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World Chess: Anand relieved after two unpleasant games
The King is wounded, not dead.
Defending champion Viswanathan Anand had to be content with a draw in Game 7 of the World Chess Championship in Chennai on Monday, but said he was relieved to share the point after two losses on the trot against Magnus Carlsen.
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"Obviously, after the last two games it's nice to break this result. I was hoping to be able to press him a little, but I could not manage," Anand said.
Carlsen, meanwhile, continued to enjoy a two-point lead after the deadlock.
The Norwegian now needs just two points from the next five games to be crowned the next World champion.
World Chess: Anand relieved after two unpleasant games
Anand elaborated the game in perfect fashion to a packed audience, a sign that the Indian has recovered and is raring to have a go again.
"I chose a line that both of us have played quite a bit in the past. He went for this Bishop move and then we have this slow manoeuvring game. White has two plans, a break on king side or play on the flank. 'f4' was not so good as black is basically preparing to play this knight manoeuvre.
"I thought I will be able to press a little bit, it's not huge, but somehow I was not able to make it happen," Anand said.
Carlsen almost echoed the opinion.
"Not so much more to say. We both have played this line, there are many different plans, of course. But whatever you play it's usually quite slow and the game goes on.
"I thought I was doing more or less fine, just a little bit worse but not much. It's just going to be a bit more pleasant, but my pieces are well-developed," he said.
Anand said he will definitely keep trying and push for a win.
"I will definitely keep trying. The last two games were unpleasant, there is no getting around that; we played a game today and we will continue to do so," noted the local hero.
World Chess: Anand relieved after two unpleasant games
Speaking about the psychological aspects related to the game, Carlsen was quite forthcoming.
"I think there are some psychological aspects. The outcome of Game Five influenced the next game. I think that's unavoidable; you just try to move on as quickly as possible, but it's not so easy in a match," Carlsen said.
World Chess: Anand relieved after two unpleasant games
On whether the two were following the messages for both on social media, Anand said his team would let him know if they felt he should know something.
"I follow it just a little bit. I am very thankful to those who wish for me and for those who are not, I don't read it anyway," quipped Carlsen.
Carlsen said he was quite happy with the way things turned out in game seven.
"I have the lead, I won my last game with black, so this suited me just fine," he said.
The eighth game will be played on Tuesday followed by a day's break.