Beijing GP: Mamedyarov wins, 2847 performance

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The fifth stage of the FIDE Grand Prix Series is taking place between the 3rd and 17th of July 2013 on the premises of the Chinese Chess Association in Beijing. The time controls are 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, 60 minutes for the next 20 moves and 15 minutes for the rest of the game, with an increment of 30 seconds per move from move 61 onwards. The games start at 3 p.m. local time, except the last round. The Grand Prix Series consists of six tournaments to be held over two years (2012-2013). 18 top players participate in four of these six tournaments. The winner and second placed player overall of the Grand Prix Series will qualify for the Candidates Tournament to be held in March 2014.

Spectators clearly had very different reactions to some of the last round results

Topalov, Veselin - Morozevich, Alexander 1-0
Topalov masterfully handled his initiative and move by move he created insurmountable problems for his opponent. White sacrificed a pawn but soon regained it with interest as he obtained pressure on the open d-file, a passed e-pawn and pressure on the kingside. This was too much for Morozevich and his position quickly collapsed.

Topalov was joined by FIDE President Kirsan Ilyuzhimov in analyzing some of the positions

Wang Hao - Kamsky, Gata 1-0
Although the Chinese didn't find the best ways of finishing off Kamsky, the result of the game was never serious in question. Kamsky's opening again was not the best and he found himself in an inferior position straight out of it. Wang Hao just had to add a little pressure and Kamsky's position fell apart.

Wang Yue- Giri, Anish ½-½
An equal game all throughout. Giri's slight positional advantage was nullified by the presence of opposite colored bishops which made it very simple to hold the final position.

Grischuk, Alexander - Leko, Peter ½-½
Grischuk was outprepared by Leko who played a relatively sharp Ragozin. Grischuk must not have felt comfortable at all in his position as he allowed a quick threefold repetition to end the game early.

Ivanchuk, Vassily - Karjakin, Sergey ½-½
White's advantage throught the game existed but was very slight. Karjakin's position remained solid and eventually White slowly started to release some of his advantages, until eventually the game was a draw without question.

A smiling Karjakin finished in a solid 50%

Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar - Gelfand, Boris ½-½
Mamedyarov took no risks and quickly went for a symmetrical and equalizing line against Gelfand. The Israeli had no reason to decline such a path and was happy with a draw.

Mamedyarov was pounced by the press as soon as he was finished. One reporter is not like the others, however...

Closing Ceremony

Hou Yifan was one of six of this man's picks to participate in the World Cup in August

Important supporting characters: Deputy Arbiter Sorokina and Sofia Leko

The players were treated a to a fancy last dinner and many gifts in traditional Chinese hospitality

Topalov edged Leko on tiebreaks to claim third place

Grischuk was always at the top of the tournament, and finished with a fantastic 2812 performance

Mamedyarov has had a fantastic year: World Rapid Champion, winner of the Geneva Rapid tournament and now winner of the Beijing Grand Prix

Postgame video interviews by FIDE

• Grischuk,Alexander-Leko,Peter
• Giri,Anish-Wang Yue
• Topalov,Veselin-Morozevich,Alexander
• Topalov on his game and overall GP win
• Kamsky.Gate-Wang Hao
• Karjakin,Sergey-Ivanchuk,Vassily
• Gelfand,Boris-Mamedyarov,Shakriyar

Information and pictures by FIDE press chief WGM Anastasiya Karlovich

Standings

FIDE Grand Prix 2012-2013 overall standings

Schedule and pairings

Note: Time given is the local round time.

The games start at 9:00h European time, 11:00h Moscow, 3 a.m. New York. You can find your regional starting time here. The commentary on Playchess begins one hour after the start of the games and is free for premium members.

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