Great games, it’s been said, have to be won three times: You have to outplay your opponent in the opening, the middle game and the ending.
But this week’s game, one of the best of 2009, never had an opening. World Champion Viswanathan Anand and Peter Leko were following previous play for their first 21 moves.
They both knew, for example, that the greedy 17 . . . dxc3?? would lose to 18 e6! and then 18 . . . Ne5 19 e7! or 18 . . . Nf6 19 Bh5!, with killing threats.
Anand introduced a new move, the stunning 22 Nxd4! — even though the previously played 22 b4 had scored well.
After this, Anand was two pawns down but held a remarkable initiative. He more than regained his material yet had to find several more exact moves, such as 30 h3!, which prepares 31 Ra7+ (and avoids 30 Ra7+ Kh8 31 Rf7?? Rc1+ and mates).
White might have been able to win the bishop ending after 35 Rxh6+ Kg7 36 Rd6 Rf6! — but heading into a heavy-piece ending with 35 Bg6! was much better. Jose Capablanca would be envious.