Draw fest continues in London chess

While even the players themselves have started to make jokes about it, others are calling for change. It’s common for super tournaments to have more, and sometimes much more draws than decisive games. But to have three rounds in a row with draws only is quite rare. 

Former World Champion Viswanathan Anand and current World Champion Magnus Carlsen split the point with the Indian having a slightly better position. Shortly before the tournament, Magnus Carlsen said: “I don’t expect to be crushing it from the start. I don’t feel so fresh.” And indeed, the world champion’s play is slightly below his regular level, it seems. He looked uncomfortable against VIshy Anand with the white pieces after a typical pawn sacrifice in the Catalan Opening didn’t give him what he wanted. “I think he was the one fighting for an advantage and I don’t really know where things went wrong for me,” said Carlsen.