Anand swells lead

Russia8217;s Peter Svidler was lying second with Peter Leko of Hungary, who scored a thrilling win over Alexander Beliavsky of Slovenia. Both had 3.5 points each.

The world No 2 Anand, deploying the King pawn opening, needed just 35 minutes to hand out Illescas his first defeat in this tournament and brighten his chances of winning the title with four rounds left.

Anand faced the Grunfeld defence fromIllescas but he straightaway went for exchange variation. He sacrificed a pawn on the queen side to improve his position.

Anand doubled his rooks on the seventh rank winning a knight, compelling Illescas to resign.

Anand will face A Yermolinsky of the United States with black pieces next. The Russian-born American and the Indian GM will face each other for the first time.

Peter Svidler of Russia failed to convert his slight advantage into a win as Yermolinsky was able to exploit Svidler8217;s wrong 18th move and equalise.

Results 6th round

Peter Svidler Rus drew with A Yermolinsky US; michael Adams Eng bt Granda Zuniga Peru; Peter Leko Hun bt Alexander Beliavsky Slv; Michael Krasenkov Pol bt San Segundo Esp; Viswanathan Anand bt Miguel Illescas Esp.

Standings after 6th round: 1 V Anand 4.5; 2-3 P Leko, P Svidler 3.5 each; 4-7 San Segundo, M Adams, M Illescas M Krasenkov 3 each; 8 A Yermolinsky 2.5; 9-10 A Beliavsky, Granda Zuniga 2 each.