World Chess Championship Game 7: After another draw, Carlsen holds the edge

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.

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.

THE GAME SCORE
White: Anand,Viswanathan Vs Black: Carlsen,Magnus
World Championship Match 2013 Chennai, Game # 7

• 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 The same Berlin Defence to the Spanish Opening that was played in Game 6. Anand tried a different move on 5.
   
• 5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.Nbd2 Bg4 7.h3 Bh5 8.Nf1 Nd7 9.Ng3 Bxf3 10.Qxf3 g6 ! This looks equal. White's marginally better pawn structure isn't meaningful.
  

 

11.Be3 Qe7 12.0-0-0 0-0-0 13.Ne2 Rhe8 14.Kb1 b6 15.h4 Kb7 16.h5 Bxe3 17.Qxe3 Nc5 18.hxg6 hxg6 19.g3 a5 20.Rh7 Rh8! The timely black challenge stops any aggressive white action down the h-file and forces a series of exchanges.
 

21.Rdh1 Rxh7 22.Rxh7 Qf6 23.f4 Rh8 24.Rxh8 Qxh8 25.fxe5 Qxe5 26.Qf3 f5 27.exf5 gxf5 28.c3 Ne6 29.Kc2 Ng5 30.Qf2 Ne6 31.Qf3 Ng5 32.Qf2 Ne6 (½-½). There is nothing to play for, for either side.