Ponomariov again!

Starting with two whites can be an advantage if you make good use of them!
Ruslan Ponomariov has shown the way and made a perfect start with a second win in two games.
This time he downed 'Mr. Solid' Vladimir Kramnik in a Catalan after playing a fine combination that ultimately led to a winning endgame.

Have a look at the game (see the attached pgn-file), especially the position when White played Bxd5! What an astonishing combination.

Here is a summary of the second round games.

NameRatingCountryResultNameRatingCountryOpeningNo. of Moves
Peter Leko2734HUN0.5-0.5Shakhriyar Mamedyarov2761AZEKing's Indian Defence (Fianchetto Variation)50
Le Quang Liem2681VIE0.5-0.5Arkadij Naiditsch2684GERQueen's Gambit (Vienna System)35
Ruslan Ponomariov2734UKR1-0Vladimir Kramnik2790RUSCatalan (with ...Bb4)36

Mamedyarov is in second place with a win and a draw behind Ponomariov.

PositionNameCountryRatingWorld RankingPoints
1stRuslan PonomariovUKR2734142
2ndShakhriyar MamedyarovAZE276161.5
3rdLe Quang LiemVIE2681551
4th-6thVladimir KramnikRUS279040.5
4th-6thPeter LekoHUN2734160.5
4th-6thArkadij NaiditschGER2684510.5

The average rating of the tournament is 2731 which makes it a category XX event. Naturally one of the strongest events of the year.

For more information see the Official site


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