The Chess Mind

Today's round at Biel was less dramatic than yesterday's opener, but it wasn't for want of effort. Bacrot had a slight pull against Onischuk in a Closed Ruy, but when they reached a position where neither player could make progress without serious risk, they agreed to a draw. Pelletier obtained a genuine advantage against Dominguez, but the path he chose was refuted (as a winning try) by the latter's outstanding 22nd move. Ten essentially forced moves later, the players reached an opposite colored bishop ending. Pelletier had two extra pawns, but despite losing such an ending yesterday with a one-pawn deficit, he was unable to win today with an even bigger material advantage. (This wasn't his fault; today's ending was a forced draw with accurate play.) Finally, Alekseev-Carlsen, the battle of the leaders, was also drawn. Carlsen tried really hard to create winning chances with his bishop pair, but Alekseev kept cool. Appropriately, the draw was offered when Carlsen forced...opposite-colored bishops.

Games here.

Standings after Round 2:

1-2. Alekseev, Carlsen 1.5
3-4. Dominguez, Onischuk 1
5-6. Bacrot, Pelletier .5

Round 3 Pairings:

Dominguez - Alekseev
Carlsen - Bacrot
Onischuk - Pelletier