Zurich Classic: Viswanathan Anand losses final to Hitaru Nakamura in controversial manner

Anand would feel hard done by the organisers

India’s number one chess player, Vishwanathan Anand faltered at the final hurdle as he lost out to Hitaru Nakamura of United States in an Armageddon game, at the Zurich Classic. However, Anand could feel hard done by.

An impromptu change of rules, during the final stages of his match forced Anand to play a newly included final game. The rule was introduced, based on the possibility of a tie. The 45-year old defeated the American in the classical game and also won the tie-break.

But, the sudden inclusion of a final game saw the Nakamura take the match.

Anand was clearly not ready to play a final game, after a long day. Nakamura secured his second major victory of the year, after winning the Gibraltar Masters.

Heading into the final day, the Indian had a one point lead, over his competitors. But, two straight losses to Nakamura and Armenian Levon Aronian saw him squander the lead.

He had earlier drawn his games against Vladimir Kramnik and Sergey Karjakin.

However, he bettered his performance from the previous tournament, where he finished seventh out of eight participants.