Anand seeks first title of year

DOS HERMANAS (SPAIN), APRIL 6: After moderate success at the Amber Rapid and Blindfold event, Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand returns to cl...

DOS HERMANAS (SPAIN), APRIL 6: After moderate success at the Amber Rapid and Blindfold event, Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand returns to classical chess, aiming to win his first title of the year at the Dos Hermanas Super Grandmasters chess tournament.

The world number two Indian, the defending champion here, failed to clinch the title in the first two events of the year at Wijk Aan Zee and Linares — which were both claimed by world number one Gary Kasparov — would hope to turn the tide when he starts his campaign against Judit Polgar of Hungary in the opening round of the 10-round tournament late tonight.

The Indian Grandmaster, who won the title when the tournament was last held in 1997 — the event was not held last year — has had a good start to the season, finishing second in one and third in another classical chess tournament thus far. His lone title this year has been the rapid play crown at the Amber chess tournament at Monaco, where he finished fourth overall.

Former world champion Kasparov, who edged past Anand to clinch the titles at Wijk Aan Zee and Linares, is not playing here in Sevilla, which paves the way for the Indian.

Though Anand may be somewhat tired after having played three major events, he will be raring to get his first crown of the year. The Indian, who will be the favourite to win the category 19 event, will face a tough fight from Russia’s Vladimir Kramnik, who won the overall title at Monaco.

Reigning Fide World Champion Anatoly Karpov, another former champion in fray besides Anand (1997) and Kramnik (1996), will also be a strong contender for the title.

Also expected to make a strong presence would be veteran Viktor Korchnoi, now settled in Switzerland and making his first appearance here, Russian Peter Svidler and his young compatriot Alexander Morozevich, who is seen as a champion of the future.

Story continues below this ad

Curiously the first round pits Morozevich, the youngest among the field, against Korchnoi, the oldest player in the tournament in the 10-player, all-play-all event which concludes on April 16.

The Field

Viswanathan Anand (Ind), Vladimir Kramnik (Rus), A Morozevich (Rus), Michael Adams (Eng), Peter Svidler (Rus), Anatoly Karpov (Rus), Vaselin Topolov (Bul), Judit Polgar (Hun), Viktor Korchnoi (Swi), M Illescas (Esp).

First round face-offs: Illescas vs Topalov, Morozevich vs Korchnoi, Polgar vs Anand, Adams vs Svidler, Kramnik vs Karpov.