Morozevich shocks Anand

By Arvind Aaron

DORTMUND, JULY 19. Braingames World champion Vladimir Kramnik of Russia was held to a draw by Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria and FIDE World champion Viswanathan Anand was shocked by birthday boy Alexander Morozevich of Russia in the six round of the 29th Sparkassen chess meeting on Wednesday.

Kramnik leads the tournament with four points and is followed by Peter Leko of Hungary and Topalov on 3.5 points. Anand is at the bottom with two points.

An overdose of optimism cost Anand what was seen as an attempt by him to recover from the poor start in the tournament. Morozevich, who was wished by the spectators at the start, coasted to his first classical chess victory over Anand. He called the win as a ``small gift'' as he analysed the game for the press.

Irrespective of colours, Topalov is a dogged fighter. Together the players shared first place in the prestigious royal Amber blindfold and rapid tournament at Monte Carlo this spring. Since Las Palmas 1996 Topalov had not beaten Kramnik.

Topalov had a surprise opening for Kramnik but still had to defend well to draw the game with the black pieces in 42 moves. The opening surprise of the day was the modern Benoni from Topalov. In his attempt to pressurise the black pieces, Kramnik packed a pawn sacrifice in a major pieces ending. After he realised that he did not get enough, he was lucky to find a perpetual check draw.

lThe results (sixth round): V. Anand (Ind) lost V. Morozevich (Rus), V. Kramnik (Rus) drew V. Topalov (Bul), M. Adams (Eng) drew P. Leko (Hun).

The standings after six rounds: 1. V. Kramnik 4/6, 2-3. P. Leko, V. Topalov 3.5 each, 4. A. Morozevich 3, 5-6. M. Adams, V. Anand 2 each.

The moves: GM V. Anand-GM A. Morozevich, round six, Slav defence, D11: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Bd3 Bg4 6.Qb3 Bxf3 7.gxf3 Ra7 8.Nc3 e6 9.Qc2 Be7 10.Bd2 0-0 11.0-0-0 Nbd7 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.e4 Kh8 14.e5 Nh5 15.Bxh7 b5 16.Kb1 Rc7 17.Qd3 Bg5 18.f4 Bxf4 19.Bxf4 Nxf4 20.Qe3 Qh4 21.Bc2 Rfc8 22.Bd3 Nb6 23.Ne2 Nxd3 24.Rxd3 Nc4 25.Qf3 Qe4 26.Qxe4 dxe4 27.Rh3+ Kg8 28.Rd1 Nxb2 0-1.

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