Today, last year's winners Magnus Carlsen and Levon Aronian will want to try and catch up with the leaders in the tournament so far. They've chosen a principled Slav Meran Defence where both players develop their pieces harmoniously before making any decisions in the center.
Last update 20:28Carlsen is following in the footsteps of Sasikiran and L'Ami, who have experience with White in this line. Aronian's 13...Bb4 was the novelty, but it seems after 20 moves, it's Carlsen who has the better position. Arguably the most important games of the day are Radjabov-Karjakin and Smeets-Kamsky. The American has chosen the Caro-Kann Defence which Smeets and his second Gustafsson will certainly have looked at. Actually, the most common move for Black was 15...c5 but Kamksy chose differently. Radjabov-Karjakin is another principled Slav Defence with 4...a6 - we predict a slow strategic game here as well.
The fifth leader-so-far, Sergey Movsesian, seems to have run into some special preparation from Dominguez. Black's move 9...Qc7 was actually a novelty containing some tactical ideas, and it seems not a bad one. Or can White gain something against Black's hanging center pawns? Daniel Stellwagen has a lot of space against Ivanchuk, but of course Black still has two Bishops. And what to think of Morozevich-Adams? White is a pawn up but his King is in some danger, it seems.
In Group B, Werle-Motylev is a sharp Moscow Variation to look forward to, as is the Classical Ruy Lopez  Zaitsev between Caruana and Navara (we're still rooting for you, David!) Nigel Short is in an experimental mood today, playing the Alekhine Defence against Hou Yifan. In Group C, young Wesley So is fighting against the dreaded Marshall Gambit.
Update 16:45Jan Smeets booked another succes by easily drawing Kamsky with the white pieces, and the same can be said of the other young Dutchman Stellwagen, who drew Ivanchuk. The other top duel, too (Radjabov-Karjakin) has ended peacefully. In fact, there are several other draws in the air in Group A. Magnus Carlsen, on the other hand, seems on the edge of victory against Aronian, who, to make things worse, is in big time-trouble. Still, we must never underestimate the Armenian.In Group B, both leaders Short and Kasimdzhanov have also drawn their games. Werle and Navara, whom we mentioned before, are having a tough round. In Group C, again nothing is decided yet. After the time control, more can be said about what's going on there.
Update 20:28Carlsen couldn't win his ending (it was probably never won), and Adams also drew, on the last tempo, against Morozevich. Vladimir Chuchelov, again Loek van Wely's second, wasn't too happy about his boss's endgame play against Wang Yue, but the Dutchman held onto the draw as well.Much more excitement in the B and C groups today. Caruana won against one of the leaders, Navara, while Werle couldn't hold the ending versus Motylev. L'Ami tried to win a RB-R ending against Volokitin, but it was in vain. Mecking lost again; this time against Vallejo.Drama in group C, where Nijboer blundered a full piece in a totally drawn ending, perhaps distracted because his opponent was down to his last 6 seconds for his 60th move. Tiger Hillarp Persson, who beat Romanishin, took over the lead from Iturrizaga, who surprisingly went down against Bitalzadeh. Here are all of today's games for replay:
GM Group A | | GM Group B |
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GM Group C |
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Schedule & results Grandmaster Group A
| Round 1 - Saturday 17.01.2009 |
| D. Stellwagen - S. Movsesian ¬?-¬? |
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| M. Carlsen - T. Radjabov ¬?-¬? |
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| L. Aronian - Wang Yue ¬?-¬? |
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| V. Ivanchuk - J. Smeets 0-1 |
  |
| S. Karjakin - A. Morozevich 1-0 |
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| L. van Wely - L. Dominguez ¬?-¬? |
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| G. Kamsky - M. Adams ¬?-¬? |
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| Round 2 - Sunday 18.01.2009 |
| S. Movsesian - M. Adams 1-0 |
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| L. Dominguez - G. Kamsky ¬?-¬? |
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| A. Morozevich - L. van Wely 1-0 |
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| J. Smeets - S. Karjakin ¬?-¬? |
  |
| Wang Yue - V. Ivanchuk 0-1 |
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| T. Radjabov - L. Aronian ¬?-¬? |
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| D. Stellwagen - M. Carlsen ¬?-¬? |
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| Round 3 - Monday 19.01.2009 |
| M. Carlsen - S. Movsesian ¬?-¬? |
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| L. Aronian - D. Stellwagen ¬?-¬? |
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| V. Ivanchuk - T. Radjabov 0-1 |
  |
| S. Karjakin - Wang Yue ¬?-¬? |
  |
| L. van Wely - J. Smeets ¬?-¬? |
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| G. Kamsky - A. Morozevich 1-0 |
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| M. Adams - L. Dominguez ¬?-¬? |
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| Round 4 - Tuesday 20.01.2009 |
| S. Movsesian - L. Dominguez ¬?-¬? |
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| A. Morozevich - M. Adams ¬?-¬? |
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| J. Smeets - G. Kamsky ¬?-¬? |
  |
| Wang Yue - L. van Wely ¬?-¬? |
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| T. Radjabov - S. Karjakin ¬?-¬? |
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| D. Stellwagen - V. Ivanchuk ¬?-¬? |
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| M. Carlsen - L. Aronian ¬?-¬? |
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| Round 5 - Thursday 22.01.2009 |
| L. Aronian - S. Movsesian |
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| V. Ivanchuk - M. Carlsen |
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| S. Karjakin - D. Stellwagen |
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| L. van Wely - T. Radjabov |
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| G. Kamsky - Wang Yue |
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| M. Adams - J. Smeets |
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| L. Dominguez - A. Morozevich |
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| Round 6 - Friday 23.01.2009 |
| S. Movsesian - A. Morozevich |
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| J. Smeets - L. Dominguez |
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| Wang Yue - M. Adams |
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| T. Radjabov - G. Kamsky |
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| D. Stellwagen - L. van Wely |
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| M. Carlsen - S. Karjakin |
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| L. Aronian - V. Ivanchuk |
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| Round 7 - Saturday 24.01.2009 |
| V. Ivanchuk - S. Movsesian |
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| S. Karjakin - L. Aronian |
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| L. van Wely - M. Carlsen |
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| G. Kamsky - D. Stellwagen |
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| M. Adams - T. Radjabov |
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| L. Dominguez - Wang Yue |
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| A. Morozevich - J. Smeets |
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| Round 8 - Sunday 25.01.2009 |
| S. Movsesian - J. Smeets |
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| Wang Yue - A. Morozevich |
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| T. Radjabov - L. Dominguez |
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| D. Stellwagen - M. Adams |
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| M. Carlsen - G. Kamsky |
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| L. Aronian - L. van Wely |
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| V. Ivanchuk - S. Karjakin |
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| Round 9 - Tuesday 27.01.2009 |
| S. Karjakin - S. Movsesian |
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| L. van Wely - V. Ivanchuk |
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| G. Kamsky - L. Aronian |
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| M. Adams - M. Carlsen |
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| L. Dominguez - D. Stellwagen |
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| A. Morozevich - T. Radjabov |
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| J. Smeets - Wang Yue |
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| Round 10 - Wednesday 28.01.2009 |
| S. Movsesian - Wang Yue |
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| T. Radjabov - J. Smeets |
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| D. Stellwagen - A. Morozevich |
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| M. Carlsen - L. Dominguez |
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| L. Aronian - M. Adams |
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| V. Ivanchuk - G. Kamsky |
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| S. Karjakin - L. van Wely |
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|
| Round 11 - Friday 30.01.2009 |
| L. van Wely - S. Movsesian |
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| G. Kamsky - S. Karjakin |
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| M. Adams - V. Ivanchuk |
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| L. Dominguez - L. Aronian |
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| A. Morozevich - M. Carlsen |
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| J. Smeets - D. Stellwagen |
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| Wang Yue - T. Radjabov |
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| Round 12 - Saturday 31.01.2009 |
| S. Movsesian - T. Radjabov |
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| D. Stellwagen - Wang Yue |
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| M. Carlsen - J. Smeets |
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| L. Aronian - A. Morozevich |
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| V. Ivanchuk - L. Dominguez |
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| S. Karjakin - M. Adams |
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| L. van Wely - G. Kamsky |
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| Round 13 - Sunday 1.02.2009 |
| G. Kamsky - S. Movsesian |
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| M. Adams - L. van Wely |
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| L. Dominguez - S. Karjakin |
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| A. Morozevich - V. Ivanchuk |
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| J. Smeets - L. Aronian |
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| Wang Yue - M. Carlsen |
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| T. Radjabov - D. Stellwagen |
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[TABLE=570]
Schedule & results Grandmaster Group B
| Round 1 - Saturday 17.01.2009 |
| Hou Yifan - R. Kasimdzhanov 0-1 |
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| K. Sasikiran - E. l'Ami ¬?-¬? |
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| D. Reinderman - F. Vallejo Pons 0-1 |
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| N. Short - J. Werle ¬?-¬? |
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| A. Volokitin - F. Caruana ¬?-¬? |
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| H. Mecking - Z. Efimenko 0-1 |
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| A. Motylev - D. Navara 0-1 |
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|
| Round 2 - Sunday 18.01.2009 |
| R. Kasimdzhanov - D. Navara ¬?-¬? |
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| Z. Efimenko - A. Motylev ¬?-¬? |
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| F. Caruana - H. Mecking 1-0 |
  |
| J. Werle - A. Volokitin ¬?-¬? |
  |
| F. Vallejo Pons - N. Short 0-1 |
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| E. l'Ami - D. Reinderman ¬?-¬? |
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| Hou Yifan - K. Sasikiran 1-0 |
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|
| Round 3 - Monday 19.01.2009 |
| K. Sasikiran - R. Kasimdzhanov 0-1 |
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| D. Reinderman - Hou Yifan 1-0 |
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| N. Short - E. l'Ami 1-0 |
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| A. Volokitin - F. Vallejo Pons ¬?-¬? |
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| H. Mecking - J. Werle ¬?-¬? |
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| A. Motylev - F. Caruana ¬?-¬? |
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| D. Navara - Z. Efimenko 1-0 |
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|
| Round 4 - Tuesday 20.01.2009 |
| R. Kasimdzhanov - Z. Efimenko ¬?-¬? |
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| F. Caruana - D. Navara 1-0 |
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| J. Werle - A. Motylev 0-1 |
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| F. Vallejo Pons - H. Mecking 1-0 |
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| E. l'Ami - A. Volokitin ¬?-¬? |
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| Hou Yifan - N. Short ¬?-¬? |
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| K. Sasikiran - D. Reinderman ¬?-¬? |
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|
| Round 5 - Thursday 22.01.2009 |
| D. Reinderman - R. Kasimdzhanov |
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| N. Short - K. Sasikiran |
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| A. Volokitin - Hou Yifan |
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| H. Mecking - E. l'Ami |
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| A. Motylev - F. Vallejo Pons |
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| D. Navara - J. Werle |
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| Z. Efimenko - F. Caruana |
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| Round 6 - Friday 23.01.2009 |
| R. Kasimdzhanov - F. Caruana |
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| J. Werle - Z. Efimenko |
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| F. Vallejo Pons - D. Navara |
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| E. l'Ami - A. Motylev |
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| Hou Yifan - H. Mecking |
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| K. Sasikiran - A. Volokitin |
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| D. Reinderman - N. Short |
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| Round 7 - Saturday 24.01.2009 |
| N. Short - R. Kasimdzhanov |
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| A. Volokitin - D. Reinderman |
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| H. Mecking - K. Sasikiran |
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| A. Motylev - Hou Yifan |
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| D. Navara - E. l'Ami |
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| Z. Efimenko - F. Vallejo Pons |
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| F. Caruana - J. Werle |
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| Round 8 - Sunday 25.01.2009 |
| R. Kasimdzhanov - J. Werle |
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| F. Vallejo Pons - F. Caruana |
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| E. l'Ami - Z. Efimenko |
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| Hou Yifan - D. Navara |
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| K. Sasikiran - A. Motylev |
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| D. Reinderman - H. Mecking |
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| N. Short - A. Volokitin |
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|
| Round 9 - Tuesday 27.01.2009 |
| A. Volokitin - R. Kasimdzhanov |
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| H. Mecking - N. Short |
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| A. Motylev - D. Reinderman |
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| D. Navara - K. Sasikiran |
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| Z. Efimenko - Hou Yifan |
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| F. Caruana - E. l'Ami |
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| J. Werle - F. Vallejo Pons |
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| Round 10 - Wednesday 28.01.2009 |
| R. Kasimdzhanov - F. Vallejo Pons |
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| E. l'Ami - J. Werle |
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| Hou Yifan - F. Caruana |
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| K. Sasikiran - Z. Efimenko |
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| D. Reinderman - D. Navara |
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| N. Short - A. Motylev |
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| A. Volokitin - H. Mecking |
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| Round 11 - Friday 30.01.2009 |
| H. Mecking - R. Kasimdzhanov |
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| A. Motylev - A. Volokitin |
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| D. Navara - N. Short |
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| Z. Efimenko - D. Reinderman |
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| F. Caruana - K. Sasikiran |
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| J. Werle - Hou Yifan |
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| F. Vallejo Pons - E. l'Ami |
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| Round 12 - Saturday 31.01.2009 |
| R. Kasimdzhanov - E. l'Ami |
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| Hou Yifan - F. Vallejo Pons |
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| K. Sasikiran - J. Werle |
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| D. Reinderman - F. Caruana |
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| N. Short - Z. Efimenko |
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| A. Volokitin - D. Navara |
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| H. Mecking - A. Motylev |
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| Round 13 - Sunday 1.02.2009 |
| A. Motylev - R. Kasimdzhanov |
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| D. Navara - H. Mecking |
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| Z. Efimenko - A. Volokitin |
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| F. Caruana - N. Short |
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| J. Werle - D. Reinderman |
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| F. Vallejo Pons - K. Sasikiran |
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| E. l'Ami - Hou Yifan |
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|
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[TABLE=573]
Schedule & results Grandmaster Group C
| Round 1 - Saturday 17.01.2009 |
| T. Hillarp Persson - R. Pruijssers ¬?-¬? |
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| D. Howell - M. Bosboom 0-1 |
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| F. Nijboer - W. So 0-1 |
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| O. Romanishin - A. Bitalzadeh 1-0 |
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| A. Giri - F. Holzke ¬?-¬? |
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| A. Gupta - D. Harika 0-1 |
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| E. Iturrizaga - M. Leon Hoyos 1-0 |
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| Round 2 - Sunday 18.01.2009 |
| R. Pruijssers - M. Leon Hoyos 1-0 |
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| D. Harika - E. Iturrizaga ¬?-¬? |
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| F. Holzke - A. Gupta ¬?-¬? |
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| A. Bitalzadeh - A. Giri ¬?-¬? |
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| W. So - O. Romanishin ¬?-¬? |
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| M. Bosboom - F. Nijboer 1-0 |
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| T. Hillarp Persson - D. Howell 1-0 |
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|
| Round 3 - Monday 19.01.2009 |
| D. Howell - R. Pruijssers 1-0 |
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| F. Nijboer - T. Hillarp Persson ¬?-¬? |
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| O. Romanishin - M. Bosboom ¬?-¬? |
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| A. Giri - W. So ¬?-¬? |
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| A. Gupta - A. Bitalzadeh 0-1 |
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| E. Iturrizaga - F. Holzke 1-0 |
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| M. Leon Hoyos - D. Harika 1-0 |
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|
| Round 4 - Tuesday 20.01.2009 |
| R. Pruijssers - D. Harika ¬?-¬? |
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| F. Holzke - M. Leon Hoyos 1-0 |
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| A. Bitalzadeh - E. Iturrizaga 1-0 |
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| W. So - A. Gupta ¬?-¬? |
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| M. Bosboom - A. Giri ¬?-¬? |
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| T. Hillarp Persson - O. Romanishin 1-0 |
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| D. Howell - F. Nijboer 1-0 |   |
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| Round 5 - Thursday 22.01.2009 |
| F. Nijboer - R. Pruijssers |
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| O. Romanishin - D. Howell |
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| A. Giri - T. Hillarp Persson |
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| A. Gupta - M. Bosboom |
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| E. Iturrizaga - W. So |
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| M. Leon Hoyos - A. Bitalzadeh |
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| D. Harika - F. Holzke |
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|
| Round 6 - Friday 23.01.2009 |
| R. Pruijssers - F. Holzke |
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| A. Bitalzadeh - D. Harika |
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| W. So - M. Leon Hoyos |
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| M. Bosboom - E. Iturrizaga |
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| T. Hillarp Persson - A. Gupta |
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| D. Howell - A. Giri |
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| F. Nijboer - O. Romanishin |
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|
| Round 7 - Saturday 24.01.2009 |
| O. Romanishin - R. Pruijssers |
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| A. Giri - F. Nijboer |
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| A. Gupta - D. Howell |
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| E. Iturrizaga - T. Hillarp Persson |
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| M. Leon Hoyos - M. Bosboom |
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| D. Harika - W. So |
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| F. Holzke - A. Bitalzadeh |
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|
| Round 8 - Sunday 25.01.2009 |
| R. Pruijssers - A. Bitalzadeh |
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| W. So - F. Holzke |
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| M. Bosboom - D. Harika |
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| T. Hillarp Persson - M. Leon Hoyos |
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| D. Howell - E. Iturrizaga |
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| F. Nijboer - A. Gupta |
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| O. Romanishin - A. Giri |
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|
| Round 9 - Tuesday 27.01.2009 |
| A. Giri - R. Pruijssers |
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| A. Gupta - O. Romanishin |
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| E. Iturrizaga - F. Nijboer |
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| M. Leon Hoyos - D. Howell |
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| D. Harika - T. Hillarp Persson |
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| F. Holzke - M. Bosboom |
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| A. Bitalzadeh - W. So |
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|
| Round 10 - Wednesday 28.01.2009 |
| R. Pruijssers - W. So |
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| M. Bosboom - A. Bitalzadeh |
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| T. Hillarp Persson - F. Holzke |
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| D. Howell - D. Harika |
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| F. Nijboer - M. Leon Hoyos |
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| O. Romanishin - E. Iturrizaga |
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| A. Giri - A. Gupta |
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|
| Round 11 - Friday 30.01.2009 |
| A. Gupta - R. Pruijssers |
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| E. Iturrizaga - A. Giri |
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| M. Leon Hoyos - O. Romanishin |
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| D. Harika - F. Nijboer |
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| F. Holzke - D. Howell |
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| A. Bitalzadeh - T. Hillarp Persson |
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| W. So - M. Bosboom |
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|
| Round 12 - Saturday 31.01.2009 |
| R. Pruijssers - M. Bosboom |
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| T. Hillarp Persson - W. So |
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| D. Howell - A. Bitalzadeh |
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| F. Nijboer - F. Holzke |
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| O. Romanishin - D. Harika |
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| A. Giri - M. Leon Hoyos |
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| A. Gupta - E. Iturrizaga |
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|
| Round 13 - Sunday 1.02.2009 |
| E. Iturrizaga - R. Pruijssers |
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| M. Leon Hoyos - A. Gupta |
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| D. Harika - A. Giri |
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| F. Holzke - O. Romanishin |
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| A. Bitalzadeh - F. Nijboer |
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| W. So - D. Howell |
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| M. Bosboom - T. Hillarp Persson |
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|
  |
[TABLE=572]Links:
Today, last year's winners Magnus Carlsen and Levon Aronian will want to try and catch up with the leaders in the tournament so far. They've chosen a principled Slav Meran Defence where both players develop their pieces harmoniously before making any decisions in the center. Last update 20:28Carlsen is following in the footsteps of Sasikiran and L'Ami, who have experience with White in this line. Aronian's 13...Bb4 was the novelty, but it seems after 20 moves, it's Carlsen who has the better position. Arguably the most important games of the day are Radjabov-Karjakin and Smeets-Kamsky. The American has chosen the Caro-Kann Defence which Smeets and his second Gustafsson will certainly have looked at. Actually, the most common move for Black was 15...c5 but Kamksy chose differently. Radjabov-Karjakin is another principled Slav Defence with 4...a6 - we predict a slow strategic game here as well.
The fifth leader-so-far, Sergey Movsesian, seems to have run into some special preparation from Dominguez. Black's move 9...Qc7 was actually a novelty containing some tactical ideas, and it seems not a bad one. Or can White gain something against Black's hanging center pawns? Daniel Stellwagen has a lot of space against Ivanchuk, but of course Black still has two Bishops. And what to think of Morozevich-Adams? White is a pawn up but his King is in some danger, it seems.
In Group B, Werle-Motylev is a sharp Moscow Variation to look forward to, as is the Classical Ruy Lopez  Zaitsev between Caruana and Navara (we're still rooting for you, David!) Nigel Short is in an experimental mood today, playing the Alekhine Defence against Hou Yifan. In Group C, young Wesley So is fighting against the dreaded Marshall Gambit.Update 16:45
Jan Smeets booked another succes by easily drawing Kamsky with the white pieces, and the same can be said of the other young Dutchman Stellwagen, who drew Ivanchuk. The other top duel, too (Radjabov-Karjakin) has ended peacefully. In fact, there are several other draws in the air in Group A. Magnus Carlsen, on the other hand, seems on the edge of victory against Aronian, who, to make things worse, is in big time-trouble. Still, we must never underestimate the Armenian.In Group B, both leaders Short and Kasimdzhanov have also drawn their games. Werle and Navara, whom we mentioned before, are having a tough round. In Group C, again nothing is decided yet. After the time control, more can be said about what's going on there.Update 20:28Carlsen couldn't win his ending (it was probably never won), and Adams also drew, on the last tempo, against Morozevich. Vladimir Chuchelov, again Loek van Wely's second, wasn't too happy about his boss's endgame play against Wang Yue, but the Dutchman held onto the draw as well.Much more excitement in the B and C groups today. Caruana won against one of the leaders, Navara, while Werle couldn't hold the ending versus Motylev. L'Ami tried to win a RB-R ending against Volokitin, but it was in vain. Mecking lost again; this time against Vallejo.Drama in group C, where Nijboer blundered a full piece in a totally drawn ending, perhaps distracted because his opponent was down to his last 6 seconds for his 60th move. Tiger Hillarp Persson, who beat Romanishin, took over the lead from Iturrizaga, who surprisingly went down against Bitalzadeh. Here are all of today's games for replay:
