Konstantin Aseev GM Konstantin Aseev annotates the games of the 1st round:




P.Leko-V.Anand 1/2
V.Topalov-M.Adams 1/2
V.Bologan-Z.Zhong 1/2
V.Akopian-V.Kramnik 1-0
P.Svidler-A.Shirov 1/2
L.Van Weli-E.Bareev 1/2
I.Sokolov-J.Timman 1/2


Hello, dear chess lovers! Let me once more congratulate you with New Year! I would like to wish you in New 2004 year good luck, more optimism, enchanting chess holidays and the regulating of the official circle of the World championship! As to today start of this traditional tournament beyond any doubt we have to wait a keen fight. Who has better chances? Simpler to answer who has the least chances. First of all a veteran J.Timman and Z.Zhong. The rest ones quite are able in case of a good mood and the best shape to pretend on a success (victory) in this tournament. But the best chances nevertheless (in my opinion) have the most stable in the last year V.Anand, P.Svidler and V.Kramnik. Although the motivation for a good performance has all the rest players. What we should expect from the 1st round? Naturally the central games are: 1)P.Leko-V.Anand 1/2
and 2)P.Svidler-A.Shirov 1/2
Here are the rest duels: 3)V.Akopian-V.Kramnik 4)V.Topalov-M.Adams 5)L.Van Weli-E.Bareev 6)V.Bologan-Z.Zhong 7)I.Sokolov-J.Timman So, we begin:
1) After 12 moves has arisen a complicated position. Black on 9th move played 9...Na5, trying to interpret the position in a new fashion. I am not sure that White's reply was correct. Desired attention 10.Qe1 or 10.Bf2. Now White's position gave rise to doubts.
After 14.Bf4 the game forcingly passed to the endgame where White has a Bishop against a Knight. Although after 23.Re1 White keeps a simbolic advantage but the opponents decided that for the 1st round they have tested by themself quite enough and agreed on a draw.

2) Last years has outlined a tendency: Whitecouldn't get an advantage in Marshall attack and avoid it. Black gets the equal chances although the positions carry a complicated character. In this game Petr has chosen 14.Ng5, meanwhile Alexei by himself used against Adams (here in Wijk-aan-Zee in 1998) playing White 14.Nf5 and obtained a success. On the 15th move Black missed an interesting possibility 15...с5 with mutual chances.
After 24th Black's move his position looks optimisticly. During the game Alexei has not humbled with an observer's role preffering an active game (without a pawn). At that many pieces are changed. Black's Rook just is ready to invade the 2nd rank. White should defence accurately.
At the cost of giving back c2-pawn White has changed Black's active Rook and equalized the chances. After the passing to the endgame with different colored Bishops the partners agreed on a draw.

3) Kramnik just from the opening decided to show the aggressive intentions chosen a sharp system. Vladimir Akopian has kept to the beaten track but on the 19th move tried to demonstrate a strengthening, playing 19.Ne2 (Anand against Ponomariov in а rapid match in 2002г. failed to face any problems before Black). How serious are the problems we'll see in a nearest future.
In this duel both Vladimir have got a position with different castles with mutual weaknesses. After 25.Bd3 , at a glance Black has good counterchances.
In this duel a denouement came quickly and suddenly. Since the last my comments Black has ruined literally for 6 moves missing a simple blow 29.Rh7. Otherwise Black would choose an obliged 29...Qb2, with a playing endgame. But Black earlier began to run risks providing a dangerous Queen's maneuver in White's rear. Although after 27.Bb7 one can't see a concrete decision for Black, meanwhile White has a material advantage. Thus Black's play was emotional but not concrete. As a result a first important win by Akopian which took him to leader place.

4) Veselin Topalov also has chosen anti-Marshall attack with 8.a4. After 18 moves the position has acquired a contour of Chigorin variation of Ruy Lopez with White's better chances.
After 37 moves White as before keeps a pressure in an endgame with different colored Bishops. In my opinion more precisely was 32.g2-g3. Although now also Adams should defence.
After a defencive manever Bf8 following by Qe7 the position equalized. Draw.

5) In this duel White fighting for an advantage has provided a standard pawn's sacrifice getting a sufficient compensation. The question is whether White's pressure has something more than an equality.
The game passed to an endgame with more active position for White. Evgeny shall has an unpleased defence.
With an active counterplay Bareev managed to pass the game in a drawn Queen's endgame. Draw.

6) Viorel Bologan has a slight experience playing Queen Indian with White. His decision 18.Rhe1 looks too academic and not concrete one. After 18.b5 White's position is rather anxious, Black has an initiative.
As in the previous game in the endgame Black has not find any ways to strengthening the position and the opponents dispersed with peace.

7) The course of the game allows to suppose that in this game most probably will be a draw. The character of the fight is rather calm. Although there is planty of plans and moves in future.
As a result of a maneuver game to 29th move White obtains an initiative. Nevertheless Black's position rather firm.
Contrary to my expectations this meeting delayed more than rest. White try to gain a success keeping to 42nd move better chances. There is a strengthening of the position with b2-b4, White's pieces are more active and mobile. Will Ivan be able to realize his advantage? Finally he failed to find a decisive way.