The Chess Mind

By Dennis Monokroussos.
This is a blog for chess fans by a chess fan, one who loves the beauty of the game and wants to share it with those who are like-minded.
Yet the chess mind is not only a chess mind, and other topics, such as philosophy, may appear from time to time. All material copyrighted.
Biel, Round 2: Draw x 3
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
Posted by Dennis Monokroussos on Monday July 21, 2008 at 5:59pm