San Luis - Round 12 Summary (updated)
On the verge...
Topalov-Svidler was drawn, with Topalov making dead sure that nothing interesting could possibly happen. A wise strategy, leaving 1.5 points ahead of Svidler with just two rounds to go. With Black against Kasimjanov next round and White with Polgar in the finale, it's hard to see Topalov not scoring (at least) 1 out of 2 and gaining the title.
But it's not impossible, and Anand brought himself back within a point and a half with a second consecutive win, this time at Leko's expense. Anand played the Petroff, presumably amenable to a draw, but Leko produced a novelty on move 17 that enlivened the position. Anand rose to the occasion, Leko got nothing, and by move 27 was clearly worse and lost by move 31. A bad day for Leko, but the occasion for renewed hopes for Anand, who might be kicking himself for the quick draw with Topalov in round 9.
In the other games, Kasimjanov won a pawn against Adams but was unable to convert; ditto for Morozevich against Polgar. Both games were drawn.
Standings after Round 12:
Topalov 9
Anand, Svidler 7.5
Morozevich 6
Kasimjanov, Leko 5
Adams 4.5
Polgar 3.5
Pairings for Round 13 (On Thursday):
Kasimjanov-Topalov
Anand-Morozevich
Polgar-Svidler
Adams-Leko
Predictions:
Unless Kasimjanov has a nuclear bomb of a novelty up his sleeve, I think Topalov will find his way to the draw once again, leaving him just a draw (with White against the tournament tailender) away from the title. And he'll need these half points, as I think Anand and Svidler will beat their respective opponents. Finally, I think Adams and Leko will euthanasize their tournaments and agree to a draw.
ANALYSIS UP: Click here.
Topalov-Svidler was drawn, with Topalov making dead sure that nothing interesting could possibly happen. A wise strategy, leaving 1.5 points ahead of Svidler with just two rounds to go. With Black against Kasimjanov next round and White with Polgar in the finale, it's hard to see Topalov not scoring (at least) 1 out of 2 and gaining the title.
But it's not impossible, and Anand brought himself back within a point and a half with a second consecutive win, this time at Leko's expense. Anand played the Petroff, presumably amenable to a draw, but Leko produced a novelty on move 17 that enlivened the position. Anand rose to the occasion, Leko got nothing, and by move 27 was clearly worse and lost by move 31. A bad day for Leko, but the occasion for renewed hopes for Anand, who might be kicking himself for the quick draw with Topalov in round 9.
In the other games, Kasimjanov won a pawn against Adams but was unable to convert; ditto for Morozevich against Polgar. Both games were drawn.
Standings after Round 12:
Topalov 9
Anand, Svidler 7.5
Morozevich 6
Kasimjanov, Leko 5
Adams 4.5
Polgar 3.5
Pairings for Round 13 (On Thursday):
Kasimjanov-Topalov
Anand-Morozevich
Polgar-Svidler
Adams-Leko
Predictions:
Unless Kasimjanov has a nuclear bomb of a novelty up his sleeve, I think Topalov will find his way to the draw once again, leaving him just a draw (with White against the tournament tailender) away from the title. And he'll need these half points, as I think Anand and Svidler will beat their respective opponents. Finally, I think Adams and Leko will euthanasize their tournaments and agree to a draw.
ANALYSIS UP: Click here.
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Posted by Dennis Monokroussos on
Tuesday October 11, 2005 at 10:15pm