Anand sets up date with Aroninan in Chess960 finals

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Mainz, Aug 16: Viswanathan Anand scored stunning victories against Rustom Kasimdzhanov and Etienne Bacrot to qualify in his maiden appearance in the Chess 960 World Championship being played here.

On the 2nd day of the Chess960 World no.1 Anand played with white pieces against the former world Chess Champion Uzbekistan's Grandmaster Rustom Kasimdzhanov. Anand opened with e4 and Kasimdzhanov replied with d5 and there after the game moved on a snails speed.

Kasimdzhanov played very cautiously and on Anand's 9th move of f3 took almost 7 minutes to make Re8 and there after the computer showed all possibilities in favour of Anand, who finaly won the game after the 21st move.

This was Anand's first ever win in Chess960 format championship.

Anand converted an otherwise messy game against French chess grandmaster Etienne Bacrot in a superb ending. Playing with white again Anand played e4 as his first move to which Bacrot replied with e5 and than the game continued.

Anand with his fresh win in the opening game of this round played like he generally plays all his Rapid games. His grasp of this unique format was very much visible as he outclassed his opponent in all the aspects of the game.

After giving a check to the black king on 29th move with Rxb+ which somehow Bacrot easily averted but thereafter It was a matter of a few moves that Anand again gave check on the 34th move with Nd6+ and his final threat on the next move sealed Bacrot's fate.

The Frenchman accepted defeat and the Indian Grandmaster riding on with these two victories makes his way to the finals.

The Final game of the 2nd round against Aronian was just a necessity and after playing 18 moves both the players agreed for a draw. Both the players will meet in the final again.

Anand spoke to UNI