Morelia, February 26: VISWANATHAN Anand closed the first half of the Morelia – Linares chess on a winning note with a thumping win over Peter Leko in the seventh round at Morelia. The win took Anand into joint lead with young Magnus Carlsen. Both players have 4.5 points from a maximum seven.

Anand’s win with black pieces was the highlight of the seventh round, which saw the completion of the first half of the tournament.

Behind NIIT-sponsored Anand and Carlsen, is Veselin Toalov who beat Alexander Morozevich to come closer to the leaders. Topalov has four points. Peter Svidler with seven draws in a row has 3.5 points.

Anand scored a fine black-piece victory after an opening in Catalan. Leko resigned soon after the time control on the 42nd move. Anand had two passed pawns which were simply too much for Leko to handle, though he did have chances to get more play earlier on in the game.

Ivanchuk put a damper on Aronian's aspiration with a white-piece win and Topalov defeated Morozevich to improve his position at the end of the table.

The players will now move to Linares, Spain for the second leg starting on March 2. The tournament ends on March 10.

In sixth round Anand drew with Ivanchuk.

Results of Round 7: Svidler drew with Carlsen; Ivanchuk beat Aronian; Leko lost to Anand; Topalov beat Morozevich

Standings after Round 7: 1. Anand and Carlsen 4.5; 3. Ivanchuk 4.0; 4. Aronian and Svidler 3.5; 6. Leko and Topalov 3.0; 8. Morozevich 2.0