Yesterday, everyone was talking about the incredible comeback by Topalov. Everyone was looking forward to the final round show down. Will be it Topalov? Will it be Leko? Will it be Radjabov?
Well, everyone was wrong. Aronian defeated Leko with the Black pieces while everyone else drew. That gave the 2006 Linares title to GM Aronian of Armenia!! Congratulations to Aronian!
Below are the final standings:
1. GM Levon Aronian (Armenia 2752) 8.5
2-3. GM Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria 2801), GM Teimour Radjabov (Azerbaijan 2700) 8.0
4. GM Peter Leko (Hungary 2740) 7.5
5-6 6.0 GM Peter Svidler (Russia 2765), Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukraine 2729) 6.5
7. GM Etienne Bacrot (France 2717) 6.0
8. GM Francisco Vallejo Pons (Spain 2650) 5.0
I was disappointed with Radjabov’s short draw. Plenty of play left in that one if you want to take first place. In his last 3 games he drew with the two tailender’s. I’m a fan of this kid, but I’m beginning to wonder if he has the “killer instinct” needed to get to the top?
Yup, congrats to Aronian. He played some great chess in this tournament. This is great for Chess. We have some really good talents making their mark.
Aronian played some excellent chess and is a deserving champion.
Topalov was nearly unrecognizable in the first half of the tournament. His second half performance was awesome. If he had managed to win the tournment it would have arguably been the greatest comeback ever in Chess — At least the greatest comeback by a World Champion since Em. Lasker at St. Petersburg in 1914.