Ponomariov and Mamedyarov share lead

After beating Andriasian with Black in a Scheveningen, Ponomariov is now sharing first place at the Essent Tournament with Mamedyarov. Hopefully Andriasian will score at least half a point somewhere, although Loek and Shakh might consider it a loss if they don’t beat the young Armenian player! Speaking of Loek and Shakh: they drew relatively quickly in a Grünfeld yesterday. In the open group there were many draws but Winants beat Reinderman and is now co-leader with l’Ami and Postny.

Standings after four rounds:

From the open group three games. Winants’ victory over Reinderman and the two wild, great games Visser-Hillarp Persson and Miedema-Pruijssers.