Anand held; Carlsen shocked by McShane

On an exceptional day of exciting chess, England’s Luke McShane created the first big upset of the tournament shocking World Number two Magnus Carlsen of Norway in a cracker of a game.

The other two games in this eight player round-robin tournament were also decisive with Russian Vladimir Kramnik outplaying former world championship challenger Nigel Short of England and local hero Michael Adams crushing compatriot David Howell.

After the end of the first round in the football-like scoring system, Kramnik, McShane and Adams share the lead with three points while Anand and Nakamura have one point apiece.
The three losers of the opening day share the fifth spot with seven rounds still to go.

Nakamura went for the Berlin defence, a recent inclusion in Anand’s repertoire also, and it was clear that the Indian ace was on top right from the word go.

A typical endgame arose where white had pressure on the king side and Nakamura, sensing problems, gave up a pawn to stay afloat.

The resulting position remained better for Anand for a long time but it was not a winning position as he realised. After 74 moves peace was signed.

McShane playing the white side of an English opening, gave indication of his roaring form and had Carlsen on the ropes from the early stages of the middle game when the latter went for unwarranted complications.

Winning an exchange after wild tactical complications, McShane converted to an endgame without much ado.