Russia: For Viswanathan Anand, 13 is not an unlucky number. Desperate for a win to keep his chances alive against young champion Magnus Carlsen in the world chess championship, Viswanathan Anand won game No. 3 in Sochi on Tuesday. It was Viswanathan Anand’s first win in 13 world chess championship matches against Carlsen.
It was also the third time that Anand bounced back immediately after losing a world championship game. Carlsen had won game No. 2 on Sunday. Whenever Anand has hit back like this, he has gone to win the world championship crown.
In Sofia in 2010, Anand lost game 1 against Veselin Topalov but clinched game No. 2. In 2012 in Moscow, Anand lost game 7 against Boris Gelfand but won game no. 8. Both years, Anand became the world champion. This time in Sochi the 44-year-old Anand is aiming for his sixth world title.
The last time that Anand had defeated Carlsen was way back in 2010. On Tuesday, it was a vintage Viswanathan Anand as he played an almost flawless game in his usual elegant style. Anand’s reputed formidable preparation was once again to the fore-front as he later said that he had the position after White’s 24th move during home preparation.
Giving an indication of the depth of his preparation, the Indian always had a stranglehold on the game. “What can I say? I am pleased,” said Anand. A happy Aruna Anand said: “We are back… good game and hope that Vishy plays the chess that we know he can.
Saddled with a hopeless position Carlsen resigned on the 34th move. “It’s the kind of game where everything went wrong from the start. I didn’t have many chances. That sucks,” said the 23-year-old Norwegian champion.
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