Current Standings After 8 Rounds:
1- 2. 5.5 GM Viswanathan Anand (India 2792), GM Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria 2801)
3. 5.0 GM Sergey Karjakin (Ukraine 2660)
4- 6. 4.5 GM Michael Adams (England 2707), GM Boris Gelfand (Israel 2723), GM Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukraine 2729)
7- 9. 4.0 GM Levon Aronian (Armenia 2752), GM Peter Leko (Hungary 2740), 4.0 GM Loek van Wely (Netherlands 2647)
10. 3.5 GM Sergey Tiviakov (Netherlands 2669)
11-12. 3.0 GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Azerbaijan 2709), GM Ivan Sokolov (Netherlands 2689)
13-14 2.5 GM Etienne Bacrot (France 2717), GM Gata Kamsky (USA 2686)
As expected, Topalov and Anand have taken turns to take the top spot. After 8 rounds, they are tied for first.
The biggest surprise so far is Karjakin in clear third. Kamsky had wins over Anand and Gelfand but his opening repertoire has failed him. Leko even with a win in round 7 is still only at even score.
I fully expect that it will come down to the last round to determine the champion of group A between Topalov and Anand.
In the mean time, Magnus Carlsen is ruling section B. I expect him to be invited to group A next year and his rating is moving closer to the 2700 mark.
I pick Topalov to win!
I also picked Topalov to win and Anand second.
what i was hoping for is coming true! Karjakin to be challenging Topa & Anand to make things more interesting. Topa & Anand coming in is more or less a routine expectation for most of us fans & patzers. I hope that Karjakin maintains his form after a slow start & really give the favourites a real run for their money.
As for Carlsen – What more can I say about that wonder boy?
I predict that in about 8-10 yrs from now Karjakin & Carlsen will begin dominating world chess.
I hope that Kamsky can have a respectable score.
Next Saturday will be very exciting!!
Topolov and and Anand against each other
Round 12 – Saturday the 28th
I. Sokolov – E. Bacrot
L. van Wely – M. Adams
S. Mamedyarov – G. Kamsky
S. Tiviakov – P. Leko
V. Topalov – V. Anand
B. Gelfand – V. Ivanchuk
S. Karjakin – L. Aronian
Topalov has a much tougher schedule than Anand for the rest of the tournament. Anand’s play as black has been impressive, and getting bitten by Kamsky – presumably via old preparation – will keep him on his toes. Anand by 1 point. Nice guys don’t always finish second.
Anonymous Frank