Anand chances thin after Karpov draw

MUMBAI, JULY 15: Vishwanathan Anand’s chances of winning the 27th Dortmund Grandmasters Championship diminished when he drew his fifth round match against former world champion Anatoly Karpov today.

At the top table, Peter Leko of Hungary marshalled the white pieces adroitly to consolidate his lead, inflicting on Dutchman Jan Timman his fourth defeat of the tournament. Leko’s 27-move win pushed him one point adrift of challengers Anand and Karpov, both of whom have logged three points each.

Anand, playing black, settled for a draw after 29 moves. With two more rounds left in the tournament, it is unlikely that Anand will be able to cover the deficit against an in-form Leko.