Tata Steel Chess: Anand outplays Hou Yifan, jumps to fourth spot

Vishwanathan Anand's win over Hou Yifan raised his tally to seven points and brought him within striking distance of the leaders Magnus Carslen, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Anish Giri at the Tata Steel Chess.

Friday's win over Hou Yifan moved Vishwanathan Anand to the fourth spot in the Tata Steel Chess tournament.

A resurgent Viswanathan Anand moved within half-a-point of the leaders after making short work of China’s Hou Yifan, the strongest lady player in the world, in the 11th round of the Tata Steel chess tournament here on Friday.

Anand’s fourth win raised his tally to seven points and brought him within striking distance of the leaders Magnus Carslen, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Anish Giri. The victory, coupled with the 59-move defeat of Vladimir Kramik (6.5) to Russian compatriot Sergey Karjakin, placed Anand in the fourth spot. Carlsen and Mamedyrov drew in 38 moves. Giri survived a few anxious moment before drawing with World No. two Fabiano Caruana before Kramnik lost. Anand, playing white, was in control of this Semi-Tarrasch game. He established an advanced queen-side pawn and the pressure of the queen-rook pair saw Hou Yifan err in her judgement. After Anand’s 33rd move, the Chinese girl accepted defeat. Before Anand’s resounding victory, B. Adhiban drew with China’s Wei Yi in just 21 moves. In the Challengers section, leaders Vidit Gujarthi and Anton Korobov signed peace in just 31 moves to stay ahead at 7.5 points. D. Harika was defending well against sustained pressure from Jordeen van Foreest after 45 moves.  

11th round results (Indians unless stated): Masters: Viswanathan Anand (7) bt Hou Yifan (Chn, 2); B. Adhiban (3.5) drew with Wei Yi (Chn, 4.5); Fabiano Caruana (USA, 4.5) drew with Anish Giri (Ned, 7.5); Wesley So (USA, 6.5) bt Gawain Jones (Eng, 4); Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Aze, 7.5) drew with Magnus Carlsen (Nor, 7,5); Maxim Matlakov (Rus, 4.5) drew with Peter Svidler (Rus, 5); Sergey Karjakin (Rus, 6.5) bt Vladimir Kramnik (Rus, 6.5). Challengers: Vidit Gujrathi (7.5) drew with Anton Korobov (Ukr, 7.5); D. Harika (4) lost to Jorden van Foreest (Ned, 6.5); Bassem Amin (Egy, 6) drew with Aryan Tari (Nor, 5); Dmitry Gordievsky (Rus, 6) drew with Matthias Bluebaum (Ger, 6); Erwin L’Ami (Ned, 5) drew with Olga Girya (Rus, 3.5); Lucas van Foreest (Ned, 4) lost to Jeffery Xiong (USA, 6); Michal Krasenkow (Pol, 5) drew with Benjamin Bok (Ned, 5).