BIEL, July 28: Playing majestically like a true champion, Indian Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand (5) demolished former world junior champion Joel Lautier (2) of France in the sixth round of Credit Suisse International Grandmasters Chess Tournament being played at the Congress Centre here.

With this victory from black pieces, Anand has managed to maintain his lead over world champion Anatoly Karpov (4.5) who dispatched tail-ender Yannik Pelletier (0.5) of Switzerland to his fifth loss of this tournament.

Grandmaster Anand employed the Najdorf variation of Sicilian defence-regarded as the most complicated by the experts. Lautier was prepared with Bobby Fischer's pet Sozin attack against it.

Lautier gained an initiative in the centre while Anand started occupying space on the queen's wing. Lautier's pawn thrust on 13th move aimed at breaking through Anand's central defences. At this moment Anand came up with a startling sacrifice of exchange which tied down Lautier's pieces to their passive posts. Anand's 19th move pinned Lautier's knight which was pride of the Frenchman's position till then faced with loss of a piece, Lautier gave back the exchange and remained one pawn down in a resulting position.

Thereafter, Anand gave an exhibition of his technical prowess. His play would have made any world champion proud as he mounted unbearable pressure on the white's position. Anand's handling of the final assault was so good that Lautier could not save his queen from getting trapped in spite of the latter's heroic efforts. Lautier resigned on the 34th move by extending his hand as the auditorium exploded in spontaneous applause.

This win from the black pieces gives Anand a good chance to pip world champion Karpov for the first prize.

Lautier had recently won a very strong tournament in Ubeda and his best performance was in Amsterdam, 1995 where he defeated Garry Kasparov on his way to first prize in Dr Euwe Memorial Chess Tournament.

However, Anand had completely dominated Lautie by scoring wins with both black and white.

Karpov (4.5) remained within striking distance of Anand by defeating 20-year-old Pelletier (0.5) of Switzerland from the white pieces. Grandmaster Boris Gelfand (3.5) of Belarus was held to a draw by Grandmaster Vadim Milov (2.5) of Switzerland.

Tal, Hunt emerge champs

ZAGAN: International Master Shaked Tal of USA and Woman Grandmaster Harriet Hunt of England lifted the boys and girls titles in the World junior chess championship, here yesterday.

International Women's Master Vijayalakashmi Subbaraman (8.5 points) of India finished with a tie for fifth to seventh placings. In the final round, Vijayalakshmi was held to a draw by Polish IWM Joanna Dworakowska (9.5), who took the silver.

The Indian, who performed creditably thus far and would have been among the medals had she won the last game, finished seventh.

Compatriot Abhijit Kunte improved his standing by a last-round win over Magomed Zulfugarli of Azherbistan. The National champion ended with a tie for 17th to 24th position.

Important results and points position: Girls: IWM Z Anna (Ukr) lost to WGM H Hunt (Eng); IWM Vijayalakshmi (Ind) drew IWM Joanna (Pol); M Nora lost to T Vasilevich; D Ciuksyte lost to M Zielinska.

Final standings (Boys): 1 IM Shaked Tal (USA) 9.5 points; 2. IM V Mirumian (Arm) 9.5; 3. IM H Banikas (Gre) 9; 4. GM S Movsesian (Fze) 9; 5. IM Zhang Zhong (Chn) 9.

Girls: 1. WGM Harriet Hunt (Eng) 10.5 points; 2. IWM J Dworakowska (Pol) 9.53. WGM T Vasilevich (Ukr) 9.5; 4. IWM M Zielinska (Pol) 9; 5. WFM Iweta Radziewicz (Pol) 8.5; 6. IWM Z Hagarova (Svk) 8.5; 7. IWM Vijayalakshmi (Ind) 8.5.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.