Karpov wriggles out of Anand’s hold

The shock result of the day was Boris Gelfand’s win over Vladimir Kramnik. The win propelled him to the top spot, which he shares with Alexi Shirov. Gelfand had a huge space advantage following a Maroczy Bind. He captured Kramnik’s pawns and finally the queen and won in 60 moves to hand Kramnik his first blindfold defeat in two years.

Anand used an Advanced Variation against Anatoly Karpov’s Caro-Kann in blindfold. It was reminiscent of the candidates’ quarter-final match in Brussels in 1991 which Anand lost narrowly. Anand did hold some gains in a rook ending but Karpov managed to wriggle out with good play and defence. The computer indicated good advantage for white, Anand, but the players agreed for a draw.

In rapid, Karpov and Anand drew in 40 moves. Karpov held some advantage, but could not use it clearly and split point after 40 moves for a 1-1 result from two games.

There is a four-way tie for the second place with Anand, Kramnik, Karpov and Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria having 2.5 points each.

In blindfold, Loek van Wely beat Frenchman Joel Lautier with black pieces. In rapid, Lautier gave up a knight for perpetual checks to hold Van Wely in 24 moves.

The rapid section provided a series of draws, with Alexi Shirov being the only exception as he beat veteran Yugoslav Ljubomir Ljubojevic. Shirov won in just 23 moves as the latter made some blunders. The two, however, drew their blindfold game.

RESULTS (2ND ROUND): RAPID GAMES: Nikolic drew Ivanchuk; Kramnik drew Gelfand; Topalov drew Piket; Karpov drew Anand; Shirov bt Ljubojevic; Van Wely drew Lautier.

BLINDFOLD: Ivanchuk drew Nikolic; Gelfand beat Kramnik; Piket drew Topalov; Anand drew Karpov; Ljubojevic drew Shirov; Lautier lost to Van Wely.

STANDINGS: 1-2 Gelfand (Isr), Shirov (Esp) 3 each; 3-6 Anand (Ind), Karpov (Rus), Kramnik (Rus), Topalov (Bul) 2.5 each; 7. Loek van Wely (Ned) 2; 8-9. Ivanchuk (Ukr), Nikolic (Bin) 1.5 each; 10-12 Lautier (Fra), Ljubojevic (Yug) and Piket (Ned) 1 each.