Magnus Carlsen moved within half a point of the World Chess Championship crown after beating defending champion Viswanathan Anand after 28 moves in the ninth game, in Chennai, on Thursday.
The Norwegian challenger now leads 6-3 and requires just a draw in the remaining three games to claim the title of FIDE World champion.
Following are the moves in Game 9, with analysis and quotes.
1. d4 {Here it comes. After trying hard to make something happen in the Berlin defense, Anand decided it was time to give something else a shot. For the first time, a Queen pawn opening by Anand in this match}. Nf6
2. c4 e6
3. Nc3 {Inviting the Nimzo Indian defense. Anand is a master of the system himself and still plays it often}. Bb4
4. f3 {The Saemisch variation. This is known to reach imbalanced position. A need for the hour for Anand}. d5.
5. a3 Bxc3+
6. bxc3 c5 {The main line. Carlsen shows he is not averse to use the topical system}.
7. cxd5 exd5 {A surprise as early as on move seven. Carlsen goes for the most complicated structure not known to be favoured in elite circles of chess}.
8. e3 c4 {Stopping the advance of white's Bishop. This move was played after a little thought. It's game on}.
9. Ne2 Nc6
10. g4 {Anand goes for the most principled reaction. White advances a king side pawn to gain space as well to facilitate the development of the Bishop}. O-O
11. Bg2 Na5 {The black knight is headed to 'b3' to capture white's dark squared Bishop}.
12. O-O Nb3.
13. Ra2 b5 {Carlsen goes for his share of counter play without any preliminaries. Black wants to break through on the queen side before white can get to the king on the other flank}.
14. Ng3 a5
15. g5 {Anand goes for the attack. In just a few moves this has now become extremely complicated position}. Ne8.
16. e4 Nxc1 {Carlsen grabs the Bishop. Black is behind in development by Carlsen shows that his resources are enough for the defense}.
17. Qxc1 Ra6
18. e5 Nc7
19. f4 {Anand continues in with what is required. A King side attack is the best way to counter}. b4
20. axb4 {Relieving the tension a little. Anand said in the post game conference that he could exit from these complications a couple of time but he decided to give it a shot}. axb4
21. Rxa6 Nxa6 {Trading one rook Anand's position still looks dominating optically but the computers could not find a forced win for the defending champion}.
22. f5 b3 {Carlsen ensures that his pawn on sixth rank alone will cause enough problems for white}.
23. Qf4 {Played after a 40-minute think. Anand fell behind on the clock after this move}. Nc7
24. f6 g6
25. Qh4 Ne8.
26. Qh6 b2 {This is it. Carlsen had seen this fine resource that keep's white attack in check}.
27. Rf4 {Anand goes for it. There was no forced win available} b1=Q+
28. Nf1 {The final blunder. Anand said it was a moment of excitement that led to this. After Nf1 black wins in just one move} Qe1
{White resigned}. 0-1.
