Anand makes rapid strides

The category-20, euros 297,000 prize money event is being played on a double round-robin basis with seven players.

As things stand now, Anand, Kasparov, Topalov and Leko share the lead with one point each but Anand’s ‘Plus One’ means the Indian ace is effectively in sole lead after playing only one game. ‘Plus One’ means a player has scored one victory apart from draws in his remaining matches.

Anand was simply in his element against Topalov even though the latter was on a high after being in sole lead. Playing white, Anand employed his trademark English attack against the Sicilian Nazdorf and maintained his stronghold right through the game.

For the major part of the game, Topalov looked like contesting Anand move for move but once white got a substantial advantage, the Bulgarian proved no match. Anand first pocketed a pawn and later liquidated to an endgame where only he could win. Topalov eventually could not find a way out and ventured into a lost endgame after losing a piece. Anand won after 59 moves.

Adams and Leko played out a draw in no time. The Englishman played with his first white in the event and, obviously after a disastrous loss against Topalov in the first round itself, was in no mood to take any undue risk. Leko, however, deserved credit for attaining an easy draw which came about after he threatened to play the Marshall gambit as black, an opening on the favoured list of Adams as well.

Adams went for the anti-Marshall variation wherein Leko had little difficulty in securing the balance. The game lasted just 18 moves and at the time of the draw agreement only a pawn and a couple of pieces were traded. Kasimdzhanov knew he was destined to work hard against Kasparov and that was precisely the case. The last game to end in the day lasted 51 moves.