Bilbao R2: All games drawn
3 September 2008, 20.33 CET | Last modified: 17:31 | By Peter Doggers | Filed under: Reports | Tags:
Magnus Carlsen is still leading the Grand Slam Final in Bilbao after the second round saw three draws. He played the Dragon Sicilian again and this short but interesting game ended in perpetual check. Video, photos + game comments added.
In Anand-Radjabov the position became dead drawn soon after the opening, when an opposite-coloured bishop ending was reached. Because of the Sofia rule, which is getting on our nerves quite often now, they had to play too many moves before they could call it a day.
Anand-Radjabov during the opening phase
Topalov-Aronian had a bit more to offer - especially Black’s original rook switch - but soon they had to go for a perpetual as well.
Aronian: “That rook manoeuvre just had to be played.”
The game of the day was Ivanchuk-Carlsen, where White adopted the Karpovian 17.Rhe1 - a well-known idea but this time a theoretical novelty. The sharp play that followed lead to a forced draw but the players did receive a warm applause when they left the cabin and entered the small commentary stage.
Ivanchuk: “Rhe1 was not original.”
Ivanchuk - Carlsen 1-1
Topalov - Aronian 1-1
Anand - Radjabov 1-1
Bilbao Grand Slam Final Round 2 Standings
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | ||||||
| 1 | Carlsen,M | 2775 | +174 | * | 1 | 3 | 4.0/2 | ||||
| 2 | Ivanchuk,V | 2781 | +5 | 1 | * | 1 | 2.0/2 | 1.25 | |||
| 3 | Anand,V | 2798 | -35 | 1 | * | 1 | 2.0/2 | 1.00 | |||
| 4 | Radjabov,T | 2744 | +43 | 1 | * | 1 | 2.0/2 | 1.00 | |||
| 5 | Topalov,V | 2777 | -36 | 1 | * | 1 | 2.0/2 | 0.75 | |||
| 6 | Aronian,L | 2737 | -151 | 0 | 1 | * | 1.0/2 |
Pairings Round 3
Radjabov - Ivanchuk
Aronian - Anand
Carlsen - Topalov
Links:
Another dragon Carlsen and yes it will become very fashionable …
After the coup of a6 Carlsen, I like the coup g4, why? Because I do not GM, LOL …. but I think it is playable ..
Ivanchuk probably had not prepared a6 and thought for a long time to find a move that was playable but would not figure in Carlsen’s preparation.
It’s true … we must try not to go into the preparation of the opponent after g4 …. but I think there is still a wide choice of continuation.
“Sofia rule, which is getting on our nerves quite often now”
you are very nervous few more moves
The videos for the second round is the exact same one for the first round.
Yo, perhaps you should watch it a bit longer than the first few seconds?
Hey that’s weird. I swear it was the exact same one this morning! It’s probably just my computer/internet.
Is anyone else having troubles with the live commentary at the tournament web page? I tried listening to it yesterday and I’ve tried just now, but it’s not working. Any ideas what it may be?
Buri, I had some trouble with it, too. But at some point it worked out and I discovered that I don’t speak Spanish.
Peter thanks for more great coverage of top chess events - very well done. The only criticism I have regarding the latest videos is that it’s very hard for me to understand the players’ comments - the level of background noise is just so high.
Anyway, thumbs up.
Thorn, yup mine started working after as well and I’m very glad I speak Spanish because very good live commentary