Sergey Karjakin - Vassily Ivanchuk
: Created:27 Apr 2009 , byThis report from the the Chessbase site made me gasp with amazement. Being a professional chessplayer requires a good memory.
In yesterday's game from the tournament currently being played in Nalchik, Russia, Karjakin tested the knowledge of Ivanchuk of the past games of Karjakin. Up to the 37th move the players repeated Karjakin-So, UAE 2008. The tempo of the game was very slow, creating the illusion of serious struggle. Ivanchuk innovated (!) on move 37 but the position was completely drawn anyway. This game will not add anything to the theory manuals of the Sveshnikov Sicilian!
30.4.09 Levon Aronian added to his reputation with victory by a clear point in the tournament. Entering the last round he was tied for first place with Peter Leko on 7.5 from 12 games but an enterprising exchange sacrifice by Aronian against his nearest rival led to a position where Aronian had a very strong passed pawn on c7 and two powerful bishops. Leko's game collapsed under the strain.
The twenty-six year old Armenian could be a future world champion if young turks such as Magnus Carlson or Sergey Karjakin don't make the big step forward to challenger status.