On a high after two big wins, five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand will take on former challenger and in-form Vladimir Kramnik of Russia in the fourth round of the Candidates chess tournament here.
Starting with a fine victory over rating favourite Levon Aronian of Armenia, an easy draw with black against Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria and a win against Shakhriyar Mamedyarov of Azerbaijan has put Anand in front of the eight-player pack on 2.5 points from three games.It’s early days to reach any conclusions with 11 rounds still to come that will decide the challenger for Magnus Carlsen for the next World championship match.
However, Anand has certainly proved that there is a lot left in him by showing tremendous motivation, skill and all-round display of competitive chess.
Kramnik and Peter Svidler share the second spot with two points each and both have displayed high quality chess thus far. The two were part of a timeless masterpiece in the third round wherein Kramnik did a ‘Houdini’ to come out unscathed from what looked like a lost position.
Svidler’s sole victory came against Andreikin, the lowest ranked player, but he has been involved in some lively chess thus far that makes him a feared opponent. Aronian and Topalov stayed on a 50 per cent score after a nail biting draw in the third round. While Aronian lost one and won one, Topalov is the only player who has drawn all games thus far.
