Elista R3: Radjabov, Leko, Eljanov win, Radjabov leads

FIDE Grand Prix in Elista 2008

The Third FIDE Grand Prix tournament is taking place in Elista from December 13 to 29, 2008. Despite the recent withdrawals (Carlsen, Adams) and the absence of players like Anand, Kramnik and Topalov the tournament is very strong, with a category of 19. The venue, originally Doha, is now "City Chess" in Elista, Kalmykia.

Results

Standings after three rounds

GM Teimour Radjabov, former child prodigy from Azerbaijan

Radjabov,T (2751) - Kasimdzhanov,R (2672) [B78]
FIDE Grand Prix Elista RUS (3), 16.12.2008
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 Nc6 8.Qd2 0-0 9.Bc4 Bd7 10.0-0-0 Rc8 11.Bb3 Ne5 12.h4 h5 13.Kb1 Re8 14.g4 hxg4 15.h5 Nxh5 16.Bh6 Kh7. A new move by Kasimdzhanov. Previously played were 16...e6, 16...Bf6 and 16...Rc5. 17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.fxg4 Bxg4

19.Nf5+! Bxf5. 19...gxf5 is disastrous: 20.Qg5+ Ng6 21.exf5 Bxf5 22.Rxh5 Rh8 23.Rxh8 Qxh8 24.Qxf5 and White wins. 20.exf5 Rh8 21.fxg6 Nxg6 22.Ne4 Nf6 23.Rdf1 Rxh1 24.Rxh1 d5 25.Nxf6 Kxf6 26.Qf2+ Kg7 27.Rf1 f6 28.Qf5 Rc6? 28...Rc5 was required. 29.Rg1 Qe8 30.Bxd5 Rc5 31.Qe6 Rb5 32.c4 Rb6 33.Qh3 e6 34.Bf3 Qd8 35.Qg2 1-0. Very nicely played by Teimour Radjabov, who is now in the sole lead in Elista.

2004 FIDE world champion Rustam Kasmidzhanov from Uzbekistan

GM Pavel Eljanov of Ukraine, who has lost and won a game so far

Evgeny Alekseev at the bottom of the table after his loss to Eljanov

Ivan Cheparinov, assistant to Veselin Topalov, lost to Peter Leko

Che and a golden watch: GM Ernesto Inarkiev from Russia

It's just a cup of coffee, guys. Boris Spassky with a Kalmyk fan

Former World Champion Spassky doing commentary for spectators, assisted by Sanan Sjugirov from Elista. Sanan is 15 years old and has in succession has won the Russian Champion for under eight, under ten, the World Championship under twelve and the European Championship under 14. He received his GM title and certificate at the opening ceremony for the Grand Prix in Elista.

FIDE Grand Prix Elista 2008 – Schedule and results

Links Tournament web site All games in PGN The games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download ChessBase Light, which gives you immediate access. You can also use it to read, replay and analyse the PGN games. Download free PGN reader ChessBase Light