[chessmind] Dennis Monokroussos: The events du jour: MTel, Kramnik-Navara, US Champs, 11th North American FIDE Invitational

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Posted by Dennis Monokroussos:
The events du jour: MTel, Kramnik-Navara, US Champs, 11th North American FIDE Invitational
http://chessmind.powerblogs.com/posts/1211079210.shtml


   Starting with the biggest events and working on down:
   MTel: Ivanchuk drew with Aronian (and Radjabov drew with Cheparinov),
   but Bu Xiangzhi-Topalov was a weird (read: badly played) game where
   Topalov made the last and most serious errors. With one round to go,
   therefore, all Ivanchuk needs is a draw to clinch clear first.
   Kramnik-Navara match: Kramnik won today's pair 1.5-.5, to extend his
   lead in the 8-game match to 5-1. He has clinched the victory, but
   tomorrow's games will go on as scheduled.
   US Championship: After 5 rounds, Shulman and Kudrin lead with 4
   points; Becerra and Onischuk are at 3.5.
   11th North American FIDE Invitational: Unfortunately, I'm providing a
   view from the bottom again. In round 1 I simply blundered against
   Pasalic in an otherwise thoroughly safe position, and in round 2 I was
   ground down by Ginsburg. Some days, it just goes wrong! The norm isn't
   looking especially likely (and it's not helping right now that in the
   not-so-Super 8 where I'm staying, there's a reception with the music
   absolutely blasting), but I'll fight to the end.