Fascinating draw

The First round in Moscow took place on Valentine’s Day. Of course we would like to show you some games. With 44 games in each round, and that is only the main group, it isn’t easy to make a selection. Although the world’s elite players aren’t present, there are still many top players to look up to. Almost everyone of them is a GM and the ELO’s are incredibly high. full story »

Drama in group C

In the last two weeks, we’ve paid attention to groups B and C of Corus as well, and so we should bring you some concluding words about these groups too. Where many predicted that group A and B would only be decided in the last round, it seemed for a long time that group C already had a winner. Ian Nepomniachtchi had a phenomenal start with 7,5 out of 8. After a few draws in the last rounds he had a score of 10 out of 12. Indeed his margin of 1,5 on the Polish grandmaster Krasenkow was reduced to only a half point, but the 8 victories, 4 draws and his unbeaten record, should have given him enough confidence for a draw at least in the last round, playing with White against Nadezhda Kosintseva. Things went differently. full story »

Eljanov sitting pretty

In group B two of the three leaders lost their game yesterday. Bologan was not able to keep a draw position and lost against Sargissian. The top game between Vachier-Lagrave and Eljanov resulted in a victory for the latter. Especially the way the Frenchman lost, he won’t forget easily. In group C leader Nepomniachtchi won his game against Brynell, after a lot of manoeuvring in a French opening. His rival, Krasenkow, gratefully accepted a dubious pawn sacrifice of Jonkman and won the endgame easily. Because of this Nepomniachtchi’s margin is still only one point. Enjoy the game fragments. full story »

Meanwhile, in B and C…

At this time the ninth round of Corus has been played. In group B the French GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave has increased his lead and is now a full point ahead. He didn’t even have to win. A draw against Jan Smeets and a defeat of rival Eljanov against Chessvibes-editor Erwin l’Ami helped the Frenchman further ahead. But there are still four rounds to play, so it can still be anyone’s tournament! full story »

A game from group B

After six rounds young Ian Nepomniachtchi is still the proud leader of Group C. After his victory against Edwin van Haastert yesterday, he has totalled his score to 5,5. A fabulous performance which gives him a gap of 1,5 points. I am curious who is going to stop this train from Russia. In group B the differences are so much smaller where every round starts with a new leader. full story »

A game from the C group

Wednesday was a rest day so in the three main groups there was no chess in Wijk aan Zee. A nice opportunity for some chess players for sightseeing at the seaside resort, shopping, visiting coffee-houses or even exploring the nightlife. Surely this does not apply to GM Harmen Jonkman, who is living in the neighbourhood and must have seen the idyllic of the little town by now. No, certainly he and his seconds have been preparing the next match against the leader of group C, Ian Nepomniachtchi (photo). Below a brief analysis of yesterday’s match. full story »

Rest day in Wijk aan Zee

Today an article by a new editor, who had a look at the developments in the Corus B and C groups for us.

After four rounds of great chess in Wijk aan Zee the fourteen grandmasters now deserve a day off. So far we have seen some tremendous matches and obviously we look forward to some more excitement. Especially Radjabov, who is currently leading group A, has made quite an impression. It is really fabulous the way the 19-year-old Azerbaijani plays the Kings-Indian and how he leaves his opponents with empty hands. It may me a bit premature, however some visitors of Chessvibes might consider an adjustment to their predictions of this year’s favourite. full story »