Anand draws but stays in front with sole lead

Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand played out a draw with Vladimir Kramnik in the fourth round but remained in sole lead to stay in contention in the Candidates chess tournament, here today.

On what turned out to be an easy day for the Anand, he played to the tunes of Kramnik for once as the Russian came up with some sterling preparation to keep the Indian at bay.

With two victories in three games, Anand was in for a rude shock in the game against Kramnik as for the first time the Indian ace found his preparation wanting at the tournament. Kramnik was in control as black and this was the first time in four rounds that Anand’s preparation was not up to mark.

Kramnik’s Vienna variation has been analysed extensively and Anand went for a variation which is conclusively drawn. Kramnik had analysed it well and better than Anand, something that the Indian ace might have hoped he had done better.

As it turned out, Kramnik had the final word on the variation and the game was drawn in the middle game itself vide repetition of moves.

The draw took Anand to three points out of a possible four and the Indian remained in sole lead. Kramnik remained in tow of Anand on two and a half points and the Russian is now joined by top seed Levon Aronian of Armenia on 2.5 points.

For the records, Aronian scored a remarkable victory over Russian Peter Svidler while the other two games in the fourth round were fought hard.