Grenke Chess Classic: Anand holds Caruana, stays in lead with Carlsen

Viswanathan Anand held World No. 2 Fabiano Caruana in 40 moves to stay in lead with a tally of 3.5 points at the end of five rounds.

Viswanathan Anand during the fifth-round battle at the Grenke Chess Classic on Wednesday.

Viswanathan Anand easily held World No. 2 Fabiano Caruana in 40 moves to stay in lead with Magnus Carlsen after five rounds of Grenke Chess Classic here on Wednesday.

Going into Thursday’s rest day, Anand took his tally to 3.5 points following a game that saw a series of exchanges leading to a minor-piece ending.

Playing white, Carlsen’s search for a possible victory ended with a 60-move draw against Arkadij Naiditsch.

In the only decisive battle of the day, 14-year-old International Master Vincent Kaymer broke his disappointing run of four successive losses by beating fellow-German George Meier in marathon lasting 81 moves. The action will resume on Friday at Baden Baden where the last four rounds are scheduled.

Fifth round results: Viswanathan Anand (3.5) drew with Fabiano Caruana (USA, 3); Magnus Carlsen (Nor, 3.5) drew with Arkadij Naiditsch (Aze, 2.5); Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (Fra, 3) drew with Levon Aronian (Arm, 3); Peter Svidler (Rus, 3) drew with Francisco Vallejo Pons (Esp, ); Vincent Kaymer (Ger, 1) bt Georg Meier (Ger, 1).