In the fifth round the two winners were Ivanchuk (who catches up with five others) and Eljanov who takes the lead.
Game No. | Name | Rating | Result | Name | Rating | Opening |
1 | Shakhriyar Mamedyarov | 2763 | 0.5-0.5 | Peter Svidler | 2735 | Grünfeld Russian System (D97) |
2 | Vugar Gashimov | 2734 | 0.5-0.5 | Vladimir Akopian | 2694 | Spanish Chigorin (C99) |
3 | Wang Yue | 2752 | 0-1 | Pavel Eljanov | 2751 | Slav defence (D12) |
4 | Evgeny Alekseev | 2700 | 0.5-0.5 | Boris Gelfand | 2741 | Italian game (C54) |
5 | Ernesto Inarkiev | 2669 | 0.5-0.5 | Dmitry Jakovenko | 2725 | Spanish Berlin (C67) |
6 | Ruslan Ponomariov | 2733 | 0-1 | Vassily Ivanchuk | 2741 | Semi-Slav (D46) |
7 | Teimour Radjabov | 2740 | 0.5-0.5 | Peter Leko | 2735 | Queen's Gambit Vienna |
In the most interesting encounters of the round: The unpredictable Ivanchuk managed to take the initiative in a lively middlegame which led to him having the superior, and as it turned out a winning, queen ending.
Inarkiev seemed to be going round in circles until he engineered a favourable breakthrough in the second session, but Jakovenko was able to save himself due to the presence of opposite bishops.
Wang Yue had a significant space bind which led to him penterating on the kingside. Eljanov however managed to sacrifice the exchange to liberate his position and in the complicated struggle that ensued White's king was the one most in danger.
The rankings after five rounds make happy reading for Pavel Eljanov.
Ranking | Name | Country | Present Rating | Points |
1st | Pavel Eljanov | Ukraine | 2751 | 3.5 |
2nd-5th | Vugar Gashimov | Azerbaijan | 2734 | 3 |
2nd-5th | Boris Gelfand | Israel | 2741 | 3 |
2nd-5th | Ernesto Inarkiev | Russia | 2669 | 3 |
2nd-5th | Peter Leko | Hungary | 2735 | 3 |
6th-8th | Dmitry Jakovenko | Russia | 2725 | 2.5 |
6th-8th | Teimour Radjabov | Azerbaijan | 2740 | 2.5 |
6th-8th | Ruslan Ponomariov | Ukraine | 2733 | 2.5 |
9th-14th | Vladimir Akopian | Armenia | 2694 | 2 |
9th-14th | Evgeny Alekseev | Russia | 2700 | 2 |
9th-14th | Vassily Ivanchuk | Ukraine | 2741 | 2 |
9th-14th | Shakhriyar Mamedyarov | Azerbaijan | 2763 | 2 |
9th-14th | Peter Svidler | Russia | 2735 | 2 |
9th-14th | Wang Yue | China | 2752 | 2 |
Astrakhan is proving to be hard work for those seeking to win by 'normal means', as there have been no White wins in the last three rounds!
The next round will be on Sunday after the rest day tomorrow.
For further information on this event, I suggest that you go to the official tournament site.