The FIDE World Chess Championship is taking place in the Hotel Potrero de
los Funes Complex, in the Province of San Luis, Argentina, from September 27
to October 16, 2005..
Round Five Summary
The hot favourite Veselin Topalov again displayed superb form to take a full
point from his closest rival Peter Svidler, and he did it with the black pieces.
The Bulgarian now has 4.5 out of five games, which translates to an Elo performance
of 3124. We can only call this phenomenal. Anand played very well against Peter
Leko and had what looked like a strategically won position. But an unconvincing
rook manoeuvre (to c6, where the knight would have been better placed) gave
his opponent enough counterplay to draw. Judit Polgar looked strong against
Alexander Morozevich but did not get more than the split point; while Adams
and Kasimdzanov played an uneventful 29-move draw.
Round 5: Monday, October 3rd |
Peter Svidler |
0-1
|
Veselin Topalov |
Judit Polgar |
½-½
|
A. Morozevich |
Vishy Anand |
½-½
|
Peter Leko |
Michael Adams |
½-½
|
R. Kasimdzhanov |
|
The round five games on Playchess.com
were commented by Yasser Seirawan, who is doing a magnificent job, as is his
colleague IM Andrew Martin, our "resident" chess coach. Here is the
schedule for the rest of the event (subject to change):
4 Oct. Round 6 |
Yasser Seirawan |
|
10 Oct. Round 11 |
Yasser Seirawan |
5 Oct. Round 7 |
Andrew Martin |
|
11 Oct. Round 12 |
Andrew Martin |
6 Oct. Round 8 |
Yasser Seirawan |
|
13 Oct. Round 13 |
Andrew Martin |
8 Oct. Round 9 |
Yasser Seirawan |
|
14 Oct. Round 14 |
Andrew Martin |
9 Oct. Round 10 |
Yasser Seirawan |
|
15 Oct. Tie-break |
Andrew Martin |
Current standings at the World Championship in San Luis
World Championship Diary: Round 5
By Nigel Short – on site in San Luis
Lunchtime: I am dining with Veselin Topalov and his entourage
of Silvio Danailov (manager) and Ivan Cheparinov (second) again, as indeed
I have done all the playing days so far. On day two, Veselin, a touch superstitiously
perhaps, determined that I was a lucky talisman, and that henceforth I will
have to eat with him prior to the commencement of the rounds – presumably
until he suffers a defeat. Fortunately this is no great burden for me as I
am quite glad of the company. Cheekily I suggest that he pays me for my services,
which elicits a smile.
At the start of round five Morozevich and Polgar keep an eye on Topalov
and Svidler
3:50pm: I have just returned to my room from the playing
hall where I had been sat discussing the games with the Hungarian concert pianist
and great chess enthusiast Gergely Boganyi, who is taking a few days break
from his tour. There is always a bit of lull after the flurry of opening moves,
and this provides a convenient opportunity to begin writing.
Watching his every move: Topalov waiting for Svidler to play
No sooner had I opened my laptop, when I saw Topalov making a startling piece
sacrifice in his vital game with Peter Svidler! My goodness, what a shocker
– and we are barely out of the opening. For a few brief seconds I thought
that Svidler had to resign until I calmed down.
4.30: Svidler averted immediate catastrophe by jettisoning
a little material in order to exchange queens. The ensuing endgame is very
unbalanced with two bishops against rook and two pawns. In general I tend to
prefer pieces at such moments, but the factors like White’s poorly placed
knight in the corner mean that it is difficult to be certain of the correct
evaluation. If White can co-ordinate his pieces without anything too unpleasant
happening he will be on top. If not, not.
Chess wives: Firussa Kasimdzhanov, Aruna Anand (seated), Sofia Leko
Peter Leko has employed his beloved Sveshnikov against Anand. This was the
opening which brought him great success when the Indian committed a howler
at the Corus Tournament in January. This time Anand has continued sensibly
and has placed all his faith in his passed b-pawn. It looks as if he stands
better although, given the opening’s desiccated, drawish nature, it is
unclear whether this will suffice for victory.
"You play the what against me??" Judit Polgar in her
round five game against iconoclast Alexander Morozevich
Alexander Morozevich has displayed his penchant for archaeology by digging
up the Philidor against Judit Polgar. Whether this moldy eighteenth century
corpse should have remained interred is one question, but I, for one, am not
going to criticize the Mr. Burke or Hare ( two notorious British grave-robbers)
of modern tournament chess. Thank goodness we have people with heterodox views.
Rustam Kasimdzhanov vs Mickey Adams under way
Michael Adams has obtained such a dominant grip on the d5 square against Kasimjanov
that I wonder whether he ought not try to control some of the other 63 squares
as well. This is an excellent example of John Watson’s concept of the
surplus knight. Nevertheless the Englishman certainly stands better. All he
needs is a fresh, constructive plan to increase his advantage.
Topalov and Adams watch Anand work on his game against
Leko, who is watching another game (back to camera)
6.30pm: Obviously I spoke too soon. The moment Adams’
knight deserted the outpost d5 the wily Uzbek unshackled his fetters and with
one bound leapt out of his incarceration. Indeed Adams was the one who suddenly
had to be careful. The game ended with a repetition of position – neither
side having a sensible way of avoiding the draw.
The man and his watch: Topalov in full concentration
In the meantime Topalov has secured a big advantage. He is really on fire
here. If he wins today then he will be soaring way above the others. I sensed
that Svidler started to lose the thread around move 30 when the needlessly
put his bishop within range of the Black knight. If his idea was tacitly invite
a draw, then the Bulgarian wanted none of it, forcing off one bishop and cramping
the White kingside. Even so, the situation was by no means terrible for White
until his bad blunder on the 36th move when he allowed his bishop to be viciously
pinned. Extricating himself from that unpleasantness cost him the vital b-pawn
after which he can only pray, most probably in vain, for a Houdini-like escape.
7.00pm: Anand-Leko took a very interesting turn. Instead
of passively attempting to block the white passed pawn the mighty Magyar strove
for activity. The Chennai chessman had to be careful for, with his pieces on
the queenside supporting the pawn, his kingside was very vulnerable. He diffused
the initiative successfully but at the cost of entering into a rather drawish
endgame with an exchange for a pawn advantage, but with all the remaining pawns
all on one side. The Madras magician will have to pull a big rabbit out of
the hat of he is to win.
Peter Svidler and Veselin Topalov in the press conference after the game
Svidler has succumbed. Topalov opens up a yawning gap on the field! I don’t
want to jinx my dining partner, but it is probably now his tournament to lose.
Catching him will now require both great skill and a large dollop of luck.
With nine long rounds left it is certainly conceivable that his lead will evaporate
but, to judge from his outstanding form so far, few would bet on it.
Polgar-Morozevich has been an oscillating affair. My impression was that Judit
obtained a sizable advantage in the middlegame but that she was unable to keep
a lid on Black’s activity. Moroz is a tricky fellow.
Morozevich watches Anand vs Leko, Adams ponders
7.30: The game is draw – a fair enough result. My trusty
aid, Fritz, believes that there was nothing in it in the final position and
it is hard to disagree.
That leaves us with Vishy grinding away against Peter Leko. Not much has changed
since I spoke last. Still looks like a draw but it could go on for quite some
time. I guess it is time to open a bottle of wine...
Leko and Anand discuss the game they have just played
Peter Leko with his second (and father-in-law) Arshak Petrosian
8.10pm: I fibbed a bit: I have remained abstemious for the
last forty minutes. Not for much longer though… Vishy tried hard to create
chances, but Leko is the last sort of person to blunder in such technical positions
and he didn’t.
Who would have predicted a one half point lead after only five rounds? It
has been a breathtaking performance so far from Topalov. Will it continue tomorrow?
We shall see…
All photos: FIDE (Casto Abundo), Word Chess Championship
Press
Full schedule
Round 1: Wednesday, September 28th |
Peter Leko |
0-1 |
Veselin Topalov |
A. Morozevich |
½-½ |
R. Kasimdzhanov |
Peter Svidler |
½-½ |
Michael Adams |
Judit Polgar |
0-1 |
Vishy Anand |
|
|
Round 2: Thursday, September 29th |
Veselin Topalov |
½-½ |
Vishy Anand |
Michael Adams |
½-½ |
Judit Polgar |
R. Kasimdzhanov |
½-½ |
Peter Svidler |
Peter Leko |
½-½ |
A. Morozevich |
|
|
Round 3: Friday, September 30th |
A. Morozevich |
0-1 |
Veselin Topalov |
Peter Svidler |
1-0 |
Peter Leko |
Judit Polgar |
1-0 |
R. Kasimdzhanov |
Vishy Anand |
1-0 |
Michael Adams |
|
|
Round 4: Saturday, October 1st |
Veselin Topalov |
1-0 |
Michael Adams |
R. Kasimdzhanov |
1-0 |
Vishy Anand |
Peter Leko |
1-0 |
Judit Polgar |
A. Morozevich |
0-1 |
Peter Svidler |
|
|
Free day: Sunday, October 2nd |
|
Round 5: Monday, October 3rd |
Peter Svidler |
0-1 |
Veselin Topalov |
Judit Polgar |
½-½ |
A. Morozevich |
Vishy Anand |
½-½ |
Peter Leko |
Michael Adams |
½-½ |
R. Kasimdzhanov |
|
|
Round 6: Tuesday, October
4th |
Judit Polgar |
- |
Veselin Topalov |
Vishy Anand |
- |
Peter Svidler |
Michael Adams |
- |
A. Morozevich |
R. Kasimdzhanov |
- |
Peter Leko |
Games –
Report |
|
Round 7: Wednesday, October
5th |
Veselin Topalov |
- |
R. Kasimdzhanov |
Peter Leko |
- |
Michael Adams |
A. Morozevich |
- |
Vishy Anand |
Peter Svidler |
- |
Judit Polgar |
Games –
Report |
|
Round 8: Thursday, October
6th |
Veselin Topalov |
- |
Peter Leko |
R. Kasimdzhanov |
- |
A. Morozevich |
Michael Adams |
- |
Peter Svidler |
Vishy Anand |
- |
Judit Polgar |
Games –
Report |
|
Free day: Friday, October 7th |
|
Round 9: Saturday, October
8th |
Vishy Anand |
- |
Veselin Topalov |
Judit Polgar |
- |
Michael Adams |
Peter Svidler |
- |
R. Kasimdzhanov |
A. Morozevich |
- |
Peter Leko |
Games –
Report |
|
Round 10: Sunday, October
9th |
Veselin Topalov |
- |
A. Morozevich |
Peter Leko |
- |
Peter Svidler |
R. Kasimdzhanov |
- |
Judit Polgar |
Adamas |
- |
Vishy Anand |
Games –
Report |
|
Round 11: Monday, October
10th |
Adamas |
- |
Veselin Topalov |
Vishy Anand |
- |
R. Kasimdzhanov |
Judit Polgar |
- |
Peter Leko |
Peter Svidler |
- |
A. Morozevich |
Games –
Report |
|
Round 12: Tuesday, October
11th |
Veselin Topalov |
- |
Peter Svidler |
A. Morozevich |
- |
Judit Polgar |
Peter Leko |
- |
Vishy Anand |
R. Kasimdzhanov |
- |
Michael Adams |
Games –
Report |
|
Free day: Wednesday, October 12th |
|
Round 13: Thursday, October
13th |
R. Kasimdzhanov |
- |
Veselin Topalov |
Michael Adams |
- |
Peter Leko |
Vishy Anand |
- |
A. Morozevich |
Judit Polgar |
- |
Peter Svidler |
Games –
Report |
|
Round 14: Friday, October
14th |
Veselin Topalov |
- |
Judit Polgar |
Peter Svidler |
- |
Vishy Anand |
A. Morozevich |
- |
Michael Adams |
Peter Leko |
- |
R. Kasimdzhanov |
Games –
Report |
|
Tie-breaks: Saturday, October 15th |
|
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