Hello and welcome to our coverage of the second round of the Chess Candidates.
India's own Viswanathan Anand is taking on an old foe in Vladimir Kramnik today. Anand leads the candidates after the first round but with 11 more rounds to go, this is a marathon, not a sprint.
Still, Anand has already shown there is life in him yet after many were writing him off following his World Championship loss to Magnus Carlsen in Madras last year where Anand failed to win a single game.
There are roughly 20 minutes to go before the start of today's match.
Anand will want to keep his momentum going and the day off would have given him a chance to freshen up.
Little more than 6 minutes to go now.
For any of you following our coverage today, this is my first time doing live chess so please forgive any errors that might creep in.
Some of the players are now at their boards.
Kramnik is seated and waiting for Anand.
It seems Kramnik has a different chair from the other candidates. He wasn't comfortable in the original chair.
Vishy has joined Kramnik now. The commentators talking about how these two are good friends and it won't be surprising if they don't go all out as a draw would benefit both of them.
Anand has the white pieces, Kramnik has black today.
This is, of course, clash between two former world champions.
Kramnik has taken a pawn.
According to Stockfish, this is one possible line: Bg5 Bb4 6. e4 c5 7. Bxc4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Qa5.
Anand still thinking after losing a pawn.
A knight-bishop exchange just took place.
A quick flurry of moves. The board is thinning out.
More Stockfish predictions: -0.14 13. ... Qa5 14. Qf3 e5 15. Bxd7+ Bxd7 16. Qxf6
Kramnik currently up a pawn.
Anand pondering his next move. Kramnik got up to get a cup of coffee or tea. Anand is alone at the board right now.
Houdini suggests the following: 0.06 16. Rb1 Qd6 17. Rc3 b5 18. Qc2 Bd7 19. Rd1 Qb6
Kramnik's turn to do some thinking.
Houdini suggests the following line: 0.23 16. ... Qd6 17. Rc3 Bd7 18. Rb1 Nc6.
Kramnik has indeed chosen Qd6.
The commentators feel the game could end in a repetition.
Rh3 is the save move here for Vishy. F4 is the riskier option
Anand giving his next move some serious thought.
The commentators think Anand is looking for a way to press Kramnik because a draw by repetition is there for the taking.
Kramnik is currently not at the board. He is walking around, suggesting he is still in his preparation.
Anand went with f4. He is not settling for a draw at this stage.
A vienna in Anand-Kramnik ! Vienna is known for it's long forced variations & both players are blitzing moves right now. #Candidates2014by Vidit Gujrathi via twitter 3/17/2014 9:39:30 AM
