Chess News

At the London Chess Classic 2015, Great Britain

Round 9 - 13 Dec 15
Viswanathan Anand (IND,2796) ½-½ Anish Giri (NED,2778)
Michael Adams (GBR,2737) ½-½ Fabiano Caruana (USA,2787)
Levon Aronian (ARM,2788) ½-½ Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA,2773)
Magnus Carlsen (NOR,2834) 1-0 Alexander Grischuk (RUS,2747)
Hikaru Nakamura (USA,2793) ½-½ Veselin Topalov (BUL,2803)

Anand agrees draw in 33 moves against Anish to finish 9th in the final ranking ... Overall very disappointing London classic for Anand ... Other hand Carlsen scores win for tied for top spot with Giri and Vachier-Lagrave ... This leading to a very exciting three-way playoff ... Due to the nature of the rules, Vachier-Lagrave and Giri first squared off, with MVL prevailing in a dramatic turnaround ... He then faced Carlsen for the title ... In the end Magnus Carlsen claimed both the London Classic title and the Grand Chess Tour.

Chess News

At the London Chess Classic 2015, Great Britain

Round 8 - 12 Dec 15
Anish Giri (NED,2778) 1-0 Hikaru Nakamura (USA,2793)
Veselin Topalov (BUL,2803) ½-½ Magnus Carlsen (NOR,2834)
Alexander Grischuk (RUS,2747) ½-½ Levon Aronian (ARM,2788)
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA,2773) ½-½ Michael Adams (GBR,2737)
Fabiano Caruana (USA,2787) ½-½ Viswanathan Anand (IND,2796)

Anand play safe to draw against Caruana ... Anish scores impressive win to join Maxime top of the leader board.

Chess News

At the London Chess Classic 2015, Great Britain

Round 7 - 11 Dec 15
Fabiano Caruana (USA,2787) ½-½ Anish Giri (NED,2778
Viswanathan Anand (IND,2796) 0-1 Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA,2773)
Michael Adams (GBR,2737) ½-½ Alexander Grischuk (RUS,2747)
Levon Aronian (ARM,2788) 1-0 Veselin Topalov (BUL,2803)
Magnus Carlsen (NOR,2834) 1-0 Hikaru Nakamura (USA,2793)

Shocking loss of Anand in hands of Frenchman Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in Sicilian Defence game ... Anand lose this battle in 34 moves playing with white ... Aronian also scores dominating and attacking win over Topalov in 27 moves ... Carlsen scores superb win with excellent end game against Nakamura in 78 moves.

Chess News

At the London Chess Classic 2015, Great Britain

Round 6 - 10 Dec 15
Anish Giri ½-½ Magnus Carlsen (NOR,2834)
Hikaru Nakamura (USA,2793) ½-½ Levon Aronian (ARM,2788)
Veselin Topalov (BUL,2803) ½-½ Michael Adams (GBR,2737)
Alexander Grischuk (RUS,2747) 1-0 Viswanathan Anand (IND,2796)
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA,2773) ½-½ Fabiano Caruana (USA,2787)

Alexander Grischuk scored a full point against Anand by playing a highly consistent game. Topalov drew a winning position against Michael Adams. The other three games were not exactly dramatic ... In this match Anand missed golden opportunity of drawing the game.

Chess News

At the London Chess Classic 2015, Great Britain

Round 5 - 8 Dec 15
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA,2773) ½-½ Anish Giri (NED,2784)
Fabiano Caruana (USA,2787) ½-½ Alexander Grischuk (RUS,2747)
Viswanathan Anand (IND,2796) 1-0 Veselin Topalov (BUL,2803)
Michael Adams (GBR,2737) ½-½ Hikaru Nakamura (USA,2793)
Levon Aronian (ARM,2788) ½-½ Magnus Carlsen (NOR,2834)

Anand bounce back in style and beats Topalov ... Anand’s masterful endgame play against Topalov helped him to secure full point ... All other games ended in a draw.

Chess News

At the London Chess Classic 2015, Great Britain

Round 4 - 7 Dec 15
Anish Giri (NED,2784) ½-½ Levon Aronian (ARM,2788)
Magnus Carlsen (NOR,2834) ½-½ Michael Adams (GBR,2737)
Hikaru Nakamura (USA,2793) 1-0 Viswanathan Anand (IND,2796)
Veselin Topalov (BUL,2803) ½-½ Fabiano Caruana (USA,2787)
Alexander Grischuk (RUS,2747) ½-½ Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA,2773)

Anand receive first loss in London Classic in hands of Hikaru Nakamura ... After a pawn sacrifice by Anand, Nakamura was under pressure most of the game but then consolidated and won.

Chess News

At the London Chess Classic 2015, Great Britain

Round 3 - 6 Dec 15
Alexander Grischuk (RUS,2747) ½-½ Anish Giri (NED,2784)
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA,2773) 1-0 Veselin Topalov (BUL,2803)
Fabiano Caruana (USA,2787) ½-½ Hikaru Nakamura (USA,2793)
Viswanathan Anand (IND,2796) ½-½ Magnus Carlsen (NOR,2834)
Michael Adams (GBR,2737) ½-½ Levon Aronian (ARM,2788)

Vishy and Magnus play draw after 56 moves, in that both players missed chances for completing win ... Only result of the day was upset loss of Topalov playing with black against Vachier-Lagrave.

Chess News

At the London Chess Classic 2015, Great Britain

Round 1 - 4 Dec 15
Veselin Topalov (BUL,2803) 0-1 Anish Giri (NED,2784)
Alexander Grischuk (RUS,2747) ½-½ Hikaru Nakamura (USA,2793)
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA,2773) ½-½ Magnus Carlsen (NOR,2834)
Fabiano Caruana (USA,2787) ½-½ Levon Aronian (ARM,2788)
Viswanathan Anand (IND,2796) ½-½ Michael Adams (GBR,2737)

Round 2 - 5 Dec 15
Anish Giri (NED,2784) ½-½ Michael Adams (GBR,2737)
Hikaru Nakamura (USA,2793) ½-½ Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA,2773)
Magnus Carlsen (NOR,2834) ½-½ Fabiano Caruana (USA,2787)
Levon Aronian (ARM,2788) ½-½ Viswanathan Anand (IND,2796)
Veselin Topalov (BUL,2803) ½-½ Alexander Grischuk (RUS,2747)

The London Chess Classic is started from yesterday ... Seven players from top 10 are participating in this tournament ... In the first round Anish defeated Topalov with black ... All other matches ended in draw ... Adams hold Anand with excellent defending in 32 moves ... In the second game also Anand manges to hold Aronian with Black after 34 moves.

Chess News

At The 3rd Sinquefield Cup 2015, Saint Louis, USA

Round 9 - 01.09.2015
Hikaru Nakamura (USA,2814) - Alexander Grischuk (RUS,2771) 1-0
Viswanathan Anand (IND,2816) - Magnus Carlsen (NOR,2876) ½-½
Veselin Topalov (BUL,2816) - Levon Aronian (ARM,2765) ½-½
Fabiano Caruana (ITA,2808) - Wesley So (USA,2779) ½-½
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA,2731) - Anish Giri (NED,2793)

Anand manages expected draw with Carlsen and with that Anand ends this tournament without a single win ... With 3½ pts he finishes on 9th position ... Levon Aronian wins this strongest tournament with one point lead.

Final Standing
1. Levon Aronian (ARM,2765) 6 pts
2. Magnus Carlsen (NOR,2876) 5 pts
3. Hikaru Nakamura (USA,2814) 5 pts
4. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA,2731) 5 pts
5. Anish Giri (NED,2793) 5 pts
6. Alexander Grischuk (RUS,2771) 4½ pts
7. Veselin Topalov (BUL,2816) 4½ pts
8. Fabiano Caruana (ITA,2808) 3½ pts
9. Viswanathan Anand (IND,2816) 3½ pts
10. Wesley So (USA,2779) 3 pts

Chess News

At The 3rd Sinquefield Cup 2015, Saint Louis, USA

Round 8 - 31.08.2015
Alexander Grischuk (RUS,2771) - Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA,2731) ½-½
Anish Giri (NED,2793) - Fabiano Caruana (ITA,2808) ½-½
Wesley So (USA,2779) - Veselin Topalov (BUL,2816) ½-½
Levon Aronian (ARM,2765) - Viswanathan Anand (IND,2816) ½-½
Magnus Carlsen (NOR,2876) - Hikaru Nakamura (USA,2814) ½-½

All five games are ended in a draw ... But in that Carlsen missed winning opportunity against Nakamura and agreed draw after long 95 moves.

Chess News

At The 3rd Sinquefield Cup 2015, Saint Louis, USA

Round 7 - 30.08.2015
Magnus Carlsen (NOR,2876) - Alexander Grischuk (RUS,2771) 0-1
Hikaru Nakamura (USA,2814) - Levon Aronian (ARM,2765) 0-1
Viswanathan Anand (IND,2816) - Wesley So (USA,2779) ½-½
Veselin Topalov (BUL,2816) - Anish Giri (NED,2793) ½-½
Fabiano Caruana (ITA,2808) - Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA,2731) ½-½

Anand manages another draw with So playing with white ... His early mistakes kept him from controlling the game ... But day's upset score by Grischuk and sole leader Aronian, who defeated Carlsen and Nakamura respectively playing with blacks ... Aronian took advantage of mistakes by Nakamura but other hand Grischuk troubled Carlsen with his end game and Carlsen made blunder to resign after 68 moves.

Chess News

At The 3rd Sinquefield Cup 2015, Saint Louis, USA

Round 6 - 29.08.2015
Alexander Grischuk (RUS,2771) - Fabiano Caruana (ITA,2808) 1-0
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA,2731) - Veselin Topalov (BUL,2816) 1-0
Anish Giri (NED,2793) - Viswanathan Anand (IND,2816) ½-½
Wesley So (USA,2779) - Hikaru Nakamura (USA,2814) 0-1
Levon Aronian (ARM,2765) - Magnus Carlsen (NOR,2876) ½-½

In sixth round total three decisive games but for Anand another draw, this time against Anish Giri ... Anand played solid Slav defense to hold Anish after 32 moves ... Maxime surprised Topalov with his perfect Berlin endgame ... Nakamura played excellent game with black to beat So ... Grischuk took advantage of mistake by Caruana for superb victory.

Chess News

At The 3rd Sinquefield Cup 2015, Saint Louis, USA

Round 5 - 27.08.2015
Levon Aronian (ARM,2765) - Alexander Grischuk (RUS,2771) ½-½
Magnus Carlsen (NOR,2876) - Wesley So (USA,2779) 1-0
Hikaru Nakamura (USA,2814) - Anish Giri (NED,2793) ½-½
Viswanathan Anand (IND,2816) - Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA,2731) ½-½
Veselin Topalov (BUL,2816) - Fabiano Caruana (ITA,2808) 0-1

Another draw for Anand, this time against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave playing with white ... Anand had an advantage against Maxime but in end forced to draw ... In shocking result Caruana upset Topalov playing with black ... So Carlsen joins Aronian in the top with win over So.

Chess News

At The 3rd Sinquefield Cup 2015, Saint Louis, USA

Round 4 - 26.08.2015
Alexander Grischuk (RUS,2771) - Veselin Topalov (BUL,2798) ½-½
Fabiano Caruana (ITA,2808) - Viswanathan Anand (IND,2816) ½-½
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA,2731) - Hikaru Nakamura (USA,2814) ½-½
Anish Giri (NED,2793) - Magnus Carlsen (NOR,2876) ½-½
Wesley So (USA,2779) - Levon Aronian (ARM,2765) 0-1

Another draw for Anand ... In an Anti-Meran Gambit game where Anand seemed to be doing well but he was concerned with inaccuracies creeping into his game again, so he decided to avoid the risk ... Only Aronian score win with a black against So and joins leader Topalov in the top position.

Chess News

At The 3rd Sinquefield Cup 2015, Saint Louis, USA

Round 3 - 25.08.2015
Wesley So (USA,2779) - Alexander Grischuk (RUS,2771) 1-0
Levon Aronian (ARM,2765) - Anish Giri (NED,2793) ½-½
Magnus Carlsen (NOR,2876) - Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA,2731) 1-0
Hikaru Nakamura (USA,2814) - Fabiano Caruana (ITA,2808) ½-½
Viswanathan Anand (IND,2816) - Veselin Topalov (BUL,2798) ½-½

At last Anand manage to open his account at Sinquefield Cup ... Anand hold in-form Topalov with white in a Sicilian opening ... They agreed truce after 31 moves.

Chess News

At The 3rd Sinquefield Cup 2015, Saint Louis, USA

Round 2 - 24.08.2015
Veselin Topalov (BUL,2798) - Hikaru Nakamura (USA,2814) 1-0
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA,2731) - Levon Aronian (ARM,2765) ½-½
Anish Giri (NED,2793) - Wesley So (USA,2779) ½-½
Fabiano Caruana (ITA,2808) - Magnus Carlsen (NOR,2876) 0-1
Alexander Grischuk (RUS,2771) - Viswanathan Anand (IND,2816) 1-0

Terrible start for Anand in this Sinquefield Cup ... He loses his second match in two rounds, this time against Grischuk with black ... Grischuk scored his first win against Anand in 12 years of classical chess with London system (1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4) ... Caruana had advantage against Carlsen but lost match in time trap ... Topalov continued with his terrific form and scored another convincing win over Nakamura to lead after two rounds.

Chess News

At The 3rd Sinquefield Cup 2015, Saint Louis, USA

Round 1 - 23.08.2015
Anish Giri (NED,2793) - Alexander Grischuk (RUS,2771) 1-0
Wesley So (USA,2779) - Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA,2731) 0-1
Levon Aronian (ARM,2765) - Fabiano Caruana (ITA,2808) 1-0
Magnus Carlsen (NOR,2876) - Veselin Topalov (BUL,2798) 0-1
Hikaru Nakamura (USA,2814) - Viswanathan Anand (IND,2816) 1-0

Undoubtedly best start to the 2015 Sinquefield Cup ... Matches full of brilliance, attacks and some confusing moves ... Five decisive games.

Nakamura and Anand were almost even as Anand was defending well but he made a poor move 35...f5 ... After that Anand lose his match in next 8 moves ... Topalov surprised Carlsen by the move 7...g5 in the Sicilian and kept pressure on Carlsen who resigned under time pressure after 40 moves.

Chess News

At The 3rd Norway Chess tournament 2015, Stavanger

Round 9 - 25.06.2015
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA,2723) ½-½ Alexander Grischuk (RUS,2781)
Levon Aronian (ARM,2780) 0-1 Hikaru Nakamura (USA,2802)
Jon Ludvig Hammer (NOR,2677) 1-0 Magnus Carlsen (NOR,2876)
Veselin Topalov (BUL,2798) ½-½ Viswanathan Anand (IND,2804)
Fabiano Caruana (ITA,2805) ½-½ Anish Giri (NED,2773)

Anand and Topalov decide to play safe and agree draw after mere 18 moves ... That gives Topalov the title with ½ point lead over Anand ... Anand also secure second position on better tie-break than Nakamura ... In another shocking match Carlsen lose his match against his countryman Jon Ludvig Hammer.

In this tournament Anand, Nakamura and Giri remain unbeaten.

Final Standing
1. Veselin Topalov (BUL,2798) 6½ pts
2. Viswanathan Anand (IND,2804) 6 pts
3. Hikaru Nakamura (USA,2802) 6 pts
4. Anish Giri (NED,2773) 5½ pts
5. Fabiano Caruana (ITA,2805) 4 pts
6. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA,2723) 4 pts
7. Magnus Carlsen (NOR,2876) 3½ pts
8. Alexander Grischuk (RUS,2781) 3½ pts
9. Levon Aronian (ARM,2780) 3 pts
10. Jon Ludvig Hammer (NOR,2677) 3 pts

Chess News

At The 3rd Norway Chess tournament 2015, Stavanger

Round 8 - 24.06.2015
Alexander Grischuk (RUS,2781) ½-½ Fabiano Caruana (ITA,2805)
Anish Giri (NED,2773) 1-0 Veselin Topalov (BUL,2798)
Viswanathan Anand (IND,2804) 1-0 Jon Ludvig Hammer (NOR,2677)
Magnus Carlsen (NOR,2876) 1-0 Levon Aronian (ARM,2780)
Hikaru Nakamura (USA,2802) ½-½ Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA,2723)

Anand continues with his dominance with white pieces ... He defeated Jon Ludvig Hammer after 36 moves in well constructed game ... Importantly Veselin Topalov lost to Anish Giri allowing Anand to move within half a point with a round to go ... In the final round Topalov has white against Anand.

So after 8 rounds standing is - Topalov 6 pts, Anand 5½ pts, Giri and Nakamura 5 pts, Caruana, Carlsen and Vachier-Lagrave 3½ pts, Aronian and Grischuk 3 pts, Hammer 2 pts,

Chess News

At The 3rd Norway Chess tournament 2015, Stavanger

Round 7 - 23.06.2015
Hikaru Nakamura (USA,2802) ½-½ Alexander Grischuk (RUS,2781)
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA,2723) ½-½ Magnus Carlsen (NOR,2876)
Levon Aronian (ARM,2780) ½-½ Viswanathan Anand (IND,2804)
Jon Ludvig Hammer (NOR,2677) ½-½ Anish Giri (NED,2773)
Veselin Topalov (BUL,2798) ½-½ Fabiano Caruana (ITA,2805)

Anand plays safe with black pieces and agree draw after mere 20 moves against Aronian ... Other hand Carlsen also agree draws after 17 moves with Vachier-Lagrave ... Topalov keep control with 1½ pts lead with only two rounds remaining.