The fight for the World chess title could well be decided this week.
With six of the scheduled 12 games to go, Magnus Carlsen is ahead by a point in the race to reach 6.5 points. The young Norwegian again holds the whip but another comeback from Viswanathan Anand cannot be ruled out.
Last week, Anand avenged the loss suffered in Game 2 to draw level. There is every reason to believe that he is still capable of neutralising the advantage Carlsen currently enjoys by virtue of winning Game 6.
But Anand will have to deal with the scars left behind by Saturday’s defeat before preparing for the challenges ahead. The acceptance of certain factors that led to his defeat could well be a good starting point.
Poor choiceAnand’s poor choice of opening with black pieces in Game 6 was the beginning of his problems.
Needless to add, he cannot afford to spend any more time in ruing the missed chance that could have translated his lost position to a winning one. Here, the challenge for Anand is as much mental as is the opening preparation against white pieces.
Carlsen, naturally keen to return to play white after Sunday’s rest day, can be expected to go all out to double his lead. He knows Anand is hurt. He knows the challenger is more vulnerable at present than he ever was at the start of any of the previous six games.
On his part, Anand will have to first conquer the demons of his own making. He cannot afford to miss any chance that Carlsen is likely to offer. For sure, Anand believes that Carlsen is not playing at his flawless best. He needs to be alert and back himself all the way.
Anand has done it more than once this year. But the question is, can Anand recreate the magic one more time this week?
To achieve that, Anand will have to play his games with black with the same solidity that Carlsen showed in last year’s clash in Chennai.
But can Anand find a sound response from black three more times to keep Carlsen at bay? Meanwhile, Anand will have to strike at least once with white pieces, like he did in Game 3, to keep the contest alive.
To bridge a one-point gap is possible against a rival who is playing below his best. Carlsen admitted he was not happy with the quality of his play so far. It was also clear that the blunder he committed in Game 6 had impacted his confidence on Saturday.
As a result, Sunday’s rest day would have given Carlsen the necessary time to re-evaluate his approach.
On Monday, he could well return to the board more focussed, more ruthless and naturally more effective.
More than Carlsen, the onus is currently on Anand to win a game.
Following the psychological blow suffered on Saturday, Anand could well be expected to aim for a comfortable draw before trying harder with white pieces in Game 8.
Should Anand manage to draw level, the pressure on Carlsen will be far greater. So far, Carlsen has never trailed Anand in the World title-matches. Therefore, his nerves have never been tested in a match.
For a change, Anand will have to bring Carlsen out of his comfort-zone. Playing to defend with black pieces will only work in the Norwegian’s favour. Anand appears more effective with more pieces on the board. He will have to keep alive tactical possibilities instead of letting Carlsen gain control in a positional battle.
