Viswanathan pushed hard for a win in the sixth game of the World Chess Championship in Sofia but Veselin Topalov’s accurate play forced the Indian Grandmaster to settle for a draw.
“I had a better position for most part but it was not clear whether I could get anything more,” Anand said after the intriguing game. Anand leads the 12-game series 3.5-2.5 at the halfway stage. Player reaching 6.5 points will win the tournament.
Having recorded both his games with white pieces, Anand raised a sense of anticipation of a third win with whites. But it was not to be. In a Catalan game, Anand failed to press home his minuscule advantage as his Bulgarian challenger came out with right defensive moves. Once again, it was Anand who ensured that the game stayed in prepared territory by deviating on the 10th turn from the fourth game, probably surprising Topalov with such an early deviation.
After the exchange of queens on the 19th move, it was a battle between Anand’s two rooks and two knights versus Topalov’s rooks and bishops.
For most part of the match, Anand was calling the shots. Topalov turned the tables on Anand with a pawn sacrifice and tested Anand’s patience. The Indian GM came out with impressive means to deny any leeway to Topalov. Finally the position was repeated thrice and the draw signed on the 58th turn.
Comments