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Anand triumphs again

— File photo

Viswanathan Anand.

NEW DELHI: As expected, World champion Viswanathan Anand won the prestigious Linares-Morelia chess tournament for the second successive year and the third time in his illustrious career at Linares, Spain, on Friday.

In the 14th and final round, Anand took a 23-move draw in Sicilian Najdorf against Veselin Topalov and matched his last year’s winning tally of 8.5 points in this annual double-round-robin event involving eight elite players.

On a day when all four boards ended in draws before the first time control, Anand made his intentions clear by adopting a quiet line that did not promise any fireworks. Topalov offered a pawn on the 11th move which Anand returned four moves later. Thereafter, the players did not have much to play for.

Anand’s title-triumph has also reinforced his place atop the next world ranking list to be released on April 1.

The results (14th round): Viswanathan Anand drew with Veselin Topalov (Bul); Magnus Carslen (Nor) drew with Teimour Radjabov (Aze); Peter Leko (Hun) drew with Levon Aronian (Arm); Alexei Shirov (Esp) drew with Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukr).

Final standings: 1. Anand (8.5), 2. Carlsen (8), 3-4. Aronian, Topalov (7.5 each), 5. Radjabov (7), 6. Ivanchuk (6.5), 7-8. Leko and Shirov (5.5 each).

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