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Round 13 - Sunday the 26th
Radjabov - Polgar 1/2 Karpov - Kramnik 1/2 Anand - Bareev 1/2 Van Wely - Shirov 0-1 Ivanchuk - Ponomariov 1-0 Topalov - Grischuk 1/2 Timman - Krasenkow 1/2 In the last round as usually a lot of draws. Naturally the draw is suitable for those who is satisfied with his place in the table. Soon agree also those who has nothing to lose... Only Judit Polgar and Evgeny Bareev could catch up and even outstrip the leader Visvanathan Anand. When Polgar has demonstrated that she has nothing against the second place drawing fast vs Radjabov Anand with Bareev immediately also agreed on a draw. Now Anand secured by himself the 1st place with 8.5 points, Polgar practically the second as theoretically Van Wely could overtake her. Bareev also intends on the 3rd place for outstrip him is able only the same Van Wely and try to catch up Grischuk. The game Anand - Bareev promised to be very interesting, both in sports reason and on the opening. Bareev used a variation of French defence which has been played him first against Khalifman (Belgrad, 1993). There on 11.Bb3 Bareev replyed at once 11... с6 and after 12.Qf4 b5 13.h4 Ra7 14.Neg5 Nf6 15.c3 Qc7 16.Ne5 c5 17.Bc2 cd4 18.Rxd4 h6 19.Rh3 Bc5 gained a counetrplay and further won the game. Here the opponents only prepared to the attack on the opposite flanks when the sports reasons gained the upper hand. One of the most interesting meetings today Ivanchuk - Ponomariov . After the defeat of the final match on the title of the World Champion Ivanchuk failed still to win against his compatriot. There more their last meeting in Linares he lost again. One could understand the Vassily's desire to win. In the game has been played the variation of the Queen's Gambit accepted which was met yet in the game Alekhin-Flohr (Bled, 1931). Till the 13.Nb3 the line met in two Taimanov's games (Taimanov-Rubinetti, Palma de Mallorca Interzonal 1970 и Taimanov-Schlosser, Bad Wildbad 1990). Taimanov's opponents replyed 13...Be7 and 13...Bd6 accordingly, but in both games White managed to centralize the pieces (for exmple in the first game was 14.e4 Nd7 15.Be3 0-0 16.Rac1) and to win further. The Ponomariov's move 13...Na5 is a novelty. Black at once begins active operations trying no to keep the Bishop.
I apologize for a late review of the last 13th round. The maun results which interested all of us is known. I have nothing to add about the games where have met leaders. In both meetings the peace was concluded on leaving the opening in complicated playing positions. And if Anand due to this obtained one more victory on a top tournament as to Judut I can say only that her magical success rather excited. A serious surprise and the first sensation! The game Karpov - Kramnik also instantly passed in a equal endgame. The partners didn't desired to tie a serious play. Probably were tired. A fast draw. And the result is an alarm signal for Vladimir who demonstrated on the tournament not bad mood and he ran in the open opening playing e2-e4. But the comparative failure he should not exaggerate but only work under the gaps (+1 is not -1, although many people waited from him more). Certainly the central duel on completion of leaders' games became the meeting between the Ukrainians. In the Queen's Gambit accepted the game moved in a rut. Black had an additional possibility to fight for the equalization 10...Bd7 instead of 10...Qc7. Using a dubious novelty Ruslan remained behind in pieces development, gave away the advantage of two Bishops and crumbled in result. The fight has not arrived. After a blunder on the 20th move the position became hopeless. Nevertheless chess sometimes a nervous play, especially in significant games. We were amazed once more by indefatigable, thirst for victories Alexei Shirov! In a boring endgame, which by the way arose also from the Queen's Gambit Accepted (one should remaine his loss to Krasenkov in this tournament) he managed to enliven the position. A good impression left his original decision 19...Rdc8. Van Wely didn't see the secret dangers and literally in 2 moves turned out to be a defended side. Shirov realized his advantage very accuracy and convincingly. Ctertainly on this tournament he could show higher result (till the winning in the tournament) if he managed to find a more soft strategy especially in key meetings where he played White against Anand and Grischuk. In both these games he failed. In the rest duels significant was the result of the meeting Topalov-Grischuk. In case of a success of one of them he managed to close to leaders and Alexander even has been able to claim to the sharing of the 3rd prize. Black has chosen a popular Sveshnikov's variation but failed to gain a full equalization. In spite of the endgame with the equal material the initiative kept Veselin. But if Black would play without the prides and chose on 45th move the pawns exchange ef3 (instead of е3), he obtained a draw easier. Although it seems that Topalov was able to play stronger somewhere. What can I say about the game Timman-Krasenkow . When one could obtain nothing by a natural way he tries to play extravagantly. In this tournament Jan is pursue by blunders (oh,ho ages, ages). In this game he sacrificed the Queen. Nothing good happened for him. He was forced to find the ways to escape under full sails. Only due to inaccuracy play of now Pole M.Krasenkow the Dutch GM managed to creat a fortress. The draw is very likely. So, the performance came to end. What also can I say in addition to above. Certainly it is difficult veterans to compete with young players. It concern first of all to Anatoly Evgenievich. Although their "tooth" are still firm. Judit showed that the bloom could be late (or be in future), one should only hope and belive in better! Didn't arose the tournament for R.Ponomariov, V.Kramnik and V.Ivanchuk by virtue of different causes. Ruslan frankly failed his performance. Confidently and suitably played here E.Bareev and T.Radjaboiv. Evgeny fight till the end for a victory and Teimour didn't get lost showing a ripe play and readiness to future big successes. Topalov played as usually agressively but here this sufficed only for a 50%. Freshly looked Loek van Wely. Many underestimated him but he once more showed that he is a leader in Holland. In case of luck he could expect for more. A.Grischuk has where to work plus he has many time in reserve. The potential is a big one but there is time for everything. Krasenkov and Timman showed the expected result. But Mikhail managed to spoil the mood for example to Shirov. Well, we finish our review. Best regards. |
