6th Round, 2016 Moscow Candidates Tournament
1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, a6
4. Ba4, Nf6
5. 0-0, Be7
6. Re1, b5
7. Bb3, 0-0
8. a4, Bb7
9. d3, Re8
10. Nbd2, Bf8
11. c3 ...
Anand prepares for d4....
11. ... Na5
12. Bc2, c5
13. d4, exd4
14. cxd4, d5
15. e5, Ne4
16. axb5, axb5
17. Nxe4, dxe4
18. Rxe4 ....
The Rook is poisoned. If 18....Bxe4, 19. Bxe4 followed by 20. Bxh7 and 21. Ng5 with good attacking prospects.
18. .... Nb3
Black offers his Knight in return, to lure White's c2 Bishop away from action.
19. Rxa8, Bxa8
20. Ng5, Nxc1
21. Qh5!! ....
White's attacking prospects are greater than the value of captured material. Here, White has a two-pronged attack.
21. .... h6
22. Qxf7+, Kh8
23. Rg4 ....
The move takes the Rook away from harm, and defends the Knight from Black's Queen. If 23. Qg6, then Black equalizes with Qxg5.
Now, if 23....hxg5, then 22. Qh5+ Kg8, 23. Bh7+ Kh8, 24. Bg6+ Kg8, 25. Qh7 mate.
23. .... Qa5
Black creates a diversion on the Queen side of the board.
24. h4 ....
Whites creates an escape square for his King.
Having no other good move, Black resigns. White's Queen cannot be prevented from going to g6 and h7.
At this point, if 24.....hxg5, then 25. Qh5+ Kg8, 26. Bh7+ Kh8, 27. Bg6+ Kg8, 28. Qh7 mate.
If 24....Qe1+, 25. Kh2 Ne2, 26. Nf3 !!...
A superb play by Viswanathan Anand!
