Anand extends lead to regain World title, beats Alexander Morozevich in Round 11

SEP 26: India’s Vishwanathan Anand extended his lead with an aggregate of 7.5 points to regain his World title, as he outplayed Alexander Morozevich to emerge as the sole leader with 1.5 points well ahead his nearest rival Boris Gelfand after Round 11 at the World Chess Championship in Mexico City on Wednesday.

With the World title well in sight, Anand is on the right track, though the wait for him has been too long but now it’s matter of few days and only some miracle could possibly deny him the crown. He is moving steady towards his objective. With three rounds to go, even draws are enough for Anand to regain his title, which he won in year 2000.

Vladimir Kramnik of Russia was the lone major threat in Anand's quest for the title at the start of the championship. But now he gave up hopes of defending his title after his speedy draw with compatriot Alexander Grischuk leaving him with a tally of 5.5 points while an exhausting Boris Gelfand also played it safe against Russian Peter Svidler.

The other contest of the day too ended in a draw as Levon Aronian of Armenia and Peter Leko of Hungary fought harder but that too reached a deadlock.

As things stand, Gelfand (6) is half point ahead of Kramnik, Aronian and Leko, with Grischuk (5) being another half point adrift to be in sole sixth spot.

World Number One Vishwanathan Anand stood out the only winner in Round-11 while rest of the players dished out dull draws to make things easy for Anand to corner glory. This was Anand’s fourth win out of eleven games played thus far.

Anand will resume his 12 th round game after a day of rest and face Peter Svidler followed by Alexander Grischuk in the penultimate round, the Russians he defeated with white pieces earlier, and signs off the campaign against Peter Leko.

Results (Round 11 th): Vishwanathan Anand (7.5) beat Alexander Morozevich (Rus, 4.5), Boris Gelfand (Isr, 6) drew with Peter Svidler (Rus, 4.5), Alexander Grischuk (Rus, 5) drew with Vladimir Kramnik (Rus, 5.5) and Peter Leko (Hun, 5.5) drew Levon Aronian (Arm, 5.5).