Anand holds Kramnik to a face-saving draw

After four rounds, Bologan leads with a fantastic score of 3.5 points followed by Kramnik on 2.5. Naiditsch moved to 2 points with his enviable effort against Radjabov who remained on 1.5 along with Leko. Anand brings up the rear with one point earned from two draws.

Playing Kramnik has never been easy for Anand and it was again attested when the Indian ace, playing with white pieces, drew without giving any real problems to the big Russian, the only player after Garry Kasparov to have scaled the 2800 mark on the FIDE FS ELO rating charts.

It was yet another Sveshnikov opening and it was quite evident that Anand did not quite find a way to continue while retaining chances, when confronted against this opening.

Kramnik faced little trouble with the oft-repeated opening variation and drew without much ado after Anand sacrificed his queen for two minor pieces and one pawn.

The game, which ended Anand’s two match losing streak, lasted just 25 moves.

Naiditsch beat Radjabov in almost spectacular fashion. The Azerbaijani has got in the habit of beating stalwarts, as he did against Anand, but against Naiditsch the pressure to win took its toll.

After a Sicilian defence start, where Naiditsch got a firm hold over Radjabov who went for unwarranted complications with a piece sacrifice. But the German was quite prepared to tackle the ensuing complications. Radjabov sacrificed an exchange to go a rook down but his tactics were easily thwarted as the game progressed.

After 48 moves, Naiditsch had his king safely on the middle of the board and forced Radjabov’s resignation with material superiority.

‘‘From outside, my position might have looked a bit suspect with the king in the centre and pawns rolling down but white was always holding on and with accurate defence he was getting it tough and sacrificed his rook more in a last ditch effort,’’ said Naiditsch analysing the game.

Bologan was a bit lucky to win against Leko. But his perseverance and the Hungarian’s lacklustre play, after getting an advantageous position, were the main factors.

Results round 4

Peter Leko (1.5, Hun) lost to Viktor Bologan (3.5, Mda); Viswanthan Anand (1) drew Vladimir Kramnik (2.5, Rus); Arkadi Naiditsch (2, Ger) beat Teimour Radjabov (.5, Aze).