You are the champion of the world, Vishy Anand, and it is your move. You challenger, Magnus Carlsen, has a lead in the match and you have one saving move here. You miss it. What was the move you missed? This happened yesterday. It will be remembered as one of the great blunders of world championship match play. It is useful to note that you are in check by Black’s second queen, but you have three ways to cover it and a way not to lose!

Solution:

Anand blundered with 28. Nf1?? Carlsen replied with 28…Qe1! and Anand resigned as Black could give up the second queen for a Rh4. However, he could have saved himself with: 28.Bf1 Qd1! 29.Rh4 Qh5 30.Nxh5 gxh5 31.Rxh5 Bf5 32.g6! (32.Bh3 Bg6 33.e6 Nxf6 34.gxf6 Qxf6 with a slight edge to Black) 32...Bxg6 33.Rg5 Qa5 34.Rg3 Qa3 35.h4 Kh8 would lead to a draw: 36.h5 Bc2 37.Bh3 Qa1+ 38.Kh2 Rg8 39.Rxg8+ Kxg8 40.Qg5+ Kh8 41.Bd7 Be4 42.Bxe8 Qh1+ 43.Kg3 Qg2+ 44.Kh4 Qh2+ (Not: 44...Qxg5+ 45.Kxg5 and White wins!) with a perpetual check. This may very well cost Anand his championship.

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