[chessmind] Dennis Monokroussos: Mainz, Day 1

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Posted by Dennis Monokroussos:
Mainz, Day 1
http://chessmind.powerblogs.com/posts/1187133780.shtml


   The Chess960 event started today, and after one trip through the
   double round-robin we have the following results and standings:
   Round 1 Results:
   Aronian - Bacrot 1-0
   Kasimdzhanov - Anand 1/2-1/2
   Round 2 Results:
   Aronian - Kasimdzhanov 1-0
   Bacrot - Anand 1/2-1/2
   Round 3 Results:
   Anand - Aronian 1/2-1/2
   Kasimdzhanov - Bacrot 1-0
   Standings after day 1:
   1. Aronian 2.5
   2-3. Anand, Kasimdzhanov 1.5
   4. Bacrot .5 (See, that's what [1]blogging will do to one's chess!)
   In fact, Aronian had excellent chances to sweep the first day, but
   made an elementary error in a clearly better ending against Anand:
   [anand_aronian_2007_chess960_1.jpg]
   Anand-Aronian, round 3, position after 32.Bg3-e1
   An ordinary move like 33...Nd6 leaves Black with a clear advantage,
   and time will tell whether it's enough to win. Unfortunately, Aronian
   played 33...Kh7?, allowing the skewer 34.Rb4. White regains the pawn,
   so the players immediately agreed to a draw.
   Tomorrow they do it all over again, but with colors reversed. Aronian
   is in great shape to qualify for the 1st place match on Thursday, but
   he will have the black pieces against Bacrot and Kasimdzhanov. Anand
   will likely make it too, as although his play did not impress today,
   he'll have White against Mssrs. B & K. So I expect the tournament to
   see all As in the final, and then expect more of the same in the
   regular rapids as well.

References

   1. http://chessmind.powerblogs.com/posts/1186901466.shtml