Sandes (Norway): If it was a prelude to the World Chess Championship slated in November at Chennai, then it definitely promises exciting fare. This is in reference to the encounter between Viswanathan Anand, World Chess Champion and Magnus Carlsen in the second round of the Norway Super Chess tournament in progress at Sandnes, Norway, touted to be one of the strongest super tournaments ever held.
The players exhibited skills, defensive and positional, virtually fighting till the last man on board before splitting the point, even as enthusiasts eagerly watched the proceedings live on the internet.
This was the first time that these players clashed after Carlsen won the Candidates tournament earlier this year to become Challenger to the World Champion Anand.
In fact Carlsen’s Manager Simen Agdestein had remarked that this could well be the first game of the World Championship. Anand later at the post game conference commented, though a victory for either would be a big boost, the Match would still start with a clean slate.
Meanwhile 22-year-old Sergey Karjakin of Russia shot into sole lead with two points after defeating John Ludwig Hammer. Levon Aronian of Armenia defeated Hikaru Nakamura of USA and is trailing half point behind the leader. Wang Hao of China scored over peter Svidler of Russia
Anand, was the first one to indicate that he was in a fighting mood, opting for the sharp Sicilian Najdorf rather than preferring drawish options like the Petroff defence.
Anand however drifted slightly on the 24th turn, his King going to the side of the board, a move which then left him at a slight disadvantage.
Thereafter the commentating expert Grandmasters were of the opinion that Carlsen missed moves to better his position but there never appeared anything clear cut going Carlsen’s way.
Ironically a few experts started predicting a loss for Anand but the Indian playing with the Black pieces, more than showcased his defensive skills, forcing the exchange of pieces and reaching a deadlock after 59 moves.
Anand will face former World Champion Veselin Topalov with the White pieces in the third game to be played late Friday night.