Following Kasparov's victory Tuesday, his fourth in five games, he leads the by an overwhelming 8.5-5.5 points.
"The match is still on, but I think the fight for the title is over," Kasparov said after the game. "The match goes on and anything can still happen."
But he acknowledged that Tuesday's game was an exciting zigzag battle that could have gone either way. Anand gained an advantage with his opening and was so hopeful of winning that he refused a draw on the 16th move.
A win scores one point and a draw a half-point. The winner of the contest needs 10.5 points. In the event of a 10-10 tie, Kasparov retains his title.
Playing black, Anand opened with the obscure Center Counter or Scandinavian defense and a surprised Kasparov quickly drifted into an inferior position. On the 16th move, Anand refused a draw and began to squeeze Kasparov.
As the match progressed, Kasparov traded the queens, eliminated Anand's counterplay and won a crucial pawn. In a losing situation, Anand resigned after the 41st move.
The winner of the contest will receive $1 million and the loser $500,000, but the fund will be split if the match is tied.
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