Bilbao R9: all games drawn, Topalov leads

Grand Slam Chess Final Masters Bilbao

The Chess Grand Slam Final is being staged in Bilbao, Spain, from September 1st to 13th 2008. It is a six-player double round robin event, one of the strongest in the history of the game (at least by Elo average, 2775.6, making it a category 22 tournament). Games start at 17:00h local time (CEST). The scoring system in this tournament is different and experimental. Players get three points for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for losing a game. For rating purposes the traditional 1-½-0 system will be used. The prize fund for the event is 400,000 Euros, with the winner receiving €150,000, the second place €70,000, etc. with the 6th player getting €30,000. The sums are unprecedented for an event like this. Only World Championships have exceeded the amount.

Round nine report

The usual suspects: photo journalist wait for the obligatory handshake at the start of the round

Gotcha! Topalov and Anand shake at the to the flash of a dozen digital cameras

The game begins with Topalov playing a suprise Caro-Kann

Vassily Ivanchuk takes an interest in the development of this game

Viewed through the glass: Anand ponders during his game with Topalov

Vishy Anand vs Veselin Topalov: The Indian World Champion has had a dreadful time so far in the Masters and was in no mood for desperate measures against the tournament leader. Veselin Topalov surprised him with a Caro-Kann and Anand countered with super-solid play. The game ended in a draw on move 41.

Magnus Carlsen kibitzes in the game Ivanchuk vs Aronian

Always cheery and amusing, a connoisseur of hot foods – Armenian GM Levon Aronian

Vassily Ivanchuk vs Levon Aronian: The Ukrainian GM played a fine game and gained a winning advantage. But just as everyone was prepared for yet another win by the current number one on the unofficial Live Ratings list, which would have brought him the lead (with Topalov) in Bilbao, he got into time trouble and allowed Lev Aronian back into the game. The Armenian GM was able to hold and the game ended on move 69 with king and knight vs king, material that is insufficient even for a theoretical helpmate.

Why can't I beat this kid? Teimour Radjabov presses against 17-year-old Magnus Carlsen

Always ready for a fight: Magnus Carlsen from Norway

Teimour Radjabov vs Magnus Carlsen: Instead of taking a day off and playing for a draw the young Norwegian, who looks a little pale and a bit thinner after his stomach infection (it is over now) once again went for a full fight with the black pieces. Carlsen was unable to gain an advantage in the middlegame, lost a pawn and ended the game with a repetition on move 53.

The setup in Bilbao: a giant awning protects the glass cabin and visitors from the elements

The spectators can approach fairly closely and be as noisy as they like – the cabin is well sound-proofed

Spanish GM Francisco Vallejo, one of Veselin Topalov's seconds (in Bilbao we spotted in addition Ivan Cheparinov, Ruslan Ponomariov and Silvio Danailov of the Topalov team)

Children at the venue playing with the Spanish version of Fritz & Chesster

Our favourites: Maite and Pilar, who look after the players and, more relevantly, the press

Bilbao scores

Traditional scores (for rating purposes)

The final round is on Saturday at 4 p.m. local time.

Video reports and interviews by Europe Echecs

These reports are being produced by Vijay Kumar for the French chess magazine Europe Echecs

Schedule and results

Links Official tournament site All games in PGN All ChessBase reports on Bilbao 2008 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 the PGN games.