After a long break with mainly online tournaments, Anish is now back behind the pieces. In Bucharest he played the first of a series of tournaments in the Grand Chess Tour. Anish made ‘only’ 0,5-2 against the two players from Romania, which spoiled his chances for a high position. He now finished at 50%. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov from Azerbaijan won the tournament.
Not that much later, Anish went to Zagreb to play the Rapid and Blitz Tournament there, also part of the Grand Chess Tour. Anish played well and finished third, behind winner Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and the impressive Viswanathan Anand (51) from India.
Before going to Sochi, Anish and Sopiko welcomed their second son, Michael. Fortunately Anish had the opportunity to spend some quality time with his Family!
In Sochi Anish was eliminated in the thrird round, against the young and talented Nodirbek Abdusattarov from Uzbekistan. Anish had chances to equalize the score in the second Tiebreak game, but failed to do so.
This means that Anish has not yet qualified for the new cycle of the Candidates. A new chance will come in Isle of Man, in the Autumn.
