[chessmind] Dennis Monokroussos: The Daily Update: Svidler, Lastin lead Russian Championship

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Posted by Dennis Monokroussos:
The Daily Update: Svidler, Lastin lead Russian Championship
http://chessmind.powerblogs.com/posts/1223158185.shtml


   There's a long way to go at the [1]Russian Championship, but by
   defeating Alexander Morozevich Peter Svidler has taken a big step in
   the direction of winning his fifth national title. Alexander Lastin,
   who won the title in 2002 and lost it on tiebreaks the year before,
   also has 2/2, though his wins have been against less impressive
   opposition.
   Round 2 Results:
   Lastin - Maslak 1-0
   Alekseev - Timofeev 1-0
   Riazantsev - Sakaev 1/2-1/2
   Morozevich - Svidler 0-1
   Tomashevsky - Jakovenko 1/2-1/2
   Inarkiev - Vitiugov 0-1
   Standings after Round 2:
   1-2. Svidler, Lastin 2
   3-5. Alekseev, Vitiugov, Riazantsev 1.5
   6-7. Morozevich, Jakovenko 1
   8-10. Sakaev, Timofeev, Tomashevsky .5
   11-12. Inarkiev, Maslak 0
   I've noticed two things about the event thus far: first, that it has
   been extremely hard fought; second and more subtly, the games have
   been rife with sacrifices. Almost every game has seen something
   offered, and in all sorts of openings, phases of the game, in both
   attacking and technical situations - it hasn't mattered. The rounds
   have been very exciting, and if you can't get the games from the
   official site, use [2]TWIC.
   While I'm sending readers elsewhere for the bulk of the games, I'm
   covering Morozevich-Svidler [3]here.

References

   1. http://www.russiachess.org/
   2. http://www.chesscenter.com/twic/twic.html#news800
   3. http://chessmind.powerblogs.com/files/moro_svidler_ruschamp2008.htm