Hyderabad: Defending champion Viswanathan Anand drew with Xu Jun of China in his opening group ‘C’ league match of the second World Cup Chess at the Ramoji Film City on Thursday.

Anand settled for a quick draw in 18 moves with material being equal for both the players. "It was advantageous to equal the position playing black and you can't start off with a win always," Anand said after the match.

"He (Xu Jun) was a strong opponent and there is nothing wrong in agreeing for a draw in the first game," Anand said. The game involving standard nimzo Indian defence went on expected lines with Jun trying to open up and develop a double bishop combination.

But the Chinese simplified the game by playing cd5, which opened the game and Anand without much ado agreed for a draw as the game was equally poised.

Anand praised his opponent saying he played a solid game. "I was happy to equalise it," Anand said. Anand is scheduled to meet compatriot K Sasikiran on Friday.

PTI