Battle of wits begins at Bonn

The world chess championship match between champion Viswanathan Anand and challenger Vladimir Kramnik is underway in the Arts & Exhibition Hall at Bonn. The sponsor is Evonik Industries of Germany (2007 turnover ¤14.5 billion) which has interests ranging across chemicals, energy and real estate. In case the match is undecided after 12 games, tie-breakers will be played. However, whatever the result, the prize fund of ¤1.5 million will be shared.

Kramnik of Russia, with white in the first game, wished to open with his customary Queens Pawn (1.d4). The move was actually played by the German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrück, who pushed the inaugural pawn on Kramnik’s behalf.

Anand responded with a Slav Defence, also quite predictable. These two have played this position out several times before versus each other.

Kramnik chose the ultra-conservative Exchange Variation, which has a reputation for being extremely drawish, leading to symmetrical positions. However, on move 14, white introduced what looks like a new idea. Kramnik retained a small advantage after Anand gave up a pawn after some thought in order to free his position.

After 24 moves, black was still a pawn down. But Anand had active play and the presence of opposite coloured bishops made a draw seem extremely likely. That is what most experts were predicting. And indeed, it was drawn after 32 moves when the material was equalised.

In match-play for such high stakes, it is normal for both parties to stick to a strategy of playing to draw with black and to probe for a win with white, to utilise the advantage of the first move. The contours of the first game make it seem as though both players are starting out in conservative fashion. If it is drawn, Anand will probably be marginally happier.

In Game two with white, Anand is expected to play his favourite Kings pawn (1.e4) and Kramnik normally responds with the Petroff Defence. Both players and their respective teams of seconds will have studied these positions for months, hoping to unearth a surprise that puts their side ahead. The fate of the match could depend on that home-prep.