DORTMUND (Germany), Aug 8: Moldovan grandmaster Viorel Bologan stormed ahead in the international chess tournament here, building up his lead to 1.5 points, as the “Tiger of Madras” Viswanathan Anand continued to improve.

The 33-year-old Indian, number three in the world ratings and former FIDE world champion, crushed world number four Peter Leko, 23, of Hungary, the official challenger to independent world champion Vladimir Kramnik next October-November.

Bologan, 31, who has never won a major tournament, easily beat German grandmaster Arkadi Naiditsch in 36 moves playing white.

After suffering two defeats in the first two days of the tourney, Anand overcame Leko despite playing black and is now in third position, notching up his second successive win. He had started his fightback on Monday by beating Naiditsch.

Leko, who at age 14 was the youngest grandmaster in the history of chess, lies in last place with no chance of repeating the stunning victory he scored at last year’s Dortmund tournament.

Kramnik, 28, had to content himself with a draw against Azeri prodigy Teimur Radzhabov, 16, whom he had beaten in 31 moves at the beginning of the tournament on August 1.

Wednesday’s results:

Viorel Bologan (MOL) beat Arkadi Naiditsch (ALL) 1 - 0

Vladimir Kramnik (RUS) and Teimur Radzhabov (AZE) draw

Viswanathan Anand (IND) beat Peter Leko (HUN) 1 - 0

1. Viorel Bologan 5 pts

2. Vladimir Kramnik 3.5

3. Viswanathan Anand 3

4. Teimur Radzhabov 2.5

5. Peter Leko 2

. Arkadi Naiditsch 2.—AFP