Radjabov completes field in Bilbao
16 June 2008 18:28 PM CET | Last modified: 21:48 | By Peter Doggers | Filed under: Reports | Tags:
Levon Aronian, Viswanathan Anand, Vassily Ivanchuk, Magnus Carlsen, Veselin Topalov and Teimour Radjabov will be the six participants of the first Grand Slam Tournament, held 1-13 September 2008 in Bilbao, Spain. This was confirmed today by organizer Juan Carlos Fernández.
The first three participants of the Grand Slam Finals were known for a while already, because these are the winners of the Grand Slam 2008 tournaments: Corus, Wijk aan Zee (Aronian), Morelia/Linares (Anand) and M-Tel Masters, Sofia (Ivanchuk). Magnus Carlsen and Veselin Topalov had joined the field as the two wild cards.
The sixth player was supposed to be the winner of the 4th Grand Slam tournament of 2008, which was scheduled for the end of this month in Mexico City. However, for months and months there was nothing but silence, and now it has become clear that the Mexicans had to withdraw due to “financial obstacles”.
Today, Bilbao organizer Juan Carlos Fernández confirmed on the phone that Teimour Radjabov will be the sixth participant of the first Grand Slam Final. “He finished third in two of the Grand Slam events [Corus and M-Tel Masters - PD] and so he’s a logical choice.” Alexander Morozevich would also have been a logical choice, but the organizers preferred to reward Radjabov. “Morozevich hasn’t played in any Grand Slam event,” Fernández added.
The Bilbao 2008 participants: Aronian, Anand, Ivanchuk, Carlsen, Topalov and Radjabov
And what about Vladimir Kramnik? “Of course we have invited him, but he has declined the invitation, due to his world championship match against Anand a month later.” Anand himself apparently decided that meeting five of the strongest players in the world makes a decent preparation for this match as well.
Answering the question if all contracts have been signed, Fernández replied: “Yes, all players have confirmed. Next week we will distribute a press release with all the details.”
No doubt these details will include the venue. The Bilbao organizers are seriously considering similar ideas as the “aquarium” at the M-Tel Masters in Sofia.
Une super tournoi en vue.
Une fameuse préparation pour Anand.
A super tournament in sight.
A famous preparation for Anand.
http://zenman-zenman.blogspot.com
if they choose the aquarium, no doubt that the first fish to get out of the water will be Ivanchuk …
It will be interesting to see how Carlsen does against Anand and Topalov in this tournament!
Not a wise decision by Anand to play a tournament in September when he has a WC match in October. He will not be able to play his opening preparation (& novelties) and unnecessary stretch himsel and a bad result will put further pressure on him..
Pedazo de torneo, lastima que Anand no vaya a jugar a su nivel.
i would nice a good decision by anand. he’s got balls, he plays chess “out there”, not sitting at home pretending to be the world champ..
hey alf, check this
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessplayer?pid=12295
I cannot see how Radjabov got himself invited. Two third places seem pale in comparison to what Morozevich has been doing lately. I hope this isn’t the start of another ban on Moro.
But great to see the Vish seeking the heat. He will go after thumbing down Carlsen to make the WC match with Kramnik seem actual/valid..
Peter, you forgot to mention Anand in the caption below the faces of the players!
Btw, my guess is that Aronian and Radjabov will be the tail-enders and it’s anyone’s guess who out of Anand, Carlsen, Topalov and Ivanchuk will win the tournament.
Correction to above post: You forgot to mention Aronian, rather than Anand.
Morozevich does indeed seem a more logical choice than Radjabov given the 43.8 rating point difference, but I guess the Grand Slam organisers have to reward the top players that play their tournaments :).
I think Anand and Carlsen will be equal =1st on +2. I think Topalov and Aronian will score -1, Ivanchuk will score 50% and Radjabov will score -2.
Obviously the results won’t be exactly like this, but if I get 2 of the players’ predicted scores right, then I am happy!
I think that Radjabov is the best choice for Grand Slam because he had played against world`s best players achieving two 3rd places in strong tournaments unlike Morozevich who has got his exellent rating by playing far weaker opponents than himself.
Can`t wait till the start of Grand Slam
I can´t wait!!!
It´s so nice that these great players are coming to my city.
Gora Bilbo!!! Aquà les esperamos a todos con los brazos abiertos.
It is a very good tournament and strong.I’m very excited to see this.But i think maybe Carlsen is playing too much.Every tourney even the not so strong ones he is playing.I think he could be tired and this not good for him or us that watch them.However good luck for all.
this argument becomes valid when Carlsen hits some bad form - but up to now he wins every time he plays!!
I think they should play IN the aquarium, with snorkels. Everyone can watch at close quarters, but there will be no way to cheat with a cell phone. It will be very dramatic to watch them try to move fast through the water in time pressure. Also, it will give new incentive to call the loser a “fish.”