NAPLES, July 24: Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand (India) salvaged pride for the humans when he conquered Dutch computer programme Rebel in the final classical game of the eight-match exhibition series on the Ischia Islands near here yesterday.World No 2 Anand outplayed the Pentium-powered Rebel in a 38-move game to emerge 1.5-0.5 victor in the classical matches.
Anand, however, lost the eight-game battle 3-5 as he had lost in the blitz and semi-rapid games on the opening day when Rebel took an unbeatable 4.5-1.5 lead with two games in the classical format to spare. The first classical game yesterday was a 40-move draw.
After his spectacular run this year with three super category titles -- Wijk an Zee, Linares and Madrid, a win in the Frankfurt Rapid Chess featuring one of the strongest field in recent years, including Garry Kasparov and Vladimir Kramnik, the Indian suffered a slump in form in Dortmund Open chess.
Anand playing back, opted for queen's Indian defence and the programme, written byDutchman Ed Schroder, came up with a new 11th move -- bb5 -- in the Petrosian system.
When Anand found a few problems in castling, he accepted knight sacrifice giving the computer a chance to win a rook and three pawns for two bishops.He kept up the pressure with a slight advantage in material and after 33 moves, took total control of the game.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
