Anand to take on Morozevich now

GM Viswanathan Anand will take on GM Alexander Morozevich of Russia in the fourth round after the first rest day in the Morelia-Linares chess tournament underway here.

GM Viswanathan Anand will take on GM Alexander Morozevich of Russia in the fourth round after the first rest day in the Morelia-Linares chess tournament underway here.

Anand will have the advantage of playing white against Morozevich and is expected to try all out for victory against the Russian, who is having a tough time in the event following two draws and a loss at the hands of youngster Magnus Carlsen of Norway.

Personally for Anand, things have worked out quite well as the Indian ace drew with Veselin Topalov in round one as black, found a few correct moves against Russian Peter Svidler to hold his fort and then defeated Carlsen in a game where the Norwegian simply did not put up much resistance. As things stand after the first three rounds, Anand and Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine, who came in as a last-minute replacement for Teimour Radjabov of Azerbaijan, share the lead on two points.

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Defending champion Levon Aronian of Armenia, Peter Leko of Hungary, Carlsen and Svidler follow the leaders just a half-point behind while Topalov and Morozevich are currently in the cellar having one point apiece.

Interestingly, the first three rounds have provided just three decisive games and that goes in line with the dubious distinction this event has had with regard to high percentage of draws.

ROUND 4 PAIRINGS

• Viswanathan Anand (Ind) v/s Alexander Morozevich (Rus)

• Peter Leko (Hun) v/s Levon Aronian (Arm)

• Vassily Ivancuk (Ukr) v/s Magnus Carlsen (Nor)

• Veselin Topalov (Bul) v/s Peter Svidler (Rus)

Standings after Round 3

1-2 Anand, Ivanchuk 2 each; 3-6. Svidler, Carlsen, Aronian, Leko 1.5 each; 7-8. Morozevich Topalov 1 each.