Anand wins 5-3 against Leko

Miskolc (Hungary):

World Champion Viswanatan Anand won the rapid match against Hungarian Peter Leko with a comfortable 5-3 margin after drawing the last two games on the final day here on Monday.

Both the games saw a keen tussle between the two players. Anand was seen pressing even as he was unable to overcome Leko's defence.

In the end both games ended in draws. The Indian ace had won two of the eight games in this match earlier and with six draws it turned out to be another cherished performance by Anand.

The Indian maintained his match victories for the second time in a row as he had beaten Kramnik in the last world championship at Bonn in Germany.

This loss in the match on his home turf turned out to be the third in a row for Leko. The Hungarian had started this series way back in 2006 when he beat former world champion Anatoly Karpov of Russia but since then his hunt for an elusive victory against a world class player is on.

In 2007 Vladimir Kramnik turned out to be superior while in 2008 Norwegian Magnus Carlsen dented Leko's confidence.

It was a Semi Slav defense by Leko once again in the seventh game and Anand expectedly opted for a solid system with white pieces. Getting a nagging advantage in the middle game Anand tried to put pressure along the central files but found Leko well armed with his defense.

The Queens got traded on the 17th move and Leko quickly exchanged a couple of pieces to ensure parity in his position. The game was drawn in just 27 moves giving Anand the victory in the match.

The eighth game was inconsequential but both players fought hard. Leko changed gears and tested Anand in the king pawn opening to which the Indian replied with the Caro Kann defense.

The Advance variation was Leko's choice and after an early queen exchange in the middle game it turned out to be a long grind. The peace was signed after 42 moves.