WCC 4th game annotations

Following are the moves in the fourth round of the World Chess Championship match between Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen on Wednesday with analysisand quotes.1. e4 e5 {Bye-bye Caro KannDefense for now. Although Carlsen used it very successfully in the second game of the match he did not find a point in repeatingthe same opening. This reveals a certain strategy onthe part of Carlsen. With white so far, he is sticking tohis guns while with black he wants to keep Anand guessing.}2. Nf3 Nc63. Bb5 {The Ruy Lopez has been Anand's pet for a very long time. He has won somebig games in this.}3. Nf6 {The Berlin defense was made popular by Vladimir Kramnik of Russia who used it successfully in his match against compatriot Garry Kasparov in 2000 Braingames world championship match at London.}4. O-O {Anand goes for the most principled system. The'Berlin wall' as it is called, typically reaches a queen-less middle game in the early phase. White gets better pawn structure against double Bishops.} Nxe45. d4 Nd66. Bxc6 dxc67. dxe5 Nf58. Qxd8+ Kxd89. h3 {All this is standard theory and has been played at elite levels many times.} Bd710. Rd1 Be7 {The big surprise by Carlsen. This move has been played four times previously and three times out of those by Carlsen's friend and second Jon Ludvig Hammer. In fact, Anand's second in the last three world championship campaign - Surya Shekhar Ganguly defeated Hammer in the war of the seconds in 2011 in this variation.}11. Nc3 Kc812. Bg5 {Principled as white wants to trade this Bishop. Black does not have a pair of Bishops anymore so technically he should be worse. However, black has no weaknesses and this is what prompts Carlsen to allow this exchange.} h613. Bxe7 Nxe714. Rd2 c515. Rad1 Be6 {Both the players are playing with a certain plan in mind. Black'snext aim would be to connect the rooks.}16. Ne1 Ng617. Nd3 b618. Ne2 {An inaccuracy according to the chess engines but Anand was probably looking to seize the initiative.} Bxa2 {This move shows Carlsen's confidence, precise calculation and remarkable intuition. Not many would have given this a second thought while others would just say it will make the position passive.}19. b3 c420. Ndc1 cxb321. cxb3 Bb122. f4 Kb723. Nc3 Bf524. g4 Bc8 {After a big our on many squares, the Bishop is back from where itstarted. Carlsen must have expected this position while taking the pawn.}25. Nd3 h526. f5 Ne7.27. Nb5 {Anand realises thatthe position is now slipping out of hands and makes his bid for a counter play} hxg428. hxg4 Rh4 {Precise like a machine, the Norwegian continues to pose more problems for Anand.}29. Nf2 Nc630. Rc2 a5 { Now its time to take measures to activate the other rook.}31. Rc4 g6 {Another correct move that keeps the balance in black's favour.}32. Rdc1 Bd733. e6 {This is the only move. White is much worse but Anand keeps finding theright moves to create problems in Carlsen's quest for a win.} fxe634. fxe6 Be835. Ne4 {A nice manoeuvre found in time pressure. Anand see no point in playing passively and goes for some activity.} Rxg4+36. Kf2 Rf4+ {Probably not so precise as Nc5 was not a great threat yet. Black could have played Rd8 instead.}37. Ke3 Rf8 {The only move that works.}38. Nd4 Nxd439. Rxc7+ Ka640. Kxd4 {Anand recovers one of the lost pawns, now has a rook on seventh and apawn on the sixth. Carlsen was not at all pleased with himself at this point.} Rd8+41. Kc3 {Perhaps not the most precise as Ke3 would have kept the balance anyway. However, Anand seeks a theoretically drawn endgame from this point.} Rf3+42. Kb2 Re3,43. Rc8 {The move Anand had planned.} Rdd3 {Carlsen continues to come with moves to keep the game alive. This is one ability that has made the world number one what he is today.}44. Ra8+ Kb745. Rxe8 Rxe4 {The players now reach a rook and pawns endgame that shouldbe drawn.}46. e7 Rg347. Rc3 Re2+48. Rc2 Ree3 {Again, Carlsenwants to play on.}49. Ka2 g550. Rd2 Re551. Rd7+ Kc652. Red8 {Precision by Anand. He simply doesn't letgo. One correct move after another.} Rge353. Rd6+ Kb754. R8d7+ Ka655. Rd5 {Now the outcome is no longer in doubt. The longest game of the match so far also finally sees the same result as the first three.} Re2+56. Ka3 Re657. Rd8 g458. Rg5 Rxe759. Ra8+ Kb760. Rag8 a461. Rxg4 axb362. R8g7 Ka663. Rxe7 Rxe764. Kxb3 {Black's extra pawnis inconsequential. Draw.}