Anand beats Morozevich; shares lead at Mainz

Mainz, Aug 2 (UNI) World Champion Viswanathan Anand beat Alexander Morozevich in the third round after drawing his first two matches of the Grenkeleasing Rapid World championship to emerge joint leader on the first day of the four-man championships.

Anand shared the lead with Magnus Carlsen after three rounds with two points from a maximum of three.

The Indian, who has won 10 times in Mainz, was unable to use the white pieces to his advantage in the first round against Norwegian teen Carlsen as they drew in 37 moves of Sicilian Modern Dragon.

In the second round, Anand, playing with white pieces, was held to a draw by Judit Polgar of Hungary in the game that lasted 61 moves in a Sicilian.

However, Anand finally struck, beating the World number two in 48 moves in yet another Sicilian game, which was in the Najdorf variation.

The players will face off over another three rounds on the second day at the end of which of the best two will fight it out for the title.

The games are being played on a rapid chess format with 20 minutes to each player and a five second increment after every move is made.

Results: Round 1: Anand drew with Carlsen; Polgar lost to Morozevich Round 2: Anand drew with Polgar; Carlsen drew with Morozevich Round 3: Morozevich lost to Anand; Polgar lost to Carlsen UNI XC RAR AB KP1827