rediff.com: Anand wins Rapid chess

Grandmaster Vishwanathan Anand of India stamped his authority in Rapid chess by winning the Fujitsu Seimens Giants tournament with a yawning margin of 1.5 points over World No.1 Gary Kasparov of Russia.

World No. 2 Anand tallied 7.5 points out of a possible 10 and never lost a game in the six-player double round-robin tournament which concluded in Frankfurt Sunday night.

Chess wizard Kasparov (6 points) finished second, his first tournament loss in two years, something the Russian is not akin to.

Anand appeared to have got his winning touch after a mediocre first half of the new season in which he failed to defend any of the titles won in 1999.

The Indian won five games and drew as many in an excellent show of rapid chess. Anand started the final day with a draw against Hungary's Peter Leko with black pieces. Leko failed to extract any advantage out of the opening in the Rossolimo attack and exchanged minor pieces at regular intervals. The game reached a draw conclusion after 34 moves.

The ninth round game by Anand was nothing short of an attacking masterpiece. Latvia-born Spaniard Alexei Shirov bore the brunt of Anand's fury after he employed French defence with black pieces. Anand opted for his favourite Winawer variation and got a slight advantage after the opening.

By developing his queen to the kingside Anand initiated an attack and at the same time contained Shirov from making decisive headways on the queenside.

The outcome of the game became apparent by the 24th move as Anand's pieces looked menacing on the kingside. Shirov's king did not get sufficient shelter thereafter and Anand forced checkmate after 38 moves in a picturesque finale. The win against Shirov ensured Anand of the first place finish irrespective of the last round result.

Playing black, Anand drew his final round game against Russia's Vladimir Kramnik in 39 moves. Kramnik, with five points, had a peaceful tournament and finished third overall.

Kasparov drew his 8th round game against Shirov in just 19 moves from the black side of a Sicilian Nazdorf. Shirov employed the English attack but could not claim any advantage in the middlegame.

The surprise manoeuvre to play on the queen side by Shirov did not deter Kasparov and the game was drawn after the repetition of moves.

The Russian drew his game in the ninth round against Kramnik and lost all hopes of catching up with the Indian. In the inconsequential last round match-up against compatriot Alexander Morozevich, Kasparov thrashed him unceremoniously.

Round 10: Kramnik drew Anand; Shirov beat Leko; Morozevich lost to Kasparov.

Final standings: 1. Anand (7.5); 2. Kasparov (6); 3. Kramnik (5); 4. Shirov (4.5); 5-6. Leko, Morozevich (3.5 each).


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