Anand Defeats Kramnik, Finishes Second

World champion Viswanathan Anand defeated former world champion Vladimir Kramnik of Russia to finish second in the Zurich Chess Challenge that concluded in Switzerland on March 1, 2013.

In the four-player double all-play-all, Italy’s Fabiano Caruana defeated Anand and Gelfand in the second cycle to win with four points from six games. After the first cycle, all six games had ended in draws. Three decisive games happened in the event, all in the second cycle.

Anand who lost to Caruana, bounced back in the final round by defeating Kramnik to take the second place. Anand who sacrificed a rook for knight and lost his way against Caruana earlier, prevailed this time with a similar sacrifice. He won two pieces for a rook and won with ease.

Anand plays in the strongest event of all time at Norway from May 7, 2013. Anand had a push performance as far as his rating goes from this Zurich event.

Final placings 1 Fabiano Caruana (Ita) 4/6; 2 Viswanathan Anand (Ind) 3; 3-4. Boris Gelfand (Isr), Vladimir Kramnik (Rus) 2.5 each.