9/3/2008 – All three games were drawn today, and according to the Bilbao rules that gives
each player one point (a win counts for three). The game of the day was the
Dragon between Vassily Ivanchuk and Magnus Carlsen – it had spectators on the
Playchess server enthralled. An
exchange sacrifice, a piece sacrifice and in the end a perpetual. Carlsen continues
to lead in Bilbao and regular points. Full report.
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Grand
Slam Chess Final Masters Bilbao
The Chess Grand Slam Final is being staged in Bilbao, Spain, from September
1st to 13th 2008. It is a six-player double round robin event, one of the strongest
in the history of the game (at least by Elo average, 2775.6, making it a category
22 tournament). Games start at 17:00h local time (CEST). The scoring system
in this tournament is different and experimental. Players get three points for
a win, one point for a draw and zero points for losing a game. For rating purposes
the traditional 1-½-0 system will be used. The prize fund for the event
is 400,000 Euros, with the winner receiving €150,000, the second place
€70,000, etc. with the 6th player getting €30,000. The sums are unprecedented
for an event like this. Only World Championships have exceeded the amount.
O.J. Carlsen – Magnus arrives at the playing site...
...which is a sound-proof glass cabin in the middle of the city square
Magnus through the glass walls of the "aquarium"
Vassily Ivanchuk at the start of a furious tactical game
Ivanchuk,V (2781) - Carlsen,M (2775) [B78]
Grand Slam Final Bilbao ESP (2), 03.09.2008 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 Nc6 8.Qd2
0-0 9.Bc4 Bd7 10.0-0-0 Rc8 11.Bb3 Ne5 12.Kb1 a6. Both Carlsen and Radjabov
have played this move in recent games, Magnus against Dominguez in Biel
and against Anand in Main,
Teimour against Karjakin in Sochi
(with a splendid win). Amazingly Ivanchuk seemed unpreparted for it and spent
40 minutes thinking about his reply. Later Magnus speculated that Ivanchuk has
been playing such a lot recently that he may not have time to look at all recent
games. 13.Rhe1N. A new move. But Carlsen, who himself has been
been thinking on Ivanchuk's time, is unfazed and plays on briskly. 13...b5
14.Bh6 Bxh6 15.Qxh6 Rxc3. A thematic exchange sacrifice. 16.bxc3
a5 17.f4 Neg4 18.Qh4 a4
19.Bxf7+ 19.h3 was also possible. Rxf7 20.e5! Nd5
21.e6. A pawn fork in return for the piece. Black can continue with
21...Rxf4 22.Ne2 Re4 23.exd7 or play as Magnus did: 21...Nxc3+ 22.Kc1.
22.Ka1 Bxe6 23.Nxe6 Qc8 24.Rd4 may have given White some chances.
22...Bxe6 23.Nxe6
Black would be in a bit of trouble if he didn't have the perpetual: 23...Qa5
24.Qxg4 Nxa2+ 25.Kb2 Qc3+ 26.Kxa2 Qxc2+ 27.Ka1 Qc3+ 28.Kb1 Qb3+ 29.Ka1 Qc3+
draw. This result was very satisfactory for Carlsen, who has a win
and a draw in his first two black games.
Henrik Carlsen, Magnus' father, in the board projection
The games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the
chess server Playchess.com.
If you are not a member you can download
the free PGN reader ChessBase Light, which gives you immediate access.
You can also use the program to read, replay and analyse the PGN games.
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Grand
Slam Chess Final Masters Bilbao
