FIDE World Chess Championship,
India, 24 December.
Anand - Shirov, the 4th game, final
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. Nce2 c5 6. f4 Nc6 7. c3 Qb6 8.
Nf3 f6 9. a3 Be7 10. h4 O-O 11. Rh3 a5
Once more Shirov decided to try a variation in French defence, which was met in the meeting between the same rivals this year in Frankfurt, where White having to some extent a lag in pieces development has nevertheless a firm pawn center. Black has to act hardly energetically for not to turn out in a having no prospects position. In this game Alexei gave a new direction to the struggle chosen the move in the game instead of 11... Na5 12. b4 cxb4 13. axb4+/-
12. b3 Qc7
This position has been met this year in Russian tournaments in Rybinsk. But there White decided in favor 13. h5 Vishi has chose more natural
13. Neg1 a4 14. b4 fxe5 15. fxe5 Ndxe5
Black practically forced to go on a piece's sacrifice for not to appear in a having no future position and in connection with match's situation. True at that he has gained 3 pawns for this piece.
16. dxe5 Nxe5 17. Nxe5 Qxe5+ 18. Qe2 Bxh4+ 19. Kd1
After the Queens' exchanging 19...Qxe2 20. Bxe2 Bf2 21. Rh1 Black has had chances for an equality but Shirov is forced to go for an unjustified risk but after calm natural Anand's moves
19:Qf6 20. Nf3 Qxc3 21. Bb2 Qb3+ 22. Kc1
it became clear that the Alexei's attack has got exhausted and further Anand easily managed with a not complicated task of an advantage's realization. He obtained a convincing victory in the match and has gained the World Champion's 2000 title. We congratulate him with the highest achievement in his career.
22:e5 23. Rxh4 Bf5 24. Qd1 e4 25. Qxb3 axb3 26.
Nd2 e3 27. Nf3 Rae8 28. Kd1 c4 29. Be2 Be4 30. Kc1 Re6 31. Bc3 Rg6 32. Rh2
Bd3 33. Bxd3 cxd3 34. Kb2 d2 35. Kxb3 Rg3 36. Kb2 g5 37. Kc2 Rc8 38. Kd3 g4
39. Be5 Rc1 40. Rh1 Rxg2 41. Nh4
1-0
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