London: The encounter between the reigning World champion and the one dubbed as the ‘Prince in waiting” is always eagerly anticipated but Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen of Norway, the highest rated player in the World reached a draw in London Chess Classic 2011.
The Category 20 nine player Round Robin event being played at the Olympia Conference Centre is still wide open though former World Champion Vladimir Kramik has shot into sole lead with 15 points after defeating overnight joint leader Luke McShane.
Magnus Carlsen is in second place with 13 points while Luke McShane and Hikaru Nakamura are trailing one point behind him. Anand and Levon Aronian follow next with 8 points, then Nigel Short with 5 points, David Howell with 4 points and an out of form Michael Adams in last place with 3 points.
Anand who entered his 43rd year yesterday, later said that his 17th rook move was a ‘fingerfehler’ (German for slip of the finger) and this allowed easy equality for Carlsen who was playing with the Black pieces. Carlsen was jointly leading the tournament along with Kramnik and McShane but has slipped down because of this draw.
The Queen’s Gambit game between the players was keenly fought and after the 18th turn, it was Anand who had to play accurately to get the draw. The players meanwhile had exchanged most pieces to reach a rook and knight ending in quick time. And thed raw was sealed after 33 moves by repetition of moves.
Hikaru Nakamura who also had title chances before this round was held to a draw by Nigel Short. Nakamura had defeated Anand and Aronian in this tournament. British hope McShane did have his moments but maybe missed drawing chances to ultimately lost to Kramnik after a marathon hard fought game.
The final round on Monday will commence early and Anand will take on Luke McShane.
With the Black pieces. Vladimir Kramnik is pitted against Levon Aronian and needs a draw to take the title as he has a better tie-break than Carlsen. The Norwegian on the other hand takes on Nigel Short and can harbour title aspiration if he wins and Kramnik loses.
Round eight
Round 8: Sunday, December 11, 2011
Vishy Anand½-½Magnus Carlsen
David Howell½-½Levon Aronian
Luke McShane0-1Vladimir Kramnik
Hikaru Nakamura½-½Nigel Short
Michael Adams (bye) – assisting commentary
