Mexico City, Sep 24 (IANS) India’s World No.1 Viswanathan Anand drew with Levon Aronian of Armenia in the ninth round and extended his sole lead to one full point in the World Championship here Monday.
Anand now has six points while Boris Gelfand of Israel is second with five.
In two upset results, Alexander Grischuk of Russia defeated previously-unbeaten Gelfand and Russian Alexander Morozevich beat his compatriot Vladimir Kramnik.
In a stunning result, Grischuk beat Gelfand in the ninth round in a game in the Nimzo Indian. The game lasted 60 moves and pushed Gelfand one point behind Anand.
The other shocker came when Morozevich, one of the most creative but unpredictable players, arrived at the board 12 minutes late but went on to beat Kramnik in an English Symmetrical opening. The game ended in 48 moves and put Kramnik in a difficult position.
Kramnik is now at 4.5 points, 1.5 behind Anand.
Anand, who had scored his first win of the ongoing championships over Aronian in second round with black pieces, was unable to repeat that success with white pieces.
Coming in after a day’s rest, he looked solid with his preparation as the game began in the Marshall variation of the Ruy Lopez. But Aronian, who has lost twice in these championships, was very precise this time around and took a draw in just 21 moves.
After initial moves, which have been analysed thoroughly over the years, Anand played a new move 15.g3 to try and take control of the f4 square. But Aronian was up to it and solved his opening problems easily.
With neither likely to make a dent, the duo agreed on a draw with both satisfied to share the point in the arising position.
Anand and Kramnik will clash in round 10 and if the Indian, who will have black, manages even a draw Kramnik”s chances of winning the title would become really slim.
In the fourth game of the day, Peter Leko of Hungary drew with Svidler in just 29 moves from a Sicilian Najdorf Variation.
Results of Round 9: Anand drew with Aronian; Leko drew with Svidler; Morozevich beat Kramnik; Grischuk beat Gelfand.
Standings after Round 9: 1. Anand 6 points; 2. Gelfand 5; 3. Kramnik, Grischuk and Leko 4.5; 6. Morozevich and Aronian 4; 8. Svidler 3.5
Pairings for Round 10: Aronian v Grischuk; Gelfand v Leko; Kramnik v Anand; Svidler v Morozevich