Italian Game, Max Lange Attack

VISWANATHAN ANAND vs. MAGNUS CARLSEN
Norway Rapid, April 1, 2017

1. e4, c5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bc4, Nf6
4. d4, exd4
5. 0-0, Bc5

Black employs the Max Lange Attack.

6. e5, d5

Black opts to exchange pieces.

7. exf6, dxc4
8. Re1+, Kf8
9. Bg5 ...

White intends to capture the g7 pawn, while attacking the opponent's Queen.

9. ... gxf6
10. Bh6+, Kg8
11. Nc3, Bg4

Black cannot capture the Knight because of the mating threat Qxd8.

12. Ne4, b6
13. c3, Ne5

If 13....dxc3, then 14.Qxd8 Rxd8, 15. Nxf6 mate.

14. Nxe5!,  Bxd1

A stunning Queen sacrifice!  This paves the way for White's victory.

15. Nd7!  ...

Now, it is clear.  White intends to capture the f6 pawn, which leads to mate.

15. ... Be7
16. N4xf6, Bxf6
17. Re8+!, Qxe8
18. Nf6 mate.

Great play by Anand.

Author's note:  While a You Tube video presentation exists, the game is not recorded in other chess literature.  Therefore, there is no certainty that the game was ever played.

Gruenfeld Defense: Exchange Variation

VISWANATHAN ANAND vs. IAN NEPOMNIACHTCHI
FIDE Chess.com Online Nations Cup
May 2020

1.d4, Nf6
2. c4, g6
3. Nc3, d5
4. cxd5, Nxd5
5. Bd2, Bg7
6. e4, Nxc3
7. Bxc3, c5
8. d5! ...

Anand opts to neutralize immediately Black's g7 Bishop.  This is part of his overall strategy.

8. ... Bxc3
9. bxc3, Qd6

Black hopes to control the c7-h2 diagonal.

10. Qd2, 0-0
11. f4! ...

Most common chess engines regard this as White's best move, in preparation for a center advance.

11. ... e6
12. Nf3, exd5
13. Bc4 ...

If the d5 pawn is taken, White's King would be in danger.

13. ... Be6
14. 0-0, d4
15. f5! ...

 An unexpected move.  White sacrifices a Bishop for a great pawn advance.

15. ... Bxc4

Black should have sacrificed this Bishop to neutralize White's impending attack.  Best move is Bxf5.

If 15...gxf5 then 16. Qg5+ Kh8, 17. Qf6+ Kg8, 18. exf5! pinning the Bishop.

16. e5!, Qd7
17. f6!,  Resigns

Mate cannot be prevented at g7.