Mexico City, Sep 17 (IANS) World No.1 Viswanathan Anand of India allowed a great winning opportunity to slip by and had to be content with a draw against Russian Alexander Morozevich in the fourth round of the World Chess Championships here Monday.
Anand, who drew the game in 57 moves, stays in joint lead with Russian Vladimir Kramnik, both having 2.5 points from four games.
Four players, including Russia’s Morozevich and Alexander Grischuk, Boris Gelfand of Israel, and Lev Aronian of Armenia have two points each. Peter Leko of Hungary and Peter Svidler of Russia have 1.5 points each.
For the third day in a row, Anand, an NIIT brand ambassador, was in a featured game – this one against Morozevich, considered to be one of the most original, top class players.
Morozevich had just recovered from the second round loss to Kramnik and outplayed Svidler in third.
The Anand-Morozevich game went into the fashionable Meran variation of the Slav defence. The duo played at a blitz-like speed along well-known lines.
Once again from here, Anand, showing great preparations, came up with a completely different new plan.
After a strong opening, Anand playing black had a variety of options in the middle game and consolidate some advantage. White was forced to win an exchange but a black pawn got to d3 and was supported by a powerful pair of bishops.
As the players began to play faster, Anand had a decisive advantage but the question was whether he really needed to go for the knight sacrifice earlier. Yet, at this stage after 40 moves, Anand’s win looked almost sure.
Anand, keen to finish the game fast, seemed to be going strong. Morozevich’s king was in a delicate situation and though the material was equal, it was hard to find adequate moves.
Anand must have been disappointed as he had advantage throughout the game till he missed a chance towards the end in a completely winning position.
Morozevich was stubbornly finding defensive resources and was rewarded for his effort by achieving to draw in this seemingly hopeless game.
Grischuk held Kramnik to a draw in 60 moves from a Catalan. Grischuk fought well and held out for a good draw.
Aronian handed Leko a solid defeat in 45 moves from English Symmetrical start, and Svidler and Gelfand were engaged in a short 24-move draw from Petroff.
Results of Round 4: Kramnik draw with Grischuk; Aronian beat Leko; Morozevich drew with Anand; Svidler drew with Gelfand
Pairings for Round 5: Anand v Svidler; Gelfand v Aronian; Grischuk v Morozevich; Leko v Kramnik
Standings after Round 4: 1. Anand and Kramnik 2.5 points; 3. Grischuk, Gelfand, Morozevich and Aronian 2.0; 7. Svidler and Leko 1.5