The Hindu : Sport / Chess : Anand keeps Kramnik at bay, retains lead

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Wednesday, Sep 26, 2007
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Sport - Chess

Anand keeps Kramnik at bay, retains lead

NEW DELHI: Front-runner Viswanathan Anand proved equal to Vladimir Kramnik in their expectedly aggressive battle in the 10th round and firmed up his chances of winning the World chess championship in Mexico City on Monday.

The 41-move peace treaty took Anand’s tally to 6.5 points and helped him retain his overnight one-point lead over Israel’s Boris Gelfand.

Kramnik, the defending champion, moved to five points in the company of Hungary’s Peter Leko and the day’s lone winner Armenia’s Levon Aronian. Four rounds remain in the competition.

Standing out

Kramnik, reeling from the loss suffered to Alexander Morozevich in the previous round, was expected to come out firing against Anand but it was the Indian who stood out in quick time with an opening preparations in Anti-Meran gambit .

On the 21st move, Anand chose to trade a rook for a knight and later added a pawn Though Kramnik managed to claim a pawn on the 28th move, Anand’s brilliant knight move kept the Russian thinking.

When Kramnik tried to create some threats with his queen and rook, Anand defended well and draw was agreed after the first time control.

Anand’s nearest challenger Gelfand could not find a way to get the better of Peter Leko’s opening preparation in Catalan. Gelfand prevented draw by perpetual checks but eventually settled for a draw in just 21 moves.

The results (10th round): Vladimir Kramnik (Rus, 5) drew with Viswanathan Anand (6.5): Boris Gelfand (Isr, 5.5) drew with Peter Leko (Hun, 5); Levon Aronian (Arm, 5) bt Alexander Grischuk (Rus, 4.5); Peter Svidler (Rus, 4) drew with Alexander Morozevich (Rus, 4.5).

11th round pairings: Anand-Morozevich; Gelfand-Svidler; Grischuk-Kramnik; Leko-Aronian.

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