Anand, Kramnik draw opening games in Advanced chess

The much-awaited clash between two giants of world chess began on a rather dull note as the opening two games of the six-game series between Vishwanathan Anand and Vladimir Kramnik of Russia ended in draws.

The total number of moves in the first two games, that were played in Leon, Spain, on Friday, totalled just 53, and it was an indication of safety-first approach, especially by Kramnik.

Playing black in the opening game, Anand played lively chess throughout and kept Braingames winner Kramnik under pressure before the players agreed to a draw.

It was a trademark Orthodox Queen pawn game by Kramnik that failed to yield anything substantial to play for and the Russian was quick to realise that.

Soon after the opening moves got over, Anand started a brilliant manoeuvre to seize the initiative through a pawn sacrifice that stalled Kramnik's king in mid-board. The Indian was pressing for an advantage by the 16th move itself that attested to his supremacy of being the best player in the Advanced Chess format, that allows usage of a computer during the games.

Kramnik was forced to give up his right to castle but confined his king to safety with rapid exchange of pieces to arrive at heavy piece endgame, where Anand's material deficit proved vital. It was an excellent defensive technique by Kramnik that saved the day for him. The peace treaty was signed in 33 moves after Anand won back his pawn.

The moves:
Round 1
White: V Kramnik
Black: V Anand
Result: 1/2-1/2
1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. d4 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. a3 Nc6 9. Rc1 a6 10. b4 Bd6 11. Bg5 a5 12. b5 Ne5 13. Nxe5 Bxe5 14. c5 a4 15. f4 Bxc3+ 16. Rxc3 e5 17. Bxf6 Qxf6 18. fxe5 Qh4+ 19. g3 Qe4 20. Rg1 Qxe5 21. Qd4 Qh5 22. h4 Bg4 23. Bd3 Bf3 24. Kf2 Be4 25. Bxe4 dxe4 26. Qxe4 Rad8 27. Rc2 Rfe8 28. Qf3 Qg6 29. Rgc1 Qd3 30. c6 bxc6 31. bxc6 Qxa3 32. c7 Rc8 33. Rc3

Round 2
White: V Anand
Black: V Kramnik
Result: 1/2-1/2
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Bg2 c6 8. O-O d5 9. Qc2 Nbd7 10. Rd1 O-O 11. Bf4 Rc8 12. Nc3 Qe8 13. a4 dxc4 14. bxc4 Bxc4 15. Ne4 Nxe4 16. Qxc4 Bd6 17. Ne5 f5 18. h4 c5 19. Bxe4 cxd4 20. Qxd4 1/2-1/2