After suffering the shortest defeat in the history of the World Chess
Championships, Israel’s Boris Gelfand fought out a 49-move draw with
defending-champion Viswanathan Anand in Game 9 of the series on Wednesday,
keeping the overall score tied at 4.5-4.5.
Anand needed just 17 moves to
equalize the 12-game series in Game 8 and he kept momentum on his side by
holding on for a draw while playing with the black pieces on
Wednesday.
“My position was worse as he had two bishops for my knights,”
commented Anand after the game. “My chances hinged on the fortress that I was
going to choose.
“In fact, I had many options and I think I chose the
right one.”
Anand will play with the white pieces in Thursday’s Game 10
and next Monday’s Game 12, with the 44-year-old Israeli to start Saturday’s Game
11.
In case of a tie after 12 games, a tiebreaker will be held next
Wednesday.
|