Candidates as it happened: Anand settles for draw against Kramnik

Watch a consolidated video of all the Candidates matches above. If you are following us on your cellphone, CLICK HERE . Khanty Mansiysk: On a high after two big wins, five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand will take on former challenger and in-form Vladimir Kramnik of Russia in the fourth round of the Candidates chess tournament here. Follow our live updates of today’s match below: Starting with a fine victory over rating favourite Levon Aronian of Armenia, an easy draw as black against Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria and a win against Shakhriyar Mamedyarov of Azerbaijan has put Anand in front of the eight-player pack on 2.5 points from three games. It’s early days to reach any conclusions with 11 rounds still to come in the event that will decide the challenger for Magnus Carlsen for the next World championship match. [caption id=“attachment_1437689” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Viswanathan Anand. AFP[/caption] However, Anand has certainly proved that there is a lot left in him by showing tremendous motivation, skill and all-round display of competitive chess he has been known for over the years. Starting with Kramnik, Anand will meet Dmitry Andreikin and Sergey Karjakin before the second rest day arrives. Given the form Anand is in, a victory in the next three rounds will help strengthen his position at the top. Kramnik and Peter Svidler share the second spot with two points each and both have displayed high quality chess thus far. The two were part of a timeless masterpiece in the third round wherein Kramnik did a ‘Houdini’ to come out unscathed from what looked like a lost position. Svidler’s sole victory came against Andreikin, the lowest ranked player, but he has been involved in some lively chess thus far that makes him a feared opponent. Aronian and Topalov stayed on a 50 percent score after a nail biting draw in the third round. While Aronian lost one and won one, Topalov is the only player who has drawn all games thus far. Topalov’s battle against Anand was the only tame draw wherein the Indian showed good preparation after sacrificing a pawn and gave no chances as black. The Russian duo of Sergey Karjakin and Andreikin has some catching up to do as they both have one point. Karjakin was outdone by Kramnik in round two and will have to recover quickly if he has to make an impact. For Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, it has been a bad beginning but a lot can change as he gets into the groove. The Candidates thus far has belonged to Anand and if the Indian ace keeps up the momentum there is no stopping him. What will happen in remaining rounds will unfold in due course, for now its ‘advantage Anand’. Pairings round 4: V Anand (Ind, 2.5) v/s Vladimir Kramnik (Rus, 2); Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Aze, 0.5) v/s Dmitry Andreikin (Rus, 1); Sergey Karjakin (Rus, 1) v/s Veselin Topalov (Bul, 1.5); Levon Aronian (Arm, 1.5) v/s Peter Svidler (Rus, 2). PTI