Vishy Anand played one of the most truly modern classics!
Five times World Champion Viswanathan Anand has practically retired from serious classical Chess but his class is often seen in his casual or quick play games. Here is a fantastic game wherein Vishy Anand is able to outplay his highly-rated opponent strategically, positionally as well as tactically.
Arjun Erigaisi (2708)-Viswanathan Anand, (2719) [D30]
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.e3 Be7 5.b3 0–0 6.Bd3 c5 7.0–0 Nc6 8.Bb2 cxd4! 9.exd4
9.Nxd4?! Nb4! 10.Be2 dxc4 11.Bxc4? e5! when the WQR on a1 could be in serious trouble.
9….Nb4 10.Be2 b6 11.Nc3 Bb7 12.Rc1 dxc4N
Making the game more dynamic. 12…Rc8 is common.
13.bxc4 Rc8 14.Ne5 Nd7 15.Nxd7
The natural 15.f4? fails to 15….Nxe5 16.fxe5 Bg5! threatening both 16….Bxc1 and 16….Be3.
Or if 16.dxe5 then 16….Bc5 with a decisive penetration.
15…Qxd7 16.d5 Rfd8 17.a3?!
Forcing the Knight to a square it wants to go anyway. 17.Re1! exd5 18.a3 was better. The game could go 18….Na6 19.Nxd5 Bxd5 20.cxd5 Rxc1 21.Qxc1 Nc5 22.Rd1 Qf5 with unclear play.
17…Na6 18.Ne4 Nc5!
Beginning of a long and deep combination. The intended exchange of Knight simplifies matters in Black’s favour. White’s position is full of weaknesses and loss of initiative will make things difficult for him soon. However, White’s initiative seems irresistible here and only Anand had grasped the superficial nature of it. 18…exd5 seems fine, though a bit risky. 19.Qd4 f6 20.cxd5 Nc5 21.Rcd1 is double edged.
19.Qd4 f6!
Forced but strong! The apparently safe looking 19….Bf8?? loses immediately to 20.Nf6! The main reason for White to misjudge the position could be that Black had to play a series of forced moves and only a Genius could sense that the forced moves were actually leading towards a steady increase in advantage.
20.Nxc5 Bxc5 Forced. 20….Rxc5? 21.Bg4 wins for White! If then 21….e5? 22.Qxc5!
21.Qg4 f5 Forced again!
22.dxe6
Anand
Erigaisi
At this stage, the spectators believed that the five times World Champion was in serious difficulties. White has won a Pawn, is about to win another one soon. Black’s Queen is under attack and his King seems to be under fire! However, Anand had correctly assessed the position to be better for Black! Black’s pieces are coordinating very well. On the other hand, White’s Rooks are out of the battlefield and his ‘Powerful’ Bishops are ‘hanging’! These factors outweigh White’s superficial activity. Black has a big advantage!
22…Qe7!
Forced again but forceful too! White made a decisive blunder here but he was in a very difficult position anyway.
Anand
Erigaisi
23.Qxf5? 23.Qf4! Qxe6 24.Bh5 offered better resistance.
23…Rd2! The Point! Both the White Bishops are attacked.
24.Bd3 g6
Anand
Erigaisi
White continues to think that he was better and allows a pretty combination. He should have reconciled himself to the fact that his attack had gone wrong and should have opted for the forced 25.Qf7+ though Black is much better despite material deficit after 25…Qxf7 26.exf7+ Kxf7 27.Bc2 a5! when White is paralyzed.
25.Qe5? 25…Rxb2! 26.Qxb2
White has gained material but now his King is systematically caught in a cage!
Anand
Erigaisi
26…Qg5 27.g3 Qg4! With the deadly threat of ….Qf3.
28.Qf6 To stop ….Qf3 and also threatening 29.Qf7.
28.Qe2 was no better due to 28….Bf3 29.Qd2 Qh3.
28…Rf8! 29.e7 Rxf6 30.e8Q+ Rf8 31.Qe2
31…Bf3 White resigned in view of the unavoidable threat of …..Qh3 0–1
