Kramnik vs Anand - 2008

by Cecil
(India)

Kramnik vs Anand Showdown

The following is a wonderful game played in the World Chess Championship 2008 by the two great chess masters, Kramnik and Anand. This particular game marked the rise of the Indian chess legend Vishwanath Anand. The game is as follows:

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6

Even in the initial moves, both players start with a spark.

5.e3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5 8.Bd3 a6

Anand (Black) begins to take the control over the center and the initiative in the game.

9.e4 c5 10.e5 cxd4 11.Nxb5 axb5 12.exf6 gxf6

The game progresses in a manner that gives both players equal chances of winning the game, which raises the viewers excitement.

13.O-O Qb6 14.Qe2 Bb7 15.Bxb5 Rg8 16.Bf4 Bd6

The game moves back into the hands of Anand and away from Kramnik the opponent.

17.Bg3 f5 18.Rfc1 f4 19.Bh4 Be7 20.a4 Bxh4

The tension is beginning to heighten and the game gets even more nerve wracking, with biting nails and interest develops to the higher level.

21.Nxh4 Ke7 22.Ra3 Rac8 23.Rxc8 Rxc8 24.Ra1 Qc5

These moves were perfectly played by Anand such that the game is under his control.

25.Qg4 Qe5 26.Nf3 Qf6 27.Re1 Rc5 28.b4 Rc3

Now everyone is confident that Anand will win the match.

29.Nxd4 Qxd4 30.Rd1 Nf6 31.Rxd4 Nxg4 32.Rd7+ Kf6 33.Rxb7 Rc1+ 34.Bf1 Ne3 35.fxe3 fxe3

0-1

Anand wins and creates a bigger impact in the chess playing minds. Play through this exciting game here.