Anand draws all his 3 games in Chess960

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Mainz, Aug 15:Viswanathan Anand drew all his three games against more experienced Rustam Kasimdzhanov, Levon Aronian and Etienne Bacrot to end the first round on second place in the Chess960 World Rapid championship here.

Aronian is at the top spot with 2.5 points, followed by Anand (1.5), Kasimdzhanov (1.0) and Bacrot (0.5) after first day's play.

Despite being a new entrant in this format, the World Rapid Champion Indian dominated Kasimdzhanov in the game. Even though playing with black pieces, Anand threatened the white king several times in the end game but had to settle for a draw on the 50th move.

In the second game against Barcot also, Anand played with black pieces. This time both the players were given a game formation of 383 of the 960 possibilities.

This was a short game of 19 moves after which both the players realised that the game being equal will not provide a result and Anand accepted the draw when offered by French Grandmaster.

In the crucial third game against defending champion Aronian, Anand, playing with white pieces opened with c4 to which Aronian replied with f5.

Aronian, who defeated Peter Svidler in 2006 to claim the Chess960 title took more time before making a move as he was aware of Anand's dominance and the 'kill' in Rapid Chess.

The Indian was quick to give a check to the black king on the 16th move but a vigilant Aronian thwarted the attack. By the time the game was 19th moves old, the time difference reached a staggering six minutes in favour of Anand.

Though Aronian made several small mistakes, he quickly rectified his mistake before Anand could exploit in his favour. Anand also committed a blunder with Nc4 but somehow ably defended and in the end Aronian offered a draw which Anand happily accepted.

''Mainly the problem is unfamiliarity You come to the board and you need some time to get oriented. In fact, when you go for a normal chess there are things we don't start looking at,'' Anand told UNI after the day's play.

''From the very beginning when you are on move four you are not sure of your opponent's next move while in normal chess you are quite sure where the pieces are. In the morning I played some games with the computer to practice a little bit and I found them very impotant.

I think I had mild chances in one or two games but at the same time I struggled also. I think starting with three draws is a good beginning,'' he said.

On the second table, Bacrot could not bear Armenian Grandmaster Aronian's onslaught and accepted defeat.

Kasimdzhanov was no match to defending Champion Aronian and lost his second game.

However, he came back in the third game and scored a stunning victory over Bacrot.

Anand will play with two white pieces and one black in the next round of three games to decide the finalists.

Round One Results: Ist Game: Rustam Kasimdzhanov drew with Viswanatha Anand Levon Aronian beat Etienne Bacrot 2nd Game: Etienne Bacrot drew with Viswanathan Anand Levon Aronian beat Rustom Kasimdzhanov 3rd Game: Viswantahan Anand drew with Levon Aronian Rustom Kasimdzhanov beat Etienne Bacrot Standing After Round One: Levon Aronian (2.5 points) Viswanathan Anand (1.5) Rustom Kasimdzhanov (1.0) Etienne Bacrot (0.5).

UNI