Anand Draws, Carlsen Loses

Anand Draws, Carlsen Loses
By Arvind Aaron

World champion Magnus Carlsen overstepped the time control in a winning queen and opposite colour bishop ending against Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria in the Norway Chess 2015 Tournament on June 16, 2015.

Former five time world champion Anand remained quiet with the white pieces to draw Caruana of Italy in an opposite colour bishop ending.

Blitz champion Maxime Vachier-Lagrave beat Aronian and Nakamura beat Ludvig Hammer and Anish Giri got the better of Grischuk. Four of the five games ended decisively and spectators got enough for the money.

Eight rounds remain to be played in this 10-player all-play-all. Topalov was the man of round but he was lucky to beat Carlsen at his home in the very first round. Carlsen had one pawn in the seventh rank.

In the Anand game, the players had three pawns apiece and opposite colour bishop ending. It was clearly the least interesting game of the day.

Four players, Anish Giri (Ned), Veselin Topalov (Bul), Vachier-Lagrave (Fra) and Hikaru Nakamura (USA) are leading with one full point.