Welcome to Anand – Carlsen Sochi World Championship game 5 (LIVE commentary by me).

Thanks for joining me. What can we expect from the game today? After 4 games, the score is 2-2, which is exactly the same as in Chennai. However, it is clear that Anand is playing with more confidence.

The game plans are simple. Anand wants to drive every game toward more dynamic positions. This is his best chance. On the other hand, Carlsen will want to steer the game toward long and dry positions. This is where he excels.

I am also doing interactive commentary on www.twitter.com/susanpolgar and www.facebook.com/polgarchess.

Are you ready? The players are getting ready to rumble!


Both players are at the board. They are full of energy and ready to start.

1. d4 by Anand.

1…Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 Queen’s Indian by Magnus

4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Nc3 Bb7 7. Bg2 c6 Anand is pausing after this move after both were blitzing out the first 7 moves. It’s obvious that Magnus has something cooking & he’s deciding how not to fall into home preparation.

8 e4 d5 Anand opted for 8 e4 and Magnus immediately responded with d5. It is clear that Magnus is well prepared today.

9. exd5 cxd5 10. Ne5 O-O 11. O-O Nc6 I believe Karjakin is one the believers in this line for black. Even though white is slightly better, black is fine and will have d4 pawn as a  target.

12. cxd5 Anand decided on cxd5 Drawish. Therefore, Magnus decided on something with more play.

12…Nxe5 13. d6 Nc6 14 dxe7 Qxe7 It is clear to me that both players know this line well. The question is who will uncork the first novelty?

15. Bg5 h6 Anand has a pair of bishops. On the other hand, his weakness is d4 isolated pawn. Anand has to try d5 to have any kind of an advantage. Anand is thinking about it.

16. d5 Na5 This is a surprise. I was expecting Rad8. Magnus played this very quickly. Anand is wise to pause and assess his options. A possibility 17. Bxf6 Qxf6 18. Qe2 exd5 19. Nxd5 Bxd5 20. Bxd5 Nc6 Not much for white here. Therefore, Anand has to decide if this is enough or he will try something riskier. Another good possibility is d6. That pawn may be strong but may also be hard to defend. Tough decision. 

After thinking for a bit, Anand chose a more calm line I suggested 17. Bxf6 Qxf6 This is safer but more drawish.

18. dxe6 Qxe6 Anand has a slight advantage in this endgame. However, I do not believe that Magnus will have any problem holding.

19. Re1 Black most obvious response is 19…Qf6

19…Qf6 Magnus is ahead by more than 30 minutes. But Anand has plenty of time as both are playing fast. Anand felt that Magnus had something cooking at home w/ this opening. That’s why he chose the safe route.

20. Nd5 Anand is provoking Magnus to take the b2 pawn. If Bxd5 21. Bxd5 Rad8 22. Qf3 Qxf3 23. Bxf3 Nc4 += Or 20…Qxb2 21. Re2 Qa3 22. Re3 Qb2 23, Rb1 Qxa2 24. Ra1 Qb2 25. Rxa5 bxa5 26. Rb3 +=


20…Bxd5 21. Bxd5 Rad8 22. Qf3 Just as I pointed out earlier. Black should should have no problem drawing this. But it is white who is slightly better and can push. Again Magnus has to decide to play Qxf3 or Qxb2. Anand is provoking Magnus to capture on b2 again. If 22…Qxb2 then 23. Rad1 Kh8 24. Re7 Qc2 25 Rxa7 Nc4 26 Qb3 Qe2 +=

22…Qxb2 Magnus went for it.

23. Rad1 Magnus has to be careful. This position suddenly becomes dynamic. White has a lot of compensation for the pawn. If 23…Rd7 24. Qf5 Rc725. Be4 g6 26. Qf4 Rc5 27. Bd5 += So Magnus has to decide on Kh8 or Rd7. All of a sudden, Magnus is taking a lot of time here. He realizes that every move matters here, can’t afford any inaccuracy

23…Qf6 24. Qxf6 gxf6 Magnus now realizes how much play white has. Therefore, he decided to trade queens to minimize any potential danger.

25. Re7 Anand is significantly better here. This is a weakness for Magnus. He wants to win every game in any position. Taking on b2 showed that and he got in trouble for it. But Magnus’ weakness is also his strength. He won many games where others would settle for safe draws.

25…Kg7 Black is not losing yet, but it takes a strong and accurate effort to hold.

26. Rxa7 Nc6 27. Rb7 Nb4 28. Bb3 Rxd1+29. Bxd1 Nxa2 30. Rxb6 Nc3 31. Bf3 f5 Magnus played accurately and draw is inevitable.

32. Kg2 Rd8 Magnus is out of danger. Even though white is better, it is not enough to win.

33. Rc6 Ne4 34. Bxe4 fxe4 35. Rc4 f5 36. g4 Now it is 100% draw.

36…Rd2 37. gxf5 e3 38. Re4 Rxf2+39. Kg3 Rxf5 ½-½

On move 27, Anand had a chance to keep some tension (not winning but more pieces to play with) on the board with Ra4. But Rb7 lead to a forced draw.

The score is now 2.5 – 2.5 after 5 games.

Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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