Anand vs Gelfand: Game four ends in a tame draw

Moscow: The fourth game of the ongoing World Chess Championship at Treyatov Gallery in Moscow was a rather tame affair in stark contrast to the lively, exciting and entertaining one played in the third round on Monday as Viswnathan Anand once again drew the match against Boris Gelfand after 34 moves.

Anand commenting on the draw quipped, “The Match is just developing and at this point we are just probing.” The Indian was also quick to add, “The ending today became a bit interesting.”

Anand opted for the Slav defence and the game was a positional one where Challenger Boris Gelfand of Israel could hardly get initiative despite pressing. When quizzed at the press conference on whether he had an edge because of the presence of the bishop pair Gelfand responded” Optically White was better but the pieces lacked co-ordination”.

Anand, however, was back to his speedy ways but the momentum on the board failed to pick up as the pieces kept flying off the board at regular intervals.

The players followed their second game of this tournament for 9 moves with Gelfand deviating on the tenth with a queen move. Anand however was unfazed and the continuation was a calm as in the second game.

After 34 moves the players reached a rook and minor piece ending with identical pawns.

The scores are still level at 2-2 after four games of the 12 Game Match. Wednesday is a rest day and the fifth game will be played on Thursday, May 17 where Anand will play with the white pieces.