Erratic Anand maintains lead

Anand opened with the king pawn and faced the Ruy Lopez Zaitsev variation. The opening moves were played spontaneously — Anand was faster in making 23 moves in just seven minutes.

Anand initiated decisive action in the 31st move provoking Beliavsky with exchange of rooks and the play turned out to be a thrilling duel with both players involved in long tactical variations.

Beliavsky withstood the pressure from Anand and the dubious move by the Indian on the 34th shifted the balance in theSlovenian’s favour.

Anand’s confidence saw him through and even though he allowed Beliavsky to promote another queen, the Slovenian ran out of ammunition and offered the draw, which Anand readily accepted.

The Indian next plays San Segundo, with whom he has had just one encounter in 1993 which ended in a draw. Anand will play with black pieces.

The 27-year-old Segundo was involved in a 30-move draw against Svidler. Adopting a defensive game, Segundo tried to pressurise Svidler but the 22-year-old Russian GM fought valiantly and won a rook. He, however, failed to improve his position and Segundo’s offer for a draw was accepted.

Michael Krasenkov of Poland and Hungarian Peter Leko drew a game arising out of the Grunfield defence in 43 moves.

Peruvian Granda Zuniga, with white pieces, failed to penetrate Illescas’ forte and got into severe time trouble. But he worked hard to bring parity and draw the game.

British GM Michael Adams clinched advantage straightaway in a Sicilian Alapin opening against AYermolinsky of the United States but the two eventually split the point.

Pairings for the fifth round: Leko-Adams; Beliavsky-Krasenkov; San Segundo-Anand; Illescas-Svidler; Yermolinsky-Granda Zuniga.