Moves: Anand vs Carlsen, Game 3, World Chess Championship

The third game in the World Chess Championship, between defending champion Viswanathan Anand and Norwegian challenger Magnus Carlsen on Tuesday ended in a draw after 51 moves.

Following are the moves, with analysis and quotes.

1. Nf3 (Carlsen sticks to his guns and repeats what he played in game one. Contrary to many expectations though. Many pundits of the game had predicted he would play a new move on his first turn today.} d5

2. g3 g6 (Anand repeats what he already played in the first game of the match not fearing what Magnus might have prepared. This is usual match strategy when playing with black. The idea is to keep exploring your options with white pieces while hold on strongly with black.}

- Anand gives Carlsen a scare as third game too is drawn

3. c4 (There you are! A deviation from Carlsen was expected any time and it came on move three. White is just trying to get some position akin to the English opening now, Carlsen got nothing in the first white game when it was close to a Grunfeld so he tries his hands at something still uncommon but that would give him a new and tangible position.} dxc4

4. Qa4+ (A natural response from Carlsen. He wins the awn back and gets a Sicilianesque position on board with reversed colours.) Nc6

5. Bg2 Bg7

6. Nc3 e5 (Now its almost Dragon with reversed colours. This certainly gives a playable game but Anand shows he has

something in here as well.)

7. Qxc4 Nge7

8. O-O O-O

9. d3 h6 (A quiet move that stops white from making a headway on the 'g5' square. In chess terms its called prophylaxis)

10. Bd2 Nd4

11. Nxd4 exd4

12. Ne4 c6.

13. Bb4 Be6 (Attacking the queen and taking the last remaining minor piece out in the open. The position is about level with chances for both sides. Something that Carlsen is always looking for.)

14. Qc1 Bd5

15. a4 b6

16. Bxe7 Qxe7 (This trading of Bishop for a knight was not mandatory but Carlsen believed his position to be ok. However as Anand mentioned in the post match conference, he has two Bishops now and if he can roll down the queen side pawns it will be unpleasant for white.)

17. a5 Rab8

18. Re1 Rfc8

19. axb6 axb6

20. Qf4 (Carlsen takes the queen to the other side of the board hoping to create some weaknesses.) Rd8

21. h4 Kh7

22. Nd2 Be5 (A good move that forces the queen to the edge of the board.}

23. Qg4 h5

24. Qh3 Be6

25. Qh1 (White's queen looks like the worst piece now but Carlsen had probably forseen it did not matter too much right

away.} c5

26. Ne4 Kg7

27. Ng5 b5

28. e3 (A much needed break through for Carlsen. His position remains worse but he has enough counter play.) dxe3

29. Rxe3 Bd4 (Anand could have possible gone for the 'b2' pawn grab instantly. It was a better move according to engines. However Anand felt white would still have his share of counter play.)

30. Re2 c4

31. Nxe6+ fxe6

32. Be4 cxd3

33. Rd2 Qb4.

34. Rad1 (The game is now headed towards a draw. The presence of opposite coloured Bishops does little to enhance chances of a decisive result) Bxb2

35. Qf3 Bf6

36. Rxd3 Rxd3

37. Rxd3 Rd8

38. Rxd8 Bxd8 (Chess-wise, a draw could be agreed here itself. But Carlsen played on probably just to make sure he played till the very end.)

39. Bd3 Qd4

40. Bxb5 Qf6

41. Qb7+ Be7

42. Kg2 g5

43. hxg5 Qxg5

44. Bc4 h4

45. Qc7 hxg3

46. Qxg3 (Now it’s a dead-draw. The remaining moves are inconsequential.) e5

47. Kf3 Qxg3+

48. fxg3 Bc5

49. Ke4 Bd4

50. Kf5 Bf2

51. Kxe5 Bxg3+ (Draw.) 1/2-1/2.

Image: FIDE World Chess Championship