World Chess: Carlsen holds the edge after Game 7

Instead of starting an aggressive attack, Anand played very positionally, seeking a small advantage

Game 7 of the world championship match between defending champion Viswanathan Anand and challenger Magnus Carlsen concluded in a quick draw with few complications. Carlsen leads the 12-game match 4.5-2.5 and needs two more points to wrest the title from Anand.

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Anand, who had suffered two successive defeats, played conservatively with white. He adopted the Spanish Opening for the third time in succession and Carlsen responded with the Berlin Defence as he had earlier, in Game 6 and Game 4. Instead of starting an aggressive attack, Anand played very positionally, seeking a small advantage.

White had a small optical advantage because of his better pawn structure, but the position was dead equal after both sides castled queenside. Although Anand managed to open the h-file for his rooks, Carlsen responded with the timely challenge of the file-control. That forced an exchange of rooks and left a dead-even Queen and Knight ending. Neither side could visualise any prospects or possessed any active plans so they agreed to a draw on move 32.

The match advantage remains squarely with Carlsen. He possesses the extra advantage of having white in three of the last five games and he could coast to victory with a few draws. Anand will have to produce an extraordinary performance to prevent the title slipping away.