As predicted last week, the samurai standoff between Anand and Carlsen was swiftly shattered. After quiet draws in games one and two, Anand missed a golden opportunity in game three, while Carlsen returned the compliment in game four. Then Carlsen struck, cutting Anand down in two consecutive endgames which the young Norwegian handled with awesome clinical precision.
Carlsen-Anand: World Championship (Game 3), Chennai 2013
Here Anand continued 29 … Bd4 30 Re2 c4 31 Nxe6+ fxe6 32 Be4 cxd3 33 Rd2 Qb4 34 Rad1 Bxb2 35 Qf3 Bf6 36 Rxd3 Rxd3 37 Rxd3 and the game was soon drawn. If Anand wanted to play to win he had to try 29 … Bxb2 30 Rae1 Rb6 31 Bd5 and now 31 … Bd4 when it is not clear how White can continue in order to justify the pawn deficit.
Carlsen-Anand: World Championship (Game 5), Chennai 2013 (see diagram 2)
45 … Rc1+ Anand misses his chance to force a draw with 45 … Ra1.
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