Kramnik Holds Anand, Trails 2-5
By Arvind Aaron
 

Former champion Vladimir Kramnik finally drew game seven with the black pieces to stop champion Viswanathan Anand from winning three in a row or the fourth game in the match. Colours of the players changed as the match went into the second half with Anand getting double white at Bonn on October 23 at the Art and Exhibition Hall.

Defeated in the Nimzo-Indian in game six, Kramnik opted for the Slav defence in game seven. He had played this line a few times including in the Elista Match against Topalov in 2006. It was the mainline that occurred with Anand selecting the 9.Qe2 variation.

On move ten, Anand made his intentions clear that he was prepared to go for the pawn sacrifice variation. Kramnik however, declined to accept that central pawn sacrifice and allow white to attack and restrain black from castling on the short side.

By move 22, the queens went out of the board and with it also the chances of a decisive result. Rooks generally produce draws. The lone minor piece had strange roles. Anand's bishop was 'bad' since it was placed on the colour of his pawns but was actively placed in the heart of the game. Black's knight could not be attacked but it had restricted mobility. So, Anand's chances were better.

Kramnik's 28...Rc4 though looked vulnerable, was key to holding this game for black. Black sacrificed a pawn to force exchange of minor pieces and rooks and enter a pawn locked drawn ending. After 37 moves white offered and got a draw. Better result for Kramnik looking at the way he has stopped the Indian from winning. In the past, during the Karpov v Kasparov the best way to stop opponents from winning were "time out" which was available to each of the players. In the present times, they dont exist and players have to stay fit and can't afford to fall sick.

Anand moved ahead to lead 5-2 and draws should be welcome at this stage. Five games remain to be played and he needs one and a half points to keep his title he won at Mexico City in September 2007.

The moves:
Viswanathan Anand-Vladimir Kramnik
Game 7, Slav Defence D19
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. e3 e6 7. Bxc4 Bb4 8. O-O Nbd7 9. Qe2 Bg6 10. e4 O-O 11. Bd3 Bh5 12. e5 Nd5 13. Nxd5 cxd5 14. Qe3 Re8 15.Ne1 Bg6 16. Bxg6 hxg6 17. Nd3 Qb6 18. Nxb4 Qxb4 19. b3 Rac8 20. Ba3 Qc3 21.Rac1 Qxe3 22. fxe3 f6 23. Bd6 g5 24. h3 Kf7 25. Kf2 Kg6 26. Ke2 fxe5 27. dxe5 b6 28. b4 Rc4 29. Rxc4 dxc4 30. Rc1 Rc8 31. g4 a5 32. b5 c3 33. Rc2 Kf7 34. Kd3 Nc5+ 35. Bxc5 Rxc5 36. Rxc3 Rxc3+ 37. Kxc3 1/2-1/2
 

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