Anand Wins Champions Showdown

By Arvind Aaron

Former world champion Viswanathan Anand won the Champions Showdown that took place from Nov 9-15, 2016 at Saint Louis in the United States of America.

It was a four player event featuring classical, rapid and blitz controls. Anand’s rapid performance lifted him high and above the rest when he scored 4.5/6 in the double all-play-all. This was one point above the rest and helped him win the overall trophy by the same margin.

In the classical controls, Anand and Topalov, the two former world champions in the field took 3.5/6, pushing the younger Americans below.

In blitz, Nakamura outscored Anand with 7.5/12. Anand scored 7/12 and it was four games against each of the players in the event. Saint Louis had the opportunity of watching and enjoying the champions play under three varieties of controls.

Anand, 1969-born Indian based in Chennai won this contest ahead of three very strong opponents for an evergreen showing. This strong showing should be the answer to the media who toss the question of retirement on the Indian once in a way.

Anand is enjoying the game and the format of playing chess in three different controls should make him the bigger favourite to win against any opposition.

Final combined scores and placings: 1 Viswanathan Anand (Ind, Classical 3.5/6, Rapid 4.5/6, Blitz 7/12) 15; 2 Hikaru Nakamura (USA, 3/6, 3.5/6, 7.5/12) 14; 3 Fabiano Caruana (USA, 2/6, 2.5/6, 6.5/12) 11, 4 Veselin Topalov (Bul, 3.5/6, 1.5/6, 3/12) 8.