Moves: Anand vs Carlsen, Game 2, World Chess Championship

The moves in the second game of the FIDE World Chess Championship match between India's Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen of Norway in Chennai, on Sunday:

-World chess: Anand plays out tame draw with white pieces against Carlsen

1. e4 c6 (A good move with the advantage of hindsight. Carlsen is not known to be a Caro Kann expert and this opening has not found many takers in a world championship match. The reason is that it is solid in nature but white retains small chances due to superior pawn structure that normally results in the middle game and endgame. Anand was mildly surprised on move one itself by Carlsen.)

2. d4 d5

3. Nc3 dxe4

4. Nxe4 Bf5

5. Ng3 (The Classical System. Anand recently scored a superb victory against Chinese Grandmaster Ding Liren in this line. The world champion decided to stick to what he had prepared recently it seems). Bg6

6. h4 h6

7. Nf3 e6 (Game on! Says Carlsen. This happens to be a sharp choice and one that does not lead to so dry positions for black. Also in this, the players are likely to go for castling on the opposite flanks that often results in a race to checkmate).

8. Ne5 Bh7.

9. Bd3 (White decides to trade black's long diagonal Bishop. This is also standard theory and a useful tactic if white is planning to go for queen side castling. The presence of the white squared Bishop on 'h7' means a direct control on 'c2'). Bxd3 (Black doesn't have any other plan here. Carlsen is following Anand-Ding Liren from April earlier this year).

10. Qxd3 Nd7

11. f4 Bb4+

12. c3 Be7

13. Bd2 (Around here Anand started to spend some time. Trying to figure out what Carlsen had in mind). Ngf6

14. O-O-O (And here the world champion himself deviates from his own game against the Chinese player. There Anand had played 14. Qe2 in this position and after a complicated struggle, had turned the tide in his favour with a brilliant attack). O-O

15. Ne4 (Not wanting to take much risk, Anand goes for level position. In the post game conference the Indian ace said that he would be flying blind as he had no idea what Carlsen had prepared in more complicated variations. From the perspective of the match and its early stage, it makes sense). Nxe4

16. Qxe4 Nxe5 (Dittoo says Carlsen. With three minor pieces off the board, black's worries are over).

17. fxe5 Qd5.

18. Qxd5 (This was the last chance to let some life remain in  the position. Interestingly, it is the first new move in the game too. Earlier games saw 18. Qg4 played in the same position and it was Carlsen's suggestion too but the analysis proved white did not have much). (18. Qg4 Kh7 (Is the move that gives nothing away.}) 18... cxd5 {Queens traded and the players are left with seven pawns, two rooks and a Bishop each. Its just a draw and Anand finds the quickest way to do it).

19. h5 b5

20. Rh3 a5

21. Rf1 Rac8 (All set for the draw now)

22. Rg3 Kh7

23. Rgf3 Kg8

24. Rg3 Kh7

25. Rgf3 Kg8 (This repetition was already predicted by many when Anand played Rf1 on move 21. Draw). 1/2-1/2.

Image: FIDE World Chess Championship