Vishy Anand wins No-Castling World Masters against Kramnik

by Shahid Ahmed - 19/07/2021

The fourth game of No Castling World Masters was an interesting draw between the legends - Vishy Anand and Vladimir Kramnik. Anand won the four-game match 2.5-1.5. He had an opportunity to gain the upper hand in the middlegame but he did not take it and Kramnik managed to force a draw by perpetual check eventually. The maestro continued his great form and remained undefeated in all four games. Albeit a small sample size, these four games without the castling rights for each player, yielded 75% draws and only 25% decisive results which is almost as much as a regular game result odds. What are your thoughts on No-Castling Chess? Photo: Christian Lünig, Arbeitsblende

Anand remains unbeaten

The fourth game in the No-Castling World Masters of the 48th International Dortmund Chess Days was an exciting draw. Although Anand had a half chance to gain the upper hand in the middlegame, he did not take it and the game eventually led to a forced draw by perpetual check.

Anand won the No-Castling World Masters 2.5-1.5 against Kramnik | Photo: Guido Kohlen/Sparkassen Chess Trophy

Game 4: Kramnik - Anand: 0.5-0.5

For the first time in this four-game match, Anand moved his king first voluntarily. The only other time Anand moved his king before Kramnik's, was in the second game when he was almost forced to.

Position after 13...Ke7

Since the dark square bishop and a knight has been traded off, it is absolutely safe for the black king to be at the center of the board, compared to walking to the king or queenside.

Position after 20.g4

20...g5 21.R4h3 Nexg4 is a clean capture for Black. The game continued 20...Nexg4 21.Rxh5 Rxh5 22.Rxh5 Nxe3 23.Rg5 d4

Position after 23...d4

The game meandered to a forced line 24.Rxg7+ Kf8 25.Rg6 dxc3 26.Qf3 Qd4 27.Rxf6+ which eventually led to an interesting draw by perpetual check.

First move 1.c4 is being made for Kramnik | Photo: Christian Lünig, Arbeitsblende

Replay the live stream

Anand vs Kramnik No Castling World Masters - Game 4

Final scorecard | Photo: Sparkassen Chess Trophy

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