The King of London

Anand needed all his defensive skill to save the game after he lost a pawn in a deceptively difficult position. Anand’s Berlin Defence to the Ruy Lopez secured him a slight edge, but the lynchpin of his position was a knight, which had advanced into the heart of enemy territory. The knight began to look vulnerable and the rescue operation cost a pawn, although, computer analysis showed it was quite safe.

Michael Adams finished third, equal with Hikaru Nakamura and had he not spoiled a good position against Carlsen and taken a couple of other chances, he might have challenged the Norwegian for first. In the last round Adams took no chances against Kramnik’s Berlin Defence. Kramnik considered playing a more risky opening, like the Pirc Defence, which he occasionally ventures, but when he saw Adams’s record against it he decided to stick to his favourite opening.