Topalov 1-0 Kasimdzhanov
I am tongue tied. I am running out of words to describe the one of the greatest chess performances in my lifetime (maybe the best ever?). Topalov can beat his opponents with a knockout punch. He can outplay his opponents in the middlegame. He can destroy his opponents in the endgame. He can grind his opponents to death. But can he make a mean Hungarian goulash or can he sew? It seems that he can do everything else. Kasim gave all he had to hang on. Topalov just simply beat him with Capablanca-like endgame techniques. He will have 4 whites in the last 7 games. The only question is will he continue to go all out or will he start to coast? I hope he will continue this pace. He has been one of the most underrated players. He is also a very nice person. He deserves this. I am very happy for him.
Leko 1-0 Adams
Adams tried the same line of the Petroff as in round 1. It seems that Leko was well prepared against it and just slowly won in a double rook endgame. As I said many times in the past, one cannot be so predictable in the openings if one wants to win a top caliber event. It seems that Adams is way out of form. He is much better than the way he has performed so far. Leko ended the first half of the event on a good note. He is now back at even score and I expect him to end up with a +1 or +2 at the end.
Morozevich 1-0 Anand
Morozevich can beat anyone brilliantly and he can lose just as easily. Today, the vintage Morozevich showed up. Anand once again employed the Caro-Kann. On move 21, Morozevich decided to sacrifice a Rook for a Bishop and pawn. The game became an unbalanced endgame with 2 Rooks and 3 pawns (for Anand) versus Rook, Bishop and 5 pawns. Morozevich finished the game brilliantly and knocked Anand back to an even score. At this level, anything can happen in any given game.
Svidler 1-0 J. Polgar
It is another sad day for me. My sister went for the win on the Black side of the Najdorf. Svidler decided to castle on the opposite side for a sharp attack on the Kingside. All of a sudden, she decided to sacrifice an exchange on move 19 to expose her opponent’s King. Perhaps it was not a sound sacrifice but she sure tried to go for the win every game. Despite her valiant effort, Svidler defended well. On move 41. Svidler decided to give back the exchange to simplify the game for a pawn up Rook, Bishop and pawns endgame. He eventually converted for a full point to be at +2 and in second place again.
Susan, Topalov sure is rocking. Will he cross the 2800 barrier in the next FIDE Rating list.
Even if Judit’s tourn is far from being “ideal”, i am very pround of her, she has always played for a win, fought hard and finally defended very well in her games… She is a great Chess Lady and i am sure she will be even at the end. Go Judit… We will be always with you, whatever happens ! Judit, have fun & keep enjoying us !!! Kisses… From a true Polgar Sis chess fan !
Some folks on other boards have been crunching the numbers regarding Topalov’s rating. It appears that will Topalov easily top 2800, and if he can score 5-2 the rest of the way then he will pass Kasparov for the #1 spot on the FIDE ratings list.