2014 World Chess Championship (Carlsen vs. Anand)
Sochi, Russia (November 7th-28th)  
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12
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pts.
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Carlsen
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–
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6½
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Anand
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–
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4½
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Dear Chess Fans!
Today the opening ceremonies will officially launch the 2014 World Chess Championship between champion Magnus Carlsen and challenger, Viswanathan Anand. In this highly-anticipated battle between the young and old generations, it will certainly make for a handsome book afterwards… the changing of the guard, so to speak. Is it really the changing of the guard? With all eyes on Sochi, Russia for the next three weeks, it extends the intrigue of Anand who has been a consummate professional with a storied career.
The Indian legend has held the world title five different times in all three championship formats. His experience will weigh heavily and he tries to reclaim his crown from the man who has become the face of chess. Last year, Carlsen had become the youngest world champion after having shattered many records of Garry Kasparov including the highest Elo rating. While only 23, he does not have the distinctive style of his champion predecessors, but makes up for it in his persistence and will to win. He will try to draw out the games into long maneuvering battles. He describes himself as a cross between Bobby Fischer and Anatoly Karpov.
The 12-game format will begin tomorrow on the 8th and include a total of seven rest days with the tie-breaks on 27th (if needed) and the closing on the 28th. There will be ample coverage from many sites with the official site offering extended functionality of analysis and live commentary done in many languages. Stay tuned for updates!
Daaim Shabazz, The Chess Drum
When you have to safeguard your assets, you have a lot more to worry than your trespasser. This time around, it should be more electrifying watching how Anand goes about trying to steal grand prize from Mozart‘s assemblage. Not an easy task, but it’s achievable.
Nice article, but I am not buying the view that Magnus has already arrived to the point where he needs to find new challenges to maintain his drive. As revealed by Gary himself, he held the title for 20 years before motivation became an issue. However, I do believe that Carlsen’s primary psychological hurdle going into this rematch will be the consideration that he could actually lose this match and toss the Magnus Carlsen Era into uncertainty.
That was a pretty nasty knockout! Anand will need the rest day to recover.
I’m confused by a line in GM Ramirez’s analysis. When recommending 29. Re7 as an alternative to 29. b3, he gives Black’s response as 29. …Qd6. I’m certainly not qualified to argue with him, but the Rb7 looks like it’s just hanging to me in that line. Perhaps …Qd5 was the intended move (which still looks bad, as it appears Black just starts shedding pawns).
On another note…sometimes, certain players are just bad matchups due to styles. Perhaps this helps to explain Anand’s indecisiveness when he plays Carlsen. You could see it later in the first game of the match, and it was evident throughout this game. A hallmark of Anand’s style is quick, solid, practical decisions. To this rank amateur, Anand will need to commit himself to that approach if he wants to fight his way back into the match. (Yes, it’s only -1, but it’s also only 12 games.)
Anyone know whats going on in this game?
After Anand decided to exchange his knight, he was forced to defend like a madman. His fate was in the balance for quite some time; he burned his time, but found just the right move to survive. But, having to defend for so long had to be draining. Unfortunately, tomorrow is not a rest day. You have to wonder how many more marathons this 43 year old tiger can endure before he breakdown. This is very interesting!
Magnus offers draws when he’s satisfied that he’s exhausted all means. Anand accepts draws when Magnus sticks his hand out. Anand needs to push further and he really has one more chances to do that. Nxe5 will haunt him for quite some time.
Anand has to play to win or lose on Sunday; we don’t want to see such a great champion dissolve as a scaredy-cat