FIDE'S TOP 10 January 2010 Rating List

FIDE, the official organization of worldwide chess, has put out it's January 2010 rating list.  Rising Super GM Magnus Carlsen is officially #1 in the World with a rating of 2810!  He's followed by World Chess Championship Challenger GM Veselin Topalov at 2805, with current World Champion GM Viswanathan Anand coming in at 2790.  Here is a list of the new top 10 in the world, I will post the link to the top 100 following this small list.

Rank Name Title Country Rating Games B-Year

 1. Carlsen, Magnus g NOR 2810 16 1990

 2. Topalov, Veselin g BUL 2805 4 1975

 3. Anand, Viswanathan g IND 2790 9 1969

 4. Kramnik, Vladimir g RUS 2788 16 1975

 5. Aronian, Levon g ARM 2781 17 1982

 6. Gelfand, Boris g ISR 2761 25 1968

 7. Gashimov, Vugar g AZE 2759 21 1986

 8. Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2749 13 1969

 9. Wang, Yue g CHN 2749 8 1987

10. Svidler, Peter g RUS 2744 27 1976

FIDE's List of the Top 100 Active players: (Men + GM Judit Polgar)

Internet Chess Club's Favorite Blitz Player GM Hikaru Nakamura comes in at:

28. Nakamura, Hikaru g USA 2708 7 1987

Still hanging in there above 2700 and being in the top 30 of 1264 active Grandmasters in the list and now the number 1 player in the US isn't too shabby.  I still don't think it's fair to see the lack of invitations he gets to major tournaments, unless he does get them and doesn't accept, I really don't know.  But being above 2700 should bring more major tournaments I think.

Another note, the US gains another Grandmaster with young Ray Robson getting his title in a week or so, he's already rated above 2500, so having to wait for that is no problem, congrats to GM Ray Robson!



The First "Must Have" - " Reassess Your Chess" By International Master Jeremy Silman

Russia Superfinals 2009 Final Standings

I missed out on these games due to a problem with some meds, kind of bummed I couldn't keep updating so as to keep some traffic this way, but that's the way it goes with me....kind of pitiful.  After the 10 player 9 round, round-robin format tournament the final standings are:

Final Standings after Round 9:


1  6.5 GM Alexander Grischuk 2736

2  6.0 GM Peter Svidler 2754

3  5.0 GM Nikita Vitiugov 2694

4-5 4.5 GM Evgeny Alekseev 2715

4-5 4.5 GM Dmitry Jakovenko 2736

6-8 4.0 GM Denis Khismatullin 2643

6-8 4.0 GM Alexander Riazantsev 2661

6-8 4.0 GM Evgeny Tomashevsky 2708

9  3.5 GM Artyom Timofeev 2651

10 3.0 GM Sanan Sjugirov 2612

GM Alexander Grischuk had a good tournament to win outright, this was a pretty tough bunch of customers, the favorite GM Peter Svidler did well at first but evidently suffered a rare loss vs GM Sanan Sjugirov, the lowest seed in the tournament, after this GM Grischuk had no problems holding off the rest of the pack.

Here's GM Grischuk's win in a Ruy Lopez over GM Dmitry Jakovenko:

 
photo courtesy of Chessdom.com

One Smallville Blitz game

Here's one of the Smallville blitz games, this one is where the Grandmaster mind knows much more than the patzer (my) mind.  According the Rybka, he was just -0.24 at a depth of 21, but I used a little more analysis time than the game would have allowed, at an earlier eval at a depth of 18 the score was -0.50 or half a pawn.  However, GM Nakamura could easily see the position's potential and the chance of winning or drawing in what short time he had to look at it just by his pure chess knowledge.  What we look at (the average player) there is no reason to quit just yet, but to the mind of someone who can visualize far ahead and see weaknesses and strong points that we can't comprehend in such a short time, it's I guess a better position for black and not worth the effort to fight a machine that can evaluate blitz just as fast, only in a different way.  He has the brain power just to look at a position and know it's potential, while the computer has to go through algorithms using fast cpu power, but not actually KNOW what it's doing.  That is what makes the human mind an awesome thing and to see a person who CAN beat the machine do it, makes my day.  Contrary to the popular thought, I am not someone who takes a loss by his computer badly, in fact when I see it done live, it's the most enlightening thing to see.  Someday, this won't happen and probably Chess 960 will have to be the computer's realm, but now is a point where the power of the human mind to prevail is still there and great to see in action.  Computer vs Computer is cool if you can afford the computers that do this battle now, I cannot, so I enjoy still watching Man vs Machine and secretly rooting for Man. When Man has no chance or the game is solved to a draw, sadly this crucial time will be gone, it's nearly there already, probably is with the real high end machines battling each other.  Think of when Kasparov played Fritz3D, that program would get toasted now but it was one of the most watched matches ever.  Ah, the days of the old Radio Shack magnetic press and move consoles, put them on level 6, the one I had, I would move, go to class, come back and it still hadn't moved.  Any lower, I would beat it most of the time.  Now this age...I  will enjoy watching TransWarp get beaten, knowing that sadly, there are computers out there that Grandmasters will be lucky to get a draw against.




00:03:55.4 [-0.24] d=20  bxc4 Rb8 Bg2 Ne5 Nxe5 Bxe5 Re1 Bf4 Ne4 Bxh2+ Kxh2 Nd7 a4 Rb3 Rd1 Ra3 Kg3 Bxe4 Bxe4 Nb6 Kf3 Nxc4 Rc1 Nd2+ Ke2 Ra2 Ke1 Nxe4 dxe4 Rxa4 Rxc5

Thanks to GM Nakamura (Smallville) for the blitz games!

 Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, whose handle is Smallville on the Internet Chess Club, where TransWarp resides, played 5 blitz games yesterday!  I thank GM Nakamura for taking time out of his day to mess with a computer, I know he likes to play other GMs blitz or 1-minute where he dominates, 1-minute is a special pool where you cannot pick your opponents, there are no computers and you are paired with someone close to your rating.  However, GM Nakamura is so good at 1 minute chess vs other humans, he has chances to lose a lot of points just for a draw, like 15 or 31 for a loss, gaining only 1 point per win most of the time, because of the rating difference.  These games are against players, who at normal tournament speed, would give GM Nakamura a good game, so he can't make a major mistake and if he does, he has to try to survive the minute with fast, defensive moves and win on time, this isn't really frowned on in 1-minute chess as it is in regular blitz chess.  Some Grandmasters don't like it when they have a won game and have to play it out because the other guy wants to win on time in blitz, some would say that's part of the game, but at their level, it can be tedious.

 So thanks to GM Nakamura for playing, I will try to post one or two if he didn't resign early because it's kind of futile to try to win after making a mistake against a computer.  Not trying to brag, it's how strong the computers have become.  I won't be able to afford the next level computer any time soon, TransWarp will become a memory eventually as many great computer accounts on ICC have, too many to name but well respected, mostly crafty chess engines, before Rybka and other types came.  Computer chess is an expensive hobby, to where the real competition, computer vs computer engine games, are played on computers that would buy me a nice used car!  And I don't have a car.  I also want to thank Smallville because the pharmacy made an error and didn't fill my pain meds, I have been suffering over the weekend on small rations of my mophine and percocet so as to not go into full withdrawl, although I am suffering some until my scripts are filled soon.  Both pain and withdrawl symptoms, I have forgotten to take my meds several times in the past and getting towards full withdrawl is terrible.  But it's the lesser of two evils in order to live a productive life.  There's another word they use, but I can't think of it now...  So it was a nice surprise and took my mind off the bad for a while. Thanks again, GM Nakamura.

Russian Championship SuperFinal 2009 Starts tomorrow 12/20-12/30, 2009

The Russian Superfinal, a 10 player Round Robin (9 Rounds) Tournament starts tomorrow at 7am EST with relays available on chessclub.com and I suppose other chess playing sites on the net.  I see that the official site http://russiachess.org/  does have some sort of relay set up, but when you try to look at the English version of the page, you are taken back in time two years.  I hope this will be fixed before the tournament start, but find it unlikely.  But you still may be able to watch the games for free on this site by clicking on the Online link in the area where for the first part says Cynep**Ha* 2009  (* cyrillic letters, phoetically would say Superfinal)  I will post the official logo and link it to the page. 

 Participants are by FIDE elo rating:

1.  GM Peter Svidler 2754

2.  GM Dmitry Jakovenko 2736

3.  GM Alexander Grischuk 2736

4.  GM Evgeny Alekseev 2715

5.  GM Evgeny Tomashevsky 2708

6.  GM Nikita Vitiugov 2694

7.  GM Alexander Riazantsev 2661

8.  GM Artyom Timofeev 2651

9.  GM Denis Khismatullin 2643

10.  GM Sana Sjugirov 2612

Not a Chess Pro? Me either, So there are some books that are "must haves"  I will put two here first "Reassess Your Chess" By IM Jeremy Silman followed by "My System" by Aron Nimzowitsch (21st century edition, more complex than Silman's book, but with computer software making setting up boards and following variations easier, more friendly to the user).



The First "Must Have" - " Reassess Your Chess" By International Master Jeremy Silman



The More advanced second "Must Have" - "My System" 21st Century Edition by Aron Nimzowitsch

Round 7 Final Round London Chess Classic 2009 Magnus Carlsen wins!

GM Magnus Carlsen draws with GM Nigel Short and wins the 2009 London Chess Classic!

Round 7 started off early today as a lot of tournaments do, that is have the final round a little earlier so the players can get home without having to stay an extra day or such.  However, some of the games are still in the opening phase at this moment and with the Sofia rules, there are no early draws to be had.  Fighting chess all the way with only forced drawn situations accepted.

Pairings For Round 7 Tue Dec 15th, 12:00 GMT, 7:00am EST

3 GM Hikaru Nakamura USA  1/2-1/2  2 GM Vladimir Kramnik RUS
6 GM Ni Hua CHN  0-1  8 GM David Howell ENG
5 GM Michael Adams ENG  1-0  7 GM Luke McShane ENG
4 GM Nigel Short ENG  1/2-1/2  1 GM Magnus Carlsen NOR

GM David Howell after drawing with all the other players, finishes with a win over GM Ni Hua putting him on the + side, finishing with 9 points, not too bad considering he was the lowest seed in the tournament.  GM Hikaru Nakamura finished up with a draw vs GM Vladimir Kramnik finishing on the - side after his earlier loss vs GM McShane and despite a great game vs GM Magnus Carlsen, which was voted Best Game of Round 4, shared with GM Carlsen.  I'm not sure what GM Nakamura's rating will be after this tournament, but it will be close to the 2700 mark after he had worked it up to 2735 unofficially on the Estimated Live Rating Chart of those over 2700 done by Hans Arild Runde http://chess.liverating.org/ .  This is all unofficial but a well watched list by the avid chess fan. I often wish I had the widget for the unofficial top 10, but he doesn't have a link for that available, unless I contact him I guess.  But I do have a link to his site on the right, it's just down a bit.

Final Standings

1  13.0 GM Magnus Carlsen NOR 2801 
2  12.0 GM Vladimir Kramnik RUS 2772 
3  9.0  GM David Howell ENG 2597  *
4  9.0 GM Michael Adams ENG 2698 
5  7.0 GM Luke McShane ENG 2615 
6  6.0 GM Ni Hua CHN 2665  *
7  6.0 GM Hikaru Nakamura USA 2715
8  5.0 GM Nigel Short ENG 2707

* After Tiebreaks, GM David Howell gets 3rd for a win with Black, while GM Ni Hua gets 6th for winning a game, while GM Nakamura had no wins.




Offer Ends 12/31/09

London Chess Festival 2009 Round 6

 Round 6 has started at the London Chess Festival with one game posting a result, GM David Howell held GM Hikaru Nakamura to a draw. With just one round to go, this tournament hasn't been the one that GM Nakamura had hoped for, needing a win in the final round vs GM Vladimir Kramnik to end with a bang.

Round 6 Pairings and Results:

2 GM Vladimir Kramnik RUS  1-0  4 GM Nigel Short ENG
1 GM Magnus Carlsen NOR  1/2-1/2   5 GM Michael Adams ENG
7 GM Luke McShane ENG 0-1  6 GM Ni Hua CHN
8 GM David Howell ENG   1/2-1/2   3 GM Hikaru Nakamura USA

Standings after Round 6


1 12.0 GM Magnus Carlsen NOR 2801
2 11.0 GM Vladimir Kramnik RUS 2772
3 7.0 GM Luke McShane ENG 2615
4-6 6.0 GM Michael Adams ENG 2698
4-6 6.0 GM David Howell ENG 2597
4-6 6.0 GM Ni Hua CHN 2665
7 5.0 GM Hikaru Nakamura USA 2715
8 4.0 GM Nigel Short ENG 2707


 

 

World Cup 2009 Tied after 4 Rapid Games, Goes to Blitz! Gelfand Champ!

GM Ruslan Ponomariov made a great recovery with the black pieces to save his bid to win the 2009 World Cup by beating GM Boris Gelfand, who only needed a draw to take the prize.  Now we are headed to Blitz Finals, 2 games, up to 10, if still tied followed by an armageddon game. The tiebreak rules posted earlier here was evidently wrong info provided to chessdom.com as to the finals tiebreak format, instead groups of 2 games (Blitz) up to 10 will be played before an armageddon game or (sudden-death).

Total Match Score, including Classical and Rapid Games at the front:

Pairings for Blitz Games:

Blitz 1:  5-4 Gelfand, Boris (ISR) 1-0 Ponomariov, Ruslan (UKR)
Blitz 2:  5-5 Ponomariov, Ruslan (UKR) 1-0 Gelfand, Boris (ISR)

Blitz 3:  6-5 Gelfand, Boris (ISR) 1-0 Ponomariov, Ruslan (UKR)
Blitz 4:  5-7 Ponomariov, Ruslan (UKR) 0-1 Gelfand, Boris (ISR)

Here is the final blitz game where #1 seed GM Boris Gelfand of Israel won World Cup 2009 after a lot of work, fighting off the strong GM Ruslan Ponomariov, who had won "have to win" games to stay in the hunt.

GM Ruslan Ponomariov  vs  GM Boris Gelfand (Final Blitz Game)




A Great World Cup 2009, that's for sure!

World Cup 2009 Results after 3 tiebreak games

After 3 Rapid games, GM Boris Gelfand is leading GM Ruslan Ponomariov 2-1, having won game 2 with the White pieces.  GM Ponomariov has to win this final Rapid Game to stay alive, a draw or loss and GM Boris Gelfand is the 2009 World Cup Champion.

Rapid Game Results World Cup 2009

• Game 1   0.5-0.5  Ponomariov, Ruslan (UKR) 1/2-1/2 Gelfand, Boris (ISR)
• Game 2   1.5-0.5  Gelfand, Boris (ISR) 1-0  Ponomariov, Ruslan (UKR)
• Game 3   1.0-2.0  Ponomariov, Ruslan (UKR) 1/2-1/2 Gelfand, Boris (ISR)
• Game 4   2.0-2.0  Gelfand, Boris (ISR) 0-1 Ponomariov, Ruslan (UKR)

GM Ponomariov wins with Black in Game 4 Rapid to send Finals to Blitz!

Game 2 (Rapid) GM Boris Gelfand  vs  GM Ruslan Ponomariov




GM Gelfand  vs  GM Ponomariov  Game 4 Rapid  Great game by GM Ponomariov to stay in!

London Chess Classic 2009 Round 5

Round 5 Pairings Sunday Dec 13, 2009 8:00am EST 14:00 GMT

• 8 GM David Howell ENG  1/2-1/2  2 GM Vladimir Kramnik RUS
• 3 GM Hikaru Nakamura USA  0-1  7 GM Luke McShane ENG
• 6 GM Ni Hua CHN  0-1  1 GM Magnus Carlsen NOR
• 5 GM Michael Adams ENG 1/2-1/2  4 GM Nigel Short ENG

Standings After Round 5

1   11.0 GM Magnus Carlsen NOR 2801
2   8.0  GM Vladimir Kramnik RUS 2772
3   7.0  GM Luke McShane ENG 2615
4-5   5.0 GM Michael Adams ENG 2698
4-5   5.0 GM David Howell ENG 2597
6-7   4.0 GM Hikaru Nakamura USA 2715
6-7   4.0 GM Nigel Short ENG 2707
8       3.0 GM Ni Hua CHN 2665


Very Rare Bobby Fischer signed German Endgame book LEHR-UND HANDBUCH DER ENDSPIELE (HANDBOOK OF ENDGAME). A start on this site's search ability to find Very Rare to Chess books as low as $1.00 Obviously this one is for the person with a very large pocketbook! A whole plethora of chess books for the rabid fan.

World Cup 2009 Update: Rapid Tiebreak will decide Winner!

After 4 games of classical chess, GM Boris Gelfand and GM Ruslan Ponomariov will go to Rapid Tiebreaks tomorrow to decide the winner, I missed round 2 and 3 coverage as for the past few days, I've actually slept in late!  But as all 4 traditional games were drawn, it seems I would have gotten excited at times only to be brought back to down to Earth as the games ended peacefully.

World Cup 2009 Finals Round 1-4 Classical

• Game 1  0.5-0.5  Ponomariov, Ruslan (UKR) 1/2-1/2 Gelfand, Boris (ISR)
• Game 2  1.0-1.0  Gelfand, Boris (ISR)  1/2-1/2 Ponomariov, Ruslan (UKR)
• Game 3  1.5-1.5  Ponomariov, Ruslan (UKR) 1/2-1/2  Gelfand, Boris (ISR) 
• Game 4  2.0-2.0  Gelfand, Boris (ISR) 1/2-1/2 Ponomariov, Ruslan (UKR)

Tomorrow, lots will be drawn to determine colors for the 2 Rapid Games that will be played to determine the winner, of course if those are drawn, then 2 blitz games will be played after another drawing of lots for colors.  Perchance it is still yet tied, then we get to the Armageddon game, one blitz game where lots are drawn for colors, however whoever has White MUST WIN, as White will have a 1 minute time advantage, Black only needs to hold a draw while giving up 1 minute of his time, this has been a great addition to the Chess Tiebreak system in the viewer's opinion, but I doubt the players enjoy it very much!  It sure makes for an exciting game.  The two Rapid Games will be played with 25 minutes and a 10 second increment after each move, the Blitz games will be played with 5 minutes per side and again a 10 second increment after each move, I have explained the Armageddon game time system.  I DO know I have to try to get up early in the morning tomorrow!

London Chess Classic Round 4 results and Standings

 Here are the results (so far, last game may finish by the time I'm ready to post) of Round 4 of the London Chess Classic 2009 and the standings for the tournament.  Remember the tournament uses a scoring system of 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 for a loss.  This is to try to get more fighting chess during tournaments rather than early draws, it also uses the Sofia Rules, no early draws, draws accepted by arbiter if shown to be perpetual check (or repetition), a theoretically drawn endgame, or just plain down to King vs King.

Round 4 Results

• 2  GM Vladimir Kramnik RUS  1/2-1/2   5  GM Michael Adams ENG 
• 4  GM Nigel Short ENG  1/2-1/2   6  GM Ni Hua CHN
• 1  GM Magnus Carlsen NOR  1/2-1/2   3  GM Hikaru Nakamura USA
• 7  GM Luke McShane ENG  1/2-1/2   8  GM David Howell ENG

Standings after Round 4

1   8.0   GM Magnus Carlsen NOR 2801
2   7.0   GM Vladimir Kramnik RUS 2772
3-6  4.0  GM Luke McShane ENG 2615
3-6  4.0  GM Hikaru Nakamura USA 2715
3-6  4.0  GM Michael Adams ENG 2698
3-6  4.0  GM David Howell ENG 2597
7-8  3.0  GM Nigel Short ENG 2707
7-8  3.0  GM Ni Hua CHN 2665

Round 5 Pairings  Sunday Dec 13, 2009  8:00am EST  14:00 GMT

• 8  GM David Howell ENG  *  2 GM Vladimir Kramnik RUS
• 3  GM Hikaru Nakamura USA  *  7 GM Luke McShane ENG
• 6  GM Ni Hua CHN  *  1 GM Magnus Carlsen NOR
• 5  GM Michael Adams ENG  *  4 GM Nigel Short ENG
  

 
Round 6 Pairings Monday Dec 14, 2009  8:00am EST  14:00 GMT

• 2  GM Vladimir Kramnik RUS  *  4  GM Nigel Short ENG
• 1  GM Magnus Carlsen NOR  * 5  GM Michael Adams ENG
• 7  GM Luke McShane ENG  * 6  GM Ni Hua CHN
• 8  GM David Howell ENG  *  3  GM Hikaru Nakamura USA

Round 7 Pairings Tuesday Dec 14, 2009  8:00am EST  14:00 GMT

• 3  GM Hikaru Nakamura USA  *  2  GM Vladimir Kramnik RUS
• 6 GM Ni Hua CHN * 8  GM David Howell ENG
• 5 GM Michael Adams ENG  *  7  GM Luke McShane ENG
• 4 GM Nigel Short ENG  *  1  GM Magnus Carlsen NOR

60 Days to get a Great Deal! No automatic renewals to turn off! You control!

Round 3 pairings and Round 2 results of London Chess Classic 2009

After 2 rounds at the London Chess Classic 2009, GM Magnus Carlsen 2801 is living up to his rating and has sole lead with 6 points.  Remember the different scoring system, 3 pts for a win, 1 pt for a draw and 0 for a loss.  GM Kramnik made up for his first round loss by posting a win and is at 3 pts with GM Luke McShane who lost.  Here are the current standings.  I will post the Magnus Carlsen game as well.

London Chess Classic 2009 Round 2 Results and Standings:
The number in front of the player's names is their seeding for the tournament.

• 2  GM Kramnik, Vladimir RUS 1-0  6 GM Ni, Hua CHN
• 5  GM Adams, Michael ENG  1/2-1/2  3 GM Nakamura, Hikaru USA
• 4  GM Short, Nigel ENG 1/2-1/2  8 GM Howell, David ENG
• 1  GM Carlsen, Magnus NOR  1-0  7 GM McShane, Luke ENG

Standings after Round 2 with new pt system:

• 1.  6.0  GM Magnus Carlsen 2801 (NOR)
• 2-3  3.0  GM Vladimir Kramnik 2772 (RUS)
• 2-3  3.0  GM Luke McShane 2615 (ENG)
• 4-6  2.0  GM Hikaru Nakamura 2715 (USA)
• 4-6  2.0  GM Michael Adams 2698 (ENG)
• 4-6  2.0  GM David Howell 2597 (ENG)
• 7-8  1.0  GM Nigel Short 2707 (ENG)
• 7-8  1.0  GM Ni Hua 2665 (CHN)
  

 
Round 3 Results.  The Nakamura-Short game was interesting.
 

• 7  GM Luke McShane ENG  0-1  2  GM Vladimir Kramnik RUS
• 8  GM David Howell ENG  1/2-1/2  1  GM Magnus Carlsen NOR
• 3  GM Hikaru Nakamura USA  1/2-1/2   4  GM Nigel Short ENG
• 6  GM Ni Hua CHN  1/2-1/2   5  GM Michael Adams ENG

Round 4 Results Dec 12, 2009 (Saturday) 8am EST 1400 GMT

• 2  GM Vladimir Kramnik RUS  1/2-1/2   5  GM Michael Adams ENG
• 4  GM Nigel Short ENG  1/2-1/2   6  GM Ni Hua CHN
• 1  GM Magnus Carlsen NOR  1/2-1/2   3  GM Hikaru Nakamura USA
• 7  GM Luke McShane ENG  1/2-1/2   8  GM David Howell ENG

GM Magnus Carlsen  VS  GM Luke McShane  Round 2






IF this link works, you will find rare Bobby Fischer signed German Endgame book LEHR-UND HANDBUCH DER ENDSPIELE (HANDBOOK OF ENDGAME).  A start on this site's search ability to find Very Rare to Chess books as low as $1.00  Obviously this one is for the person with a very large pocketbook!  A whole plethora of chess books for the rabid fan.

World Cup 2009 Game 1 Final ends in a draw.

Finalists Boris Gelfand of Israel and Ruslan Ponomariov of Russia fought to a draw in game one of the four game Round 7 Final.  I will post the rules of the final round at the end of this post.  But here's the game to check out, again Commentary graciously provided by Chessdom.com 

GM Ruslan Ponomariov  Vs  GM Boris Gelfand  1/2-1/2

All the previous classic games between these two players ended with a draw. Ponomariov is one of the most successful knockout system players: he won the World Championship in 2001-2002 and played World Cup final against Aronian in 2005. Commentary by GM Valeriy Aveskulov

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Nc6 Petrov's defence. There is no big surprise from Gelfand. But what has Ponomariov prepared for the decisive match? Both played this position many times before.

7.O-O Be7 8.c4 Nb4 9.Be2 O-O 10.Nc3 Bf5 18 games for Gelfand with 10...Bf5. It will be difficult for Ponomariov to surprise his opponent - just once he played this position, in 1998!

11.a3 Nxc3 12.bxc3 Nc6 13.Re1 13.cd Qxd5 14. Bf4 Na5 15. Bxc7 etc, Ponomariov-Sulypa, Donetsk, 1998

13... Re8 14.cxd5 Qxd5 15.Bf4 Rac8 16.h3 h6 17.Qc1 Akopian played this move against Kasimdzhanov (Jermuk, 2009). Queen goes to b2, attacking on b7 and supporting Bb5 in some moments. Also rooks are being connected. 17...Bf6 18. Qb2 Na5 19. Be5 Qd8 20. Rad1 and white is better - this is how a mentioned game was continued. Square d2 could be useful for the knight probably (Nd2, Bf3). c1 square is definitely useful for Queen only.

Gelfand knows about Akopian's move. I think he is recollecting his analysis right now.

17... Bf6 18.Qb2 Na5 Knight is going to c4 and sometime opponents prevent it masterfully. Many variation are hidden during the game... we just see the moves that are being played and sometime we are not able (without a deep analysis) to realize why some was played...

In this case Na5 was necessary cause b7 was hanging...So the players still follow the game Akopian-Kasimdzhanov, Jermuk, 2009.

19.Be5 19...Bxe5 20. Nxe5 c5 is possible...decreasing the pressure

19... Bxe5 20.Nxe5 c5 20...c5 21.Qb5 b6 22.Rad1 Bc2! 23. Rc1 (23.Rd2 is bad because of 23...Rxe5) 23...Be4 and Black is fine.

Black is supposed to be ok. All the pieces are developed. No pawn problems. Lines are being opened up.

Probably 21.Bf3 (pushing black queen away from the center) Qb3 22.Qd2 could give White something.

It is strange that Ponomariov started thinking so early. 19...Be5 and 20...c5 were the main line (not considering Kasimdzhanov's Qd8)

21.Bf3 I don't see a reason to put the queen on d8. So, Qb3 or Qd6 - let's wait and see what Gelfand does think about this. (21.Qb5 b6 22.Rad1 Bc2 23.Rc1 Be4) and Black is fine.

21... Qd6 22.Rad1 (22.Bxb7 Rb8 23.Qa2 Rxb7 24.Nxf7 Rxe1 25.Rxe1) and White is better I guess. But Black can play 23...Be6 and after 24.d5 reply with 24...Bxh3.

22...f6 looks attractive now. To push Ne5 back and to take the control over c4 square. But in the same time this is a weakness for the future, white plays 23.Ng4 (knight goes to e3) and Black has some problems.

22...b6 is an option for sure. A possible line is 22...b6 23.Qa2 Be6 24.d5 Bxh3! 25.Nxf7! Kxf7 26.gxh3 Rxe1 27.Rxe1 Re8 28.Rxe8 Kxe8 and Black is ok. In the final position Q+N is not worse than Q+B (especially with a pawn on d5 that restricts White bishop).

22... b6 It seems that White has a choice between the more aggressive Qa2 and more positional Qb5 increasing the pressure.

23.Qa2 (23.Qb5 Bc2 24.Rd2 Bb3) with a normal position.

23... Be6 Now 24.d5 is the only logical.

24.d5 Probably Ponomariov wants to look for an advantage in the line 24...Bxh3 25.Nxf7 Rxe1 26.Rxe1 Kxf7 27.gxh3 Re8 28.Be4!?

After 24...Bf5 25.Nc6 Nxc6 26.dxc6 this pawn can be dangerous (there is no way to take it off)

I guess, a capturing on h3 is the best move.

There is a good chance to bring the knight to d6 (in the end of variation) and to get a comfortable position. We remember that Bf3 is restricted with its own pawn d5.

24... Bxh3 25.Nxf7 Rxe1+ 26.Rxe1 Kxf7 27.gxh3 Re8 28.Be4 and then Qe2-a6 somewhere. Example 28.Be4 Re5 29.Qe2 (with idea Bg6) Kf8 30.Qa6.

28.Rxe8 Kxe8 29.Qe2+ White has some time while black knight is coming back. He can bring the bishop to e6 at some moment.

29... Kd8 30.Qa6 I guess Black can play...30...Qg6 31.Bg2 Qb1 32.Kh2 Qc1 33.Qa7 Qf4 34.Kg1 Qc1 35.Bf1 (the only way to escape perpetual) Qg5 36.Kh2 Qe5 37.Kh1 Qd5 38.Bg2 Qd1 39.Kh2 Qd6 40.Kg1 Qf6 defending both b6 and g7. White can do nothing to get more pressure.

30... Qg6+ Perpetual is coming.

31.Bg2 Qb1+ 32.Kh2 Qf5 33.Qxa7 Qf4+ 34.Kg1 Qc1+ 35.Kh2 Qf4+ 36.Kg1 Qc1+ 37.Kh2 1/2-1/2

Rules for Round 7 Final in the World Cup 2009 Event.

The time control shall be 90 minutes for the first 40 moves followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game with an addition of 30 seconds per move from move one.


If the scores are level after the regular games, after a new drawing of colours, two tie break games shall be played. The games shall be played using the electronic clock starting with 25 minutes on the clock for each player with an addition of 10 seconds after each move. If the scores are level after the games in paragraph 3. 8. 1, then, after a new drawing of colours, 2 five-minute games shall be played with the addition of 10 seconds after each move.

 If the score is still level, the players shall play one decisive sudden death game. The player, who wins the drawing of lots, may choose the colour. White shall receive 6 minutes, Black shall receive 5 minutes, without any addition. In case of a draw the player with the black pieces is declared as winner.   (Often referred to in chess parlance as an Armageddon game).

Round 2 of London Chess Classic 2009 ongoing at the moment.

 After Round 1 of the London Chess Classic 2009, which has a different scoring system than regular chess tournament, giving 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 for a loss, normal is 1 point for a win, a half point, 0.5 or 1/2 as seen in reports, for a draw and 0 pts for a loss.  There were two decisive games yesterday in the 8 player double round robin tournament, winning were GM Magnus Carlsen and GM Luke McShane.  Draws were achieved by GM's Hikaru Nakamura, Ni Hua, Michael Adams and David Howell.  Former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik and Nigel Short both ended up on the losing end.

 For those who are not familiar with the tournament, the competitors are:

Standings after Round 1 with new pt system:


1-2  3 pts GM Magnus Carlsen 2801 (NOR)
1-2  3 pts GM Luke McShane 2615 (ENG)

3-6  1 pts GM Hikaru Nakamura 2715 (USA)
3-6  1 pts GM Michael Adams 2698 (ENG)
3-6  1 pts GM Ni Hua 2665 (CHN)
3-6  1 pts GM David Howell 2597 (ENG)

7-8  0 pts GM Vladimir Kramnik 2772 (RUS)
7-8  0 pts GM Nigel Short 2707 (ENG)

Round 1 Results:

• 1  GM Carlsen, Magnus NOR  1-0  2  GM Kramnik, Vladimir RUS
• 7  GM McShane, Luke  ENG  1-0  4  GM Short, Nigel ENG
• 8  GM Howell, David ENG  1/2-1/2  5  GM Adams, Michael ENG
• 3  GM Nakamura, Hikaru USA 1/2-1/2  6  GM Ni, Hua CHN
  

Round 2 Pairings/Results:

• 2  GM Kramnik, Vladimir RUS  * 6  GM Ni, Hua CHN
• 5  GM Adams, Michael  ENG  *  3  GM Nakamura, Hikaru USA
• 4  GM Short, Nigel  ENG  *  8  GM Howell, David ENG
• 1  GM Carlsen, Magnus  NOR  *  7  GM McShane, Luke ENG

As a disabled person with limited mobility, just glad this site was accepted as a publisher via Google Affiliate Program, I AM compensated if this banner brings sales, there's a new FTC rule effective Dec 1, 2009 re: Compensation for Banner Ads, so not sure what to put as I am not a businessman/lawyer so to speak. :-/

GM Ruslan Ponomariov joins GM Boris Gelfand in World Cup 2009 Finals

GM Ruslan Ponomariov made short work of GM Vladimir Malakhov, (who has beaten TransWarp in 1 game with Deep Rybka 3.0 and drawn a few times as well, holding her back from the 4000 mark),  but the former FIDE World Champion was just a bit too much for him, advancing to the finals to play GM Boris Gelfand, the #1 seed at 2758 in the World Cup 2009 Finals on Thursday. 

World Cup 2009 Finals Set!

1. Boris Gelfand 2758 (ISR) vs 7. Ruslan Ponomariov 2739 (UKR)

Meanwhile a tournament in London has started with major players like Carlsen, Nakamura, Kramnik...I will do a post on that when I get back from eye doctor.


*note: There was a short time when there was a World Cup like tournament with 64 players I believe and the winner was FIDE World Champion for that year, GM Ruslan Ponomariov won one of these events and was FIDE World Champion.

World Cup 2009 Gelfand into finals, Ponomariov Joins with 4-2 victory

After the first 2 games of Round 6, Boris Gelfand showed why he's the top seed by defeating young GM Sergey Karjakin 2-0 while GM Ruslan Ponomariov still holds Ukraine's chance to get to the finals by holding Russian GM Vladimir Malakhov to a couple of draws to go into the Rapid and possibly Blitz tiebreaks.

Already in the Finals:

GM Boris Gelfand 2758 (ISR)

Round 6 Tiebreak Rapid Games: Dec 8, 2009

Game 1 Rapid
1.0-1.0   7. Ruslan Ponomariov 2739 (UKR) 0-1  22. Vladimir Malakhov 2706 (RUS)

Game 2 Rapid
2.0-2.0  22. Vladimir Malakhov 2706 (RUS) 0-1  7. Ruslan Ponomariov 2739 (UKR)

Game 3 Rapid
3.0-2.0    7. Ruslan Ponomariov 2739 (UKR) 1-0  22. Vladimir Malakhov 2706 (RUS)

Game 4 Rapid
2.0-4.0  22. Vladimir Malakhov 2706 (RUS) 0-1 7. Ruslan Ponomariov 2739 (UKR)

And GM Ruslan Ponomariov goes on to face GM Boris Gelfand, the #1 seed in the Chess
World Cup 2009!  There will be a rest day tomorrow with hostilities resuming on the 10th!
 


Rest Day after the tiebreaks on Dec 9, 2009 with Finals to start Dec 10, 2009.


* And on a local note, a nice message from GM Bassem Amin! 37. B-Amin (10:28 05-Dec-09 EST): welcome back my friend ,Icc was boring without you :)
(Thanks GM Amin!)  I know I was bored!! Nice to be back, even if it's it's usual quiet self (ICC for TransWarp)

Round 6 Semi-Finals Set! Final Four of World Cup 2009

Number 2 seed Vugar Gashimov 2758 (AZE) was upset by former FIDE One Year World Champion GM Ruslan Ponomariov of Ukraine, the number 7 seed with a rating of 2739, the ratings were fairly close, so it wasn't a mega-upset like some of the others during the tournament and with one seed at 22. Vladimir Malakhov 2706 (RUS).  But the number 1 seed from Israel Boris Gelfand is still hanging in there having defeated #9 Dmitry Jakovenko 2736 (RUS).

Here are the pairings for tomorrow's Round 7, after which the two finalists get a day's rest after this long tournament!  Stamina a definate to compete with the likes of these guys.

Round 6 Pairings Game 1

0-1 12. Sergey Karjakin 2723 (UKR) 0-1 1. Boris Gelfand 2758 (ISR) Game 1
2-0 1. Boris Gelfand 2758 (ISR) 1-0 12. Sergey Karjakin 2723 (UKR) Game 2

#1 Seed Boris Gelfand 2758 (ISR) Advances to the finals 2-0



Round 6 Pairings Game 1 & 2
0.5-0.5 7. Ruslan Ponomariov 2739 (UKR)  1/2-1/2  22. Vladimir Malakhov 2706 (RUS)
1.0-1.0 22. Vladimir Malakhov 2706 (RUS) 1/2-1/2  7. Ruslan Ponomariov 2739 (UKR)



After the huge lead of those from Russia, two Ukrainians make it to the semifinals, where it's possible they coud meet, taking on an Israeli and a Russian.  Not that countries really make a big deal here in the US, there is Country Pride when it comes to Chess in Europe and Asia and they will rabidly cheer for their countrymen!  I think if it was possible, there would be cheering like at football matches right down to the face paint! :-D  Nothing wrong with this of course in theory, and I'm sure would make many a chessplayer smile thinking about it, but chess has to maintain it's dignity, right down to a dress code at times!  Now if I was a world class Grandmaster, it would be very tough to see me trying to find nice suits in my size...I would make many a tailor happy! :D

Act Fast, This offer Expires Dec 31, 2009!

Round 5 Rapid Tiebreak Games Results

 Four players will be battling it out with Rapid Tiebreak games tomorrow to see the final two participants in the World Cup 2009, getting down to the Final Four of World Cup of Chess 2009, joining Ukraine's Sergey Karjakin and Russia's Vladimir Malakhov who are both waiting for their opponents.


Rapid Tiebreak Game 1 of Round 5

1.5-1.5 9. Dmitry Jakovenko 2736 (RUS) ½-½ 1. Boris Gelfand 2756 (ISR)
2.0-1.0 7. Ruslan Ponomariov 2739 (UKR) 1-0 2. Vugar Gashimov 2756 (AZE)



Rapid Tiebreak Game 2 of Round 5

2.5-1.5   1. Boris Gelfand 2756 (ISR) 1-0 9. Dmitry Jakovenko 2736 (RUS)
1.0-3.0  2. Vugar Gashimov 2756 (AZE) 0-1 7. Ruslan Ponomariov 2739 (UKR)


Rapid Tiebreak Game 3 of Round 5

1.5-3.5 9. Dmitry Jakovenko 2736 (RUS) 0-1 1. Boris Gelfand 2756 (ISR)
3.5-1.5 7. Ruslan Ponomariov 2739 (UKR) 1/2-1/2   2. Vugar Gashimov 2756 (AZE)


Those now in Round 6:

1. Boris Gelfand 2756 (ISR)
7. Ruslan Ponomariov 2739
12. Sergey Karjakin 2723 (UKR)
22. Vladimir Malakhov 2706  (RUS)

World Cup 2009 Round 5 Game 2 results, who advances?

Here are the results of Round 5 game 2 of World Cup 2009 in Khanty Mansiysk, Russia. We have two players advancing on to Round 6 and 4 still trying not to join the 2 who were sent packing.

Round 2 Game 2 World Cup 2009


1.0-1.0  9. Jakovenko, Dmitry (RUS)  ½-½  1. Gelfand, Boris (ISR)
1.0-1.0  2. Gashimov, Vugar (AZE)  ½-½  7.  Ponomariov, Ruslan (UKR)
1.5-0.5  22. Malakhov, Vladimir  (RUS)  3. ½-½ 3. Svidler, Peter (RUS)
0.5-1.5  13. Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (AZE) ½-½  12. Karjakin, Sergey (UKR)

Advancing to Round 6: Seed #, ELO, Country

22. Vladimir Malakhov 2706  (RUS)
12. Sergey Karjakin 2723 (UKR)

Thanks to GM Bassem Amin for welcoming TransWarp back to ICC!

GM Bassem Amin in a way gave a welcome back to TransWarp by playing a bullet chess marathon this morning!  I am truly grateful for GM Amin (ICC handle B-Amin) for playing these games and in the process, put TransWarp at an all-time bullet high at 3458 up from it's prior record of 3452. You can always see TransWarp's current stats at ICC by going to the site Chessclub.com and doing a player search of TransWarp.  For now, here's an easy way and it's also in the links section of the blog.. TransWarp.  Click on that link and you will see her current stats.

 But at any rate, Thank You, GM Bassem Amin for taking the time to play TransWarp, not too many do these days and you have never been scared to give her a go.  Thanks Again!

Round 5 Game 2 pairings, Mamedyarov and Svidler on the ropes!

 After today's Game 1 in round 5, GM's Mamedyarov and Svidler find themselves on the ropes for Game 2 tomorrow, I will post the pairings.

0.5-0.5 Jakovenko, Dmitry (RUS) * Gelfand, Boris (ISR) 
0.5-0.5 Gashimov, Vugar (AZE)  * Ponomariov, Ruslan (UKR)
1-0 Malakhov, Vladimir (RUS) * Svidler, Peter (RUS) 
0-1 Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (AZE) * Karjakin, Sergey (UKR)

You can follow the games live on many sites, including Chessdom.com's new live game transmission and live commentary for free. This site has been very cool in providing pictures and commentary as well as some links to articles on chess just for the mention of their site.  I could see getting in trouble by some other major site doing commentary and not caring about the little guy and prohibiting photos or commentary.  So a shout out to Chessdom.com!

And in case no one noticed, YES, TransWarp is back online and waiting for it's first game since it's absence, I only paid for six months, I just couldn't lay out $70.00 right now, and whether you hate her or like her, TransWarp has been a fixture on ICC the past few years.  I'm thinking of having an unrated weekday...not sure yet.  I just think anyone over 3000 ICC elo should risk at least 1 pt.  But then, there would probably be rating inflation.

Round 5 Starts at 2009 World Cup-Elite Eight- Game 1 results

Round 5 started today with Game 1, here are the pairings, and later the results:


0.5-0.5 Gelfand, Boris (ISR) ½-½ Jakovenko, Dmitry (RUS)
0.5-0.5 Ponomariov, Ruslan (UKR) ½-½ Gashimov, Vugar (AZE)
0-1 Svidler, Peter (RUS) 0-1 Malakhov, Vladimir (RUS)
1-0 Karjakin, Sergey (UKR) 1-0 Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (AZE)

Game 1 has yielded a draw already, GM Jakovenko and GM Gelfand will go into the next round
tied 0.5-0.5 as will Ruslan Ponomariov and Vugar Gashimov, but GM Vladimir Malakhov upset the #3 seed Peter Svidler using the black pieces, as Mamedyarov and Karjakin seem to be in a drawn game..whoops blunder on move 49...Rb2 by GM Mamedyarov...he was holding a draw...but this has been a long tournament and GM Karjakin is younger, stamina is REALLY key in these long tournaments, people think chess is just sitting there, it's not, you need a strong body to go with the strong mind, why GM's usually peak around 25-30, Karjakin is just 19.

GM Svidler vs GM Malakhov




GM Karjakin  vs  GM Mamedyarov



Commentary Graciously Provided by Chessdom.com!

Welcome to the live coverage of the World Cup 2009 in Khanty Mansiysk on Chessdom.com, thanks to Mobisystems! Join us in the following days for live games commentary together with GM Christian Bauer, NM Pete Karagianis, Jason Juett and many other titled GM special guests.


The game from round 4 between GM Mamedyarov and GM Karjakin will be featured on Chessdom.com. All games of the round can be followed with computer analysis on Chessdom's new live system - Chessbomb.

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Good day everyone, welcome to the World Cup live commentary. The game of our choice if a match between Karjakin and Mamedyarov. Both players have been very convincing in the previous four rounds, in particular the Azeri player never had to play the tiebreak games, having won six out of eight games with classical time control.

We have Ruy Lopez on the board, but Mamedyarov also used to defend with the Kan Sicilian.

3... a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4!? Perhaps a small surprise, as Mamedyarov usually employs Steinitz variation and/or g6 hybrids, but he used the Open Ruy Lopez in his younger days.

6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.Nbd2 After several "tabya moves", we reach the first crossroad. White has a range of different systems, beginning with the most popular 9. c3, which we remember from the epic matches between Karpov and Korchnoi, then 9. Be3, and finally 9. Qe2 with idea Rd1 and c4.

9... Nc5 GM Ivan Sokolov, one of the world's greatest experts in Open Ruy Lopez, tried 9...Be7 here. But Nc5 is leaving white Knight on d2 for the time of being, and that piece is shutting the dark-squared Bishop on c1. Also, black is keeping the option of exchanging the Bb3.

10.c3 Be7 Grandmasters Yusupov and Marin, also great experts for the Open Spanish, trusted in this logical and developing move.

Earlier, Mamedyarov preferred 10...d4, after which white has a choice - to chase the small advantage with something like 11. Bxe6 Nxe6 12. cxd4 Ncxd4 13. a4 Be7 14. Nxd4 Nxd4 15. Ne4, or try the attack with 11. Ng5 Qxg5 12. Qf3 O-O-O 13. Bxe6+ fxe6 etc.

10...Bg4 is the third solid option.

11.Bc2 White is taking the opportunity to preserve the light-squared Bishop.

11... d4 More common is 11...Bg4, but the game move was also played by the former world champion Vladimir Kramnik in one of his games.

12.Nb3 12. cxd4 Nxd4 13. Nxd4 Qxd4 14. Nf3 Qxd1 15. Rxd1 O-O

12... d3 13.Bb1 Of course, 13. Nxc5 was also tested on numerous occasions, but 13...dxc2 14. Qxd8+ Rxd8 15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. Be3 Rd5 17. Rfc1 Nxe5 18. Nxe5 Rxe5 19. Rxc2 and it looks like black can hold this endgame without much trouble.

13... Nxb3 14.axb3 Bf5 15.b4 Probably a novelty, 15. Be3 was automatic in all previous games, and even Karjakin played it in the game against Yusupov.

15... O-O 16.Re1 Qd5 17.h3 Rfd8 Black should carefully consider all pros and cons when making such move, because after pushing b3-b4 white has Ba2 to press on f7.

18.g4 After 18...Be6, black should count with 19. Re3, but maybe 19...h5, conveniently supported by Be6, would provide sufficient counterplay against the rushed white pawns. 18...Bg6 19. Ba2 allows white to grab a powerful diagonal and perhaps prepare e6 advance.

18... Be6 19.Re3 h5 Mamedyarov goes for the variation where his pieces are more active.

20.Qxd3 20. Rxd3 Qc4, it looks like the Queen is clumsy, but white can't do any harm to that piece. Further, the Queen is pressing g4.

20... Qxd3 21.Bxd3 hxg4 22.hxg4 But now there is no time for 22...Bxg4 as white has the nasty 23. Be4 pin. Then 23...Bd7 24. Rd3 Be8 25. Rxd8 Rxd8 26. Bf4 (a6 hanging) Nb8, with a positional advantage for white.

22... Bd5 Karjakin is still pondering his next move. White has an extra pawn, but the pieces are still poorly coordinated. In addition, white will have to constantly care about e5 and g4-pawns, and in some lines black can push a6-a5 to get rid of his own weakness and open another front.

23.Bc2 It was not easy to suggest the best move for white. 23. Be4 saves the e5-pawn for the time of being, but black has immediate a5 which offers a solid counterplay.

23. Be2 a5! 24. Bxb5 axb4

23... Bxf3 24.Rxf3 Nxe5 25.Rh3 Now not 25...Nxg4? as 26. Bh7+ Kf8 27. Be4 wins the exchange.

25... g6 26.g5 With idea to nail the black pawn on f7, but also Be4 and/or Bf4.

26... Re8 Probably clearing the d8-square for other Rook and preparing Bf8-g7.

27.Bf4 Bf8 28.Re3 28. Be4 deserved attention.

28... Bd6 29.Bb3 29. Be4 Nf3+!? leads into a nice variation, where black seems to be able to survive.

29... Nc4 30. Rxe8+ Rxe8 31. Bxd6 Nxd6 32. Rxa6 gives tremendous counterplay to black.

30.Bxc4 Bxf4 31.Rf3 Bh2+ This fine point serves to drive white King away from f2 and earn a tempo if Re2 is possible sometimes. But 31...bxc4 32. Rxf4 Re5! also looked good, as then the threat is Rxg5 with check.

32.Kxh2 bxc4 33.Rf4 Re5 Black should be fine in this endgame as long as his Rooks are active.

33...Re2 34. Kg3 Rxb2 35. Rxc4 and white is somewhat better.

Re5 is better, because after 34. Rxc4 Rxg5, white should think how to prevent Kg7-Rh8.

34.Rxc4 Rxg5 35.Ra5 Rxa5 36.bxa5 Ra7 37.Kg3 Kf8 38.Kf4 Ke7 39.b4 Kd7 To protect c6 before activating the Rook.

40.Ke5 Rb7 Perhaps with idea Rb5-f5. Black should eliminate the white f-pawn.

41.Rd4+ Testing the black to see where the King goes. Kc6 is better than Ke7.

41... Kc8 42.Kf6 Rb5 43.Rf4 Rd5 Black is waiting for 44. Kxf7 g5

44.Kxf7 g5 45. Rg4 Rf5+ and 45. Rf3 g4

45.Rf6 Rd3 Mamedyarov accepts to trade a-pawn for c3. 45...Kb7 46. Kg6 g4 47. Rf4 and there is no check on f-file nor black can transfer the Rook behind the g-pawn.

46.c4 Obviously, Karjakin was not convinced that 46. Rxa6 Rxc3 with next Rb3 and/or g4-g3 would bring him the full point. He wants to give the b-pawn and push c5-c6 in an attempt to lock the black King.

46... Rd4 47.c5 Rxb4 48.c6 Kd8 49.Rf5 An attempt to attack the black King. 49...g4 50. Rg5 Rf4+ 51. Ke6 Re4+ is forcing white to search for other ways.

50. Rd5+ might be a better way, Kc8 51. Rg5 Kb8 52. Rg8+ Ka7 when the King is sidelined.

49... Rb2? An error, because white suddenly can push f4 thanks to the clumsy position of the black King. Better was 49...g4

50.f4 Rf2 The point is that after 50...gxf4, black's own pawn is distracting the Rook from checking white King, and white wins with 51. Rg5.

51.Rd5+ Kc8 52.Ke7 With two forcing moves, white cleared his pieces from the f-file and is ready to take fxg5 in the next move. Black is hopeless against the g-passer and Mamedyarov resigned. 1-0











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4 to Round 4 Blitz tiebreaks, Gashimov. Malakhov & Ponomariov advance.

#2 seed Vugar Gashimov beat #50 seed Fabiano Caruana and #22 seed Viktor Malakhov took out #59 seed Wesley So in the Rapid tiebreaks to advance to round 5 and finally, Ruslan Ponomariov won his last rapid game to advance.  Now we are in the Blitz Tiebreaks, 2 games each (up to 10) with the last 4 playets vying to get into Round 5

Round 4 Blitz Tiebreak Games:

Game 1
3.5-3.5 Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime (FRA) 1/2-1-2 Gelfand, Boris (ISR)
3-4 Grischuk, Alexander (RUS) 0-1 Jakovenko, Dmitry (RUS) 



Game 2
4.5-3.5 Gelfand, Boris (ISR) 1-0 Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime (FRA)
5-3 Jakovenko, Dmitry (RUS) 1-0 Grischuk, Alexander (RUS)
Alexander Grischuk is now in a hole! Need to win to stay alive.

Dmitry Jakovenko advances to round 5
Boris Gelfand advances to round 5

Those Already In Round 5:

2. Vugar Gashimov 2758 (AZE)
3. Peter Svidler 2754 (RUS)
7. Ruslan Ponomariov 2739 (UKR)
12 Sergey Karjakin 2723 (UKR)
13. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 2719 (AZE)
22. Vladimir Malakhov 2706 (RUS)

GM Gelfand vs GM Vachier-Lagrave



GM Jakovenko vs GM Grischuk




Ever wonder where Azerbaijan is located? Or Khanty Mansiysk? Here's a source I grew up reading!

World Cup late update on Rapid matches and those who advanced.

 I overslept after a busy day, we are now into the 4th rapid game, with one done already, a draw...here are current standings and those who advanced, there are 3 games that are still tied, one going into the blitz round! Now 2 games in the blitz round as Ponomariov advances.

World Cup Round 4 Rapid Game 4 results:

3.0-3.0 17. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave 2718 (FRA) 1/2-1/2 1. Boris Gelfand 2758 (ISR)
3.0-3.0 9. Dmitry Jakovenko 2736 (RUS) 1/2-1/2 8. Alexander Grischuk 2736 (RUS)
3.5-2.5 23. 7. Ruslan Ponomariov 2739 (UKR)  1/2-1/2 23. Etienne Bacrot 2700 (FRA)

Those joining those already in Round 5 today:

2. Vugar Gashimov  (AZE) (3.5-1.5 over  Fabiano Caruana (ITA) Had a great outing!)
7. Ruslan Ponomariov 2739 (UKR) (3.5-2.5 over Etienne Bacrot (FRA)
22. Vladimir Malakhov  (RUS) (4-1 over  Wesley So (PHI), who had a great showing as well!)

Already in  Round of 8 (Round 5):

3. Peter Svidler 2754 (RUS)
12 Sergey Karjakin 2723 (UKR)
13. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 2719 (AZE)

Word Cup 2009 Round 4 Tiebreak game 1 pairings and those in Round 5

Here are the pairings for game 1 of the Rapid Tiebreaks for Round 4 tomorrow.  3 players have already advanced into Round 5, I will post them after the pairings..  I hope I get the colors right for the first game, it looks like on the official page which players are due white.  We shall see if I end up editing tomorrow :)

Round 4 Rapid Tiebreak Game 1 of possible 4 games at 25 mins +10 sec. inc. if still tied after these games, then follows a series of Blitz games, a Match of 2 Games at 5 mins +3 sec. inc. (Max. of 10 games) if after 2 games of standard chess, 4 games of rapid chess and 10 games of blitz chess, THEN it comes down to.....
Armageddon! Players draw lots for an important decision, whether to take White with 5 minutes and HAVE to win the game OR take black with 4 minutes on the clock and HOLD A DRAW with the time handicap to win the Armageddon game, there's only 1 game, so far it hasn't come to that in any of the rounds yet.

Round 4 Rapid Game 1

• 1.0-1.0 17. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave 2718 (FRA) * 1. Boris Gelfand 2758 (ISR)
• 1.0-1.0 8. Alexander Grischuk 2736 (RUS) * 9. Dmitry Jakovenko 2736 (RUS)
• 1.0-1.0 2. Vugar Gashimov 2758 (AZE) * 50. Fabiano Caruana 2652 (ITA)
• 1.0-1.0 23. Etienne Bacrot 2700 (FRA) * 7. Ruslan Ponomariov 2739 (UKR)
• 1.0-1.0 59. Wesley So 2640 (PHI) * 22. Vladimir Malakhov 2706 (RUS)

Those who have already advanced to round 5:
 
3. Peter Svidler 2754 (RUS)
12 Sergey Karjakin 2723 (UKR)
13. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 2719 (AZE)

The lowest seeds still hanging in there are 59. Wesley So, 50. Fabiano Caruana and seeds 1 and 2 are still at risk of getting upset, seed 1 being Boris Gelfand 2758 and 2 Vugar Gashimov 2758 as well, it seems they weren't picked alphabetically but seeds 8 & 9 both rated 2736, Alexander Grischuk and Dmitry Jakovenko are seeded alphabetically.  Who knows, FIDE works in mysterious ways ;-)