Harikrishna draws Anand

Pentala Harikrishna drew world champion Viswanathan Anand in the six round of the Tata Steel Super Category event at Wijk aan Zee in the Netherlands on January 18, 2013.

World No.1 ranked Magnus Carlsen used this opportunity to defeat Bosnian born Ivan Sokolov of the Netherlands and move into sole lead with 4.5 points. Anand and Sergey Karjakin of Russia are in the next spot with four points. Harikrishna is on 3.5 points. Both Anand and Harikrishna are in the rating gainers category so far.

Harikrishna and Anand drew a well fought encounter after 41 moves. Anand as black kept a small advantage in the English opening.
Harikrishna had two pieces for Anand’s rook and two pawns and the players agreed to share a point when Anand offered a draw.

Hou Yifan scored a long marathon win over Giri with the black pieces. Four decisive games occurred with Van Wely bouncing back from the crushing defeat he suffered against Harikrishna in the previous game. Van Wely beat Wang Hao.

The results (round six): Nakamura (USA) drew with L’Ami (Ned), Van Wely (Ned) bt Wang Hao (Chn), Aronian (Arm) bt Leko (Hun), Harikrishna (Ind) drew with Anand (Ind), Carlsen (Nor) bt I Sokolov (Ned), Caruana (Ita) drew with Karjakin (Rus), A Giri (Ned) lost to Hou Yifan (Chn).