MADRID, May 22: Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand of India annexed the Torneo Magistral crown with a fluent 23-move draw against world number nine Peter Svidler of Russia to bag his third Super Category title of this season.World number two Anand played with determination against Svidler, a better rated player than other GMs in the seventh edition of the Madrid tournament here last night and remained undefeated, scoring 6.5 points from nine games.Needing just a draw to claim the title and avoid playing rapid-fire tie-breakers, Anand faced no serious challenge from Svidler and his peace offer was readily accepted by the Russian, who finished second with 5.5 points.
The Indian's success in this Category 17 tournament was, however, shade below the expectations of his fans who would have preferred to see him cross the elusive 2800-Elo points mark when the next rating list is announced.The top seed here needed to earn seven plus points to reach the 2800 mark, but his failure to register victory while playingblack pieces saw him fall behind his target.
Anand won five Elo points by virtue of his performance here which should put him on 2795, his all time high, when the July 1998 rating list is released.The 28-year-old Indian will next participate in Frankfurt tournament in June but his performance there will not be reflected in the July rating list and he will have to continue performing at his best till the Fide, world's chess ruling body, issues its next rating list. Anand replied with Caro-Kann Defence to Svidler's advanced variation and never allowed the Russian to dominate.
The 22-year-old Russian tried to force Anand into defensive with an interesting 14th move but the Indian never let his concentration down and with his sheer superiority over his rival he played for the draw.Anand, who drew all the games he played with black pieces was the runaway winner -- leading the tournament right from the first round.
The bottom seed Pablo San Segundo of Spain came up with a remarkable performance and finishedthird along with Peter Leko of Hungary, both grossing five points each.
Final round results: Peter Svidler (Rus) 5.5 drew Viswanathan Anand (Ind) 6.5; Alex Yermolinsky (US) 4 drew Peter Leko (Hun) 5; Miguel Illescas (Esp) 4.5 drew Alexander Beliavsky (Slv) 3; Granda Zuniga (Peru) 2.5 drew Michael Krasenkov (Pol) 4.5; San Segundo (Esp) 5 drew Michael Adams (Eng) 4.5.
Final placings: 1 V Anand (6.5); 2 P Svidler (5.5); 3-4 San Segundo, P Leko (5 each); 5-7 M Adams, M Illescas, M Krasenkov (4.5 each); 8 A Yermolinsky (4); 9 A Beliavsky (3); 10 Granda Zuniga (2.5).
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
