Doha: Former world champion Vladimir Kramnik of Russia defeated Anish Giri of Holland to keep himself in the race for the Qatar Masters Open 2014 title.
Yesterday Kramnik handed the 20-year-old upcoming Dutch player his first defeat of the championship.
The two now share the top spot with six points each at the end of the seventh round.
The Russian who did not have the best of the starts in the championship, and lost his first match, has since bounced back to top form winning five matches in a row with two games still to go.
“He has a problem playing against me. Very soon he will start to beat me,” said Karmnik in comments on ChessTV after his win over Giri yesterday.
“To win five in a row didn’t happen to me for quite some time.” Kramnik added.
The Qatar tournament is being conducted according to the Swiss System of nine rounds and if necessary a play-off. The event will end on December 4.
Some of the high profile players are taking part in the event including 92 grandmasters, of the 154 players taking part.
The total prize money is $110,000. The first place winner will get $25,000. First place for ladies is $5,000.
The Peninsula
