First of all, I'd like to begin from the short polemic estimate of the preliminary groups reults. During the struggle appeared the questions, which allow to come back to the discussion about what the classical time control is. What do they mean? The control, which was brought in the practice by FIDE in the end of 80-s? The quality of the play? The format of the tournaments? From what the time has this control become classical? Certainly, there is the clear differеnce between rapid and serious chess. I remember well when we played with control 2 hours 30 min. per 40 moves. Now it's suggested to consider the classical control when the contenders have about 3 min. per move. During the last tens years the opening's theory was developed very much. In the many games the real play begins after 15-20 moves. So it's not hard to understand that now it's about the very 1 hour 15 min. (45-15=25, multiply by the middle 3 min)+30 sec. per a move. Let's come back to the quality of the games. The logical result of Morozevich exactly with the normal control with the addition of the time could be the most objective (it's possible that soon we will be able to get the explanations of his play in the last rounds). However such situation when the classical control does not allow to lead the game to the logical result happenes rather often. So very often the result does not depend on any control. Just the purpose of the chessplayers is to play well with any time control. And I think there is no any time control which could be named CLASSICAL. And now let's come back to the today's matches. After the yesterday's wins Leko and Topalov will try to develop the success, keeping the contenders on the distance. Topalov - Bareev 0-1 In Caro-Cann Evgeny played simplier than in the game with Adams and now he equalized the game quick enough. He even can to try to play for a win because the d4-pawn is the clear object for an attack. After 24...Qe7 the very accurate play is necessary for White. For Black it's easier to play the such position. After 26...Rd7. The purpose of White - to neutralize the threat e6-e5. In view of that it was possible R1-d1 with following f3-f4. But may be better 27.g2-g3, avoiding the penetration of the black Queen on the h4-square. After 31.Qe8 Qf6 Black is keeping the voltage. It's possible to say that the player who has Black has an advantage! After 47.Ke2 Black has very good chances to win and who could predict such result before the game?! The score became equal in this pair and we are expected by the seized struggle in the next games! We wish the success for the Russian! Leko - Shirov 1/2 Peter offered the quiet opening scheme, which guarantees the slightly better position. Aleksei tried to free the black position (if I remember right the move d6-d5 didn't meet before). White has to look for the refutation if of course it is in this position. After the exchanges of the the light pieces and the Queens arose the ending with opposite colored Bishops, in which the draw is very probable. After 24.f3 White has the slightly better position. However, though the struggle is continuing, the draw resourses are high. After 28...Ra4. My estimate was not exact enough. Black has the plan to make the pieces more active - to push forward the pawns f and h. For White it's necessary to exchange at least 1 pair of the Rooks. Shirov didn't want try to use all his chances and agreed for a draw. Taking into account the tendency of last round maybe it was possible with black pieces to stuggle for a win till the end? Now in the next game for Shirov only the win is acceptable result. |
