1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Bc5 6.c3 b5 7.Bc2 d6



8.a4

8.d4 was certainly more aggressive, but Anand's overall strategy in this game seems to be to keep the centre closed and play on the wings.

8...Bg4 9.h3 Bh5 10.d3 0-0 11.Nbd2 b4 12.a5

This makes a6 a long-term target.

12...Rb8



13.g4!?

It's worth noting how Anand manages to develop an initiative on both wings in this game.

13...Bg6 14.Nc4 bxc3 15.bxc3 Qc8 16.Ba4 Na7 17.Be3 Bxe3 18.Nxe3 c6 19.Qd2 Qc7?!

Black probably should have played 19...Nb5 while there was still a chance.

20.c4!



20...c5?

Creating a gaping hole on d5. Black's idea is to go Nc6 and Nd4, but unfortunately for him, there's not enough time to execute this manoeuvre. 20...Nd7, followed by Nc5 and Ne6, was clearly preferable.

21.Nh4 Kh8

21...Nc6? loses a piece after 22.g5 Nh5 23.Nd5 Qc8 24.Bxc6 with the tactical point 24...Qxc6 25.Ne7+ Kh8 26.Nxc6.

22.g5 Nh5 23.Nd5 Qd8 24.Rfb1



24...Nf4

A desperate attempt at changing the scenery.

25.Nxf4 Qxg5+ 26.Nhg2 exf4 27.Rb6 Rbd8

27...Rxb6 28.axb6 Nc8 29.Rb1 and White's b-pawn is looking very dangerous indeed.

28.Qxf4 Qe7 29.Rab1 Nc8 30.Rb7 Qe6 31.Qg5 h6 32.Qg3 Qf6 33.Nf4 Ne7 34.Kg2

Stronger than 34.Rxe7 Qxe7 35.Qxg6 Qc7 (35...fxg6 36.Nxg6+ Kh7 37.Nxe7) 36.Qg3 Qxa5, which would have given Black some counterplay.

34...Ng8 35.Nd5 Qe6



36.Bd1

and in this depressing position, Adams decided to pack it in. If nothing else, White can pick of a6 and start walking is a-pawn. In the meantime, Black has no counterplay whatsoever.

1-0