Anand Wins Tourney!
Figuring in two drawn games, Anand signed off in style to win the Melody Amber Tournament for the fourth time. The 1-1 draw came in quick time against his German clubmate Svidler. He also won the Blindfold Section with a round to spare earlier. He needs a draw in the rapid session on March 31 to formally win the rapid tournament and complete the sweep. Anand will take the lion's share of the Euro 193,250 prize fund.
Sitting on a huge lead, it is hard to motivate oneself. Yet, Anand tried for an attack and when it was correctly defended by Svidler, Anand proposed and got a 20-move draw to win the Blindfold Title on 7.5/10. Later, in the rapid game, Anand accepted Svidler's draw offer in a dead equal rook ending on the 22nd move to become champion. Anand is on 14.5/20 and is ahead of the 12-player field by three points. Leko and Morozevich are in joint second place with 11.5. Anand will play Gelfand in the final round on Thursday.
Results: Rd. 10 (Blind): Vallejo lost to Leko, Ivanchuk bt Morozevich, Shirov drew Bareev, Topalov bt Van Wely, Anand drew Svidler, Kramnik drew Gelfand. (Rapid) Leko 11.5 drew Val lejo 9, Morozevich 11.5 bt Ivanchuk 11, Bareev 6.5 drew Shirov 9.5, Van Wely 6.5 drew Topalov 9, Svidler 11 drew Anand 14.5, Gelfand 9 lost to Kramnik 10. Round.9