World Chess Championship: Anand beats Carlsen in Round 3, draws level

Viswanathan Anand returned with vengeance after losing the previous game to beat defending champion Magnus Carlsen in Round 3 of the World Chess Championship in Sochi on Tuesday and level the match score 1.5-1.5.

Playing white, the five-time World champion from India came up with his best showing against the Norwegian in recent years to win in 34 moves.

Having lost the second round of the 12-game match, Anand was almost in a must-win situation, but did splendidly to end a four-year drought against Carlsen in a Classical chess game, as his last victory over the Norwegian had come way back in 2010 under this format.

For the first time in this World Championship match, Carlsen went for the theoretical duel and was duly punished in a well-analysed variation.

For the record, it was a Queen's gambit declined by Carlsen, a natural choice with a full point cushion to back him. Anand went for a deeply analysed variation and was pleasantly surprised to find Carlsen game.

The players followed a 2013 game played between Levon Aronian and Michael Adams and it was Carlsen who did not seem to have kept track of the game well.

While going behind on time, Carlsen found the right manoeuvres but Anand was still in his preparation.

On move 20, the new idea was revealed by Anand which was a big improvement on the existing game in the position.

Carlsen had to again sink in long thoughts intermittently during the rest of the game as one or the other problem was posed by Anand with a well-supported passed pawn on the seventh rank.

Anand kept the momentum ticking without any further slips and piled on the pressure in almost Carlsenesque-style giving the Norwegian a taste of his own medicine.

For once Carlsen was on the receiving end and he could only delay the inevitable.

Making matters worse at this point was the clock that was ticking away and Anand sealed the issue after Carlsen made a blunder on move 28. Anand swapped a piece and it was all over in 34.

Image: Viswanathan Anand (left) in action against Magnus Carlsen.

Photograph courtesy: FIDE World Chess Championship Match