The Hindu : Sport : Anand clinches title

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 12, 2007
ePaper

Sport

Sport

Anand clinches title

Topalov had a bad tournament

— File Photo: Bijoy Ghosh

NUMERO UNO: Viswanathan Anand, after his brilliant win in the Morelia-Linares tournament, is all set to be No.1.

NEW DELHI: As expected, Viswanathan Anand safely sealed the Morelia-Linares Super Grandmaster chess title after a final-round draw on Saturday in Linares, Spain, and for the first time in his glittering career, made the top place in the world rankings to be released in April.

Anand, winner in 1998, drew with black pieces against Ukraine's Vassily Ivanchuk in 31 moves of Queen's Indian to claim the honours with 8.5 points. Even as Anand was contemplating a draw, second-placed Norwegian youngster Magnus Carlsen entered an inferior position against Peter Leko and eventually lost.

That result left Anand one point clear of the field, with Carlsen sharing the second spot with comeback-man Alexander Morozevich.

Morozevich, last in the eight-player elite field after seven rounds in Morelia, Mexico, scored 5.5 points from seven games in Linares.

On Saturday, Morozevich handed out Peter Svidler his first defeat in the 14-round event.

World No. 1 Veselin Topalov, who began the tournament as the top seed, shared the last spot with Leko.

Topalov's poor performance in this tournament as compared to Anand's is sure to see the players swap places in the next rating list. Currently, Topalov is rated 2783 and Anand, 2779.

The results (14th round): Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukr, 6.5) drew with Viswanathan Anand (8.5); Peter Leko (Hun, 6) bt Magnus Carlsen (Nor, 7.5); Peter Svidler (Rus, 7) lost to Alexander Morozevich (Rus, 7.5); Veselin Topalov (Bul, 6) drew with Levon Aronian (Arm, 7).

Final standings: 1. Anand; 2-3. Carlsen and Morozevich; 4-5. Aronian and Svidler; 6. Ivanchuk; 7-8. Topalov and Leko.

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

Sport