The Hindu : Sport / Chess : Radjabov in driver's seat

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Aug 19, 2006

Sport

Sport - Chess

Radjabov in driver's seat

Arvind Aaron

Mainz: Teimour Radjabov of Azerbaijan escaped from the jaws of defeat in the second game to turn the tables on Viswanathan Anand in the best of eight Chess Classic match at the Mainz Hilton on Thursday. Radjabov leads 1.5-0.5.

After the first game ended in a draw, Anand missed out on some promising continuations in the middle game and in the end went down fighting against his younger opponent. This was Radjabov's first victory over Anand in a rapid chess game.

``The second game obviously should have been better but I spoiled it. I will check when I go back home,'' Anand said.

Radjabov has shown good opening preparation in game one, but could not earn more than a draw.

In game two, Anand had a big advantage after the Slav defence with black. Anand won one pawn and when he took the second, trouble was waiting. His queen bishop was locked out of the game and that mattered in the end. A delayed capture of the second pawn would have given Anand the desired result. Both Anand and Radjabov were not impressive with the white pieces.

Radjabov's active piece play helped him win a bishop and the game on move 46. "I was afraid Anand will take 21....Qxh2 and I would lose," said Radjabov.

In the Chess960 Open, Pentyala Harikrishna finished strongly with 5.5 points from his last six rounds on Friday to score 8.5 from the eleven rounds for a good finish. Etienne Bacrot of France won this event with 9.5/11. Harikrishna will play the Ordix Open on Saturday and Sunday. The Chess Classic concludes on Sunday.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport