Kramnik Anand Game 10 Live and Match Score after Game 9

Another draw, but what a draw!

Kramnik pushed Anand to the wall after a mistake in a complicated position. But to his credit, Anand played quality defensive moves under intense time pressure on both sides. Kramnik couldn't deliver the knock out punch, Anand escaped by the skin of his teeth.

Game 10 is on 27 October and we'll be bringing it live as usual with on the spot analysis. Remember Anand needs just a draw to retain his World Chess Champion title. For Kramnik it's win or bust.

Remember, Kramnik is playing with the white pieces and looking at his comeback to form, (which unfortunately is only good enough to draw the mighty Anand in this match), he will try to push hard again.
Kramnik usually chooses dull openings. Hope he has taken a leaf out of Anand's book like he showed yesterday with the black pieces. If he plays without fear like he did for most part of yesterday, we'll have another juicy game.

Match Score after Game 9

V Anand ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 ½ ½ ½ Total - 6
Kramnik ½ ½ 0 ½ 0 0 ½ ½ ½ Total - 3

V Anand vs V Kramnik
Round 10
World Chess Championship
Bonn, Germany


Kramnik - Anand 1-0

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 c5 5 g3 cxd4 6 Nxd4 O-O 7 Bg2 d5 8 cxd5 Nxd5 9 Qb3 Qa5 10.Bd2 Nc6
Back to the Nimzo-Indian. Both players playing at a blistering speed.

11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. O-O Bxc3 13 bxc3 Ba6 14. Rfd1
The main line.

14 ... Qc5 15 e4 Bc4 16 Qa4 Nb6 17 Qb4 Qh5
Both the contestants banging out moves like there is no tomorrow. They seem to be thoroughly prepared. At this stage, Anand has equalized.

18 Re1
This seems to be Kramnik's preparation for the game. Anand is thinking now. Until now, they played without any think between moves.

18 ... c5 19. Qa5
Precise reply by Anand. Looks OK for him. After yesterday's tension-filled game, he must be really happy with this position.

19 ... Rfc8 20 Be3 Be2
Anand is playing precisely as if he knows this variation or maybe his instincts say that nothing threatens.

21 Bf4 e5 22 Be3 Bg4
The pace has really fallen. Right now, the game looks dull and heading towards a draw.

23 Qa6 f6
I don't hink this method of taking control over the c4 square is the best way. Obviously Anand plans to place his Bishop and Queen on that diagonal.

24 a4 Qf7 25 Bf1 Be6 26 Rab1 c4
Big mistake. Anand now allows a6, which opens several doors for Kramnik.

27 a5 Na4 28 Rb7 Qe8 29 Qd6
Anand in deep trouble now. Kramnik roaring back to form! Looks like the battle for the title will extend to at least another day.
Anand resigned.

1-0

Tragic! Anand has this habit of giving the "slip between the cup and lip" moments. Remember the game against tailender Grishchuk at Mexico just when he was about to walk away with the title? There too, he required a draw or two.
Yesterday should have been a warning to watch his step. He still has a huge advantage, still requiring just a draw. He's a master at the Rapid and Blitz games that will be played as the tie-breaking games, but at this level and on this stage, skills are very secondary. Luck can play a big role.