Caruana Wins Zurich Chess Challenge

It was a thrilling final round at the Zurich Chess Challenge, with both games ending in victories for the white pieces.

Vladimir Kramnik reverted to a more traditional opening choice, playing the Berlin with black against Vishy Anand.  In response, the champion avoided the sterile well-trodden paths of the main line but was still struggling to demonstrate any advantage.

In a similar fashion to his remarkable round 3 game, Kramnik once again established a knight outpost deep in enemy territory - this time at e2, supported by a passed pawn at d3!  However, this time the ambitious stallion was undone by an uncharacteristic blunder from Kramnik with 21...Qb8??  Suddenly, Vishy Anand had a clear route to an advantage, and he didn't need to be asked twice.

After only 27 moves, Vladimir Kramnik resigned!

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In the other final round game Fabiano Caruana had the white pieces against Boris Gelfand. The Italian-American was already guaranteed first place thanks to Kramnik's quick loss, but he was still eager to earn a full point from his Israeli opponent.

Caruana gained a material advantage in the shape of Gelfand's juicy d5 pawn, but positional compensation ensured that the game remained finely balanced.  However, as Gelfand's clock ran low, a slip with 30...Qd6? allowed an alert Caruana to play 31.Re8+! and gain a clear endgame advantage.  Gelfand mounted a rearguard action to save the game, but a final mistake with 55...h4?? sealed his doom.

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Tournament winner, 20 year-old Fabiano Caruana

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The final standings

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Photo from the official website. Games via TWIC.