Carlsen ahead of Viswanathan Anand

Chennai: Challenger Magnus Carlsen is in pole position at the world chess championship 2013 after he defeated Viswanathan Anand for the second successive time, in round six here, on Saturday. The Norwegian now leads the 12-game series 4-2. Anand now needs all his resources to bounce back into the match and keep his crown.

Carlsen got the better of Anand in 67 moves to take a giant step towards winning his maiden world title. At the half way stage of the match, the World No.1 is holding all the aces. The first to reach 6.5 points will be the winner. After a rest day, Anand will start the next set of six games with white pieces on Monday .

In a Ruy Lopez opening, Anand negated Carlsen's Berlin defence by playing a closed line. The wounded Tiger from Madras was full of aggression in the opening phase as he probed an advantage. It appeared that he was even prepared to sacrifice a piece. But Carlsen played safely to deny the defending champion any initiative.

Despite holding a slight edge following the good position of his pieces in the opening, Anand was forced to reach a clear equal middle game after exchange of minor pieces.

On move 38, Anand sacrificed a pawn that proved to be a game changer. Even though the ensuing endgame was a theoretical draw, the Norwegian forced his way to a crucial win.