Last weekend Anish has won the Tolstoy Cup (Rapid) in a true great style, winning with a fantastic score: 8-9. Anish finished 2,5 points (!) ahead of Nodirbek Abdusattorov, who took second place. Third place was for the legendary Boris Gelfand. In the game section Anish has analysed his win against Gelfand. With this impressive victory, Anish gained 55,2 (!!) points on the World Ranking Rapid List, bringing him from spot 35 to spot 8.
Anish was quoted on the website of FIDE: “I enjoyed my performance in Yasnaya Polyana. The result proved somewhat too high because on the second day, I definitely did not play at the corresponding level. However, luck sided with me to the extent that nothing could stop. It goes without saying that I am a big fan of Leo Tolstoy’s creative works, and I am very happy that this tournament has been organised. I have not been aware that Tolstoy was a chess fan, but taking part in the sightseeing tour filled this gap. I hope this event will become traditional”.
Unfortunately the US Tour to St. Louis in August was cancelled due to travel restrictions.