2015 Al Ain Classic: Wang Hao takes lead with 5.0/5

Wang Hao takes the lead with 5.0/5

Report from Al Ain by IM Prathamesh Mokal

All photos by WGM Emkhtuul Altan Ulzii (unless otherwise stated)

After playing two queen pawn opening games in rounds one and three, Wang Hao suddenly switched to 1.e4 in the crucial fifth round. This probably caught Lalith Babu off guard who confessed to have tried too hard to be exact in the Caro Kann Advance. The result was more or less a cakewalk for White.

Wang Hao to Lalith Babu – You were expecting 1.d4 weren’t you?

Wang Hao - Lalith Babu

Shirov played very precisely against Gupta. He kept putting pressure until the latter cracked.

Shirov waits for Gupta to arrive as the top table encounter begins in the background

Abhijeet Gupta - Alexei Shirov

Results of top four boards in round five

Highlights of rounds two to four

Round 2 - Bajarani beats Kryvoruchko

Azeri Grandmaster Ulvi Bajarani caused a flutter in round two by beating the top seed with Black pieces. In a complex position, Kryvoruchko underestimated Bajarani’s rook and knight combination and landed his own king into trouble. While Wang Hao and Alexei Shirov won their games comfortably, Indian IM Swayams Mishra (2477) scored an upset win over Mykhaylo Oleksiyenko (2616). Mishra playing white kept up the pressure from the opening to win an exchange but the win came after a few ups and downs.

Yuriy Kryvoruchko vs Ulvi Bajarani in round two

Yuriy Kryvoruchko - Ulvi Bajarani

Dr.Saif Salem Lekhraibani Alnuaimi,the Secretary General of the Al Ain Chess and Culture Club
makes the customary opening move on Alexei Shirov’s board to inaugurate a round with chief
Arbiter Ashot Vardapetyan on his right and tournament director – International Organizer
Tarik Al Taher on his left.

Round three – Four share lead with 3.0/3

While Wang Hao beat Zaven Andriasian comfortably on board one, Arman Pashikian held Alexei Shirov to a draw. Lalith Babu scored over Yuriy Kuzubov on board five in an interesting tactical skirmish. Four players Wang Hao, Lalith Babu, Vladimir Onischuk and Robert Hovhannisyan shared lead with a score of 3.0/3.

Lalith Babu - Yuriy Kuzubov

Round 3 took place on 25th December. As the World celebrated Christmas, the Hotel Hili Raayhan by Rotana did not lag behind with its treats, decorations and celebrations.

Numerous desserts on offer. Armenia’s Tigran Petrosyan gives a thumbs up to Marshmallows
dippend in the chocolate sauce fountain! (collage by author)

Christmas tree in the lobby of the Hotel! (photo by author)

Round 4 – Wang Hao and Lalith Babu win in contrasting styles

While Wang Hao comfortably disposed off Onischuk’s rare sideline against the French Defense, Lalith Babu fought from a difficult position to turn the tables on Robert Hovhannisyan. Shirov beat Adly Ahmed of Egypt in an endgame that started as a rook and minor piece one but soon turned into a queen and minor piece ending as both sides managed to promote their pawns.

Round four games have just started but interestingly the body language of the players flowed
into their positions soon. While Wang Hao’s position became as comfortable as his above pose,
Lalith Babu landed in a tense position only to wriggle out later.

Vaibhav Suri brought down higher rated Kravtsiv Martyn in an interesting game.

Suri Vaibhav - Martyn Kravtsiv

Players and personalities

The Al Ain Chess Classic has attracted many different personalities.

The mature…(Vasanta Wettasinha of Sri Lanka)

The young…(Ashid Tsetsegulzii of Mongolia)

And the youngest! (The ultra-talented 10-year-old Uzbek CM Javokhir Sindarov)

Trendy hairstyle!

That’s the spirit!

As Shirov and Wang Hao face off in round six, we keep our fingers crossed for the top stars of the tournament to make it as exciting as expected. Stay tuned for further updates.

Standings after five rounds