Ivanchuk Wins Anand 1.5-0.5
By Arvind Aaron

After an early draw with white in the blindfold encounter, Viswanathan Anand lost the rapid encounter to fellow 1969-born Ivanchuk of Lvov, Ukraine in the ninth round of the Amber Chess Tournament at Nice in France on Tuesday. The defeat pushed Anand to seventh place in the 12-player event with nine points.

Left handed Levon Aronian of Armenia has firmly established a massive 2.5-point lead after a 2-0 sweep over Morozevich of Russia on March 25.

Vladimir Kramnik of Russia who beat Carlsen in blindfold for a 1.5-0.5 win moved to join Leko and Carlsen in the second place on ten points. Two rounds or four games remain to be played.

Aronian is assured of the Rapid Title. He has 7/9 and has established a big 2-point lead with two rounds still to go. Defending champion Kramnik, Morozevich and Aronian are in front in the blindfold section with 5.5/9 each.

The results of round nine (blindfold): Leko drew with Karjakin, Anand drew with Ivanchuk, Morozevich lost to Aronian, Mamedyarov lost to Van Wely, Kramnik bt Carlsen, Topalov drew with Gelfand.

The results of round nine (rapid): Karjakin drew with Leko, Aronian bt Morozevich, Carlsen drew with Kramnik, Ivanchuk bt Anand, Van Wely drew with Mamedyarov, Gelfand drew with Topalov.
 

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Home                                                       Published on 26^th  March, 2008