Chess: Gelfand keeps pace with Anand, 5-5

Anand tried to surprise Gelfand with the Rossolimo Attack, but the Israeli was undeterred and held on for a draw.

MAY 25, 2012 06:11

Chess 370 (photo credit: Thinkstock/Imagebank) — Chess 370

(photo credit: Thinkstock/Imagebank)

Game 10 of the World Chess Championship between Israel’s Boris Gelfand and Viswanathan Anand ended in a draw after just 25 moves in Moscow on Thursday, leaving the match tied at 5-5 with only two more games to play.

Anand, playing with the white pieces, was hoping to put Gelfand under pressure on Thursday, but the defendingchampion struggled to break down his opponent.

Anand tried to surprise Gelfand with the Rossolimo Attack, but the Israeli was undeterred and held on for a draw.

After a day of rest, Gelfand will play with the white pieces in Game 11 on Saturday, with Anand to start the final showdown of the 12-game series on Monday.

In case of a tie after 12 games, a tiebreaker will be held on Wednesday.

“I am not playing for a draw,” said Gelfand, when asked if the series is headed to a tiebreaker.

“I am playing to win.”