Kramnik Wins Combined Title, Anand Second
By Arvind Aaron

Viswanathan Anand finished clear second in the 16th Amber Blindfold and Rapid Chess Tournament that concluded with the distribution of cash prizes totalling Euro 216,000 on March 29. Expectedly, the 1975-born world champion Vladimir Kramnik of Russia won the event with two draws against Francisco Pons Vallejo of Spain in the blindfold and rapid games to post a total of 15.5/22. It was Kramnik's sixth title in Monte Carlo. He was the winner in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, and 2004.

Though he had a slight advantage, Kramnik did not go for the blindfold record (9.5/11) set by Morozevich last year. He was satisfied with a draw and blindfold title with 9/11. Anand won the rapid section and there was no challenge for the pacy Indian. He finished two points ahead of the pack with 8.5/11.

The hot scorers, Kramnik and Anand remained quiet in the last two rounds. The fight for the second place was decided when Aronian defeated Ivanchuk in the blindfold game. Five-time champion Anand scored 13.5 and took the second place with the first Amber champion champion Ivanchuk settling for the third place on 13.

Among the young debutants, Carlsen impressed with 10.5 points and Radjabov scored nine points. It was a clear lopsided contest with Kramnik dominating the combined and blindfold event with Anand having his sway over the rapid chess.

The results (round 11 and final):

Blindfold: Leko drew Radjabov, Carlsen drew Van Wely, Svidler lost to Morozevich, Gelfand drew Anand, Aronian bt Ivanchuk, Vallejo drew Kramnik.

Rapid: Radjabov lost to Leko, Van Wely lost to Carlsen, Morozevich lost to Svidler, Anand drew Gelfand, Ivanchuk drew Aronian, Kramnik drew Vallejo.

Final combined placings: 1 Kramnik (Rus) 15.5/22, 2 Anand (Ind) 13.5, 3 Ivanchuk (Ukr) 13, 4-5 Svidler (Rus), Aronian (Arm) 12 each, 6-7 Gelfand (Isr),

Morozevich (Rus) 11.5 each, 8-9 Carlsen (Nor), Leko (Hun) 10.5 each, 10 Radjabov (Aze) 9, 11-12 Vallejo (Esp), Van Wely (Ned) 6.5 each.

 

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Published on : 30th March, 2007