Kramnik stays ahead

Vladimir Kramnik successfully equalized with Black and retains first place alone.
Shirov against Carlsen was a more complicated affair, with tactical flurries early on followed by an extended struggle which eventually led to a draw.
Kramnik is still in first place ahead of Anand.

Carlsen played very quickly in the early phase as his prepared Breyer System seemed to go well.

The game blew open with Shirov giving up two pieces for a rook, but had positional compensation in the form of a pair of passed central pawns. Carlsen rode the storm, eliminated the centre and it was he who tried to win the unusual endgame of three minor pieces plus three pawns against queen and three pawns. He managed to manoeuvre whilst keeping his forces mutually protecting themselves and gradually made progress, but not enough to make the difference.

Magnus steadied the boat, and then squeezed long and hard

Anand's Catalan led to an early exchange of queens and after a flourish of pawn chopping the players then simplified further to an equal bishop endgame. Kramnik never seemed to be in any danger and so, with this draw, keeps ahead of the field.

Third round results:

Name	Rating	Country	Result	Name	Rating	Country	Opening	Moves
Alexei Shirov	2749	ESP	0.5-0.5	Magnus Carlsen	2826	NOR	Spanish Breyer	174
Viswanathan Anand	2800	IND	0.5-0.5	Vladimir Kramnik	2780	RUS	Catalan opening	34

So the standings haven't really changed very much after two drawn games today.

Standing	Player (World ranking)	Rating	Age	Country	1W	1B	2W	2B	3W	3B	4W	4B	Score (Bilbao)	Score (Standard)
1	Vladimir Kramnik (5)	2780	35	RUS	X	X	-	=	1	-	1	-	7	2.5
2	Viswanathan Anand (3)	2800	40	IND	=	-	X	X	-	=	-	1	5	2
3	Alexei Shirov (12)	2749	38	ESP	-	0	=	-	X	X	=	-	2	1
4	Magnus Carlsen (1)	2826	19	NOR	-	0	0	-	-	=	X	X	1	0.5

After the rest day which Carlsen and Shirov will no doubt appreciate after one of the longest games of their respective careers, they'll be determined to get up the tournament table. Carlsen has White against Kramnik and I expect him to go all out for victory.

Fourth round pairings for Wednesday:

Name	Rating	Country	Result	Name	Rating	Country
Magnus Carlsen	2826	NOR		Vladimir Kramnik	2780	RUS
Viswanathan Anand	2800	IND		Alexei Shirov	2749	ESP

Anand has another White and needs to win to hope to catch Kramnik, whereas if Shirov wins he will be on a par with the Indian.

Alexei concentrating

Just to remind you, here is a summary of the first two rounds:

Round 1:

Name	Rating	Country	Result	Name	Rating	Country	Opening	Moves
Alexei Shirov	2749	ESP	0.5-0.5	Viswanathan Anand	2800	IND	Spanish Berlin	41
Vladimir Kramnik	2780	RUS	1-0	Magnus Carlsen	2826	NOR	Queen's Indian Defence	45

Round 2:

Name	Rating	Country	Result	Name	Rating	Country	Opening	Moves
Magnus Carlsen	2826	NOR	0-1	Viswanathan Anand	2800	IND	Spanish Berlin	45
Vladimir Kramnik	2780	RUS	1-0	Alexei Shirov	2749	ESP	Slav Defence	41

For more information go to the Official site

There will be a rest day tomorrow (on Tuesday the 12th), but on Wednesday (13th) to Friday (15th) you will be able to watch the games live at the following times:

4.30 pm (Bilbao, Paris)

3.30 pm (London)

6.30 pm (Moscow)

11.30 am (New York)

8.30 am (Los Angeles)

Official site live games