Anand keeps lead; Shirov wins game 3

World No. 2 Vishwanathan Anand drew his third game of the four-game World chess championship semi-final against Michael Adams of England on Thursday.

Adams, who was playing with white pieces, started with Petroff's defence and was in a strong position till the 64th move, but Anand played superbly to end the match in a draw after 73 moves.

Anand won the second game on Wednesday while the first game between the two ended in a draw on Tuesday.

Anand leads the four-game semi-final 2-1.

The duo will again meet for the fourth game of the semi-final on Friday. The four-game semi-final is being played between December 12-16.

In the other semi-final, Alexei Shirov of Spain defeated Alexander Grischuk of Russia in the third.

In the first game on Tuesday, Shriov had defeated Grischuk. Shirov now leads the four-game semi-final 2-1 points.

Shirov, playing with white pieces, started with Ruy Lopez Chigorin defence, and won the game in 49 moves.

The third game of the women's final was drawn.

Women's world Champion Xie Jun of China leads the four-game final 2-1.

Today's result:

Men's semi-final - Game 3
Anand, Viswanathan(IND) vs Adams, Michael(ENG) - 1/2-1/2
Shirov, Alexei(ESP) vs Grischuk, Alexander(RUS) - 1-0

Women's final - Game 3
Qin, Kanying(CHN) vs Xie, Jun (GM)(CHN) - 1/2-1/2