2014 World Chess Championship Game 1: Viswanathan Anand draws against Magnus Carlsen

Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen played out a draw in Game 1

Chennai, Nov 8 (IANS) Indian chess Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand drew the first game in 48 moves against the World Champion Magnus Carlsen in the world title match held at Russia's Sochi. Playing white, Anand, the title challenger, opened the game pushing his queen pawn two squares to which Carlsen replied by moving his knight to the f6 square. The game progressed to Grunfeld defence.

The Indian made his initial moves fast while the champion was slow but steady. Anand played sharply in the initial phase of the game castling on his queen side in move 13. However, a couple of cautious moves on the part of Anand him lost the initiative and the game slowly progressed towards a grinding end game where Carlsen has the advantage.

In the post game press conference, Anand said some careless moves were made and the position did not require so much hard work. The game slowly headed towards a draw though Carlsen started to push hoping his opponent to make a wrong move.

While Carlsen's rook and queen were on the seventh rank threatening Anand's King, the latter found a combination to escape with a draw.

Even though the game ended in a draw, Carlsen has won the psychological game by scaring Anand with his moves playing black.

On Sunday, Anand will play black.