Elista R8: Grischuk does it again: wins and 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

Cheparinov,I (2696) - Alekseev,Evgeny (2715) [C95]
FIDE Grand Prix Elista RUS (8), 22.12.2008
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 0-0 9.h3 Nb8 10.d4 Nbd7 11.Nbd2 Bb7 12.Bc2 Re8 13.a4 Bf8 14.Bd3 c6 15.b3 Qc7 16.Bb2 g6 17.Qc2 Rac8 18.Bf1 Qb8 19.Rad1 Bg7 20.g3 Ba8 21.axb5 axb5 22.b4. This was played by Ponomariov against Sasikiran in 2004 in Biel – White won in 62 moves. 22...Bf8 23.Qb3 h6

Now Cheparinov launches a devastating attack. Play through the continuation with your chess engine – it will jump for joy at every move. 24.dxe5 Nxe5 25.c4 bxc4 26.Nxc4 Nfd7 27.Nfxe5 Nxe5 28.Nxe5 dxe5 29.Rd7 Re7 30.Red1 Rce8 31.Bc4 Kg7 32.Qf3 c5

33.Qxf7+! Rxf7 34.Rxf7+! Note that the careless 34.Bxf7 actually loses – to 34...Re7! 34...Kh8 35.Rdd7 1-0.

The lucky sweater didn't help: Evgeny Alekseev after his loss to Ivan Cheparinov (right)

Alexander Grischuk, who scored his third win in success to take the lead in this event

Wang Yue, who lost for a second time in Elista, after not losing a single one in 82 games

Rustam Kasimdzhanov after this first win in this tournament

Standings after eight rounds

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