Barring a major catastrophe, Viswanathan Anand is certain to be crowned World champion on Sunday in Mexico.
The 36-year-old Indian Grandmaster, who is already the world's highest rated player, notched his fourth victory in the World Chess Championship with a flourish in the end game, beating Alexander Morozevich in the 11th round of the tournament.
With only three rounds to go, Anand has 7.5 points and is 1.5 points clear of the field. Considering his current form and mood, it is unlikely that will disturb his hold on the top spot.
Anand's previous victories were over Lev Aronian, Peter Svidler and Alexander Grischuk. This means he has now beaten four of his seven rivals.
Second behind him at six points is Boris Gelfand, who drew with Peter Svidler in 11th round in just 22 moves of an English counter.
Vladimir Kramnik, seen as Anand's main rival in the tournament, seems to have given up after agreeing to a 13-move draw in Petroff defence against Alexander Grischuk.
Peter Leko and Lev Aronian drew in 56 moves of a Queen's Indian.
Anand finally found himself in a Sicilian game in 11th round. The talented but unpredictable Morozevich is one of the players who could stun Anand, but on current form, Anand was unstoppable.
Into 20 moves, most of it generally straight from theory, the game was equal. It was crucial for Anand to get his Knight into active play for advantage. Slight movement in that direction and after about eight or ten moves, Anand suddenly had some serious advantage.
The black queenside pawns were weak and Anand's knight was heading into centre to control things. Once Anand's queen joined the knight and rook in the attack on the weak pawns, the Indian was on the ascendant.
Anand retained the pressure and then Morozevich made a mistake soon after first time control. Anand not to one to throw away the chance marched ahead soon white was looking menacing with Moro's bishop unable to stop his rival's pawns.
Soon the NIIT Mind Champion Anand completed a beautiful game in style and extended his lead to 1.5 points in such a strong field.
Pairings for Round 12 : Aronian v Gelfand; Kramnik v Leko; Morozevich v Grischuk; Svidler v Anand
Results of Round 11: Anand beat Morozevich; Gelfand drew with Svidler; Leko drew with Aronian; Grischuk drew with Kramnik
Standings after Round 11: 1. Anand 7.5; 2. Gelfand 6.0 ; 3. Kramnik, Leko and Aronian 5.5; 6. Grischuk 5.0; 7. Svidler and Morozevich 4.5
Moves of Round 11
Anand v Morozevich
Round 11, World Chess Championships, Mexico 2007
1.e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. Be3 Nbd7 9. g4 Nb6 10. g5 Nh5 11. Qd2 Rc8 12. O-O-O Be7 13. Rg1 O-O 14. Kb1 Qc7 15. Qf2 Nc4 16. Bxc4 Bxc4 17. Nd5 Bxd5 18. Rxd5 f5 19. gxf6 Rxf6 20. Qe2 Nf4 21. Bxf4 Rxf4 22. Rd3 Qd7 23. Nc1 Rcf8 24. a3 Kh8 25. Na2 Qh3 26. Rg3 Qh5 27. Qg2 Rh4 28. h3 Qh6 29. Rb3 b5 30. Nb4 Rh5 31. Qf1 Rh4 32. Qg2 Rh5 33. Nxa6 Bh4 34. Rg4 Bf6 35. Qe2 Rxh3 36. Rxb5 Bd8 37. Rb8 Qf6 38. Nb4 Rxf3 39. Nd5 Qf7 40. Qa6 h5 41. Rg2 h4 42. Qxd6 Be7 43. Qxe5 Rxb8 44. Qxb8+ Kh7 45. Qc7 Bf8 46. Qxf7 Rxf7 47. Rg4 Rf1+ 48. Ka2 Rh1 49. e5 Bc5 50. e6 Kh6 51. Rc4 h3 52. Rxc5 h2 53. Ne3 Ra1+ 54. Kxa1 h1=Q+ 55. Ka2 Qe4 56. Re5 1-0.
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