Anand draws fifth game with Carlsen

Sochi, November 15, 2014 (PTI) Viswanathan Anand missed out on an opportunity to press for serious advantage and settled for a draw with defending champion Magnus Carlsen in the fifth game of the world chess championship now underway here.The  third draw in five games restored the parity and the scores now stand at 2.5-2.5 with seven games still remaining in the million Euros match.

After a day's rest Anand yet again looked for an advantage with white pieces and Carlsen was pushed to the wall once more. However, just when the world thought it could be a dangerous advantage in Anand's favour, the Indian ace erred and took a safer path, allowing Carlsen to liquidate to a drawn rook and minor piece endgame.Opening with the Queen pawn, Anand faced a new opening for the third time in the match by Carlsen – a clear indication that the Norwegian has not been able to make up his mind and remains



tentative with black pieces.

On his 16th move, Anand livened things up a little by going for a thematic central breakthrough and a handful of pieces changed hands in quick time thereafter. Carlsen took a practical decision on the 20th move by trading his Bishop for a centralised white knight and thereafter white was either playing for a win or a draw. A pair of rooks flew off the board as a result and the players were soon staring at a deadlock with pawns on just one flank. After further trading of pieces the peace was formally signed after 29 moves.

This draw puts Anand under a bit of a pressure now as Carlsen will now get to play two white games on the trot in game six and seven. The onus is now on Anand to salvage the next two and if the Indian ace successfully does that, the tide is likely to turn in his favour. For now, its game six coming up with Carlsen playing white.