4... e6 5. Nf3 a6 6. Qc2 And we get the new move from the match point of view. Gelfand plays 6.Qc2 instead of the previous 6.b3. This is of course another main line, Black can choose between two different main setups , 6...Nbd7 and 6...c5-
6... c5 And he chose the 6...c5 line, which leads to more concrete lines, than the other option. We can be sure that the Anand team has a very serious preparation behind it.
7. cxd5 exd5 8. Be2 Be6 The first small surprise isthat Black played 8...Be6, instead of the Nc6 which is considered to be the mainline with 10 times more games.
9. O-O However Gelfand's reply arrived without thinking, clearly showing that he is well prepared as well.
9... Nc6 10. Rd1 cxd4 It another small surprise. The very sharp mainline is 10...Nb4 with the idea 11.Qb1 Qc8! the threat is Bf5, or 11.Qd2 would meet by Ne4. The text move leads to some simplifications. Black creates an isoliani and tries to get active piece play for it.
11. Nxd4 Nxd4 12. Rxd4 Bc513. Rd1 Qe7 There is still nothing new. Black prepares for Rd8 and a quick d4 push to get rid of the isolated pawn, which equalizes the position immediately. White's optimal setup would be Bf3, b3, Bb2 and Ne2 with an advantage.
14. Bf3 O-O This is the real novelty of the game, instead of the 14...Rd8. Black would like to develop his rooks to d8 and c8, which definitely is the best setup for the pieces. White must try to do something immediately, otherwise, Black equalizes without any problem. The critical must be of course to take on Nxd5, let's think what could happen after that... 15.Nxd5 Nxd5 16.Bxd5 Bxd5 17.Rxd5. White takes a pawn, but remains behind in development. Black should quickly make use of the fact that the bishop is still on c1. A possible option could be Rac8 and on Qe2 Qe4 or Rfd8. We can be sure, that Anand analyzed everything until full compensation, otherwise there is no point to play 14...O-O.
15. Nxd5 Bxd516. Bxd5 Nxd5 17. Rxd517...Rfd8 is not really an option, because White can simply take on d8 and play Bd2-c3. I am sure, we will see soon Anand's idea.
17... Rac8 A possible option could be 18.Qe2 Qe4! and on Qf3 or Qd3 Black reacts in the same way. Swaps the queens off, and plays Rfd8. Forcing White to give up the d-file, where after he can invade with the rook on d1, pinning the pieces. Gelfand is in deep thinking. He rightly feels, that we are in the critical moment of the game. The next few moves will decide, if White can play for an advantage, or we will just see another quick draw.
18. Bd2 An interesting decision, suggested by the computer as well. White gives up his extra pawn in order to reach the ideal c3 square with the bishop. The next question is how to play with Black after 18...Bxe3 19.Bc3. White's pieces are better placed, Black must react accurately to hold the draw. Note: for the Indian fans, after his win at the Asian Continental, now Negi keeps on rolling in the Asian Nations Cup.
18... Bxe3 19. Bc3 Bb619...Bb6 played again without thinking. Another very deep preparation from the Black side! We can see, that in all the games, Black arrives with a strong novelty and equalizes easily. Rfd8 is coming next with exchanging the pieces. It is quite a pity, but it seems like today is another short day...Important, that 20.Re1?? cannot be played with a tempo, due to the pin on the c-file. White only has a symbolic advantage with a slightly more active pieces, but of course such cannot be converted into full point. No matter the result of the game, join us also for the decisive Kamsky - Nakamura game tonight here
20. Qf5 the most active move to create some concrete threats with Re1 or Qg4. But on the other hand, Black has the possibility to get rid of the active rook from d5 with Rc5. Another option is 20...Qe6, weakening a bit on the structure, but White has not enough pieces to make use of this small advantage.
20... Qe6 Also tonight besides the Kamsky - Nakamura game, the 12th edition of CEWN is published with Anand-Gelfand game 3, Nakamura-Robson (very interesting tactical fight), Nepomniachtchi-Quezada (strong novelty in the opening with a fine positional win), and Onischuk-Nakamura (a really original game). There are also two interesting endgames from Seirawan and Georg Meier, and a great classical from Spassky. Of course with a puzzle section and solutions, and the study of the week!
21. Qf3 Gelfand would like to generate some more fight, but after 21...f6! restraining the power of the c3 bishop and prepare for Re1 Qf7 and exchanges the rook with Rad8 or Rfe8, Black is just completely fine. Of course, 21...f6 is not the only move, but seems to be the most precise.
21... f6 on 22.Rad1, Black can simply oppose his rook on d8, and after exchanging everything, Qxb7 is met by Qxa2
22. h4 White opens the backrank. 22...Rfe8 seems to be the most logical with the idea of Qe2 and in case of Re1, just Qc6. Anand is spending some time now, to make sure to not miss anything and force a draw. You can see now a very nice video report from the WCC here, expect also a press conference of Kasparov (video)
22... Qc6 Of course this is also completely fine with the idea to play Rfd8, Black protected the b7 pawn. If White plays Rad1, Black can anyway continue with Rfd8 and the endgame after Rxd8 Rxd8 Rxd8 Bxd8 Qxc6 bxc6 is completely drawn. Black would run quickly with the king to the center.
23. h5 Rfd8 on Rxd8 probably Anand would like to takback by the rook. Bxd8 might meet by Qf5 followed by Rd1 with a small initiative for White. However after Rxd8 Qxc6 bxc6 the position is just drawn. White has not enough pieces to do something with the weakness on the queenside.
24. Rxd8+ (all videos of the WCC match are herehttp://blip.tv/chess)
24... Rxd8 25. Qxc6 bxc6 So, we reached the mentioned endgame. I don't see any chance for White. Kf7 is coming, after which a possible plan for Black to play g6 to put his pawns on white squares, which is ideal against the White dark-squared bishop. I think both players start to improve their kings followed by a draw offer by Gelfand. White could improve a bit on his pawn structure by playing h6, but this allows Black to activate his rook after gxh6 Bxf6 and Rd2
26. Re1 Gelfand would like to lift his rook to e4 to make some unpleasant pressure from a4 or c4. But Black can easily neutralize it by, simple playing Kf7, g4 (Re4 immediately would meet by Rd1) and Bd4 exchanging the bishops and agree to draw.
26... Kf7 27. g4 Bd428. Rc1 Bxc3 29. Rxc3 Anand just plays Rd4 now. The game cannot last long.... And a draw was agreed. Exactly at move 30, which is the average of the match so far. Another strong novelty my Black, 14...O-O, which seems to lead to a forced draw. After the rest day Gelfand is White again and will try to find out something against Anand's Slav with 5...a6. In the first 3 games, Black equalized without any effort. Thank you for following with me GM Csaba Balogh, and see you for more commentary in later rounds! Stay tuned for more videos in a few minutes here
29... Rd4 ½-½
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