Day 5 – BILBAO CHESS 2014

DAY 5 – BILBAO CHESS 2014
14-20 September

AFTER DEFEATING VALLEJO, ANAND GETS CLOSER TO WINNING GRAND SLAM MASTERS FINAL WITH ONLY TWO DAYS LEFT

Socar is closer to winning the European title after a close win over Obiettivo Risarcimento, not far behind

Bilbao, 18 September 2014

DAY 5:

Bilbao Masters Final results

VISWANATAN ANAND (India) FRANCISCO VALLEJO (Spain) 3-0 (3 h. 00 min. – 33 moves)
RUSLAN PONOMARIOV (Ukraine) – LEVON ARONIAN (Armenia) 1-1 (3h. 20 min. – 41 moves)

Bilbao Masters Final standings after Day 5:

1. Anand (India) 10 points
2. Aronian (Armenia) 6 points
3. Ponomariov (Ukraine) 4 points
4. Vallejo (Spain) 1 point

It is usually on the last day that the winner of Bilbao Masters Final is finally revealed — and quite often after a decisive tiebreak. The tournament’s 7th edition, however, might be decided tomorrow if five-times world champion Anand from India defeats Ukrainian player Ruslan Ponomariov, who, living near Bilbao, is almost regarded as the local player. Should that be the case, Indian Grandmaster would add up 13 points and become unbeatable for his two direct rivals, Ponomariov and Aronian, who played to a draw today. With Vallejo closing the standings, Ponomariov (white) and Anand (black) will play tomorrow’s star match.

At the European Club Cup, Socar reinforced their leadership faced with second in the ranking Obiettivo Risarcimento. Victorious after a difficult match, Socar seems like a great candidate for the title with only two days left. Against all predictions, Batumi (Georgia) is closer to getting the women’s title after their fifth consecutive victory.

Despite being the oldest player, Anand seems to be displaying excellent both physical and mental conditions in Bilbao, before facing a rematch to regain the world title he lost against world number 1 Magnus Carlsen. Today he proved to have panoramic view and great patience, quite like a bird of prey, thanks to which he is capable of spotting the slightest mistake in his adversary’s game and, from then on, claim the next piece without greater difficulty. It was a small mistake that doomed Spanish champion Vallejo to failure this evening. During the analysis after the match, not even the Spanish player was able to detect what erroneous move had made him lose. Unemotional as usual, Anand confirmed without heroism that, after spotting specific moves on Vallejo’s part, he just did what he had to do to win the match.

The longest match today was the one between pleasant Ponomariov and both warm and introvert Aronian. Unlike during the last three days, the youngest ever world champion took initiative with white and tried to get his second consecutive victory against reigning Bilbao Masters Final champion. His attempts, however, ended in draw, a result which makes it difficult for Aronian to renew the title, one of the most prestigious ones in the world chess.

Right next to where the Masters Final was taking place, while they were playing their own games, all 400 players defending their 60 clubs were watching through the corner of their eyes the match going on at table 1. Two teams were fighting fiercely for the European title — the two clubs leading the provisional standings and the European ranking. Socar (Azerbaijan) and Obiettivo Risarcimento (Italy) were competing for half the title, with only two more days to go. Five of the best players in the world — Caruana, Nakamura and Vacher-Lagrave (Italy) and Topalov and Mamediarov (Azerbaijan) — participated in the six games of which the match consisted. The final result was a close victory for the Azerbaijani team (3.5-2.5 points).

Awaiting for this combat’s results, the third candidate Malakhite (Russia) won their match against compatriot Ladya, getting between the fight of the two big favourites.

Batumi (Georgia) almost conquered the women’s title today after getting their fifth consecutive victory in as many days, with only two days left.

Regarding the Basque teams, Sestao Naurgas Energía made the day for the local fans after comfortably getting their second consecutive victory (5-1), this time against Cercle d’Echecs de Bois Colombes (France). This victory was easily predictable anyway — Sestao is tenth in the ranking, while their French opponents hold the fifty-fifth position. After two victories, two draws and one loss, Sestao is mid-table and hopes to end in the top ten. Their goal is difficult, but not impossible.

Gros is trying to follow the same path, although theirs is now winding after a spectacular start full of wins during the first two days. However, they got straightened out today with a close victory thanks to which they can keep fighting for the title. Solvay (Cantabria) falls behind, probably permanently after today’s loss, and almost closes the standings.

With both the 30th European Club Cup and the 7th Grand Slam Masters Final being held simultaneously, Bilbao is turning into the world chess capital during this week. Until Saturday 20 September, many high-level players are meeting in Bilbao for both tournaments; amongst others, nine of the current top ten players in the world. At the European Cup, specifically, there are 60 teams competing, 52 in the overall tournament and 8 on the women’s tournament.

To download the day’s videos:

https://www.youtube.com/user/bilbaochess/videos

For further information:

www.bilbaomastersfinal.com
www.europeanchessclubcup2014.com