Even the superstitious among chess players are suspicious of this "famous" number. They avoid rooms with that "number", they most often draw in the thirteenth round, and they avoid traveling on that day.
However, for former world champion Anand, seeded 13th at the tournament in the Norwegian city of Stavanger (27 May - 8 June 2018), this number was not a cause for concern. Although he was invited to this super tournament as the thirteenth on the then-current rating list, Viši, although the oldest among the participants, played the entire tournament with youthful enthusiasm, finishing in a tie for second and fourth place, only half a point behind first-place Caruana.
...From this super tournament we are broadcasting the game Visje Lagrave - Anand, a game in which the Indian grandmaster began his winning maneuver on the...thirteenth move.
SPANISH PARTY
VIŠJE-LAGRAV - ANAND
STAVANGER, 2018
ONLINE COMMENTS: Sergej Grigorianc
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Nxe4
The open variant, whose popularity has been growing recently…
6.d4 b5 7.Lb3 d5 8.dxe5 Le6
The big crossroads of this variant…
9.c3 Be7 10.Nbd2 0-0. 11.Re1 Nc5 12.Nd4 Nxd4 13.cxd4 Nd3
14.Te3 Sf4.
This intricate maneuver is clearly part of the Indian grandmaster's preparation.
15.Sf3 Lg4 16.h3 Lh5 17.Tc3 Se6.
Black's knight eventually occupied the ideal blocking square. True, at the cost of some loss of time.
18.g4 Lg6 19.Le3 a5 20.Lc2 Lb4 21.Tb3.
The rook on b3 occupies a strange position, but it prevents Black's counterplay on the queenside.
21..f5!? A very cheerful game can arise after 21…f5 22.Qb1!? c5!? 23.gxf5 Bh5!
22.ef6
The variation shown was obviously not attractive to Višje – Lagravo, so he played a simple continuation.
22..Lxc2. 23.Dxc2 Dxf6 24.Se5.
With a pawn on g2, White could claim an advantage, but now Black is, I think, in full control. The weakened king does not allow White to focus on the weaknesses of the queenside. In addition, Anand has a very dynamic continuation at his disposal: 24..c5 25.Nd7 Qh4 26.Nxf8 Rxf8 27.dxc5 Rf3, which looks very attractive, but according to the computer variations, it only leads to a draw, and yet I highly doubt that Viši will play exactly like that!
24..c5!
The cheapest sequel!
25.Sd7 Df7!?
Also, it's not bad. Black has good compensation for quality.
26.Sxf8 Txf8 27.Df5
Višje-Lagrav did not decide to play 27.a3 in cold blood and now Black can take the initiative. For example, with the help of the strong intermediate move 27..c4 28.Rxb4 Qd7!
27..cxd4
Allows White to avoid dangers.
28.Dxf7 Txf7 29.Txb4?!
Stronger is 29.a3! Nc5 30.Rxb4 axb4 31.Bxd4 Nb3 32.Rd1 with equal play.
29..axb4
30.Ld2
30..b3!
And now Anand can be happy with his position again.
31.axb3 Tf3
White has a lot of weaknesses and problems with the bishop that will be attacked by the black rook. Maksim obviously missed something in his calculations, and characteristically, he very impulsively flew past the opportunity for an equalizer.
32.b4
Correctly, White retains his only chance for counterplay.
32..Td3! 33.Te1
Perhaps the rook should have been left for a possible attack on the “b” pawn.
33…Kf7 34.Bc1 Rxh3 35.Re5 Rd3 36.Kf1 Rd1+ 37.Re1 Rxe1 38.Kxe1
The endgame looks absolutely hopeless for White.
38.g6 39.f4 Nd8 40.g5 Ke6
White surrenders.
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