The Hindu : Bologan, the surprise packet

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Aug 07, 2003

Sport

Sport - Chess

Bologan, the surprise packet

By Arvind Aaron

Dortmund Aug. 6. Former World chess champion Viswanathan Anand has taken his ship out of the storm and is slowly steering to safety in the Sparkassen Chess Meeting being held at the Dortmund Theatre here.

After the first half, Anand, twice joint winner of the tournament, has two draws, one victory and two losses and is in joint third place with two points from five games.

The Moscow-based Viktor Bologan, who represents his home country Moldova, has been the talk of the tournament.

Three victories have swung him into the lead with six-time winner, Vladimir Kramnik of Russia, a point behind with three points.

Bologan shocked Anand to register his first career win against him.

In another upset against Leko, he was lucky when the Hungarian blundered in the last move of the first time control.

This is Bologan's career-best performance and he can increase his lead in round six as he faces the less experienced German teenager, Arkady Naiditch, with the white pieces.

But black games against both Anand and Kramnik in the second half of the tourney will be the decisive moments for him.

Kramnik slipped from near defeat to sign the peace treaty with future challenger Leko in round five.

He has not done anything spectacular so far. Though the second half has belonged to him in the previous years, it will be a testing time for him to claim the title he won here in 2001.

He could not play in 2002 as the tourney was just a qualification round to pick his challenger for the World classical chess crown.

Anand, who appears to be on the recovery trail, has not performed to expectations. He normally starts well and this holds the key to his success.

Meanwhile, things are getting hotter with the temperature expected to touch 40 degrees. "Our hotels are clearly made for winter," Anand said.

Standings after five rounds: 1 Viktor Bologan (Mda) 4/5, 2 Vladimir Kramnik (Rus) 3, 3-6 Viswanathan Anand (Ind), Teimour Radjabov (Aze), Peter Leko (Hun) and Arkady Naiditch (Ger) 2 each.

Pairings for round six: Radjabov v Kramnik, Bologan v Naiditch and Leko v Anand.

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