GM Konstantin Aseev annotates the games of the 3rd round: And so dear chess friends, now it's my turn to annotate the games of this very interesting action - double round robin Dortmund Candidates tournament. Attention of all world of the "Royal Game" is focused to this tournament. And despite of that it does not answer to the main purpuse (organizers of this SHOW wanted to name this tournament as an official selection to the World Championship match, but alas there was no any fair sport selection), nevertheless, the appearance of such tournaments is the step to the right direction. The number of such tournaments must be as many as possible. The participants of this tournament are very good, it's possible to say - elite of the chess world. Everybody is uncompromised and in the fighting mood. So please look and enjoy by the creation of elite! Today's pairings: in the 1st group: Shirov-Topalov 1/2 Gelfand-Lutz 1-0 in the 2nd: Adams -Bareev 1/2 Leko-Morozevich 1/2 Naturally that for the struggle for the highest places in the group Shirov will try to make serious problems for Veselin , but it's very important not to go down by himself. We are expected by the home prepared novelties and very attractive battle for 3 results. After 28...f3. It came from Cheliabinsk variation, it looks like White has an advantage and it's necessary to find the ways for strengthening of his position. Position is very concrete. Shirov played naturally 19.Qg3. Followed 19...Qe3. After possible 20.Kh1 it's not clear for Black how to equalize the position. I am wondered what happened. I have to admit that after 30.Kh1, follows 30...fg 31.Kg2 Qg3 32.hg Rfd8. Now White has to struggle for a draw, and what a promising position he had... In the 2nd pair it will be difficult for Christofer , but for whom it's easy now? The Boris's chances are higher and not only because of that he has white pieces, just the level of play is different. In Catalan Black prefered 11...Nbd7 (instead of 11...Bb7) and to the 20th move he has doubtful position despite of Queens exchange. From my point of view the position has technical character. White has to win. To the 30th move the position was simplified and it looks as White lost a part of his advantage. But there's still a question - is there any defence after Nd8? As a result the defence of Black was crushed and White has used his advantage and won. The Adams's problem is the same as Shirov's. Will he be able to solve it? When he is in the good form it's possible for him to win Bareeev and even any player, but Evgeny is very good in this tournament and his answer can be very cruel. Bareev after 18.Rd3 (very sympathetic move) has to defence. Instead of natural 19.dc5, with slightly better position, Michael has prefered 19.Qf3 and after exchanges in the center 22.Bg3 it's not clear how to save the pawn. So the game lasted just 5 moves after well known middlegame position and the problems of Black are very serious. The defence was found and what a defence! Qa4. After 28...Qb5 29.ab Nh5 30.Nd7 Rc8 31.Be5 the ending is acceptable for Black. After Qc8 White didn't want to tempt the fate and forced the game to the draw by repetition of the moves. For Leko and Morozevich only a victory is acceptable result, so and here we are expected by the exciting battle. It's wonderful! Morozevich prepared Petrov defence (specially for this tournament?). After 18.Rac1 White struggles for an advantage. After 23.Qb6. If Black could exchange the Knight g5 for the Knight c3 then he had a good position. However now Black has to defend and White will try to destroy Black's position by b4-b5. Will Aleksander be able to get the counter-play? Not wanting to defend Black tried to find their fortune at King side, where he has an extra Knight(!) - the very Knight g5. After composed 30.Rd2 the diapason of the possible ways development is very wide and it's possible to ask "what a position creator"? In view of poor position of White King the probability of the draw is very high.