Viswanathan Anand Finishes Second in Zurich Challenge

Luck deserted Viswanathan Anand again as the Indian had to be content with a second place finish in the Zurich Chess Challenge that concluded here. (Viswanathan Anand Maintains Lead in Zurich Chess Challenge)

It turned out to be close call for Anand who played some exemplary chess after a disastrous showing in the Gibraltar International.

Hikaru Nakamura of the United States pipped the Indian at the post once again as he had the better tiebreak score.

Last year too, Anand had come to Zurich after a forgettable show in the Grenke Classic at Germany and had won the Classical section.

After eventually tying for first with Nakamura, Anand had the better tiebreak but an unannounced Armageddon game was played in which Nakamura won and became the winner.

This year when Nakamura had better tiebreak, there was no Armageddon announced or played. Overall it was a very satisfactory performance for Anand and he can now look up to the forthcoming Candidates tournament at Moscow next month. The Indian ace scored seven points out of a possible five Classical-Rapid and 3.5 in Blitz Chess to match Nakamura on 10.5 points. The rapid games gave two points to the winner against one in the blitz here.

Vladimir Kramnik of Russia finished third on 9.5 points and he was four points ahead of Dutchman Anish Giri and Armenian Levon Aronian who both were tied for fourth spot. Alexei Shirov of Latvia ended last in the six-player tournament scoring 3.5 points.

Earlier, Anand drew the final rapid game against Kramnik when nothing really happened once Kramnik came up with a home-cooked analysis and caught the Indian unawares. Anand quickly resorted to equalising measures and the peace was signed.

In the ensuing blitz games Anand defeated Aronian in yet another superb game where the Indian played black.

Anand had opened the Zurich account with a victory over Aronian in the opening round and he finished the whitewash with an eye-pleasing combination.

Another victory over Shirov and three drawn games against Kramnik, Nakamura and Anish Giri saw the Indian on the podium. Nakamura was very lucky not to lose against Anand in the blitz game and was in fact contemplating 'resignation' when the Indian missed out on a winning continuation.

That aside, the American had to win the last round blitz game against Aronian to catch Anand on points and he came up with a sterling show in outwitting the Armenian in a rook and pawns endgame.

Final standings: 1-2: Hikamur Nakamura (USA), Vishwanathan Anand (IND) 10.5 points each; 3. Vladimir Kramnik (RUS)  9.5; 4-5. Anish Giri (NED), Levon Aronian (ARM) 5.5 each; 6. Alexei Shirov (LAT) 3.5.