Archive for June 7th, 2009

Java-replays for Thursday’s Hamilton-Karpovs & Summit-Kortchnois matches have been uploaded along with a revised West Orange-Maplewood page.

Zipped PGN for each match can be downloaded from the above links. For a single file with all 3, click here.

One of the key encounters at the weekend was the 4th game between Carlsen and
Ivanchuk in the final of the
rapid chess event in Leon. The Ukrainian required only a draw to achieve
victory in the tournament, but nevertheless he turned to an opening which is
actually well suited to an aggressive repertoire for Black. He had obviously not
read the article by Alexey Kuzmin in
CBM 125, which we publish here in full. In the position in the diagram the Russian had recommended 8…dxc4 or 8…Na6. You can replay the game Carlsen –
Ivanchuk or read the article
Kuzmin: The Slav Stonewall

Once again it was a real cliff-hanger: the first two rapid chess games were drawn, then Vassily Ivanchuk won and took the lead, after which Magnus Carlsen equalised. A blitz decider was required. The first two games were drawn, in the final Armageddon game Carlsen won by trapping Ivanchuk’s knight. So the 18-year-old Norwegian, number three in the world, once again shows his class.

Vishy Anand took the full point with black in the first game of the day, a Gruenfeld Russian with the first eleven moves mirroring the previous game. In the second game Anand was pressing with white, but just when it looked over Peter managed to hold the draw. We bring you grandmaster commentary and historic photos of a world chess champion being mobbed by adoring female fans.