Maxime Vachier-Lagrave Wins at London Chess Classic

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave defeated Viswanathan Anand in the seventh round of the London Chess Classic on December 12, 2015. The French chess player took the sole lead with 4.5 points after this victory.

What happened?

Viswanathan Anand suffered his third defeat in four games at the London Chess Classic. Anand went down to Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in what was his second straight loss.

Why it matters for Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

Vachier-Lagrave's win put him in the lead, trailed by Magnus Carlsen, Anish Giri, Alexander Grischuk, and Levon Aronian with four points each. The Frenchman's tally of 4.5 points was a result of his second victory in the tournament. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave finished the game with an excellent tactic that started with a rook sacrifice.

What comes next?

With just two more rounds to go, Vachier-Lagrave needs to push again to win the event. The standings are close, with several players still in contention for the top spot. Vachier-Lagrave was optimistic and cautious, saying "Of course to be leading two games before the end, it's a good feeling". The Frenchman added that he needs to "push again in the last two games to win the event". Maxime Vachier-Lagrave's opponent, Viswanathan Anand, is now struggling with just 2.5 points. Anand faced an expected Najdorf Sicilian from Vachier-Lagrave and got little in the ensuing middle game. The Indian player decided to part with his queen for two pieces, but the resulting defense was never too easy. Vachier-Lagrave's win was a significant one, as it put him in the lead and gave him a strong chance of winning the tournament. The London Chess Classic is a prestigious event, and a win for Maxime Vachier-Lagrave would be a major achievement.