Zurich Chess R4: Anand beats Gelfand

Zurich, Feb 2: Former World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand tasted his first success in Classical Chess this year after defeating his former challenger Boris Gelfand of Israel in the fourth round of the Zurich Chess Challenge here today.

With his first win in four games, Anand jumped to joint third spot on three points. This victory also served as a morale-booster after an indifferent start that involved two losses and a draw in the first three rounds.

Boris Gelfand heading for a meltdown against Viswanathan Anand in Round 4 at the Zurich Chess Challenge 2014. Photo: Maria Emelianova

All three games in the highest category event ended decisively.

World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen avenged his pairings chess blitz loss against Fabiano Caruana of Italy with a comprehensive win, while Levon Aronian of Armenia played like a machine to beat Hikaru Nakamura of the United States.

Carlsen scored his third victory in four games to take his personal tally to seven points in all under the unique scoring system that gives two points for a win and one for a draw in the Classical games.

The recently-crowned World Chess Champion is making most of the opportunities here and was seen at his technical best against Caruana.

Aronian remains on the heels of Carlsen a full point behind and he enjoys a huge three points lead over his nearest rivals Anand, Caruana and Nakamura -- who all are on three points.

Gelfand is on the last spot with two points in his kitty.

One game in Classical and five rounds in rapid still remain in the tournament. -- PTI

 

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Zurich Chess: Carlsen wins Lost Game

ZURICH, Feb 1: Five-time World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand opened his account after signing the peace treaty with Fabiano Caruana of Italy in the third round of Zurich chess challenge now underway here at the Savoy. 

Anand - Caruana set for a draw and (below) Peter Leko, Viswanathan Anand and Fabiano Caruana witness the Drama that's going on on the board of the game Hikaru Nakamura - Magnus Carlsen and is mirrored in Hikaru Nakamura's desperate expression. Photos: Maria Emelianova

After two uncharacteristic defeats coming against Levon Aronian of Armenia and Hikaru Nakamura of United States, Anand put an end to his losses with a solid draw wherein he had to defend for a while in the early stages. World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway was the lucky one in the third round as he not only escaped from a certain defeat at the hands of Nakamura, but also turned the tables upside down to score a victory.

The second win in his third game gave Carlsen a full point lead over nearest rivals as the Norwegian took his tally to five points. Under the unique scoring system that gives two points for a win and one for a draw in Classical games, Aronian slipped to second spot on four points and he is now followed by Nakamura and Caruana on three points each.

Women's World Chess Champion Hou Yifan giving a simul as a special guest at the Zurich Chess Challenge 2014. Photo: Maria Emelianova

Israeli Boris Gelfand stands sole fifth in the six-player tournament on two points while Anand with a sole draw is at the bottom of the tables with two rounds in Classical and five rounds in Rapid chess still to come in the tournament. It may be recalled that in rapid, the usual point scoring system with one point for a win and half for a draw will be used and the winner will be the one who scores maximum points based under both scoring systems.

Anand went for the Slav defense as black and the game went in to uncharted territories early. Caruana was looking for some advantage with his pair of bishops in the ensuing middle game but Anand came up with a pawn sacrifice to neutralise white's initiative.

The Italian himself came under pressure after returning the pawn and many experts believed that Anand could have played for more. However, after an indifferent start, the Indian played it safe and settled for his first point in the highest category tournament.

Nakamura chose the Saemisch variation in the Nimzo Indian defense against Carlsen. The opening is known for its uncompromising play and Carlsen did not disappoint in going for something which is not very common at top level chess. Nakamura, however, proved his point by getting a dangerous attack on the king side and Carlsen had to keep pace with a piece sacrifice in the middle game.

However, when it looked all over for Carlsen, the American came up with an inexplicable blunder that sealed the fate of the game. Gelfand held on to his own to get a draw with Aronian.

The two later played a rapid game to enthrall the audience wherein Aronian came out victorious. This victory in rapid, however, will not be counted for overall standings. -- PTI

Results round 3: Hikaru Nakamura (USA, 3) lost to Magnus Carlsen (Nor, 5); Fabiano Caruana (Ita, 3) drew with V Anand (Ind, 1); Levon Aronian (Arm, 4) drew with Boris Gelfand (Isr, 2).

* Hikaru Nakamura - Magnus Carlsen 0-1: Python Explodes after Eating Alligator at Zurich Chess 2014

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Zurich Chess R2: Anand - Nakamura 0-1

Zurich Chess Challenge 2014 Round 2: Former World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand struggled with his form for the second consecutive day as he suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura of the United States in the second round of Zurich Chess Challenge on Friday.

Viswanathan Anand - Hikaru Nakamura in Round 2 at the Zurich Chess Challenge 2014 and (below) Main Sponsor Oleg Skvortsov playing Women's World Chess Champion Hou Yifan in a friendly game. Photos: Maria Emelianova

Having lost to Levon Aronian of Armenia in the first round, this turned out to be a double blow for Anand who now finds himself at the last spot in the highest category event.

World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway played out a draw with Aronian while Fabiano Caruana of Italy hung on to get his draw with Boris Gelfand of Israel in the other games of this six-player round-robin tournament.

With three rounds in Classical and five rounds in rapid chess still remaining, Carlsen, Aronian and Nakamura share the lead on three points under the special scoring system that gives two points for a win in Classical and one in the rapid format.

With two draws in two games, Caruana is in fourth spot on two points while Gelfand now has one point. Anand is yet to open his account.

Nakamura opted for the Berlin defense as black, a choice of Carlsen in the last World Chess Championship match against Anand last year, and got a complicated middle game that favoured Anand.

However, just while it looked Anand was pressing, Nakamura spotted a tactical resource with a piece sacrifice that was hard to meet over the board.

Not playing the best defense that he is known for, Anand succumbed to the pressure on the king side as Nakamura launched his attack and Anand's two pieces against rook did not prove sufficient. The game lasted 36 moves.

Carlsen went for the English opening against Aronian who chose the reverse Sicilian structure with black pieces. The game did not involve many fireworks as Aronian kept pace with Carlsen throughout and matched him move for move.

A few pieces changed hands in the middle game and the players reached a queen and knights endgame in quick time. Carlsen gave up his knight to force a draw through perpetual checks.

Caruana was pushed to the wall by Gelfand. It was a Dutch defense game where the Israeli played white and won a pawn in the endgame. Caruana had to find some difficult defense but in the end succeeded in keeping his position together. The draw was agreed to in 56 moves. -- PTI

Results Round 2: Magnus Carlsen (Nor, 3) drew with Levon Aronian (Arm, 3); V Anand (Ind, 0) lost to Hikaru Nakamura (Usa, 3); Boris Gelfand (Isr, 1) drew with Fabiano Caruana (Ita, 2).

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Zurich Chess R1: Aronian - Anand 1-0

Zurich Chess Challenge 2014 Round 1 - Five-time World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand began his campaign in the Zurich Chess Challenge as he went down to Armenian Levon Aronian in the first round here. 

It turned out to be a bad day in office for Anand who lost his way in the middle game and his counter play bid did not materialize. The loss may prove quite costly as every win here is worth two points for the overall standings. 

World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen started from where he had left the classical chess. His last outing being the World Chess Championship match in Chennai, Carlsen did not show any rustiness coming back to the board and outplayed Boris Gelfand of Israel in a remarkable game. The other game of the six-player round-robin tournament between Fabiano Caruana of Italy and Hikaru Nakamura of United States ended in a draw. 

Viswanathan Anand all set for his game versus Levon Aronian. Photo: Maria Emelianova

With four rounds in the Classical chess remaining and then five in the rapid stage to be played, Carlsen and Aronian emerged as the early leaders on two points each and they are followed by Nakamura and Caruana with a point apiece. Gelfand and Anand will look forward to open their account in the second round. 

The tournament has a unique format wherein the Classical and rapid scores will be clubbed together to find the winner. Every Classical win gives two points, draw one and a loss none while in rapid every win gives one and a draw a half point. 

After tying for third and finishing fifth (in the opening pairings blitz chess), Anand got a black to start the proceedings and Aronian came up with the English opening as an initial surprise. After the opening Anand was close to equal but Aronian ensured a consistent pressure on the queen side that increased after an error. 

The Indian decided to part with a piece for three pawns but it was Aronian’s day as he masterminded the ensuing endgame in copy book fashion. The technical issues remained and Anand fought on till the end but the Armenian gave nothing away and won in 73 moves. 

Meanwhile, Carlsen was at his technical best against Gelfand. The Norwegian chose to get a playable position as white and then, in his typical style, created huge complications that were hard to handle. When the dust settled, Gelfand found himself two pawns less and the rest was child's play. 

Nakamura and Caruana battled it out in a Grunfeld defense game wherein the latter as black got a level endgame and the draw was a just result despite a tough contest. -- PTI

Results Round 1: Magnus Carlsen (Nor) beat Boris Gelfand (Isr); Levon Aronian (Arm) beat Viswanathan Anand (Ind); Hikaru Nakamura (Usa) drew with Fabiano Caruana (Ita). 

* Anand Gifts Magnus a Checkmate in Three

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