Anand to take on Bacrot in opening round at M-tel Masters

Sofia, Bulgaria May 11 (UNI) Super Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand will start his M-tel Masters campaign taking on Frenchman Etienne Bacrot in the opening round.

In the draws held here last night, Bacrot also got the advantage to start with white pieces against Anand.

One of the toughest tournaments, the M-Tel Masters is a category 20 tourney this year with the likes of reigning World Champion Veselin Topalov and his predecessors Anand and Ruslan Ponomariov in the fray.

The others top players include American Gata Kamsky and Russian Peter Svidler, besides talented Bacrot in the 10-round tournament.

The event was a huge success here with start players gracing the tournament and the format not allowing them to ask for a draw.

Pairing of the First Round: Peter Svidler vs Veselin Topalov Ruslan Ponomariov vs Gata Kamsky Etienne Bacrot vs Viswanathan Anand UNI XC DH HS1614