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Game Four of the World Chess Championship match between Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand appeared to be headed for a draw after 42 moves. The world champion, Carlsen, had a small material advantage of an extra pawn. But it was a highly simplified queen endgame where Anand could probably deliver perpetual check against Carlsen's exposed king. The match would remain tied at 2-2 with one win each if the two grandmasters sign the peace treaty.
Carlsen opted to open with the Kings pawn in his second try with the white pieces. Anand responded with the Sicilian Defence, deviating from his symmetrical defence in Game 2. Carlsen played a quiet variation with 3. g3 rather than heading into sharp prepared lines.
A position arose where black accepted an isolated queen pawn in order to get free play. Carlsen attempted to slowly build pressure against black's pawn weaknesses. However, Anand defended well by playing actively and forcing the exchange of most pieces. By around move 30, a Queen and Knight endgame had arisen with equal material.
Carlsen had a little pressure against Anand's pawn weaknesses. But Anand dissolved the pressure by heading for a queen endgame where his threats against white's exposed king and his counterplay with a strong passed pawn should suffice to hold the draw.
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White: Carlsen Vs Black: Anand Game 4, WCM Sochi 2014, Nov 12, 2014 |
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