Morelia/Linares 2008: 15-23 Feb in Morelia & 28-7 Mar in Linares

[ajay]

Ajay, that would have been a draw if Anand was playing black (around move 40, 1st time control). The idea was to trade the black bishop for a white passed pawn on b-file and work the rest for an amicable draw....

I made that comment at 2nd time control. Leko clearly had advantage and he converted it to full point. I did'nt follow the game from the beginning and I don't know what was the situation neart 1st time control.

[kujo]

Ajay,  got it.

I should make my posts with the latest move number (next time...)

[kujo]

Anand Vs Leko game is drawn today while the others are fighting it out...

[kujo]

Carlsen (white) won his game against Topalov!  He is behind Anand by just 1/2 point and is nipping at his heels....

Incredible. This kid keeps on fighting and comes up with a win after a crucial loss yesterday.

[ajay]

2nd win for Carlsen against Topalov!  Carlsen won with black in mexico. Here there was a time when Topalov with black had advantage over white. But Carlsen turned the table even though he was down on material strength. I thought Topalov's 34 .. Nc6 was not correct. He should have used his queen Qd5 or Qd7 instead.

[kujo]

Shirov - Aronian 1/2 - 1/2

If you haven't seen any other chess end game this year, just watch this one for its' sheer counter play by black pieces.  Start watching it from around move 41.  You would also see a rare instance of someone under-promoting a pawn to a Knight (not to a Queen as is normal!)

Ivanchuk - Radjabov 1/2 - 1/2

[jaydeep]

Anand agreed to another draw this time against Leko ... But Carlsen again upset Topalov to close gap to ½ pt ... So now battle is hot for Morelia-Linares title between Anand and Carlsen with Aronian having outside chance.

After today's rest day next in 13th round Anand will play with black-pieces against Vassily Ivanchuk ... But in same round match between Aronian and Carlsen is also important.

Standing after 12th Round -

1  Vishwanathan Anand IND 7½ pts
2  Magnus Carlsen     NOR 7 pts
3  Levon Aronian      ARM 6½ pts
4  Veselin Topalov    BUL 6  pts
T5 Teimour Radjabov   AZE 5½ pts
T5 Vassily Ivanchuk   UKR 5½ pts
T7 Peter Leko         HUN 5  pts
T7 Alexei Shirov      ESP 5  pts

[viji]

Thanks to Kujo for comments on the Shirov-Aronian game. Indeed it is showcase of Aronian's tactical creativity in a tight spot. Halfway through the game, many thought that the point is for Shirov to take home. The way Aronian maneuvered his bishop pair, especially threatening with 59..Bc6# in case Shirov promotes the pawn to a queen, is really entertaining.

[PKBasu]

Good to see Anand well on track to retain his title -- although I think he needs to win at least one of his two remaining matches to be sure of doing so.

Carlsen is really getting steadily stronger, and looks the likeliest candidate to succeed Anand as world champion some day.

[kujo]

Invachuk Vs Anand 1/2 - 1/2

Anand does one of his quick draws (this time with black pieces) and is at 8 points from 13 rounds. One more round to go...

Radjabov won against Shirov today to avenge his earlier defeat.

Aronian Vs Carlsen is likely to be a fight to the death...

cheers
-kujo


ps: Yes viji, that was a nice tactical game by Aronian with those pair of black bishops.

[kujo]

ahh crap...    just when I thought the match was getting interesting Aronian goes for a draw against Carlsen.

So, Carlsen is at 7.5  (1/2 point behind the leader Anand) and Aronian at 7 points.

[kujo]

Round 13 - March 6th

Vassily Ivanchuk 1/2 Vishy Anand
Levon Aronian 1/2 Magnus Carlsen
Veselin Topalov 1-0 Peter Leko
Teimour Radjabov 1-0 Alexei Shirov

Standings after 13 rounds:

1. Anand 8.0
2. Carlsen 7.5
3-4. Aronian, Topalov 7.0
5.Radjabov 6.5
6. Ivanchuk 6.0
7-8. Shirov, Leko 5.0

Anand: 4 wins 1 loss 8 draws
Carlsen: 5 wins 3 losses 5 draws
Topalov: 5 wins, 4 losses, 4 draws
Aronian: 3 wins 2 losses 8 draws

Tomorrow will be the final round.
Round 14: Friday, March 7th

Vishy Anand    Veselin Topalov
Peter Leko    Levon Aronian
Magnus Carlsen    Teimour Radjabov
Alexei Shirov    Vassily Ivanchuk

[ajay]

If Anand draws tomorrow (very likely result), he is assured of top place with a possibility that Carlsen may catch him at the top by winning his game again Radjabov. However, Topalov would probably try to win to catch up with Anand.

[jaydeep]

Anand began with the Najdorf against Ivanchuk but game was drawn in just 23 moves ... Carlsen and Aronian also agreed to draw in 28 moves ... But with win Topalov joined Aronian on 3rd position with 7 pts.

Now only last round is remaining and Anand is leading with ½ pt against Carlsen ... In last round both r playing with white-pieces against Topalov and Radjabov respectively.

[ajay]

Anand draws with Topalov and with this he has assured of top position. Now it has to be seen whether Carlsen can join him at the top spot with a win or not.