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Round 3 (March 1)
Kasparov-Kramnik 1/2-1/2
Anand-Shirov 0-1
Leko-Khalifman 1/2-1/2
Standings:
1-2. Kasparov & Kramnik
2.0 3-4. Leko & Shirov 1.5 5-6. Anand & Khalifman 1.0
Kasparov vs Kramnik
Vladimir Kramnik has not lost a
regulation game for over a year, and this in itself seems to deter people from
trying to beat him. Kasparov did his impression of someone playing for a win,
but his lack of ambition in this particular game became apparent when he
offered a draw after only 21 moves with a slightly favourable position.
Is Kramnik really invincible, or do
people just think he is? Round five might give us some answers, when
Kramnik enters the ring to face his "nightmare opponent" Alexei Shirov.
View Kasparov-Kramnik
Anand vs Shirov
The Petroff finally scores a win! Anand
clearly got something against Shirov's new pet, but the Spaniard doesn't
seem to mind being worse as long as his pieces are active and he can play for tactics.
The Indian was a sound pawn up and pressing for
victory when he suddenly stepped in pile of dung with 30.Ra2. This
seemingly natural move allowed Shirov to pick up two pawns with a series of devastating
tactical blows, and when the smoke had cleared, Anand was just lost.
View Anand-Shirov
Leko vs Khalifman
I can't imagine Khalifman was feeling
particularly optimistic going into this encounter. In their recent match
in Budapest, Khalifman went 0 for 3 with black against Leko, so the
Hungarian would most certainly be going for the full point.
On this occasion Khalifman tried a slightly
offbeat variation of the French Defence, but Leko was not at all taken by
surprise. "Pete" quickly got the upper hand as Khalifman forfeited his
right to castle, and although Black managed to keep his king out of trouble, the
ensuing endgame looked pretty depressing, to say the least.
The fact that "Khalif" actually
managed to save this atrocity, must have been a huge boost for his
morale. And slightly depressing for Leko, who seems to end up drawing no matter
what he does.
View Leko-Khalifman
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