Gelfand, Anand still tied

Israel’s Boris Gelfand and defending-champion Viswanathan Anand will enter the 12th and final game of the World Chess Championship on Monday tied at 5.5-5.5 after drawing once more on Saturday.

The challenger and the champion have shared just one victory each in 11 games so far, drawing for the ninth time on Saturday when Gelfand accepted the Indian’s offer after 24 moves and two and three-quarter hours.

Anand remains the favorite to retain his title entering Monday, especially as he will be playing with the white pieces.

Should Monday’s match also end in a draw, tiebreak games of shorter duration will be played on Wednesday to decide the winner.

“I would say that with all his results Vishy has proved that he is one of the best, or maybe the best at all-time controls,” said Gelfand, who is hoping to become just the 16th undisputed world champion since 1886.

“Look at his record – otherwise he wouldn’t have been world champion for so many years.”

Anand, who has struggled to break down Gelfand, will be hoping for a repeat of his last title defense two years ago when he defeated Bulgaria’s Veselin Topalov in the 12th and final game to avoid tiebreakers.

“I am going to get ready for the next game and take it one step at a time. [2010] was a tough struggle and so is this,” he said. “I am trying not to get ahead of myself but with the scoreline you can see the similarity.”