BILBAO (SPAIN), Oct 27: Defending champion Viswanathan Anand started his campaign with a draw against Dutchman Anish Giri in the first round of Bilbao Masters Final chess tournament here.
Anand enjoyed the better prospects for quite some time in a rather off-beat position resulting from a Ruy Lopez but Giri was up to the task in defending, although the Dutchman conceded in the post game chat that he was much worse.
In the other game of the four-player double round-robin tournament, American Wesley So defeated Liren Ding of China to emerge as the early leader in the six-round tournament.
The soccer-like scoring system gave Wesley three points for his first victory, while Anand and Giri got a point each for drawing their game. Ding is yet to open his account.
Anand�s choice of opening surprised Giri a little and the latter felt the pressure in the early middle game itself. � PTI
Lord�s to get facelift
London, Oct 27: Lord�s Cricket Ground is to get a whole new stand as part of a mega �200-million redevelopment plan.
The world�s most famous cricket stadium is likely to have the all-new look ready in time for the Ashes series in 2022.
Westminster Council�s planning committee is due to back the project at a meeting on Tuesday, the Evening Standard reported.
The refurbishment will involve the demolition of two of Lord�s oldest stands � the Allen Stand which was built in 1935 and the Tavern Stand added in the mid-1960s.
As part of the plans put together by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the scoreboard will be replaced, and retractable raked seating will be provided above it forming part of a new 5,200-seat stand, which will also have two restaurants. � PTI
