Jermuk R11: Eljanov, Inarkiev win, lead unchanged

Fifth FIDE Grand Prix in Jermuk, Armenia

This event is taking place from August 8th-24th 2009. It is a Category 19 tournament, with eleven of the 14 players rated over 2700. The event is a memorial to former world champion Tigran Petrosian, who held the title from 1963–1969 and would have turned 80 on June 17th this year.

Round eleven

Fighting spirit: Vassily Ivanchuk, the leader in Jermuk with two rounds to go

If one player can be singled out as crowd favourite in this tournament, that player would unequivocally be identified as Ivanchuk. Despite Leko's having held the lead, or a share of it, from beginning to end, Ivanchuk has done something Leko hasn't – demonstrated a willingness to battle in virtually every round, involving himself in four of the six longest encounters in this event. In fact, in the eighth round, that tenacity paid off with a fine 98-move win over Gelfand. This round was slightly unfortunate for the Ukrainian, however, as Bacrot pushed an advantage – a passed wing pawn in a pawn-up Rook ending – leaving the joint leader to fight for the draw, with no prospects for more in a 63-move Slav Defence.

Rustam Kasimdzanov vs Peter Leko in round eleven: draw in 31 moves

More unfortunate was Cheparinov, though, as he slipped to dead last, now a full point back of the pack. In this sense, Ukraine was given something to cheer about, as Eljanov was the victor in this 53-move encounter in the King's Indian Classical.

Ivan Cheparinov and Pavel Iljanov in the post-game press conference with IM Lilit Mkrtchian

That said, there was one other winner this round – Inarkiev – who took advantage of Jakovenko's uncharacteristic form to score in a rather terse 42-move Ruy Lopez Chigorin.

Dmitry Jakovenko and Ernesto Inarkiev discuss the latter's win with Lilit

All other games were drawn, leaving the leaderboard, yet again, unchanged. After a shaky start, spectators may also have taken note of Alekseev's slow climb to, and retention of, a place in the chasing pack. If there can be said to be a dark horse in this event, watch for the Russian to make his move in the final two rounds. He obtained his objective today of holding Karjakin to a draw, while playing the black side of a 50-move Petroff's Defence. Action heats up tomorrow, as play draws near its end in the penultimate round.

Current standings

The players, dignitaries, organisers and helpers pose in front of the Armenia spa

Gata Kamsky during his round eleven game

Dmitry Jakovenko during a game that would inflict a second defeat in a row

Two Armenians who have four Olympiad gold medals between them

Afterwards the two are joined by organiser GM Smbat Lputian in the press center

Levon checks the pictures taken by WIM Siranush Andriasian

Chess fans in Jermuk

Baseball caps are popular in Armenia

Very young fans in the area outside the playing hall

Examining the progress of local heros Vladimir Akopian and Levon Aronian

IM Khachatrian and technical head Aram Hajian analyse with a budding chess student

How to improve your chess strength: solving tactical positions from a book

All pictures by Arman Karakhanyan, courtesy of FIDE

FIDE Grand Prix Jermuk 2009 – Schedule and results

The games start at 15:00h Armenian time (12:00 noon CEST, 11:00h London, 6 a.m. New York and 3 a.m. California). Full live coverage, including discussion and analysis with thousands of other visitors, is available on Playchess.

Links Full information on the FIDE site All ChessBase reports on the Jermuk GP 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 the free PGN reader ChessBase Light, which gives you immediate access. You can also use the program to read, replay and analyse PGN games. New and enhanced: CB Light 2009!