LINARES, Spain, Mar 2 World cha uipton Garn Kas parov consolidated his position as Joint leader tn ,

the Linares Grandmaster chess

tournament on Monday with an emphatic win against Russian Evgeny Bareev in 34 moves, reports Reuter

Kasparov, playing white, surprised his opponent with the unusual tactic of advancing his bishop on the second move, frustrating hours of careful preparation by Barcev.

Although Bareev managed to reach an equal position, he ran short of time, and rushed his 3Oth and 31st moves.

Kasparov encircled Bareev's king with a queen and bishop, and faced with unavoidable checkmate, Barcev resigned.

Kasparov's fellow competitors gave qualified praise to the world champion's performance. "It was not the most Impressive game, but it was a good win,'' said Dutch Grandmaster Jan Timman.

T have seen better games, but points do not always come beautifully.' Indian star Viswanathan Anand added. Anand, who beat Boris Gelfand in 40 moves, and outsider Alexander Belyavsky arc sharing the lead with Kasparov on three and a half points from five games.

Anand sacrificed piece on his 9th move in return for a strong attack. Belyavsky could find nothing better than giving

up a rook and trying unauc-ccsslully to draw.

Belyavsky. 39 and ranked 42 In the world, beat 7th-ranked Latvian Alexei Shtrov, 20 in 52 moves.

Ex world champion Anatoly Karpov slipped behind the leaders when he failed to beat Lail ender Vassily Ivanchuk. A aw wis agreed after 42

Ex-Soviet prodigy Gata Kamsky, 18, moved up the table with a win against Jan Timman in 50 moves after the Dutchman blundered and lost a pawn. He and Karpov now have three points from five games.

Artur Yusupov drew with fellow Russian Vladimir Kramnik and Yugoslav Ljubomir Ljubojcvtc adjourned after six hours' play against Russian Valery Slov in a knight end game.

l.Jubojevlc, who has two exit, i pawns, is expected to win when play resumes on Wednesday.