GM Anand (2798) – GM Radjabov (2744) [B33]
Bilbao Grand Slam, 03.09.2008
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bg5 a6 8.Na3 b5 9.Nd5 Be7 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.c4 b4 12.Nc2 0–0 13.Ncxb4 Nxb4 14.Nxb4 Qb6 15.Nd5 Qxb2 16.Bd3 Bd8 17.0–0 Be6 18.Qb3 Qxb3 19.axb3 Rb8 20.Rfb1 Bxd5 21.cxd5 a5 22.Ra4 Bb6 23.b4 axb4 24.Raxb4 Ba7 25.Rxb8 Rxb8 26.Rxb8+ Bxb8 27.Kf1 Kf8 28.Ke2 Ke7 29.g3 Ba7 30.h4 Bd4 31.Kf3 Ba7 32.Ke2 Bd4 33.Kf3 Ba7 34.Ke2 Bd4 Game drawn ½–½
This is not a good start for Anand with 2 White and 2 draws. It has to be difficult for him not to reveal his preparation for his upcoming match against Kramnik.
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Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Ivanchuk – Carlsen also 1/2. Great start by Magnus – 4 points with Black
This setup of Anand runs directly to draw; it can’t possibly surprize him. Why play without any intention twice with white? Not good.
I think that’s exactly why Anand and Topalov are not favourites for this event: bet they don’t uncork a novelty between them.
Had privately written down (beforehand) that Carlsen would be the only winner yesterday, but I don’t suppose the odds were that long – and I wouldn’t have told you if I’d been wrong.
what preparation from anand? if he is to play e4, kramnik will always play the petrov.