Peaking at the right time world No. 3 Viswanathan Anand completed a hat-trick of victories in the Mainz Chess Classic billed as ‘battle of the sexes’ defeating Judit Polgar, 5-3, in the 8-game series that concluded here late last night.The victory for Anand was sweet as it came the hard way. After being forced to catch up with the world No. 11, following defeats in the opening games on the first three days. Anand proved that when it really matters he delivers in the most prolific fashion.With the scores level at 3-3 at the start of the final day, Anand got the better of the world’s best woman player in both games to take the title for the third consecutive time. Anand had earlier won the 2001 edition against world No. 2 Vladimir Kramnik of Russia while last year world champion Ruslan Ponomariov of Ukraine was on the receiving end.Anand was in his elements yesterday and Polgar proved no match. The Hungarian’s game plan also withered towards the closing stages of the match that proved crucial.
