Viswanathan Anand Draws to Finish Joint Third in Tal Memorial

Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand finished joint third in the Tal memorial. (Photo: Reuters)

Five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand split the point with Levon Aronian of Armenia and finished joint third after the conclusion of the 10th Tal Memorial International chess tournament in Moscow on Friday.

It turned out to be a mixed event for Anand although he did add a few rating points. The draw with Aronian was Anand's sixth in the tournament besides two beautiful victories and a sole loss.

The game with Aronian was a tense affair wherein both players could claim to be slightly superior at some point in the game. However, the Italian opening by Anand did not yield enough to press for a win although the players fought on till the 40th move.

Viswanathan Anand split the point with Levon Aronian. (Photo: AP)

Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia, who had been leading throughout the $20,000 prize money tournament, won by holding on a much worse position against lowest-placed Boris Gelfand of Israel in the final round.

One of the top contenders to win the tournament, Anish Giri, finished just a half point behind Nepomniachtchi who ended the tournament on six points.

Giri finished second on 5.5 points, a half point ahead of Aronian and Anand who both tied for the third spot with identical five points. Aronian drew eight and won only one for his five points.

Viswanathan in action at the Tal Memorial International chess tournament. (Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Tal Memorial)

Vladimir Kramnik of Russia ended joint fifth along with compatriot Peter Svidler, Li Chao and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov of Azerbaijan on 4.5 points apiece. Evgeny Tomashevsky of Russia finished ninth on 3.5 points in the ten-player round-robin tournament while Gelfand tallied two points with his four draws and five losses to finish last.

The caravan doesn't stop here as up next for Anand is the Champions Showdown at St Louis in United States starting mid-November. The Indian will then take part in the London Chess Classic that is a part of the Grand Chess Tour.

(This copy has been edited for length.)