The Hindu : Sport / Chess : Anand draws with Peter Leko

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Tuesday, Jun 26, 2007
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Sport - Chess

Anand draws with Peter Leko

NEW DELHI: Viswanathan Anand and Peter Leko played out a 29-move draw while Russians Vladimir Kramnik and Evgeny Alekseev recorded victories to share the lead after two rounds of the Sparkassen Chess Meeting 2007 at Dortmund on Sunday.

Anand, playing from the white side of Ruy Lopez, captured a central pawn on the 11th move and soon encountered some early kingside aggression from Leko. Slowly, Anand forced Leko to retreat his queen and bishop and carried out a series of exchanges. When the players were left with two minor pieces, with Leko having a pawn less, peace was signed.

Alekseev, a debutant, brought down overnight leader Shakhriyar Mamedyarov in 45 moves of Sicilian Defence. Later, Kramnik joined Alekseev at 1.5 points by spoiling Boris Gelfand’s birthday party in 62 moves.

Action resumes on Tuesday after a day of rest.

The results (second round): Viswanathan Anand (1) drew with Peter Leko (Hun, 1); Vladimir Kramnik (Rus, 1.5) bt Boris Gelfand (Isr, 0.5); Evgeny Alekseev (Rus, 1.5) bt Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Aze, 1); Arkadij Naiditsch (Ger, 0.5) drew w ith Magnus Carlsen (Nor, 1).