Moscow: A third Slav defence by Viswnathan Anand with Black pieces, another theoretical and technical battle where players played solidly with utmost caution and it was hardly surprising that Game 6 of World Championships also ended without any decisive result after 29 moves.
Anand was well within the boundaries of his home preparation, his speedy response indicating it while Boris Gelfand tried for a surprise with a new move in this Match on the 6th turn and tried to keep up the pressure. Gelfand was slightly better but Anand was hardly exerted and the positional balance was more or less even.
At the half way mark of the match, the score still stands level at 3-3 with all six games drawn so far. Saturday is a rest day for the event and Gelfand will wield Whites for the second consecutive time on Sunday in the 7th game as the players reverse colours in the second half of the event.
The brighter moment however in this rather solid but a bit dull game was the presence of former World Champion Garry Kasparov in the commentary box. Commenting on Gelfand’s slight advantage Kasparov dismissed it with” Vishy is very good in neutralizing small initiatives”
Peter Svidler, who was commenting on the game admitted, “I haven’t won a single classical game against Vishy in my life. I did win against Kasparov and Kramnik.” This was in response to Kasparov’s comment that Gelfand has not won a single Classical game against Anand in the last 19 years.
Gelfand played a new move in this Match on the 6th turn and Anand countered by giving up a central pawn. However Gelfand returned back the pawn on the 18th turn for a better diagonal for the dark bishop. “This was the only critical moment of the game,” pointed out Kasparov here.
After that the queens and a few pieces were traded and Gelfand made some attempt for initiative but Anand defended accurately and peace was signed.
