by National Life Master Loal Davis

Mikhail Tal

Foreshadowing of the upcoming World Chess Championship; I hope not.
Anand appears to be timid or afraid of Pawn structure “defects” even when it leads to increased mobility and fighting chances.  That coupled with “wasting” time by shuffling around the same piece until it arrives at a dubious/bad square sealed his fate in this game.

Black was in a position to play 12. …. Bxb4 followed by a6.  This would have given a future target; “something” to play for.  Even 12. …. c5 as in the Tartakower Defense can’t be bad.  These two moves could have been played on the 13th move as well, and the Bishop exchange on move 14 with Black “more” than in the game.  Anand nutures a passive Pawn structure and “repositions” his Bishop (beginning on move 17) to an extremely poor square.  On move 18 Black could still have played the Bishop back to b7 or d7, but 19. …. Be6 set up an easy target.  Carlsen needed no more provocation.  White’s 20th move and move 22 (Diagram) uncorked a devestating attack that played itself.  In the final position White’s passed e Pawn is rolling home.
Click on the Diagram to step through the game; but by the time the game has arrived at the diagram position, the game is really over.



Gelfand played a beauty, but to be fair, Morozevich handed the game to White on a silver platter.  What is this 10. …. Rxe3+ move?  Wishful thinking?  Gelfand is not to be bowled over with beads and rattles.  On move 18 Gelfand, trippled down the f file, crashes through.  White’s exchange sacrifice on move 30 was very much to the point.  The Diagram shows the position just before this move.