Anand manages draw against Fritz

Despite losing the first game, Anand appeared a confident self and opted for the rock solid Petroff Defence to counter the King Pawn Opening of Fritz.

Theoritical manoeuvres followed and Anand gained a comfortable position by opening the centre. The machine tried to create complications with a kingside attack, but Anand’s queen exchange, which was timed to perfection, made the position equal.

The game was agreed drawn after 29 moves in a rook and pawns endgame. This draw helped Fritz to win his match 1.5-0.5 against Anand in the two game match.

All the other games were decisive on the day. Grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik of Russia won his match 1.5-0.5 with a finely crafted victory. In the English Opening with black pieces Kramnik initiated a king side attack right from the start.

The machine looked on top after the opening phase as Kramnik’s queenside became vulnerable. By sacrificing two pawns Kramnik gained vital edge and posted his light square bishop on the `f3′ square. An exchange sacrifice put Fritz under pressure and it had to part with a queen for rook. The dual lasted only 32 moves.

Kramnik’s compatriot GM Alexander Morozevich mishandled an advantegeous position to go down rather tamely. The anti Fritz tactics of Morozevich paid dividends as the computer could not find a subtle continuation in the quiet Colle System.

With the king hovering in the centre fritz capitalised on a middlegame error by Morozevich and locked his queen in the corner of the chequered board. Morozevich lost a pawn and called it a day.

GM Peter Leko of Hungary opted for the Kings Indian attack with white pieces to make mincemeat of the machine. After blocking black’s counter attempts on the queenside, Leko launched an attack against the king.

Fritz pieces became mere spectators as leko steamrolledhis king side pawns to rip open the kingside. Tactical finesses followed soon after and Leko won the queen for a rook. The rest was easy.