Anand still ahead

MADRID, May 17: Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand traded material at regular intervals but failed to gain initiative against a passive Spanish G...

MADRID, May 17: Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand traded material at regular intervals but failed to gain initiative against a passive Spanish GM Pablo San Segundo for a draw to maintain sole lead after five rounds in the 7th Torneo Magistral Chess Open here last night.

The world number two playing with black pieces was pitted against Segundo, the bottom seed here. And the Spaniard showed good temperament to withstand pressure from the Indian before he earned the draw in 35 moves.

The 28-year-old Anand, with 3.5 points, leads the pack of 10 players midway through the competition on a day which saw all the games ending in listless draws. He is followed in the joint second spot by San Segundo and fellow Spaniard Miguel Illescas and Peter Svidler of Russia, all on three points each.

Deploying white pieces, Segundo was extra-cautious in the English Opening game. He surprised Anand with a new tenth move, but the Indian levelled midway through the game.

Both traded material at regular intervals till theyreached a very drawish rook and three pawns endgame. Segundo was forced to propose a draw.

In the sixth round, Anand, who will play Illescas with white pieces, is expected to get back into his winning ways. He has to reach seven points to cross the ELO rating mark of 2800.

In the other games, A Yermolinsky of the US and Peruvian Granda Zuniga settled for a quick 20-move draw. Zuniga, with white pieces, opted for the King Knight opening and played for the quick draw.

Story continues below this ad

An even shorter draw was between Russian world number nine Svidler and Illescas of Spain. Illescas adopted the King8217;s Indian Defence and did not let Svidler take control. The battle ended in just 18 moves with Illescas making an offer for peace.

Peter Leko from Hungary faced the Marshall attack of the Ruy Lopez from the British GM Michael Adams against his King pawn opening.

The Hungarian tried to push Adams on the defensive but the Briton fought back by repeating the positions to draw the game in 27 moves.

MOVES

San SegundoW vs Anand B

1. Nf3 Nf6; 2. c4 b6; 3. g3 Bb7; 4. Bg2 c5; 5. 0-0 g6; 6. Nc3 Bg7; 7. d4 cxd4; 8. Qxd4 d6; 9. Be3 Nbd7; 10. Rac1 0-0; 11. Qd2 a6; 12. Bh6 Rc8; 13. Bxg7 Kxg7; 14. b3 Rc5; 15. Rfd1 Re8; 16. Qb2 Kg8; 17. Ne1 Bxg2; 18. Nxg2 Qb8; 19. Ne3 B5; 20. cxb5 axb5; 21. Ncd5 Qb7; 22. Qd4 Qc6; 23. Rxc5 dxc5; 24. Nxf6 Nxf6; 25. Qe5 h5; 26. h4 B4; 27. Nd5 Nxd5; 28. Qxd5 Qxd5; 29. Rxd5 Rc8; 30. Rd7 c4; 31. Bxc4 Rxc4; 32. Rxe7 Rc2; 33. Rb7 Rxe2; 34. Rxb4 Rxa2; 35. Kg2.

Game drawn.