The grandmasters proved they were human as world chess champion Magnus Carlsen defeated Indian challenger Viswanathan Anand in a blunder-filled Game 6 of their championship match in 38 moves Saturday in Sochi, Russia.
The young Norwegian champion now leads 3 1/2-2 1/2 at the halfway point of their scheduled 12-game title match, with Game 7 to played Monday after a rest day.
Carlsen admitted after the game that he was “lucky” to win after both he and Anand missed an elementary tactic that would have netted the challenger two free pawns. After the moment of mutual chess blindness, Carlsen proceeded to grind down his opponent using pressure from his rooks and bishops to win a decisive material edge.
In a Sicilian, Carlsen as White was pressing even after an early exchange of queens, using his bishop pair and more active rooks to press the play.
But the game’s critical moment came on 26. Kd2??, when both players overlooked that Anand had the two-move combination 26…Nxe5! 27. Rxg8 Nxc4+ 28. Kd2 Nb2+ 29. Kd2 Rxg8, and Black has won two pawns and White is on the verge of defeat.
Instead, Black quickly played 26…a4?, allowing White to resume his slow strangulation of his opponent’s position. Black erred again on 32. Be4+ Bc6? (sacrificing the exchange with 32…Ka7 33. Bxa8 Rxa8 gives Black better drawing chances) 33. Bxg6, and Black’s kingside pawns can’t be saved
In the final position, 38…Ka6 39. Rxh6 Rxa2 40. Bxc5 is hopeless for Black and Anand resigned.
Here are the moves to Game 6:
White: Carlsen
Black: Anand
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 Bb4 7. Qd3 Nc6 8. Nxc6 dxc6 9. Qxd8+ Kxd8 10. e5 Nd7 11. Bf4 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Kc7 13. h4 b6 14.h5 h6 15. O-O-O Bb7 16. Rd3 c5 17. Rg3 Rag8 18. Bd3 Nf8 19. Be3 g6 20. hxg6 Nxg6 21. Rh5 Bc6 22. Bc2 Kb7 23. Rg4 a5 24. Bd1 Rd8 25. Bc2 Rdg8 26. Kd2 a4 27. Ke2 a3 28. f3 Rd8 29. Ke1 Rd7 30. Bc1 Ra8 31. Ke2 Ba4 32. Be4+ Bc6 33. Bxg6 fxg6 34. Rxg6 Ba4 35. Rxe6 Rd1 36. Bxa3 Ra1 37. Ke3 Bc2 38. Re7+ Black resigns
• David R. Sands can be reached at dsands@washingtontimes.com.
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