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Morozevich holds Anand to a draw

Indian Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand (6) slipped further down the ladder when he was held to a draw by young Russian Alexander Morozevich (5.5) in the tenth round of Corus international chess tournament being played in Wlikaan Zee, The Netherlands.

Garry Kasparov (7.5) extended his lead to a full point over his nearest rivals by outwitting Bosnian Predrag Nikolic.

With just three more rounds to go, Kasparov looks entreched in the driver's seat. He is yet to meet his nearest rivals Kramnik and Leko (both 6.5 points).

The game between Anand and Morozevich was an exciting affair in the Slav defence. Anand had earlier decided to challenge the young Russian in his pet Slav defence rather than take the latter in French defence. Two rounds before this game, Kasparov had outplayed Morozevich in the same opening.

However, Morozevich was better prepared to meet Anand in this exciting battle. When Anand sacrificed a piece on 22nd move for an attack, Morozevich defended brilliantly. He managed to exchange the dangerous pieces and soon the draw was agreed in the endgame after 37 moves.

Garry Kasparov faced Nikolic in Neo-Grunfeld Defence from the black pieces. He moved his pieces around patiently and waited for a breakthrough. In some tactical skirmishes resulting from Garry's knights, Nikolic lost his way and Kasparov emerged a pawn ahead in the ending. He handled the technical part with his usual flair to defeat Nikolic in 63 moves.

Contrary to expectations, Vladimir Kramnik (6.5) could not get better of Judith Polgar. The Hungarian girl had a very bad score against Kramnik from the black pieces till then. She had lost nearly all the games to the Russian and many of the pundits had written her off. However she defended well in Queen's Indian defence and managed a well-earned draw after 31 moves.

Teenager Peter Leko (6.5) of Hungary joined Kramnik in the second spot by outgunning victor Korchnoy in French defence. Though the 68-year-old Korchnoy employed a solid set up, he could not withstand the pressure of Leko's well co-ordinated army. He lost a pawn and then Leko exhibited his mastery to win the complex and game after 43 moves.

UNI