Chess

Bilbao (Spain): World Champion Viswanathan Anand signed off with a mundane draw against Magnus Carlsen of Norway to finish last in the Bilbao Grand Slam Final and the outcome might cost the Indian his numero uno status in FIDE rankings. Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria came up with a resounding victory over Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine in the final round to win the tournament with 17 points and is likely to regain the number one slot in the world rankings.

Following his 8th draw in the tournament besides two losses, Anand is likely to lose close to 15 rating points from his outing and for the first time in recent years the Indian finished last in a high-category tournament. With his scintillating display, Topalov pocketed winner's purse of Euro 150000. The Bulgarian won more games - four - than any other player in the tournament and lost just one game.

Nearest rivals Carlsen and Levon Aronian of Armenia who both ended on 13 points in the tournament and shared the second spot. Carlsen had the better tie-break of the two and finished runners up. Ivanchuk finished sole fourth on 12 points while a late charge against Aronian helped Teimour Radjabov of Azerbaijan to finish fifth on 10 points. Anand with eight points finished last. Ahead of the World Championship match against Vladimir Kramnik in October, Anand's mediocre show casts a doubt on the form of the Indian, who now needs a change of fortune urgently before the match. (PTI)