Norway chess 2015 - GOTD Round 1

Opening: A20: English Opening

Player(s): Nakamura, Hammer

GM Jon Speelman recaps Round 1. Giri, Vachier-Lagrave and Nakamura won their games. Anand and Caruana drew. And Carlsen? Well, the World Champion played one of his "classic" pythonesque games, strangling slowly but steadly his opponent, namely the strong Bulgarian GM Veselin Topalov. Magnus, after 6 hours of play, reached a very promising position, which the computer saw as winning. Only, the World Champion apparently didn't know that there is NO more time after move 60, and... lost on time! It was amazing to see how kibitzers reacted on ICC. Disbelief and shock are the first words that come to mind to describew the feelings of those who were watching the game. Four decisive games out of five is not bad for a first round, and the tournament promises to be a very exciting one, especially with Carlsen on the catch now, after the rather unusual loss today. Topalov, Giri, Nakamura and Vachier-Lagrave leads with 1 point, Anand and Caruana follow with 0.5, Carlsen, Hammer, Grischuk and Aronian close the standings with zero.