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well, it's a match! they tend to be on the boring side

I thought that was an interesting game. Very good play by both players, Qg4 must be the critical move but Qxd5 is very safe.

Of course we'd love to see a longer game though!

Game 2 - Anand takes revenge for Carlsen forcing a draw yesterday

The key mistake was Carlsen playing Nbc3 instead of the more conservative Nbd2.

But this was only a mistake because Anand had the whole line worked out (despite his craftiness in the press conference not letting on).

Anand played ...dxc4! and ...Nb6! very quickly when he had the safe boring alternative ...Ne4

It is early days, but I see Anand very sharp and prepared for anything.

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I agree, playing a singel game and a 12 game match is a huge difference, I belive Anands chances for this match is greatly underrated. Now I hope I do not have to eat those words in the end.

I expect we'll see another short draw again tomorrow and that the real match will begin—nerves calmed—on Tuesday.

You may be right, but the image of Carlsen not being well-versed in the openings is not really true. Take a look at his repertoire with the Black pieces. He has a very solid, very respectable opening repertoire based on the QID/Nimzo-Indian against 1.d4 and the Spanish against 1.e4. Sure, he can play anything, but he tends to rely on those set-ups in games that matter.

As white, he will play anything. That doesn't mean he's unaware of theory. There have been games where he came up with strong novelties 15-20 moves down the line against a specialist in the opening. He knows his openings. They aren't his strong suit, but he knows what he's doing.

The real question is whether he has anything special prepared in the openings that he will spring on Anand in this match.