<p> 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Boris Gelfand of Israel put an end to Adams’ exploits by scoring a methodical victory in the lone decisive game of the day.<br /><br /> 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.<br /><br /> 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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).</p>
<p> 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Boris Gelfand of Israel put an end to Adams’ exploits by scoring a methodical victory in the lone decisive game of the day.<br /><br /> 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.<br /><br /> 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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).</p>