Radjabov beats Anand to take lead at Rapid World chess Championship

Mainz, Germany, Aug 18 (UNI) Viswanathan Anand suffered his first loss at the hands of Azerbaijan Grandmaster Teimour Radjabov, allowing the youngster to take the early lead on the first day of the four-day Grenkeleasing Rapid World chess Championship here.

The championship is a part of the Chess Classic and the eight-time champion Indian could not hide his disappointment after suffering the early jolt.

''I spoiled it. If I could do something but I don't know what,'' a visibly upset Anand told UNI immediately after his loss.

In the first game, Anand playing with white, and Radjabov exchanged a few pieces before cautiously moving towards Sicilian lines. Anand, as usual, played a fast game and on the 18th move brought in a check to the black king but Radjabov was fully prepared for the eventuality and averted the danger.

Thereafter the game more or less moved on a slow pace with none of the player ready to take any risk and after the 34th move, when no result was in sight, the players agreed to split the point.

The second game was played on a Queen's Gambit Declined lines and Radjabov, playing with white, was more aggressive but lost a few pieces. However, that did not give any opportunity to Anand to strike back.

The youngster played a sharp game and Anand made a fatal error in the middle game which in the end cost him the match and after a marathon battle the Indian accepted defeat on the 46th move.

''The second game obviously should have been better but I spoiled it. I will check when I go back home,'' Anand said.

Anand had earlier beaten Radjabov in FIDE Grandprix in Dubai.

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