Judit P. vs. Mamedyarov – Can Judit continue her winning way? A draw would guarantee her at least a share of first place with one round to go. A win would guarantee her first place by a big margin.
I. Sokolov vs. Topalov – Can Topalov continue one of his incredible comebacks? A draw would eliminate him of contention. A loss would put him back in a tie for last place.
What are your predictions? 
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Judit will be the champion !
ed
Judit is kicking some serious — uh, bottom.
As for Topolov I think his win showed that if you fall of a horse for what ever reason is to get back on and keep riding with the ability that your capable off….as the win was a good solid game we are going to a lot more of them.
and sooner than later another crack at the title only this time from lessons learned he will take the challenge to a new fair and neutral corner and win
Judith is almost there good luck to her now and in the future..well done GM Judith
i am absolutely sure JudI – Mame – X, Soko-Topo- X2
Hey, Computer vs Human is hot! But what about Man vs Woman in a World Championship Event? That’s New! That’s NEWS! That’s chess, no sport can make it happened and That’s JUDIT!!
A draw for Judit here is a strategical victory. If she wins – then call to Hungary to make place for the Gold Cup in her cabinet and celebrate the comeback. I am sure she will not lose her poise and do something reckless in this moment.
Topalov, I am not sure he has recovered. One game is too little to tell. I hope he wins this game and draws the next (with Judit). I want to see at the end: 1. Judit 2. Topalov 3. Sokolov 4. Mamedyarov.
Go, Judit
Lyudmil Antonov
Sokolov will be keen to limit the damage to his rating so may try to kill the game….or to encourage Topalov to take excessive risk.
Judit may well win but no-one could blame her for taking a draw line if this emerges from the game.
Polgar,Judit – Mamedyarov,Shakhryar
Essent Hoogoveen NED, 27.10.2006
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 0-0 9.h3 Nb8 10.d4 Nbd7 11.Nbd2 Bb7 12.Bc2 Re8 13.Nf1 Bf8 14.Ng3 g6 15.b3 d5 16.Bg5 h6 17.Bh4??? g5
What is Judit doing is she lost or is there a perpetual? (I don’t se one!)
D.K.
To David
-go to http://www.chesslab.com or http://www.chessbase.com (online dbase) and check the moves.
Both players still in preparation
The piece sac looks ok to me. All white’s pieces deploy optimally, while black’s Bb7 is offside. Would you really choose to play with the black pieces here?
What does worry me is that Mamedyarov still seems to be in home preparation…
Judit has successfully ripped open Black’s kingside. Something is afoot!
I wouldn’t want to play with Black in this position.
Worst case…a draw.
Still too early to know for sure.
I am sure both players are in home preparation, Judit has played the Bg5-h4 idea before – however I am slightly worried that she is taking a long think, if it is home analysis – time taken for first 22moves – Judit 45 mins, Mamedyarov 2 mins! Let’s hope Judit has something special to show us 🙂
I can think of two reasons for the high time consumption of Judit. One Mamedyarov has strong novelty. The other is that Judit is confident that she can draw this game, but is using her time to see I she wants to play for a win or not.
I hope so but Nf5 looks very strange, wasn’t Nh5 double hitting f6 better?
lol, listen to me a patzer questioning Judit
Frankly, I don’t think Judit has all that much in this position, and this might very well become her first loss. Her attack is too slow IMHO, enabling Black to defend. Seeing how fast Mamedyarov plays, he obviously doesn’t feel afraid, either.
Hmm, wouldn’t 24. … Ba3 25. Nh6+ Kf8 Rb1 have been a better option? I fail to see how White wants to make progress in this position while Black consolidates. But hey, I’m just a patzer like most others commenting here. 😉