WCC 2008: Anand wins again… lead widens

Viswanathan Anand has built what would purport to be an insurmountable lead over Vladimir Kramnik in the World Chess Championship being held in Bonn, Germany. After Anand’s win in impressive style today, Kramnik must be wondering how he has dug himself into a 4½-1½ deficit. Anand first two victories (games 3 and 5) were due to opening preparation in the super-sharp Meran variation of the Queen’s Gambit. Today Anand powered to a technical win totally dominating play in the middle game stage.

By some accounts, Kramnik has been outplayed and has perhaps relied on his ability to execute small advantages with white and hold with black. This long-held theory appears to be eroding in the age of technology where it is becoming more common for black to fight to gain initiative.

Regardless of these approaches, Kramnik will have to change his match strategy and play more provocatively if he has any remote chance of winning. In such a short match, Kramnik chances are slim. However, Anand will probably have to win at least one more game to put the match out of reach.

Kramnik needs to find answers. Photo by Frederic Friedel.

If Anand holds onto his lead, he will be the first to win the World Championship under three different formats… knockout (2000), tournament (2007) and matchplay (2008)… a fantastic feat!

Photo by Europe-Echecs.com.

Drum Coverage: https://www.thechessdrum.net/blog/2008/10/11/2008-wcc-anand-kramnik/