Anand sets up revenge clash against Aronian in World Rapid Final

Mainz, Germany, Aug 19 (UNI) Defending champion Viswanathan Anand displayed his class against Uzbek Grandmaster Rustom Kasimdzhanov to top the points table in the preliminary rounds and thereby setting up yet another final encounter against Levon Aronian of Armenia in the Grenk Leasing Rapid Championship here.

In the four games final to be played today, Anand will defend his title for the tenth time against the Armenian Grandmaster.

In the first game of the day playing with black pieces, Anand started aggressively as he need just a win to qualify for the final, but later warded off some real threats from Kasimdzhanov.

Kasimdzhanov seemed fully prepared for the encounter as he did not allow Anand any opportunity for a win. However, after a prolonged game of 67 moves, when it seemed there was no result in sight, the NIIT-backed Anand decided to offer a draw which his counterpart gladly accepted.

Meanwhile, the second game which lasted just 25 moves also ended in a tame draw as Anand choose to play safely.

The Indian ace's third game against Frenchman Etiennie Bacrot also eneded on the lines of the first two.

After the prelims, Anand tops the points tally with four, closely followed by Aronian on 3.5, Kasimdzhanov on 2.5 and Bacrot on 2 points.

He would like to avenge his defeat here against Aronian in the Chess960 showdown last week.

Finals : Viswanathan Anand vs Levon Aronian UNI