GM Konstantin Aseev annotates the games of the 3rd round: Hello, dear chess friends! Today in the 3rd round meeting are: 1)Leko - Kasparov 1/2 2)Radjabov - Kramnik 1/2 3)Shirov - Topalov 1/2 The participants still try to 'enter' in the play. The draws' predominance shows a good level of preparation. Nobody wants to take a risk. And today Leko hardly will strive for this. Teimur after yesterday's game restored a confidence but which way he will choose? A saturated fight I am waiting first of all in the duel between Alexei and Veselin. Stay with us. Leko - Kasparov This is wonderful! Peter intends to give a battle! Sicilian is again on the proscenium. White is in a mood to make clear the status of b6-knight at once. One not always managed to do this later in a suitable redaction (I remember the game from Wijk-an-Zee Svidler - Topalov). It looks like Peter surprised Garry Kimovich. The latter meditated more than usually in an opening. But actually seems simply an error occurred in transmission of moves. 15th White's move Na4. One should be confident in the position (to have a good analysis) to continue such way having a lag in development. So, who has today a better preparation? A pseudo-sacrifice of an exchange which has been proceeded by Black on the 17th move gives him a clear looks to gain an advantage. And Kasparov don't get accustomed, otherwise Black would forced to keep a defence. So, the questions arise... It remains the questions why Black chose the continuation in the game but didn't play 19...ef3 (which looks more natural). After 20.Qd5 Kh8 21.Rf1 e5-e4 22.Rg1 it seems that the blocked pawns just about to fall. However there are two alternatives: 1) 22...Qc8 and 2) 22...Qe8!? and the position is complicated, an estimation is difficult. On 23rd move Leko struck a blow which emphasize that White's position is more perspective. Playing strongly on 27th move: 27.Qc6 Leko shows that Black have fight only for a draw. Not a very good perspective for active chessplayers. Kasparov very rare plays such a role. He is affixed to a weak 8th rank. After 28...Rg8 White could oressure further by way of 29.h4-h5. But the defencive resources still are not exhausted. Black position is worse, but the move 31...b5-b4 maked a strange impression. Consistently looked 31...Qa8. However the idea concluses not so much in a check on а6 as in a possibility to 'frighten' White after the rook exchange with an invasion from the rear (b1). In result Leko failed to find a way to realize his advantage. Draw. The defence turned out to be on a high level although there were unpleased minutes. An interesting game but remained the questions for the future. Radjabov - Kramnik Russian game. A classical play with black on an equalization. White is failed to turn on attacking rails in Russian game. Often one needs an accuracy play. I would suggest on 15th move 15.Nd2 After 18 moves Black has not a shadow of problems, the position is comfortable. Black are placed harmonically. After b7-b5 there is a question how to strengthen the position? Maybe to provide c5-c7? Chosing the way of exchanges by 21...Nc4, Kramnik narrows the game. If there would be possible rook's transfer on b3 may be the decision could be successful. It turned out to be that the move 23)...Rb8 is possible since on 24.Bd5 was reply 24...Bg4! It means that the struggle is still ahead! My joi was not a long one. On 23rd move the opponents decided to save forces cause the tournament's distance is long, 14 rounds and agreed on a draw. Shirov - Topalov A very unexpected Catalon with an inclusion of 4...Bb4 I don't know what influenced on Alexei's choice. The position after 11 moves is known by its reliability and it is a difficult task to force the strong competitor's defences. Maybe he depended on another Veselin's choice? On the 15th move Black chose 15...Nc5. The position is firm and reliable. There are possible the exchanges of the heavy pieces on the open c-file. One would give a preference to White without black colored bishops. And it's not simple to provide an active plan with f2-f4-f5. In the light of previous commentary Alexei has found a maneuver Bb4. A specific preventive measures. With an aim further to provide above mentioned plan nevertheless. Shirov has provided a plan of pawn's advancment but in cost of giving away the dark colored bishop which is connected with a certain risk. White took on himself a serious obligations and after 24...Qd8 one could play with Black essentially more easy. White should find a way to 'jump off'. There is a question: will Topalov manage to take thebenefit from his position? I have a feeling that on 28th move Black had to play more correct exchanging the rooks at once. When White managed to pass all the dangers equalizing chances in the affairs interfered a time trouble. White remained without a pawn. At least he could play the position with an equal material after 37.Qd8 Kg7 38.Qd4 and further either a capture of the light colored bishop by knight or something else. Now only a ghostly chances on a draw. The opponents had made a lot of mistakes in this duel. One more time till is going on a slow realization I looked the last 10 moves. I have to say that it was possible to play better both with Black and White. The scale oscillated bending in both sides. Veselin made a mistake on an even place and if White would play 33.Kh2! (instead of 33.Ne6?), and already White lead the game. And later White had a possibility to make a draw but the mistake were one after another. In a result became a having no prospects endgame where it is difficult for White to save himself in case of a correct opponent's play. An only game where we expected a result today and it looks so. Nevertheless Black failed to win the endgame. I finish my report. Thanks for your attention. Come on at our site more often! K.Aseev