Aronian's Queen Sacrifice vs Anand
Tata Steel Tournament, Wijk aan Zee
Aronian uncorks a stunning queen sacrifice against the World Champion on move 23, producing a combination that won the 2013 Brilliancy Prize and reduced Anand's position to rubble.
Aronian vs Anand, Tata Steel 2013 — queen sacrifice against the World Champion that won the 2013 brilliancy prize.
📖 The Story
At the 2013 Tata Steel tournament — the strongest event in the world that year — Levon Aronian played then-World Champion Viswanathan Anand and produced a game of extraordinary beauty. A Grünfeld Defense became a tactical storm, culminating in 23.Rxd7!! and subsequent queen sacrifice moves that Anand could not have anticipated. The game won the tournament's brilliancy prize and was ranked among the best games of the year by every major chess publication.
⚡ Key Moment — Move 23
Rxd7!! and the subsequent queen sacrifice leave Anand's position in complete disarray. The World Champion resigns shortly after — the combination could not be defended.
🎯 Tactical Themes
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Levon Aronian?
Levon Aronian is an Armenian-American grandmaster who has been ranked as high as number 2 in the world. Known for brilliant, creative play and deep preparation.
What is the Tata Steel Tournament?
The Tata Steel Chess Tournament (formerly Corus) in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands, is considered one of the most prestigious tournaments in chess, often called the 'Wimbledon of Chess'.
Was Anand World Champion when Aronian beat him?
Yes. Viswanathan Anand was the reigning World Chess Champion in 2013, having held the title since 2007. He lost his title to Magnus Carlsen later that same year.
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