[chessmind] Dennis Monokroussos: Radjabov wins the ACP World Rapid Cup

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Posted by Dennis Monokroussos:
Radjabov wins the ACP World Rapid Cup
http://chessmind.powerblogs.com/posts/1199768544.shtml


   In [1]this post I presented the first round results from the [2]ACP
   World Rapid Cup; here's what happened since then:
   Quarterfinals:
   Jakovenko - Inarkiev 1.5-.5
   Radjabov - Ivanchuk 3-2
   Grischuk - Svidler 1.5-.5
   Karjakin - Gelfand 3-1
   Semifinals:
   Radjabov - Jakovenko 2-0
   Grischuk - Karjakin 3-2
   Finals:
   Radjabov - Grischuk 2.5-1.5
   So Radjabov won, but how about the games? As you might expect with
   such a star-studded field, there were quite a few contests worthy of
   examination, and I've selected nine for your viewing pleasure.
   The first game, Savchenko-Jakovenko, was selected for its novelty
   value, as Savchenko trotted out the little loved Ponziani. This can
   lead to ridiculously dull chess, but Jakovenko played an interesting
   gambit, sharpened the game, and went on to win.
   Next up are a pair of games from the Grischuk-Karpov match. The first
   game is a nice Karpov win with the Black pieces, showing that the
   veteran still has some bite left in him. The second game - the last
   game of their match, shows that the veteran doesn't have as much bite
   as he used to, especially in sharp, trendy lines. If you aren't
   working on English Attack theory, here's some advice: don't play the
   English Attack!
   The next pair comes from the Karjakin-Gelfand match. They split the
   first two games, but then Karjakin won both of the blitz contests to
   advance. We'll look at both of these games. The first game was a
   blunderfest in a Fort Knox French, while the second game showed us
   what Karjakin Labs, Inc. is capable of. (At least I'm assuming it was
   special preparation.) An amusing opening continued into an amusing
   middlegame, and Karjakin was one step ahead in the tactics.
   Next up, another pair of Karjakin games, this time against Grischuk.
   The first was an incredibly complex (and blundiferous) Moscow
   Variation won by Karjakin, with Black, but Grischuk gets the last
   laugh in the Armageddon game. Grischuk played the somewhat unusual
   Steinitz Deferred in the Ruy Lopez, and while Karjakin tried to make
   progress on the queenside his opponent set up and executed a kingside
   massacre.
   That brought Grischuk into the final against Radjabov. He definitely
   had his chances, but he was unable to convert them. Radjabov, on the
   other hand, was more opportunistic, and managed to win the game three,
   the match, and the title. Their two blitz games are examined here,
   both Radjabov's win and then his very well-played endgame save in the
   grand finale.
   This should keep all of you busy for a while! The games, with my
   comments, are [3]here.

References

   1. http://chessmind.powerblogs.com/posts/1199595228.shtml
   2. http://worldcup.pivdenny.com/ru/
   3. http://chessmind.powerblogs.com/files/acpworldrapidcup2008.htm