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Vishwanathan Ananad Retains Leon Title

13th June: World No. 2 and former world champion Viswanathan Anand of India retained his Magistral Ciudad de Leon active chess title in Leon on Sunday night by beating World champion Veselin Topalov 2.5-1.5. This is Anand's sixth victory in Leon. Anand's 50-move win in the second game of the four-game final provided the crucial difference. Topalov employed the Berlin defence but never achieved a level position as Anand deployed his pieces in perfect fashion in the typical queen-less endgame. The exchange of minor pieces also failed to bring much relief for Topalov as Anand's rooks created havoc and knocked down pawns in a heap. In the final position after 50 moves, Anand had three extra pawns to cheer about. The other three games ended in draws. Anand had survived an ouster threat in the semifinals as he lost the first tiebreak game against Lazaro Bruzon of Cuba. However, subsequent strikes led Anand to the finals. This victory was a much needed confidence booster for Anand, who was seen struggling in Sofia and Turin in the past month.