[chessmind] Dennis Monokroussos: Biel, Round 2: Draw x 3

[Email subscription to blog articles]

Posted by Dennis Monokroussos:
Biel, Round 2: Draw x 3
http://chessmind.powerblogs.com/posts/1216677577.shtml


   Today's round at [1]Biel was less dramatic than yesterday's opener,
   but it wasn't for want of effort. Bacrot had a slight pull against
   Onischuk in a Closed Ruy, but when they reached a position where
   neither player could make progress without serious risk, they agreed
   to a draw. Pelletier obtained a genuine advantage against Dominguez,
   but the path he chose was refuted (as a winning try) by the latter's
   outstanding 22nd move. Ten essentially forced moves later, the players
   reached an opposite colored bishop ending. Pelletier had two extra
   pawns, but despite losing such an ending yesterday with a one-pawn
   deficit, he was unable to win today with an even bigger material
   advantage. (This wasn't his fault; today's ending was a forced draw
   with accurate play.) Finally, Alekseev-Carlsen, the battle of the
   leaders, was also drawn. Carlsen tried really hard to create winning
   chances with his bishop pair, but Alekseev kept cool. Appropriately,
   the draw was offered when Carlsen forced...opposite-colored bishops.
   Games [2]here.
   Standings after Round 2:
   1-2. Alekseev, Carlsen 1.5
   3-4. Dominguez, Onischuk 1
   5-6. Bacrot, Pelletier .5
   Round 3 Pairings:
   Dominguez - Alekseev
   Carlsen - Bacrot
   Onischuk - Pelletier

References

   1. http://www.bielchessfestival.ch/cms/
   2. http://chessmind.powerblogs.com/files/biel2008_rd2.htm