JOIN US World champion Viswanathan Anand’s hunt for an elusive victory continued as he played out a draw with Levon Aronian of Armenia in the third round of Alekhien memorial chess tournament here.
With his second draw in three games besides the painful loss against Michael Adams of England in the opener, Anand took his tally to one point out of a possible three and his tournament situation did not change much as the Indian remained in joint eighth spot in the 10-player super tournament.
Boris Gelfand of Israel put an end to Adams’ exploits by scoring a methodical victory in the lone decisive game of the day.
Gelfand emerged as one of the co-leaders thanks to his superb effort and he now shares the lead with Adams and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France.
In other games of the third round, Vladimir Kramnik of Russia was held to a draw by Vachier-Lagrave, another local star Laurent Fressinet got the same result against Ding Liren of China while the all-Russian affair between Peter Svidler and Nikita Vituigov ended peacefully through perpetual checks.
With six rounds still to go in the unique tournament split between France and Russia (where the last four rounds will be played), the three leaders are followed by a pack of four players who have 1.5 points apiece -- Kramnik, Fressinet, Liren and Aronian.
Results (Round III): Viswanathan Anand (Ind, 1) drew Levon Aronian (Arm, 1.5); Ding Liren (Chn, 1.5) drew Laurent Fressinet (Rus, 1.5); Peter Svidler (Rus, 1) drew Nikita Vituigov (Rus, 1); Boris Gelfand (Isr, 2) bt Michael Adams (Eng, 2); Vladimir Kramnik (Rus, 1.5) drew Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (Fra, 2).