World
Champion Viswanathan Anand of India took the Villarobledo International Open Rapid play
title with 7.5 points in a field of 36 Grandmasters and 22 International Masters at
Villarobledo, Spain, here today. Tying with Anand at 7.5 points was World Championship
Runner Up Alexei Shirov. But a better tie break saw Anand taking the title. Anand had a
flying start on the first day scoring 5/5 along with veteran Yugoslav Grandmaster Ljubomir
Ljubojevic, and took the title with comfort on the second day.
Following the joint champions half a
point behind at 7.0 points were GMs Atanas Kolev (Bulgaria), Ljubomir Ljubojevic
(Yugoslavia), Evgenij Agrest (Sweden), Bogdan Lalic (England), Alexander Chernin
(Hungary) and IM Didier Collas (France).
Day 1 - Vishy Anand in joint lead
World champion Viswanathan Anand led the
field with a 2/2 score in the Villarobledo International Open after the second round here
today. Anand scored a quick win over Spaniard Fernandez in a Sicilian Rossolimo game
lasting 27 moves. Fernandez threw in the towel when he was up to the last four seconds,
already down by an exchange and a pawn.
The two-day weekend rapid promises
exciting fare with the players card extending to some players known for uncompromising
play. Apart from Anand and Shirov, others taking part in the meet in Spain include
Beliavksy, Tiviakov, Milov, Vallejo, Garcia and Chernin.
The event in Villarobeldo carries a total
prize purse of around $ 16,500. More than 30 GMs and IMs are taking part in the meet.
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