World champion Viswanathan Anand was in for a rude shock as he lost to Hikaru Nakamura of United States in the fourth round of Norway Chess 2013 Super tournament here.
While Sergey Karjakin of Russia remained on path of creating history after he scored a victory over Levon Aronian of Armenia.
Anand blundered his way from a level position and the concern about his white results remained. Out of the three white games so far in the tournament, the Indian has scored one win, one loss and one draw to keep it on an even keel.
Karjakin, meanwhile looks a man possessed as he went on to secure his fourth victory in as many games. He has been in a new avatar here and his uncompromising attitude has paid very high dividends.
Anand’s challenger in the next world championship, Magnus Carlsen, yet again was held to a draw by Peter Svidler of Russia leaving the spectators wondering whether there will be a catch-up scenario with Karjakin.
With his fourth draw in as many games, Carlsen needs some big wins to lure the local crowd.
With five rounds still to go, Karjakin is sitting pretty on four points with his four wins and he is now followed by Nakamura on 2.5 points.
Anand, Carlsen, Svidler, Aronian and Temour Radjabov of Azerbaijan are in closed pursuit another half point behind, while Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria and Wang Hao of China share the eighth spot on 1.5 points apiece.
Norwegian Jon Ludvig opened his account with a draw against Topalov but he remained on the bottom of the tables on just a half point.
Anand would not have lost but for a momentary lapse in concentration. Surprising everyone, Nakamura employed the Arkhenglesk variation in the Ruy Lopez as black, something mastered by Anand himself, and the Indian ace fumbled in the middle game when everything looked under control.
A few pieces changed hands early and Anand blundered on the 29th move, paving the way for Nakamura to stage a king side attack.
The American is known for his penchant for counter attacking positions and yet again he did not make any mistake.
Anand lost his queen and the game ten moves later.
Results round 4: V Anand (Ind, 2) lost to Hikaru Nakamura (Usa, 2.5);Magnus Carlsen (Nor, 2) drew with Peter Svidler (Rus, 2): Levon Aronian (Arm, 2) lost to Sergey Karjakin (Rus, 4); Wang Hao (Chn, 1.5) drew with Teiour Radjabov (Aze, 2); Veselin Topalov (Bul, 1.5) drew with Jon Ludvig Hamer (Nor, 0.5).
