxh7 Kf8 18. Qxe4>

GAME MOVE 16:

<16…fxe4> (=0.00)

Polgar: < If 17.Nxe4 Be6 18.Nxd6+ Kf8 19.Rd1 Rd8 and the position is unclear. White is about 6-7 minutes ahead on the clock.>

Pein: <This surprised me. I was expecting Kramnik to try and get the king to c8.>

GAME MOVE 17:

<17. Nxe4> (=0.00) <17…f5> ( 0.67)

Polgar: < Perhaps 18.Nxd6+ Kf8 19.Nxc8 Rxc8 =/ >

Rogers: < Rather desperate, but after 17…Be6 18.Nxd6+ Kf8 19.Rd1 f5 20.Nxf5 “and then if 20…Qf6 21.Qd6+ I am escaping,” said Anand.>

Pein: < 17...Be6 18.Nxd6+ Kf8 19.Rd1 Bg4 20.Qxg4?? Bh6+ is a nice cheapo and this line seems to be sounder for Black than the game.>

Rodriguez: <?! This allows a comfortable simplification>

<Engine preference>: <17…Be6> (=0.00): <18. Rd1 Kf8 19. c3 f5>

<The evaluation jump resulting from Black’s move 17 is <<0.67>>, which is a <<dubious move>> as per Project definition, and adds <<0.5>> to the game’s error weighting.>

GAME MOVE 18:

<18.Nxd6+> ( 0.67) <18…Kf8> ( 0.67)

Rogers: <White's back rank is a little weak but now Anand has a simple path to advantage.>

GAME MOVE 19:

<19. Nxc8> ( 0.67)

Rogers: <The final finesse. Kramnik was hoping for 19.Bd3 Be6 20.Nxf5 Qb4! “when everything is hanging and there are tricks all over the place,” said Kramnik, ”for example, if 21.Qd6+ Qxd6 22.Rxd6 Be5 and the rook is trapped.>

GAME MOVE 19:

<19…Rxc8> ( 0.67)

Polgar: < White is slightly better as I pointed out above. The idea for Anand is quite simple. The position was very complicated. Therefore, it is to his advantage to trade pieces and simplify the position where there will be less chances to blunder tactically.>

GAME MOVE 20:

<20. Kb1> ( 0.67)

Polgar: < There is a very strong chance now for Anand to get at least a draw. The complications just passed and Anand came out OK. Black must try 20...Qe1 21.Nc1 Ne7 to give Black any last hope. 21.Qc1 is also fine for White, not much for Black.>

Pein: < ! 20.Qd6 Nb4 21.Qxe7+ Kxe7 22.Rd2 Bh6 Illustrates why it's better to have the king on b1. Now Qe1 can be met by Nc1 or Qc1.>

Rodriguez: < From an unclear position we have reached this one where White is about to gain a big advantage. To avoid it, Black has no choice but to exchange queens.>

GAME MOVE 20:

<20…Qe1+> ( 0.67)

Rogers: <“20…Nb4 is not working because of 21.Rxf5 Rxc2 22.Rxf7,” said Kramnik.>

GAME MOVE 21:

<21. Nc1> ( 0.67)

Polgar: < I see very few options for Kramnik to pull out a win.>

Pein: < Anand threatens Qd6+ Ne7 Qd8+ and mate. Kramnik's bishop may look fearsome but it can be neutralised by c2-c3 in most lines.>

GAME MOVE 21:

<21…Ne7> ( 0.73)

Polgar: < as expected. The best response for White is Qd2 attempting to trade Queens. That would guarantee Anand a draw at the very least.>

Rodriguez: <[ 21...Nb4? 22.Rxf5 ] [ 21...Qb4 22.Nd3 Qxf4 23.Nxf4 ]>

GAME MOVE 22:

<22. Qd2> ( 0.73)

Polgar: < Black has no choice but to trade Queens. Otherwise, he would face checkmate with Rd8+.>

Pein: < ! The practical choice forcing a queen exchange as Rd8+ is threatened. 22.Qd6 Qe6 23.Qd8+ Rxd8 24.Rxd8#.>

GAME MOVE 22-23:

<22…Qxd2> ( 0.73)

<23. Rxd2> ( 0.73) <23…Bh6> ( 0.85)

Polgar: < Now 24.Rd7 =/ >

GAME MOVE 24:

<24. Rf2> ( 0.53)

Polgar: < The position is still even. The only way Kramnik can win here is if Anand blunders. Once Anand gets his pieces out, Black has nothing. I assume a draw will come very soon.>

Pein: < Defending g2 so that the bishop can come out. Black's weak f5 pawn makes this endgame comfortably better for White. g3 and Bg2 is a threat. Anand is also helped by the presence of opposite coloured bishops, if he doesn't win they make the draw more likely.>

<Engine preference>: <24.Rd7> ( 0.85): <24…Rb8 25.g3 Ke8 26.Rd3 Rg6>

GAME MOVE 24:

<24…Be3> ( 0.53)

Rogers: < “Unfortunately I have no winning chances any more so I called it a day,” said Kramnik of his decision to offer the draw and pass the world match title to Anand.>

Pein: < and Kramnik offered a draw. After 25.Rf3 he is worse and has no winning prospects: 25...f4 26.g3 Ng6 27.Bh3 Rc7 28.Nd3 . In the end a very decent match indeed.>

Rodriguez: < At this point Kramnik offered a draw. He could not fight any longer It was a very good match, where both players fought hard over the board and at the same time were true gentlemen outside of it.>

Draw agreed.

Final position:

click for larger view

<CONCLUSION>