Anand grabs lead in World chess final

Viswanathan Anand crushed Vladimir Kramnik with black pieces to score the first victory in the 12-game World Chess Championship final in Bonn on Friday.

Anand, who had played Kramnik in the Slav Exchange in the first game of the 12-game match, found himself in the same opening once again. This time, unlike the first draw, the Russian was outwitted by the Indian in 41 moves.

Kramnik also seemed to be in time trouble as Anand squeezed him.  The Indian ace appeared well-prepared and went all out in a very aggressive manner. Kramnik did try to fight back, but Anand was always better-placed, even though in a disguised manner, which later made it clear that his preparation was designed to deceive his opponent.

Defending champion Anand now leads 2-1 in the 12-game match, where the first to reach 6.5 will be declared winner.

Both players will however share equally the prize purse of 1.5 million euros.

In the fourth game on Saturday, Anand will have white pieces.

Kramnik v Anand

World Championship Round 3

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3 a6 9. e4 c5 10. e5 cxd4 11. Nxb5 axb5 12. exf6 gxf6 13. O-O Qb6 14. Qe2 Bb7 15. Bxb5 Bd6 16. Rd1 Rg8 17. g3 Rg4 18. Bf4 Bxf4 19. Nxd4 h5 20. Nxe6 fxe6 21. Rxd7 Kf8 22. Qd3 Rg7 23. Rxg7 Kxg7 24. gxf4 Rd8 25. Qe2 Kh6 26. Kf1 Rg8 27. a4 Bg2+ 28. Ke1 Bh3 29. Ra3 Rg1+ 30. Kd2 Qd4+ 31. Kc2 Bg4 32. f3 Bf5+ 33. Bd3 Bh3 34. a5 Rg2 35. a6 Rxe2+ 36. Bxe2 Bf5+ 37. Kb3 Qe3+ 38. Ka2 Qxe2 39. a7 Qc4+ 40. Ka1 Qf1+ 41. Ka2 Bb1+ 0-1 (Black -- Anand wins).