Svidler, Aronian shocked

Peter Svidler of Russia and Levon Aronian of Armenia were shocked by Gata Kamsky and Dmitry Jakovenko respectively in the World Cup Chess tournament being held at Khanty Mansiysk.

Svidler - Kamsky drew their first rapid game. In the second rapid game, Svidler lost from a plus position.
Jakovenko played accurately to outplay Aronian.
Alekseev completely outclassed Bareev in both the rapid games to advance to the quarter-finals.

A lot of goodies not even counting the huge prize money awaits the quarter-finalists. It is said that the top four may be invited to the premier Grand Slams of chess.

World Cup Chess - Round 4 Rapid and Blitz

Only three seats remain for the Quarter Final flight. Today the rapid and the blitz games will be played. Aronian takes on Jakovenko, Svidler battles it against Kamsky and Alekseev against Bareev.

Aronian, Svidler are the favorites in the first two matches but Kamsky and Jakovenko are no pushovers having progressed so far. It’s a toss up between Alekseev and Bareev – youth vs experience.

Karjakin, Carlsen advance to the Quarter Finals at Khanty Mansiysk

The following players advanced to the Quarter finals of the World Cup Chess at Khanty Mansiysk.

• Sergey Karjakin


• Ivan Cheparinov


• Ruslan Ponomariov


• Alexei Shirov


• Magnus Carlsen

The winner of this tournament takes on Veselin Topalov. The winner of the ensuing match will play the winner of Anand-Kramnik world championship match that will be held next year.

Carlsen reached the quarter finals in spectacular style, improving upon his 10th position as a 15 year old. His rival Michael Adams pushed hard and was dominating the proceedings but again as in the first game, time played a big factor. Carlsen found a surprising saver to draw this dangerous game.

Karjakin's advance too has been smooth but not as heavily advertised. Karjakin beat back a determined Nisipeanu today.

Cheparinov beat Wang Yue of China with black pieces. Yue took his chances by playing a very risky opening against the solid but enterprising Bulgarian.

Ponomariov won the second game of the pre-quarterfinal match against Sasikiran of India. Remember Sasikiran is no pushover, he beat Anand a few years back at the world level.

Alexei Shirov drew against the already demoralised Akopian of Armenia. He too advances to the last 8 and is now looking very dangerous.

Boris Spassky vs Magnus Carlsen - Old Wine vs New Blood !

Boris Spassky (GM) and Magnus Carlsen (GM)

What are Carlsen's chances of matching the achievements of Boris Spassky ? Well, we'd like to hear from you. Here are the comparisons so far. Carlsen has the same kind of skills in terms of general style, which is comfort in both attacking and defending. Spassky could attack as well as play well in a simplified and boring game.

	Boris Spassky	Magnus Carlsen
Date of Birth	30 Jan 1937	30 Nov 1990
Nationality	Russia, later France	Norway
Started Chess at	Five (War time)	Five (Peace time) (Tournament at Eight
Trained by	Vladimir Zak Alexander Tolush Igor Bondarevsky	Henrik Carlsen Simen Agdestein
Grandmaster at	18	13
Significant Achievements	World Junior Champion USSR Champion World Champion Gold European Team Championships 13 Olympiad medals Winner Santa Monica Winner Linares Winner Leiden Joint Winner Bugojno	Corus Wijk and Zee Group C Winner European U-14 Bronze Norwegian Champion Winner Biel 10th Place World Cup Second at Linares