Starting with a fine victory over rating favourite Levon Aronian of Armenia, an easy draw as black against Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria and a win against Shakhriyar Mamedyarov of Azerbaijan has put Anand in front of the eight-player pack on 2.5 points from three games.
It's early days to reach any conclusions with 11 rounds still to come in the event that will decide the challenger for Magnus Carlsen for the next World championship match.
Sunday brings the first of the four rest days and it will give Anand a chance to get some rest before he takes on the Russian brigade in the next four rounds.
Starting with Kramnik, Anand will meet Dmitry Andreikin and Sergey Karjakin before the second rest day arrives. Given the form Anand is in, a victory in the next three rounds will help strengthen his position at the top.
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