Brian Jerauld
Communications Specialist
Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis

www.uschesschamps.com

SAINT LOUIS (August 30, 2014) — Through four rounds, Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana remains perfect against the strongest field in history.

The Italian 22-year-old has kicked off the 2014 Sinquefield Cup, held at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, with four wins — including Friday’s knock-off of World Champion GM Magnus Carlsen, followed by Saturday’s victory over GM Levon Aronian, the World No. 2. Caruana’s blistering start has allowed him to take over Aronian’s spot on the live-ratings listings, with his numerical strength now-cresting at 2820, well above his previous peak.

The other two games of Saturday’s fourth round ended in draws. Both Carlsen, against GM Veselin Topalov; and GM Hikaru Nakamura, against GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave; were able to rebound for half-points after losses on Friday afternoon.

The win-streak has allowed Caruana to open up a two-point lead over a field that contains six of the top-nine players in the world, while the world champion finds himself winless in a four-player tie for last place. On Sunday, Caruana faces Nakamura, an opponent he has yet to beat in his career.


ROUND 4 RESULTS

White Result Black
GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave 1/2 – 1/2 GM Hikaru Nakamura
GM Magnus Carlsen 1/2 – 1/2 GM Veselin Topalov
GM Fabiano Caruana 1 – 0 GM Levon Aronian


STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 4

Rank Name Rating Score
1 GM Fabiano Caruana 2801 4
2 GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave 2768 2
3 GM Magnus Carlsen 2877 1.5
4 GM Levon Aronian 2805 1.5
5 GM Hikaru Nakamura 2787 1.5
6 GM Veselin Topalov 2772 1.5

ROUND 5 PAIRINGS

White Result Black
GM Hikaru Nakamura GM Fabiano Caruana
GM Levon Aronian GM Magnus Carlsen
GM Veselin Topalov GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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