Anand reigns supreme in Rapid; Kramnik triumphs in Blindfold

Monaco, Mar 29 (UNI) Viswanathan Anand won the Rapid section at the Melody-Amber Blindfold and Rapid chess tournament with a round to spare thus reaffirming that when it comes to fast moves, the Indian is head and shoulders above his contemporaries.

Vishy, who will become the world No. one on Saturday, spilt points with the Hungarian Grandmaster Peter Leko in the penultimate 10th round to lift the rapid title with eight points -- a full two point lead over second placed World Champion Vladimir Kramnik of Russia and Ukranian GM Vassily Ivanchuk.

However, the Russian ruled the roost in the blindfold segment winning it with a round to spare. It would be a double delight for Kramnik as he is all set to lift the overall championship needing only a draw in the remaining two games.

Kramnik leads with 14.5 point while Anand and Ivanchuk are joint second with 12.5 points apiece in the comined standings.

Peter Svidler of Russia is sole fourth on 11 points.

It was a day of draws at the tournament and while Anand tried but failed to sneak into Leko's defence in both the games, Kramnik was held to a stalemate by Svidler. On the other board, Ivanchuk drew his games with Israeli Boris Gelfand.

Playing with white in the blindfold section, Anand faced Marshall Gambit by Leko. Leko fortified his pieces and Anand proposed a draw after 23 moves.

The rapid game saw a role reversal and this time it was Anand who relied on Marshall gambit with black pieces. The two players agreed for a draw after 33 moves.

UNI