Anand avenges chess960 defeat by beating Aronian in World Rapid

Mainz, August 18 (UNI) The World Rapid King and defending champion Viswanathan Anand avenged his defeat at the hands of Aronian in chess 960 Final's by beating him on the First day in the 2nd game of the Grenke Leasing world Rapid Championship in Rhinegoldhalle here.

In the Opening game yesterday, Anand playing with White against his traditional rival Rustom Kasimdzhanov opened with e 4 and Kasimdzhanov replied with e5. After the set moves the game was played on Ruy Lopez lines. Anand played a technically perfect game, occupied all the relevant squares and did not give Kasimdzhanov any chance to improve his position. Realising the mess in which he was, Kasimdzhanov surrendered to the Rapid King on the 45th move.

With one win in hand Anand was more aggressive against Aronian.

In this Ruy Lopez game, by the time Aronian realized what is happening on the board, Anand surrounded the black pieces and finally gave a check to Aronian's King on the 37th move with Rf7+.

Aronian however survived the attack but than could not bear the pressure of Anand's onslaught and surrendered meekly on the 40th move.

With two victories at hand Anand was more at ease against Frenchman Etienne Bacrot. Playing with black this time Anand replied with e5 to Bacrot's opening move of e4. In this game also, Anand took to Ruy Lopez lines which gave him the earlier two wins. Though he had some problems in the middle game but was able to keep them away.He played a relaxed game and agreed for draw when offered on the 37th move.

Anand spoke to UNI after the games, ''It is nice to win two games. In the third game I was slightly worse but with no problems.

It is a nice start. Tomorrow I have three more games and if you are one of the two top that you still have a long way to go.'' In other games, Aronian defeated Bacrot in the first game and lost the 2nd to Anand and drew with the third game with Kasimdzhanov. Bacrot beat Kasimdzhanov in the 2nd game. In the 2nd Round Anand will have 2 blacks and One white in the next 3 games to determine the Finalist.

Standings after three Games: Viswanathan Anand 2.5 Levon Aronian 1.5 Etienne Bacrot 1.5 UNI XC BJR BST1015