4 decisive results in London Round 5

Among 4 decisive games in Round 5, Kramnik beat McShane nicely and approaches World #2

In Round 5 of the London Chess Classic, we had the second round where all four games were decisive (Round 1 had 4/4 as well).  The draw rate an amazingly only 35% (7/20). This shows the fighting spirit that the 3-1-0 scoring system produces.

Vishy Anand won his first classical game since Game 8 of the 2012 World Championship match against Gelfand in May over British Champion Gawain Jones.

Hikaru Nakamura, who recently regained his title of the #1 FIDE-rated US Player on the live ratings, since Gata Kamsky lost over 10 points in Tashkent, defeated the World's #1 Woman Judit Polgar, who is now below 2700, at only 1/2 point from 4 games.  Nakamura, currently World #12, will jump to #8 if he gains just 3.2 more rating points.

Magnus Carlsen continued his wonderful tournament by defeating Mickey Adams, who was doing well in the tournament until this point.

Vladimir Kramnik is also having a great tournament, defeating Luke McShane.  He is now only 0.1 live rating points behind World #2 Aronian, who had his bye today.

Amazingly, all 3 British players lost their games today (Jones, McShane, Adams).

Round 5 Results:
Jones - Anand 0-1
Polgar - Nakamura 0-1
Adams - Carlsen 0-1
Kramnik - McShane 1-0 (GOTD)
Bye - Aronian

Standings after Round 5 of 9:
3-1-0 Scoring:
1. Carlsen 13.0/5
2. Kramnik 11.0/5
3. Nakamura 8.0/5
4. Adams 7.0/4
5. Anand 6.0/4
6. Aronian 4.0/4
7. Jones 2.0/5
8-9. McShane, Polgar 1.0/4

Traditional Scoring:
1. Carlsen 4.5/5 (+4)
2. Kramnik 4.0/5 (+3)
3. Nakamura 3.0/5 (+2)
4-5. Anand, Adams 2.5/4 (+1)
6. Aronian 1.5/4 (-1)
7. Jones 1.0/5 (-2)
8-9. McShane, Polgar 0.5/4 (-3)

Performance Ratings:
1. Carlsen 3117
2. Kramnik 3001
3. Anand 2830
4. Adams 2827
5. Nakamura 2804
6. Aronian 2686
7. Jones 2519
8. McShane 2471
9. Polgar 2390


Live FIDE Ratings:
World #1 Carlsen 2860.5
World #2 Aronian 2807.7
World #3 Kramnik 2807.6
World #7 Anand 2778.2
World #12 Nakamura 2763.2
World #30 Adams 2714.2
World #45 McShane 2702.3
Judit Polgar ~2691
Gawain Jones ~2637

The Round 6 pairings are interesting, with tournament leader Magnus Carlsen playing against (tied) last place Judit Polgar with White.  World Champion Vishy Anand, who scored his first win in this event in Round 5, will face current England #1 Mickey Adams, who is coming off his first loss in the LCC.  The two young Brits Luke McShane and Gawain Jones, neither of which are having a good tournament will play each other.  Finally, World #2 Levon Aronian and World #3 Kramnik will face each other.  They are separated by just 0.1 Live Rating point, and the winner will be World #2, but still 50+ points behind World #1 Carlsen.  US #1 Hikaru Nakamura will have a bye.

Round 6 Pairings:
Carlsen - Polgar
Anand - Adams
McShane - Jones
Aronian - Kramnik
Bye - Nakamura

Expect many decisive results in Round 6.  Stay posted.