Watch and wait

While Viswanathan Anand, the former world champion, has been qualifying for a revenge match for the world title, Magnus Carlsen, the new champion, has been awaiting the identity of his challenger. Now that Carlsen knows that he will have to face Anand once again, the time has come to do some serious preparation and get in some practice against the rest of the world’s elite. I believe that the rejuvenated Anand will pose a considerably greater danger than when he succumbed so feebly in Chennai last year, looking like a  pale imitation of himself.
 
Carlsen has been amusing himself against strong but comparatively lightweight opposition, but he must now switch to a higher gear. This week’s game is typical of the watching brief which the champion has adopted while waiting to see who would emerge as qualifier from Khanty-Mansisk.
 
Carlsen-Georgiev: Norwegian Team Championship 2014, Ruy Lopez
 
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 0-0 b5 6 Bb3 Bb7 7 d3 Bc5 A standard way for Black to defend against the Ruy Lopez in top class contemporary chess.