Game 5 of 12Decisive
Vladimir Kramnik — Viswanathan Anand
23 October 2008 · Slav Defence · 48 moves
White
Vladimir Kramnik
0
vs
Black
Viswanathan Anand
1
Summary
Anand wins with black for the second time! In the Slav, he unveils another prepared idea and builds up a positional squeeze. Kramnik's queenside collapses under pressure and Anand converts cleanly. Score 4½–½ — an almost insurmountable lead.
Commentary
Anand's preparation in the Slav is as deep as in the Nimzo-Indian — every black opening leads to a new problem for Kramnik.
The key moment is Anand's rook manoeuvre to the b-file on move 32, cutting off all of Kramnik's counterplay and sealing the queenside.
Anand's technique in the endgame is flawless; Kramnik resigns as his queenside pawns fall one by one.