Experts think Anand still has a chance to regain chess title

Chennai, Nov 16 (IANS)

A lot can happen in the coming days at the World Chess Championship, underway at Sochi in Russia, even though reigning champion Magnus Calsen from Norway is in the lead against Indian challenger Viswanathan Anand, say experts.

"The games in the coming days between Carlsen and Anand will be evenly fought. Carlsen will continue to play for a win," World No. 23 and Indian Grandmaster P. Harikrishna told IANS Sunday adding that Anand still has a chance to go for the title.

World No.7 and Grandmaster Anish Giri told IANS that "so far Anand seemed still somewhat shaky but Carlsen didn't look at his best either, as was clear from the last game where they both missed a tactic that they normally would never miss".

However, Harikrishna does not largely agree with Giri on the aspect of Anand's shakiness.

"True the sixth game was not good for Anand which he lost. But in Rounds 3, 4 and 5 he played very well. Anand is playing normally and trying to win every game," Harikrishna said.

Indian Grandmaster R.B. Ramesh told IANS: "Looking back at the six games that were played, Anand is playing fast and taking risks unlike the way he played in 2013 in Chennai during their first title clash."

Referring to Anand's 26th move when he was presented with an opportunity of converting the difficult game into a win Saturday, Ramesh said: "We normally trust our opponents that they would not make such wrong moves."

Harikrishna said: "Generally such blunders do happen in a game. It is difficult to explain why Carlsen made that wrong move and why Anand was not able to spot the opportunity presented to him."

Adding further, Harikrishna said a player's mind will be on certain positional pattern present on the board and it will not be able to see other options. Experts are also of the view perhaps Carlsen is feeling the pressure of Anand's playing style and hence made a wrong move Saturday.

Giri and Ramesh said the match is currently in favour of Carlsen while Harikrishna said a lot can happen in the remaining rounds.

According to Ramesh, if Anand loses one more round then it could be said the match is over in favour of the champion.

"Anand has to have a complicated game and should not go for exchange of pieces, more particularly the queen during the initial stages of a game," Ramesh said while Giri said: "Carlsen has to keep on doing what he is doing and try to survive his black games, as his preparation is clearly not at the level of Anand.

"Anand is in a difficult position right now, he has to forget about the blunder, have a good rest and bounce back with fighting chess," Giri added.

With 3.5 points at the end of the sixth game, Carlsen has one point lead over Anand's 2.5 points.

Carlsen will have the advantage of playing white Monday and will make the first move. It will be interesting to see how Anand, now a wounded tiger, would respond to that.