Cap D'agde (France), Oct 26: World Cup champion Viswanathan Anand stormed his way into the quarterfinals with a hard earned victory over former world champion Anatoly Karpov of Russia in the 7th and final round game of the league phase that concluded here. Russian grandmaster duo of Peter Svidler and Alexander Grischuk and world's strongest woman player Judit Polgar of Hungary along with Anand made it to the knockout stage.
Svidler won the Group 'B' league phase comprehensively with 5 points out of a possible 7. Grischuk finished second on 4.5 points while Judit and Anand tied for third place on 4 points apiece.
Steely nerves complemented by superior endgame skills spelled success for Anand as he bounced back from the brink of being ousted from the event to be amongst the front runners now.
Anand had an absorbing session of mental boxing against Karpov in the final game.
Bureau Report