As expected, Viswanathan Anand and joint-overnight leader Ian Nepomniachtchi were engaged in a drawn encounter in the sixth round of the Tata Steel Masters chess tournament here on Friday.
When the action resumed after a day of rest, Anand settled for a quick 22-draw with the Russian, who played with black pieces.
A little earlier, Vidit Gujarati signed peace in just 18 moves with USA’s Samuel Shankland. Anand and Vidit are on 3.5 points.
Joining Nepomniachtchi in the lead at four points was Anish Giri. Magnus Carlsen appeared well poised to join them at four points after closing in on a victory over Shakhiryar Mamedyarov.
Anish Giri became the first player to score three wins following his 44-move victory with black pieces against Poland’s Jan-Krzysztof Duda. Carlsen punished Shakhriyar Mamedyarov for a late error and inched closer to a win. Ding Liren looked set to join the trio following an anticipated draw with Teimour Radjabov.
Vladimir Kramnik was pressing for his first win after Richard Rapport let him off the hook.
In the Challengers section, R. Praggnanandhaa (2.5 points) recorded his fifth successive draw after 35-move deadlock with Germany’s Elizabeth Paehtz.
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