Ivanchuk and Leko played a rapid match, which featured just one decisive game. The Ukrainian GM won 3.5-2.5 gaining revenge for his loss in a 2008 rapid match, which the Hungarian won by a similar margin.
Meanwhile, Svidler cracked the Aker’s Rapid-Blitz tournament in Gjovik, Norway. This is similar to the Mainz Challenge in format with Carlsen, Nakamura and Kjetil Lie making up the numbers. Lie, who is Norway’s no 2 in the junior list, was somewhat overmatched and lost all his games. Svidler and Carlsen sliced their way into the final with Svidler causing an upset by winning against the world no:4.
The Hastings Classic Festival also concluded, with Igor Kurnosov winning ahead of Neverov. This traditional event has been played (with gaps) since the 1890s but it is no longer the premier event that drew 11 of the first 12 world champions. The second oldest event on the calendar, Corus, has managed to maintain high-quality fields with much greater consistency. It’s due to launch next weekend.
Meanwhile Kramnik has explained in a long interview that he’s taking time off to relax with his newborn daughter. He’s also asked for the same privileges that Topalov and Kamsky are supposedly getting in the next title cycle in terms of seeding into later stages. The Topalov-Kamsky match is still apparently on schedule for Sofia in February and the winner will supposedly challenge Anand late this year. Topalov, incidentally, could find another route to a title challenge if he can put together a large purse since he is currently the rating no:1. That would be a fascinating match because Topalov and Anand both have a reputation for outstanding preparation and both like messy tactical stuff.
In the absence of Anand, Kramnik and Topalov, Levon Aronyan must fancy his chances of pulling off a “three-peat” at Corus although he is seeded below Carlsen, Ivanchuk, Morozevich and Radjabov. If he’s on song, the 26-year-old Armenian is one of the most entertainingly creative players in the world. It would be an incredible feat to knock off Corus thrice in a row however.
The other possibles are Carlsen and Ivanchuk — Moro will always be an outsider due to his high risk methods. The strategy this year would be to kill off the tail — the three 2600+ rated Dutchmen Van Wely, Stellwagen and Smeets and hope for +2 against the rest who are all 2700+. The diagram, WHITE TO PLAY (Lie Vs Svidler, Akers Norway 2009) shows that Lie did better than the scoreline suggested. White’s winning with the easy 30.Qxh6 and 31.Qxf6. But he tried 30.Rc7? Re5 31.Qh4 Qxc7 32.Qxg4+ Now, it’s approximately even 32...Rg5 33.Qf3 Rxa3 34.Nf5 Qc1 35.Rxd6 Ra1 36.Nxh6+ Kh7. The rock-solid 37. Nf5 should hold and 37. Nxf7 is also possible but 37. Rxf6?? Rh5+! (0-1).