Game 5 crucial for in-form Viswanathan Anand: Experts
IANS | Nov 13, 2014, 10.43 PM IST
CHENNAI: The ongoing world chess title match between the reigning champion but out-of-form Magnus Carlsen and the Indian challenger in-form Viswanathan Anand is excitingly and intriguingly poised, say chess experts.
While both the players have two points each, these were earned tasting each other’s blood once and signing truce twice.
The world chess title match between Carlsen and Anand is being played at Sochi in Russia.
“The next two games will be crucial for both the players. Anand plays white tomorrow (Friday). He won game 3 after a defeat and plays game 5 after a draw. If Anand approaches tomorrow’s game as he did during third game (good home preparation, complicated position) it will have a pressure on Carlsen,” World No.23 and Indian Grandmaster P. Harikrishna said on Thursday.
According to him, the Friday game will be crucial for Anand and with white pieces he should play for a win.
He said the match is not only a clash of generations (Anand aged 44 and Carlsen, 23) but also clash of styles. Anand plays tactical chess while Carlsen likes to simplify.
However, looking at the first four games, some experts feel that Anand is in form while Carlsen is out of it.
“Anand is definitely in a better form than last year. Carlsen wasn’t at his best so far, but it can change at any moment,” World No.7 and Grandmaster Anish Giri said.
“Carlsen will always remain a favourite, but it’s important for Anand to have won a game and to see that Magnus has his weaknesses,” Giri added.
“This match is exciting and intriguing. Anand did not play well in the first two games. He was in trouble in game 1 and lost in game 2,” Susan Polgar, a four-time women’s World chess champion, said.
“After demonstrating his superior home preparation in game 3 to score his first win against Carlsen in classical chess in many years, he did well in game 4 to hold with black. Even though the score is the same as in Chennai after 4 games (2-2), it seems that Anand is more relaxed in Sochi,” she added.
According to her, Carlsen is not playing his best at the moment. It is time for him to refocus whereas Anand is playing well and with more confidence.
“Anand has to keep up this momentum,” she said.
One International Master not wanting to be quoted said: “Carlsen seems to be more expressive and nervous over the board this time compared to the previous match.”
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Carlsen better answer questions in post match conference with some respect. Dont show off arrogance to the people who are the reason for your paycheck..Dont try to emulate garry or topa. They both are universally disliked..except by nigel short.. who holds the record for the steepest fall from top – meaning no talent.
Nakamura, pls stop making such ridiculous comments logging in as “Anonymous” on this blog.
– Anon-e-mouse
Carlsen is out of touch and is playing bad chess. No Kasparov can save poor Carlsen now.
Carlsen is playing good. He waits for others to do mistakes. And last year Anand did a lot of them. But if Anand doesn’t crack in the next 2 games then Carlsen would.