Four-time champion Vladimir Kramnik starts as favourite. Viswanathan Anand who is warm and in form should be vying for the first title along with Michael Adams. Defending champion Peter Leko has a varied rivals and will find the going tougher than last year. Junior6 managed an entry and will be trying to prove that computers can win or surprise human in classical chess too. Follow this 10-player category 19 tournament here.
The standings: FED 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 Tot
E.Bareev RUS X = = =
0 = = 0 = 1 4.0
M.Adams ENG = X
1 0 = = 1 = = = 5.0
V.Kramnik RUS = 0 X 1 =
1 = 1 1 6.0
V.Anand IND = 1
0 X = = 1 = 1 1 6.0
P.Leko HUN
1 = = = X 0 = = = 1 5.0
Junior6 ISR = =
0 = 1 X 0 = = 1 4.5
J.Piket NED = 0
= 0 = 1 X 0 = = 3.5
V.Akopian ARM 1 = 0 = = = 1
X = = 5.0
A.Khalifman RUS = = = 0 = = = = X =
4.0
R.Huebner GER 0 = 0 0 0 0 =
= = X 2.0
Round One
Favourite win with the white pieces. Only Evgeny Bareev struggles,
and manages a draw against Junior6. Anand escaped a difficult position
against Khalifman to win.
Round Two
Sweeping draws as strong players move to the black side! Junior defies
this logic by beating Huebner who resigned in an equal position.
Round Three
Vishy Anand moved to sole lead beating Jeroen Piket with white. His
main opponents, Kramnik drew sparring partner Bareev, Leko was lucky to
get a draw from Akopian, and Adams drew Junior6.
Round Four
Adams shocks Kramnik to join Anand in the lead.
Round Five
Anand beats Adams (see pic above) to jump into sole lead. Kramnik humbles Junior6.
Khalifman surprised Akopian in move one.
Round Six
Anand's blunder and defeat to Kramnik allow Leko and Kramnik to catch up.
Round Seven
Boring draws. Akopian beats Piket.
Round Eight
Kramnik beats Huebner for sole lead. Piket humbles Junior6.
Round Nine
Kramnik wins, Anand ties for first