Viswanathan Anand vs Alexei Schirow

Day 4: Anand-Shirov 5-3

Anand unbeatable in Mainz

Once again Vishy Anand won the Chess Classic title: his fifth in a row and his seventh alltogether. His victim this year was the Spaniard Alexei Shirov. In the seventh game Anand secured his title by playing a draw with the white pieces. "I was lucky that Vishy did not push too hard in this game", Shirov smiled after the game. The second game was very exciting. "I saw Morozevich in the hall and thought that I should try a "Morozevich-style" opening. It was very strange and things became very complicated. In the end I probably missed an opportunity to win the last game. " Anand agreed: "Yes, the second game of the day was hard for me,I had to defend all the time. Overall I have to say that the match was very tight and only two "fingerfehler" decided the match. I would say that the quality of the games was very good. That was definately one of the most exciting matches I ever played

Day 3: Indian superstar leads 4-2

Anand needs one more draw for seventh Chess Classic title

After winning the sixth game in his match against Alexei Shirov, his seventh Chess Classic title is just a matter of time. The fifth game ended in a draw. Anand is still careful: let´s wait until the match is over, I am not going to celebrate too early". However, Shirov will have to win two games on Sunday for a tie-break.
Alexei Shirov did not show up at the press conference. "I mixed up two moves", Shirov said and left the building. Anand was happy to give us more information about the "Fingerfehler". He had played 14...Ne6 instead of Bf6. After my reply Bg5 the game was over. My computer showed all kind of winning lines, with threats like Nh6+ and even Bxf6". IN the fifth game, Shirov won a pawn, but Anand had no worries. "Black has enough compenation, I never thought that I would lose that game".

Day 2 : Anand maintains the lead: 2,5:1,5

"Bad preparation“

„Another case of bad preparation“, said a dissapointed Alexei Shirov after the second day of the Chess Classic Mainz. However, today he did not lose a game but had to fight hard for his two draws. With the result on the second day, he still has chances to win his 8-game match against Vishy Anand, who want to defends his Chess Classic title. In the opening Anand had an easy third game, he was just playing the moves he prepared at home and on the 14th move he played a novelty.
After his weak move 23…c5 and Anands strong reply 24. c4! Shirov did not feel well, but was able to save a draw after a strong defence.

The same story in game four: Anand played 23 moves in breathtaking pace. “Zoltan Gymesi played this variation early this year and in Biel Ponomariov drew with the same line against Morozevich”, Anand told us after the game. When Ponomariov entered the playing hall he had to laugh out loud when he saw the position on the big screen. Shirovs 24.Tad1 was probably a new move, but that move will not be played anymore.. „I missed a chance after that, 28…Bf8 would have been a good move, after that I would have godd winning chances”; Anand said.

Day 1: Shirov without Fortune

Anand takes the lead.

Alexei Shirov (Picture right by Thilo Gubler) shook his head after the first game. He was not happy with the draw with the white pieces. In the end the Spaniard had to be content with a draw against Vishy Anand with only 40 seconds left on the clock. It was unclear if Shirov had to play Rg3 after the check on a3. Shirov thought about f3 in the press conference but could not calculate all the variations. In the press conference Shirov said that f3 would have won the game.

In the second game Anand took the lead. Lg4 was the bad move for black, both players agreed. After sacrificing the exchange the Indian star got two important pawns and that turned out to be decisive. An exciting start of the match!

Alexei Schirow
Vice-World-Champion 2000/2002
GM, Spain, ELO 2713

Games in pgn-Format
Games in cbv-Format

Pictures by Thilo Gubler