The Chess Mind

There was only one decisive result today, but it was a good one. Kramnik played the Petroff against Naiditsch, which normally isn't a prescription for excitement, but he chose the comparatively sharp 6...Bd6 variation. Naiditsch didn't seem especially well-prepared, and Kramnik attacked him with the kitchen sink. Offering a bishop, a knight and both rooks to headhunt the enemy king, Naiditsch resigned rather than get mated after taking a rook and a queen. Very entertaining and well-played, though Kramnik could have finished slightly more efficiently.

Bacrot-Carlsen was exciting for the spectators, at least for those unfamiliar with the 1996 Ivanchuk-Shirov game where 21.Qg7 made its debut. Since then, it is widely considered that Black is absolutely fine, and this game confirmed it. After a forcing sequence that ended with 32...c3, it was clear that the only winning chances belonged to Black, but thanks to the possibility of a fortress those chances were exceedingly slim. Black tried for a little while, but the draw was unavoidable.

Jakovenko-Leko was a (needlessly?) short draw in a Nimzo-Indian, and so after four rounds, Carlsen and Kramnik lead, Naiditsch is -2, and the rest (Jakovenko, Leko and Bacrot) are on 50%. The tournament site is here, and the games (with my comments) are here.