Press Trust of India
St. Louis, August 25: Indian chess maestro Viswanathan Anand suffered his second defeat in as many games losing to Alexander Grischuk of Russia in a tie of the Sinquefield Cup, a part of the Grand Chess tour. Anand had lost to Hikaru Nakamura of United States in the opening round Sunday. This incidentally was Grischuk’s first victory over Anand in the classical format.
The day produced some more fascinating battles and drama after all decisive games in the first round. World Champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway was lucky to get a full point against American Fabiano Caruana while Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria continued with his winning ways, crushing Nakamura in what was certainly the game of the day.
With seven rounds still to come, Topalov emerged as the sole leader on two points. Fabio Caruana and Anand are at the bottom of the table as both are yet to open their accounts.
It turned out be another bad day in the office for Anand who simply hasn’t got in to the groove here thus far. It was a not-so-popular Queen pawn opening by Grischuk although the Russian said Tuesday that he played it many times. The opening was a repeat of the blitz game between the two in Norway Chess tournament earlier in June but this time Grischuk had his plans in place.
Anand got in to a difficult position in the middle game and his position worsened when he lost a pawn. The attempts to create counter play did not materialise and it was all over in just 35 moves.