4/18/2015 – Today's round was certainly duller than the one we started out with, and the day ended with four solid draws. None of the players seemed to be in any danger of losing, or even of falling a significantly worse position, and the results seemed like logical conclusions. The one decisive game went to Magnus Carlsen, who wiped Shakhriyar Mamedyarov off the board. Round two report.
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The Vugar Gashimov Memorial, is being held in Shamkir, Azerbaijan, from the 17th to the 26th of April, in memory of the great Vugar Gashimov, who passed away on the 10th of January 2014. The tournament consists of some of the strongest players in the World: reigning World Champion Magnus Carlsen, former World Champions Viswanathan Anand and Vladimir Kramnik, as well as, Fabiano Caruana, Anish Giri, Wesley So, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Michael Adams, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Rauf Mamedov will compete in this prominent event.
Round Two
Name
Rtg
Res.
Name
Rtg
Adams Michael
2746
½-½
Caruana Fabiano
2802
Carlsen Magnus
2863
1-0
Mamedyarov Shakhriyar
2754
Vachier-Lagrave Maxime
2762
½-½
Anand Viswanathan
2791
Giri Anish
2790
½-½
Mamedov Rauf
2651
Kramnik Vladimir
2783
½-½
So Wesley
2788
Adams, Michael ½-½ Caruana, Fabiano White obtained nothing from the opening, a typical anti-Berlin with a quick exchange on c6. If anything it was Caruana that seemed to be enjoying his position more, but after a series of piece trades the players agreed to a repetition.
An effortless draw for Fabiano Caruana
Carlsen, Magnus 1-0 Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar
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1.d4d52.c4c63.Nf3Nf64.e3g6The Schlechter system of the Slav. This is considered a much more appropiate response to 4.e3 than 4.Nc3, as now the bishop cannot go to f4.5.Nc3Bg76.Be20-07.0-0b68.a4a59.cxd5cxd59...Nxd5Was Wang Yue's choice against Anand in 2010, but I feel taking with the c-pawn is more logical.10.b3Ne4?!The beginning of Black's real problems. This trade is normally quite desirable on e4, as Black obtains a good square on d5 for his other knight and retains solid chances. However here, specifically, he is unable to do anything like that because of his slow development.11.Nxe4dxe412.Nd2Bb713.Ba3f514.Rc1Kh815.Nc4Black would like to play the move Nb8-d5, but the knight doesn't stretch so far.Nd716.d5Precisely the problem. The pawn push creates issues for Black as the space created behind it activates White's pieces.Rc817.d6e618.b4! Opening up even more space.axb419.Bxb4Bd520.a5!bxa521.Bxa5Qe822.Qa4It's very clear that Black is passive. He doesn't have an active plan and simply hopes that his blockade on d7 will hold.Bc623.Qb4Rb824.Nb6! Why not? The pin looks uncomfortable but Black cannot take advantage of it, more importantly this trades off that d7 knight.Ne5?!24...Nxb625.Bxb6Qd726.Rc2±25.Qc5Ba8?The losing move, technically, but this was already a very difficult position.25...Rf726.Rfd1±26.Bc3Nd726...Qc627.Qxe5+-27.Bxg7+Kxg728.Nxd7Qxd729.Qe5+Black's position very obviously collapses after the rook incursion to c7.1–0
Joining Kramnik and So at the top with +1 (1.5/2): Magnus Carlsen
Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime ½-½ Anand, Viswanathan The idea of playing an early Bf5 in the Ragozin is becoming increasingly popular for Black, but it was unheard of to play it as early as Anand did. The Indian player made it look easy to equalize with Black in the Ragozin. Even though MVL cleverly got some pressure from an equal position, it was still nothing important and the game was eventually drawn.
Carlsen casually on-looking
Daniel King shows the game Carlsen vs Mamedyarov
Giri, Anish ½-½ Mamedov, Rauf Giri's early Qb3 attempt in this Slav gave him the slightest of edges, if anything. Mamedov put up stiff resistance and defended well, even sacrificing a pawn at some point to cripple his opponent's pieces. The endgame with a bishop vs. knight was a little more comfortable for Giri, but he was unable to put his opponent in any real danger.
Anish Giri was unable to break...
...Rauf Mamedov's defenses
Kramnik, Vladimir ½-½ So, Wesley Kramnik's unusual opening play netted him nothing. The game was solidly drawn after many trades.
Cool and collected: So had no problems equalizing
Kramnik isn't usually known for his unorthodox play in the opening. Here he must have been which spirit possessed him to make this decision.
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