Moscow, May 12: Defending champion Viswanathan Anand showcased fresh preparation as black and got an easy draw against rival Boris Gelfand in the second game of the World Chess Championship now in progress here.
Anand equalised easily out of the opening springing a surprise as early as on move five by going for a rare move as black.
Gelfand spent a lot of time and it was clear that his ammunition had run out at this move itself. The fight for equalising had begun for Anand and he drew level on psychological terms after being pressed as white in the first game of the match.
The preparation part took a heavy toll on Gelfand and as the game progressed, Anand once again produced what he is best at—deep preparation backed by deep analysis.
Gelfand could not think of anything better than going for the trade of queens and it was signal enough that Anand had what he was looking for.
As it happened in the game, Anand's tenth move was the perfect road to equalising. The center was wide open soon after as Gelfand went on an exchanging spree and it took little time for Anand to come up with the new move which put the Israeli again in deep thought.
Middle game never happened and Gelfand might have to look for other methods as Anand seems clearly better prepared with his black pieces. It may be recalled that the Indian ace had also successfully employed the Slav defense to beat Russian Vladimir Kramnik in 2008.
There is also speculation that Kramnik might be helping Gelfand for this match. The main reason being that Gelfand and Kramnik have been friends for a long time.
It was a level position once the queens were off the board. Also the presence of opposite colour Bishop was not anything that could enthuse either player.
“I had a very small and symbolic advantage but black's position is fine anyways,” said Gelfand in the post game chat.
