[chessmind] Dennis Monokroussos: Quick Bilbao wrap-up (more later): Topalov wins

[Email subscription to blog articles]

Posted by Dennis Monokroussos:
Quick Bilbao wrap-up (more later): Topalov wins
http://chessmind.powerblogs.com/posts/1221331384.shtml


   In an eventful final round, it was Veselin Topalov who came out on top
   in the [1]Grand Slam Final in Bilbao. Topalov pushed hard against
   Vassily Ivanchuk and won what might have been a draw in less ambitious
   hands. The win guaranteed clear first, the impressive prize of 150,000
   euros, and as a fringe benefit, first place on the live rating list.
   (Which is almost sure to translate into first on the next official
   list.) It really looks like Topalov has regained his best form (or
   something very near it), and right in time for his upcoming match with
   Gata Kamsky.
   The Magnus Carlsen-Viswanathan Anand wasn't much of a game. Carlsen
   claimed to be happy about the opening - an Exchange Slav - but Anand
   managed to hold without much trouble. The other game was far more
   dramatic. Levon Aronian was winning against Teimour Radjabov at the
   end of the first time control, but as the position randomized he
   completely fell apart. With the loss, Aronian fell to third place on
   tiebreak (because Carlsen won the head-to-head), which means (I think)
   that he lost 10,000 euros that would have been his with a win or a
   draw. The Azeri treasury, on the other hand, is delighted with
   Radjabov's success, as it moved him into clear fifth.
   Final Standings:
   1. Topalov 17 (6.5)
   2. Carlsen 13 (5)
   3. Aronian 13 (5)
   4. Ivanchuk 12 (5)
   5. Radjabov 10 (4.5)
   6. Anand 8 (4)
   Games later.

References

   1. http://www.bilbaofinalmasters.com/