Veselin Topalov has won his de facto Candidates Final match against Gata Kamsky, to set up a title match versus Anand in late 2009. The decisive Game 7 was a thriller. Kamsky was behind 1-2 and needing to win, he accepted a razor-sharp gambit in the French defence. Through an excellent mixture of defence and counter-attack, Kamsky set up a winning position before he blundered in extreme time trouble.
Meanwhile, the world champion has been lacklustre in the first six rounds of the double round 7-player Linares Super GM where Alexander Grischuk powers into the lead with +3,=3. Grischuk is followed by Carlsen and Aronyan who are both +1. Anand has alternated two wins against Radjabov and WangYue with losses versus Aronyan and Carlsen. An interesting feature of the champion’s play has been his willingness to defend positions that are known to be inferior. This has not been particularly successful since he lost against Carlsen and only drew miraculously against Ivanchuk.
The superstrong Aeroflot Open in Moscow ended with a great success for Etienne Bacrot who tied for first with Alexander Moiseenko with both scoring 6.5 from 9. Bacrot gets first and a spot in the Dortmund super-GM because he played more often with black.
But the focus was top-seed Shakhriyar Mamedaryov’s withdrawal after his shock 21-move defeat against young Russian GM Igor Kurnosov. To quote the Azeri star’s withdrawal letter “During the game my opponent went out of the playing hall after each move, took his coat and withdrew himself. After suspicion of unfair play on move 14, I offered a draw, he refused... Due to this series of suspicions, having to do with the unusual behaviour of my opponent, Igor Kurnosov, I hereby lodge a protest and refuse to continue participation in the tournament.”
Kurnosov was searched on the spot and nothing was found. His supporters say that he is a nervous chain-smoker, who spent his time in plain view outside the hall, puffing. Kurnosov tied for third with 6 points. Computer-analysis suggests Kurnosov didn’t consult a machine because there was a faster and more brutal win. But the concept of monitored smoking areas could well be mooted at subsequent mega-opens.
Anand has logged two good win but unfortunately a champion’s losses are often more newsworthy than his wins. The diagram WHITE TO PLAY (Anand Vs Aronyan, Linares 2009) requires the cold-blooded 33.Rxd4 Rg4 34. Ne3! Or 34. — Ne5 34.Rd8 Qf3+ 35.Ke1 Rxd8 36.Qxd8+ Kh7 37.Ne7 Qh1+ 38.Kd2 Nc4+ 39.Kc3 Qh3+ 40.Bd3 when white is winning.
Instead after 33.Rg3?? Rxg3 34.Qxg3? (34.Nxg3 may hold ) 34...Rxe4+! the tables are turned. Play continued 35.Kd2 Rg4! 36.Qxg2 Rxg2 37.Ke2 c5. 38.Rg1 Ne5 39.Rxg2 Bxg2 40.Kd2 h5 and (0-1, 53 moves).