Anand closes in on title against Leko in Miskolc rapid

Miskolc (Hungary), Jun 7 (PTI) World Champion Viswanathan
Anand took an unassailable 4-2 lead against Hungarian
Grandmaster Peter Leko by winning the fifth and drawing the
sixth game of the eight-game rapid contest here.

With just two games remaining, Anand is only a draw away
from adding another feather to his already bulgy cap. The
world champion will play the seventh game with white pieces
and in all likelihood, a draw will ensure the Indian his
maiden title in Miskolc rapid, an event which is now a regular
feature wherein local star Leko takes on a world class player
every year.

Anand's brilliant tactic to stick with Grunfeld defence
paid off again as he won the fifth game with black pieces.
Leko, an exponent of the opening himself, had a draw in sight
but misplayed and went down after a long fight.

They followed the variation they had played earlier in
the event till the 11th move and Leko was the first to
deviate, showing his intentions to go for a full bloodied
battle.

Anand was well armed and efficient play ensured his
position always remained stable. Leko lost a pawn after the
dust subsided and reached a rook and knights endgame with
pawns on board. With correct play the game could have been a
draw but Leko did not find the best defensive resources which
proved disastrous. The game lasted 58 moves.

In the sixth game Anand played white and faced the Semi
Slav yet again. This is already a psychological victory for
Anand as he had faced and tormented Leko's Grunfeld in the
second game of the match.

Thereafter, Anand has stuck to the same opening but
apparently Leko lost his faith in playing double edged
positions.

The Indian ace again got a slightly better prospect in
the middle game but this time Leko's defence was quite up to
the mark as he liquidated to a rook and minor piece endgame
with a pawn less. The resulting position was a simple draw and
peace was signed after 53 moves.

This is the fourth match at Miskolc in as many years.
Leko won the first match against former world champion Anatoly
Karpov of Russia in 2006 but in next two matches he was on the
receiving end against Russian Vladimir Kramnik and Norwegian
Magnus Carlsen. PTI Cor
JVN
NNNN

The information contained in this electronic message and any attachments to this
message are intended for the exclusive
use of the addressee(s) and may contain proprietary, confidential or privileged
information. If you are not the intended
recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please
notify the sender immediately and destroy
all copies of this message and any attachments contained in it.