Anand Misses New York World Championship

Anand Misses New York World Championship

By Arvind Aaron

Win eluded Viswanathan Anand in the penultimate round of the FIDE Candidates Tournament at Moscow on March 27, 2016. Thus, the five time world champion will miss the World Championship match as he lost the chance of qualifying to play champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway.

White pieces has been going good for Anand but the Ruy Lopez against Anish Giri went well for the Dutchman. After a draw was agreed, it was clear that Anand has lost his chance of emerging as the challenger this time. Nevertheless, Anand won four games, the most in the event. If only he had managed to curtail his defeats he would have emerged as the challenger from this 8-player Euro 420,000 event. Giri had drawn all 13 games so far and remains undefeated. Anand has been playing in all World Championships since Mexico 2007.

Sergey Karjakin and Fabiano Caruana are leading with 7.5/13. Anand is closely behind with seven points. The final round pairings bring Karjakin v Caruana face to face and the winner will be the challenger. Anand takes on Svidler with black and can play for prize money and ratings. Nakamura faces Aronian and Giri plays Topalov.

The 14th and final round is slated for Monday and Caruana plays black against Karjakin. Winner takes on Carlsen.

The results (round 13): V Anand (Ind, 7) drew A Giri (Ned, 6.5), V Topalov (Bul) 4 drew H Nakamura (USA, 6.5), F Caruana (USA, 7.5) drew P Svidler (Rus, 6.5), L Aronian (Arm 6.5) drew S Karjakin (Rus, 7.5).