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Round 3: Sergey Karjakin increases lead in Grand Prix in Beijing to one point. |
 In the third round of the FIDE GP three decisive games were won by Black. After 3 rounds the victories of Black outnumbered White’s success with 6 to 1. Anish Giri won his first game in Grand Prix series after his opponent Boris Gelfand unexpectedly forgot about timing and overstepped the time limit. Vassily Ivanchuk, who had advantage in the most of the game against Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, surprisingly missed tactics and had to resign immediately. Sergey Karjakin defeated his compatriot Alexander Morozevich and keeps on leading in the tournament with 3 out of 3. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Veselin Topalov and Alexander Grischuk are one point behind.
Ivanchuk, Vassily – Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar 0-1
Catalan was played in the game and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov pointed out that after 5.Qa4 he simply forgot all his analysis and ended up in worse position after the opening. “I had to try to play actively at least, otherwise I will just lose the game step by step,” explained his strategy Azeri player. Looking for contra play he decided to sacrifice a pawn, offering to go for the force line which would lead to imbalanced position. Vassily picked up the gauntlet and emerged with three pieces for the queen. It seemed White was not risking to lose but on the 40th move Ukrainian player blundered tactics and lost the rook and the game.
Wang, Hao – Grischuk, Alexander 1/2-1/2
Wang Hao chose to play quite new and rare move 7. f4 in Grunfeld. Alexabder Grischuk showed good preparation and came with a new move 8…a5. It’s not clear what was the moment when things went wrong for White. According to Grischuk, the one who plays the variation with f4 take the risks as the one who chooses to play King’s Gambit and in both cases White should make exact moves not to get in trouble. Russian player converted the game into the endgame with opposite color bishops and rooks with clear edge for Black. Only deep analysis can show whether Black could win or not but at the game Wang Hao managed to change the rooks and made a draw in the endgame with opposite color bishops.
Morozevich, Alexander – Karjakin, Sergey 0-1
Queen’s Indian with 4.g3 was played in the game and according to Karjakin the last time he was checking the line with 10.Bd3 was seven years ago. Surprisingly Sergey didn’t even check the possibility 14…Kge5 as he still trusted his opponent’s preparation. “I had feeling he still knows the position, despite he had started thinking already,” explained Karjakin. Alexander Morozevich was not happy with his play and could not explain why he failed to follow his original plan to play 16. Bh6. After White gave up a pawn on e5 Black got clear advantage. Kariakin didn’t let his opponent any chance to survive.
Kamskiy, Gata – Topalov, Veselin 1/2-1/2
Gata Kamsky didn’t get any advantage in Catalan against Veselin Topalov. The game was balanced untill the moment when former world champion missed a nice blow 32.d6. American plyer won a pawn and got practical chances in the endgame but Topalov was defending precisely and the game eventually finished in a draw.
Leko, Peter – Wang, Yue 1/2-1/2
Peter Leko expected Slav from his opponent but suddenly Wang Yue chose Semi-Tarrash, the same opening as his compatriot Wang Hao had chosen against Ivanchuk in the 1st round. White was slowly increasing his edge and It was not easy to hold the position with Black. Chinese player decided to sacrifice a pawn on b6 and try to defend worse endgame hoping to make a draw. Wang Yue managed to trade few pieces and pawns and after 6 hours of play the game was drawn.
Ivanchuk, Vassily – Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar 0-1
Catalan was played in the game and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov pointed out that after 5.Qa4 he simply forgot all his analysis and ended up in worse position after the opening. “I had to try to play actively at least, otherwise I will just lose the game step by step,” explained his strategy Azeri player. Looking for contra play he decided to sacrifice a pawn, offering to go for the force line which would lead to imbalanced position. Vassily picked up the gauntlet and emerged with three pieces for the queen. It seemed White was not risking to lose but on the 40th move Ukrainian player blundered tactics and lost the rook and the game.
Wang, Hao – Grischuk, Alexander 1/2-1/2
Wang Hao chose to play quite new and rare move 7. f4 in Grunfeld. Alexabder Grischuk showed good preparation and came with a new move 8…a5. It’s not clear what was the moment when things went wrong for White. According to Grischuk, the one who plays the variation with f4 take the risks as the one who chooses to play King’s Gambit and in both cases White should make exact moves not to get in trouble. Russian player converted the game into the endgame with opposite color bishops and rooks with clear edge for Black. Only deep analysis can show whether Black could win or not but at the game Wang Hao managed to change the rooks and made a draw in the endgame with opposite color bishops.
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