Chess: Anand's timely win
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In today's position, playing White against Jeroen Piket, Anand used his opponent's time-trouble and tension to win a game he might have lost. If White does nothing, the mobile centre pawns ensure Black a big advantage, so Anand took the plunge with 34. Bxb5 Bxb5 35. Nxb5. 35 . . . Na4 is met by Qxe5, so Piket played 35 . . . d4] Now any move of the knight from e3 does lose to Na4, so 36. Rc7 was forced. Piket continued with the second best move, 36 . . . Qa6 (Anand was more afraid of 36 . . . Qb8] when after 37. Rxe7 dxe3 38. Bxe3 Nc4 Black emerges a piece ahead) and play continued 37. Rxe7 Qxb5 38. Ng4 Nc4.
Black is still doing well, but he must have been shocked by Anand's reply, 39. Bh6] when 39 . . . Nxb2 40. Bxg7+ or 39 . . . gxh6 40. Nxf6 both lead to mate. Piket reached the time control with 39 . . . Nxg4 40. Bxg7+ Kg8 and after 41. Qc1 settled down for a long think.
If Black plays 41 . . . d3] he may still be winning. White cannot reply 42. Qg5 because of mate on a1. After half an hour, Piket played instead 41 . . . Qxb4?? and after 42. Bf6] Kf8 43. hxg4 he had nothing better than 43 . . . Qd2 44. Qxd2 Nxd2 45. Rd7 and White, a good pawn ahead, won in 61 moves.
As so often, the decisive error came one move after the time control.
(Graphic omitted)
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