Anand and Kramnik draw second game in World Chess final

Bonn, October 15

NIIT Brand Ambassador Viswanathan Anand went in for an opening other than expected with a Nimzo-Indian against Vladimir Kramnik but still came with the same result as in the first. The opening was in Nimzo-Indian Samisch Variation. They drew in 32 moves and the score in the 12-game final stands at 1-1.

With this both games have ended in draws and in the third game, Kramnik will have white pieces.

The NIIT-backed Anand instead of 1. e4, went in for a 1. d4. It was a sharp game from Annad's side and both players once again sized each other well. At no stage did either seem to have an any definite advantage.

Though there was no overt aggression, it was clear that there was greater probing in the second game than the first. Ultimately the duo decided to split the point and move on.

The first player to reach 6.5 points in the 12-game final will be declared the World Champion.

The 12-game match carries a purse of euro1.5 million (US$2.04 million) to be equally divided between the two, regardless of who wins.

The third game of the match will be played Thursday with the first player to get to 6.5 points being adjudged the world champion. In case of a 6-6 draw, they will play a tie-breaker.

Moves of round 2
Anand v Kramnik

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 7. cxd5 Nxd5
8. dxc5 f5 9. Qc2 Nd7 10. e4 fxe4 11. fxe4 N5f6 12. c6 bxc6 13. Nf3 Qa5 14.
Bd2 Ba6 15. c4 Qc5 16. Bd3 Ng4 17. Bb4 Qe3+ 18. Qe2 O-O-O 19. Qxe3 Nxe3 20.
Kf2 Ng4+ 21. Kg3 Ndf6 22. Bb1 h5 23. h3 h4+ 24. Nxh4 Ne5 25. Nf3 Nh5+ 26.
Kf2 Nxf3 27. Kxf3 e5 28. Rc1 Nf4 29. Ra2 Nd3 30. Rc3 Nf4 31. Bc2 Ne6 32.
Kg3 Rd4 1/2-1/2

Source: anand.wcc@gmail.com