ChessBase 17 - Mega package - Edition 2024
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Look no further than Carlsen for a pre-tournament assessment of the threat the Armenian poses: “My main rival is Levon Aronian.” Why? Quite simply because, among players today, Levon has a record of accomplishment most comparable to that of the Norwegian, including a variety of super-tournament victories and the third-highest rating ever achieved (behind those of Carlsen and Kasparov). For his part, Aronian is currently sequestered in Jermuk, making the utmost effort to prove Carlsen right when they meet in London.
Aronian showed early promise when he won the World Under-12 Championship in 1994, finishing ahead of a slew of future standouts, including his fellow candidate, Alexander Grischuk. He subsequently secured victory at both the Armenian National Championship and World Junior Championship in 2002, and his star has only risen from there.
In retrospect, Levon’s debut at the 2004 FIDE Knockout World Championship (picture above) seemed almost prophetic. In the first round, he sat across the board from...
... a cherub-faced Magnus Carlsen (above), requiring tiebreaks to get through and setting the tone for their many future encounters. His overall success in that tournament, however, ultimately fell short of what Grischuk managed to accomplish. Flash forward a few years later and Aronian was playing in the 2007 Candidates tournament. Again, his first opponent was Carlsen and, again, he required tiebreaks to get through. As a result, he ultimately made it to the 2007 World Championship tournament, where he finished tied for 6th-7th with Morozevich, only a half-point ahead of last-placed Grischuk. Then, the world traveled 'round the sun a few more times and the 2011 Candidates tournament was upon us. Who should Aronian face in the first round? None other than Carlsen’s replacement – Grischuk! Again, things went to tiebreaks, but, this time, Carlsen’s impersonator managed to get the better of his adversary and Aronian was sent home.
Aronian’s skill set stretches across all chess platforms, being one of only three players (the others being Anand and Kasparov) to have held both the title of World Blitz Champion and that of World Rapid Champion, while also having previously taken some Chess960 world titles for good measure. He will be seeking to round out his trophy case by wresting the title from Anand and he has both the skill and determination to manage it, so the other candidates are best forewarned. As another fellow candidate, Gelfand, has said of him: “he is the most striking player around, with the highest creative level, in terms both of openings and original ideas in the middlegame. Number one at the moment. So, frankly, it surprises me that the entire press is part of the Carlsen fan club, and not Aronian's.”
Incidentally, with the pairings now set, who should Aronian be facing in the first round, but Carlsen… ‘nuff said!
# | Result |
Moves
|
Year | Event | Opening |
1 | Draw (w) |
98
|
2005 | Spanish Team Ch | E46 Nimzo-Indian |
2 | Draw (w) |
24
|
2005 | European Club Cup | A29 English, Four Knights |
3 | Draw (w) |
32
|
2005 | World Team Ch | D17 QGD Slav |
4 | Draw (w) |
22
|
2006 | Corus | D17 QGD Slav |
5 | Draw (w) |
29
|
2006 | Russian Club Cup | D43 QGD Semi-Slav |
6 | Loss (b) |
33
|
2006 | Dortmund | E15 Queen's Indian |
7 | Draw (b) |
21
|
2006 | Spanish Team Ch | D38 QGD, Ragozin |
8 | Draw (b) |
16
|
2006 | Tal Memorial | E01 Catalan, Closed |
9 | Loss (b) |
48
|
2007 | FIDE World Ch | A60 Benoni |
10 | Loss (w) |
40
|
2007 | FIDE World Ch | D43 QGD Semi-Slav |
11 | Win (b) |
30
|
2008 | Corus | D11 QGD Slav |
12 | Win (w) |
26
|
2008 | Sochi Grand Prix | E15 Queen's Indian |
13 | Loss (w) |
49
|
2008 | Dresden Olympiad | A29 English, Four Knights |
14 | Draw (b) |
33
|
2009 | Nalchik Grand Prix | D39 QGD, Vienna |
15 | Win (w) |
78
|
2009 | Jermuk Grand Prix | D43 QGD Semi-Slav |
16 | Draw (w) |
19
|
2009 | European Club Cup | D45 QGD Semi-Slav |
17 | Loss (b) |
66
|
2009 | Tal Memorial | D47 QGD Semi-Slav |
18 | Win (w) |
41
|
2010 | World Team Ch | D45 QGD Semi-Slav |
19 | Draw (w) |
46
|
2010 | Linares | D48 QGD Semi-Slav, Meran |
20 | Draw (b) |
40
|
2010 | Linares | D15 QGD Slav |
21 | Win (w) |
41
|
2010 | Tal Memorial | D43 QGD Semi-Slav |
22 | Draw (w) |
40
|
2011 | Tal Memorial | D37 QGD |
23 | Win (b) |
53
|
2012 | Wijk aan Zee | D31 QGD |
Overall: 6 Wins, 12 Draws, 5 Losses
White: 4 Win, 8 Draws, 2 Losses
Black: 2 Wins, 4 Draws, 3 Losses
Where Gelfand is concerned, Aronian may have less to worry about than with some of his other opponents in this event. Three of their last six games – stretching back to 2010 – have been victories in his favour. Two of these came with the black pieces. Gelfand has tremendous respect for Aronian’s abilities and it may be fair to say that even he would not be too shocked if the Armenian managed to white-wash him 2-0. This being suitable revenge for Gelfand’s own drubbing of Aronian at the 2007 World Championship. The Meran and the Benoni would be interesting landscapes for them to revisit.
# | Result |
Moves
|
Year | Event | Opening |
1 | Draw (w) |
49
|
2004 | Calvia Olympiad | E60 King's Indian |
2 | Draw (w) |
60
|
2004 | Petrosian Memorial (Internet) | A41 Queen's Pawn Game |
3 | Draw (b) |
34
|
2004 | Petrosian Memorial (Internet) | C88 Ruy Lopez |
4 | Draw (w) |
35
|
2005 | World Team Championship | E60 King's Indian |
5 | Win (w) |
38
|
2006 | Linares-Morelia | D80 Grunfeld |
6 | Draw (b) |
20
|
2006 | Linares-Morelia | C88 Ruy Lopez |
7 | Loss (w) |
47
|
2006 | Dortmund | D80 Grunfeld |
8 | Loss (w) |
24
|
2006 | Tal Memorial | D80 Grunfeld |
9 | Draw (b) |
32
|
2007 | Corus | C84 Ruy Lopez, Closed |
10 | Draw (b) |
38
|
2007 | Linares-Morelia | C89 Ruy Lopez, Marshall |
11 | Draw (w) |
16
|
2007 | Linares-Morelia | D94 Grunfeld |
12 | Draw (w) |
32
|
2007 | European Team Ch | D15 QGD Slav |
13 | Draw (b) |
20
|
2007 | FIDE World Championship | C69 Ruy Lopez, Gligoric |
14 | Draw (w) |
46
|
2007 | FIDE World Championship | A29 English, Four Knights |
15 | Draw (w) |
63
|
2008 | Sochi Grand Prix | A29 English, Four Knights |
16 | Draw (b) |
48
|
2008 | Pearl Spring Tournament | C86 Ruy Lopez, Worrall |
17 | Draw (w) |
45
|
2008 | Pearl Spring Tournament | A29 English, Four Knights |
18 | Draw (w) |
30
|
2009 | Nalchik Grand Prix | D11 QGD Slav |
19 | Draw (w) |
36
|
2009 | European Team Ch | D80 Grunfeld |
20 | Draw (w) |
37
|
2009 | Tal Memorial | D80 Grunfeld |
21 | Win (w) |
54
|
2011 | Tal Memorial | D82 Grunfeld, 4.Bf4 |
Overall: 2 Wins, 17 Draws, 2 Losses
White: 2 Wins, 11 Draws, 2 Losses
Black: 0 Wins, 6 Draws, 0 Losses
With his most recent game with Svidler ending in victory, the momentum between these two lies squarely in Aronian’s camp. Never underestimate inertia, nor the deployment of the Grunfeld. That said, Levon has been spoiled by the number of times he has held white and he was expertly resisted by Svidler at the 2007 World Championship, so it will be anything but a cakewalk.
# | Result |
Moves
|
Year | Event | Opening |
1 | Loss (w) |
81
|
2004 | European Individual Ch | D73 Neo-Grunfeld, 5.Nf3 |
2 | Loss (b) |
40
|
2005 | Karabakh International | C77 Ruy Lopez |
3 | Win (w) |
55
|
2005 | World Team Ch | E67 King's Indian, Fianchetto |
4 | Loss (w) |
45
|
2006 | Wijk aan Zee | E60 King's Indian Defense |
5 | Loss (b) |
45
|
2006 | Linares-Morelia | A15 English |
6 | Draw (w) |
35
|
2006 | Linares-Morelia | E15 Queen's Indian |
7 | Loss (b) |
37
|
2006 | Russian Club Cup | C88 Ruy Lopez |
8 | Draw (b) |
45
|
2006 | Turin Olympiad | A29 English, Four Knights |
9 | Loss (b) |
42
|
2006 | Bundesliga | E55 Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3 |
10 | Loss (b) |
49
|
2007 | Linares-Morelia | D38 QGD, Ragozin |
11 | Draw (w) |
39
|
2007 | Linares-Morelia | E17 Queen's Indian |
12 | Draw (w) |
62
|
2008 | Wijk aan Zee | D27 QGD, Classical |
13 | Win (b) |
60
|
2008 | Linares-Morealia | C84 Ruy Lopez, Closed |
14 | Draw (w) |
22
|
2008 | Linares-Morelia | D37 QGD |
15 | Loss (w) |
44
|
2008 | M-Tel Masters | D12 QGD Slav |
16 | Draw (b) |
26
|
2008 | M-Tel Masters | D12 QGD Slav |
17 | Loss (b) |
44
|
2008 | Sochi Grand Prix | D12 QGD Slav |
18 | Win (w) |
70
|
2008 | Bilbao | D27 QGA, Classical |
19 | Draw (b) |
69
|
2008 | Bilbao | C69 Ruy Lopez, Gligoric |
20 | Draw (b) |
68
|
2008 | Dresden Olympiad | C77 Ruy Lopez |
21 | Win (w) |
33
|
2008 | Pearl Spring | A04 Reti Opening |
22 | Win (b) |
39
|
2008 | Pearl Spring | A20 English |
23 | Draw (w) |
56
|
2009 | Wijk aan Zee | E16 Queen's Indian |
24 | Loss (w) |
44
|
2009 | Linares | E92 King's Indian |
25 | Loss (b) |
35
|
2009 | Linares | D45 QGD Semi-Slav |
26 | Win (w) |
40
|
2009 | Nalchik Grand Prix | A31 English, Symmetrical, Benoni |
27 | Draw (b) |
46
|
2009 | Jermuk Grand Prix | C50 Giuoco Piano |
28 | Draw (w) |
58
|
2009 | Tal Memorial | E06 Catalan, Closed, 5.Nf3 |
29 | Win (w) |
50
|
2010 | European Club Cup | A62 Benoni, Fianchetto Variation |
30 | Draw (b) |
31
|
2011 | World Team Ch | A07 King's Indian Attack |
31 | Loss (w) |
38
|
2011 | Bilbao | D37 QGD |
32 | Draw (b) |
35
|
2011 | Bilbao | C67 Ruy Lopez |
33 | Win (b) |
57
|
2011 | Tal Memorial | C67 Ruy Lopez |
34 | Draw (b) |
30
|
2012 | Wijk aan Zee | E06 Catalan, Closed, 5.Nf3 |
35 | Win (w) |
42
|
2012 | Istanbul Olympiad | E15 Queen's Indian |
Overall: 9 Wins, 14 Draws, 12 Losses
White: 6 Wins, 6 Draws, 5 Losses
Black: 3 Wins, 8 Draws, 7 Losses
Ivanchuk and Aronian are both creative geniuses with a knack for introducing tactical complications, so, somewhat unsurprisingly, the majority of their mutual tilts have been decisive. Although Ivanchuk holds a wide margin in their lifetime score, he is another player against whom Aronian has the momentum. Expect compelling play between these two, whether in the Queen’s Gambit, Ruy Lopez, or some other opening.
# | Result |
Moves
|
Year | Event | Opening |
1 | Draw (w) |
69
|
1997 | Kasparov Cup | C47 Four Knights |
2 | Win (w) |
31
|
2005 | French Team Ch | C77 Ruy Lopez |
3 | Draw (w) |
16
|
2006 | Tal Memorial | E17 Queen's Indian |
4 | Draw (b) |
31
|
2007 | FIDE World Championship | C88 Ruy Lopez |
5 | Win (w) |
42
|
2007 | FIDE World Championship | D30 QGD |
6 | Win (w) |
42
|
2008 | Sochi Grand Prix | D47 QGD Semi-Slav |
7 | Loss (b) |
59
|
2009 | Linares | D44 QGD Semi-Slav |
8 | Draw (w) |
41
|
2009 | Linares | E92 King's Indian |
9 | Draw (w) |
35
|
2009 | Nalchik Grand Prix | A30 English, Symmetrical |
10 | Loss (b) |
52
|
2009 | Bilbao | D44 QGD Semi-Slav |
11 | Win (w) |
42
|
2009 | Bilbao | D11 QGD Slav |
12 | Win (b) |
29
|
2009 | European Club Cup | D44 QGD Semi-Slav |
13 | Draw (b) |
23
|
2010 | World Team Ch | A09 Reti Opening |
14 | Draw (w) |
26
|
2010 | Linares | E25 Nimzo-Indian, Samisch |
15 | Draw (b) |
101
|
2010 | Linares | D39 QGD, Vienna |
16 | Draw (w) |
28
|
2010 | Tal Memorial | D38 QGD, Ragozin |
17 | Win (b) |
49
|
2011 | Wijk aan Zee | C85 Ruy Lopez, DERLD |
18 | Draw (w) |
70
|
2011 | Candidates Tournament | D86 Grunfeld, Exchange |
19 | Draw (b) |
22
|
2011 | Candidates Tournament | D37 QGD |
20 | Draw (w) |
59
|
2011 | Candidates Tournament | D97 Grunfeld, Russian |
21 | Draw (b) |
17
|
2011 | Candidates Tournament | D31 QGD |
22 | Draw (w) |
28
|
2012 | Tal Memorial | E15 Queen's Indian |
Overall: 6 Wins, 14 Draws, 2 Losses
White: 4 Wins, 9 Draws, 0 Losses
Black: 2 Wins, 5 Draws, 2 Losses
Aronian and Grischuk have been rivals since childhood. Although Aronian holds the edge in their lifetime series, Grischuk has, on more than one occasion, been able to place ahead of Aronian in important events, so nothing is certain between these two. Based on their results in the 2007 World Championship and 2011 Candidates tournament, certainly expect more of the Queen’s Gambit and, perhaps, the Ruy Lopez.
# | Result |
Moves
|
Year | Event | Opening |
1 | Draw (w) |
46
|
2004 | European Championship | D11 QGD Slav |
2 | Win (w) |
79
|
2006 | Linares-Morelia | E92 King's Indian |
3 | Draw (b) |
29
|
2006 | Linares-Morelia | D38 QGD, Ragozin |
4 | Draw (b) |
16
|
2006 | Russian Club Cup | C69 Ruy Lopez, Gligoric |
5 | Win (b) |
65
|
2007 | Corus | D38 QGD, Ragozin |
6 | Win (w) |
48
|
2008 | Corus | E61 King's Indian |
7 | Draw (w) |
24
|
2008 | Linares-Morelia | E61 King's Indian |
8 | Draw (b) |
31
|
2008 | Linares-Morelia | D44 QGD Semi-Slav |
9 | Draw (b) |
56
|
2008 | M-Tel Masters | D44 QGD Semi-Slav |
10 | Loss (w) |
44
|
2008 | M-Tel Masters | E97 King's Indian |
11 | Draw (b) |
26
|
2008 | Sochi Grand Prix | C45 Scotch Game |
12 | Draw (b) |
34
|
2008 | Bilbao | C45 Scotch Game |
13 | Loss (w) |
49
|
2008 | Bilbao | A15 English |
14 | Draw (b) |
59
|
2008 | Dresden Olympiad | C53 Giuoco Piano |
15 | Draw (b) |
15
|
2009 | Corus | C45 Scotch Game |
16 | Draw (w) |
42
|
2009 | Linares | E61 King's Indian |
17 | Loss (b) |
56
|
2009 | Linares | A07 King's Indian |
18 | Draw (b) |
19
|
2009 | European Team Ch | C48 Four Knights |
19 | Draw (w) |
26
|
2011 | European Team Ch | D37 QGD |
20 | Draw (w) |
33
|
2011 | World Team Ch | D37 QGD |
21 | Draw (w) |
12
|
2012 | Wijk aan Zee | A15 English |
22 | Draw (b) |
45
|
2012 | Tal Memorial | A07 King's Indian |
Overall: 3 Wins, 16 Draws, 3 Losses
White: 2 Wins, 6 Draws, 2 Losses
Black: 1 Win, 10 Draws, 1 Loss
Aronian and Radjabov should be a treat to follow in this event. They have been consistently near one another in the world rankings and have an even split in their lifetime series across a number of dimensions. This is one of the few opponents against whom Aronian has had recent losses that have gone unavenged, but he will seek to remedy that here. There is no reason for the Queen’s Gambit not to make a return.
# | Result |
Moves
|
Year | Event | Opening |
1 | Draw (w) |
85
|
2005 | European Club Cup | A15 English |
2 | Loss (b) |
37
|
2006 | Turin Olympiad | A15 English |
3 | Draw (w) |
43
|
2006 | Dortmund | D20 QGA |
4 | Draw (w) |
28
|
2007 | Corus | D17 QGD Slav |
5 | Draw (w) |
22
|
2007 | FIDE World Championship | E05 Catalan, Open, Classical |
6 | Loss (b) |
35
|
2007 | FIDE World Championship | E15 Queen’s Indian |
7 | Loss (b) |
110
|
2008 | Corus | D44 QGD Semi-Slav |
8 | Draw (w) |
41
|
2008 | Dresden Olympiad | D44 QGD Semi-Slav |
9 | Draw (w) |
23
|
2009 | Tal Memorial | D39 QGD, Vienna |
10 | Draw (b) |
38
|
2010 | Shanghai Masters | D18 QGD Slav, Dutch |
11 | Loss (w) |
71
|
2010 | Shanghai Masters | E04 Catalan, Open, 5.Nf3 |
12 | Draw (w) |
26
|
2010 | Khanty-Mansiysk Olympiad | A13 English |
13 | Win (w) |
41
|
2010 | Tal Memorial | D38 QGD, Ragozin |
14 | Draw (b) |
26
|
2011 | Wijk aan Zee | D10 QGD Slav |
15 | Draw (w) |
49
|
2011 | Tal Memorial | D40 QGD, Semi-Tarrasch |
16 | Draw (b) |
32
|
2011 | London Classic | D37 QGD |
17 | Win (b) |
41
|
2012 | Zurich Challenge Match | D43 QGD Semi-Slav |
18 | Draw (w) |
37
|
2012 | Zurich Challenge Match | C67 Ruy Lopez |
19 | Loss (b) |
42
|
2012 | Zurich Challenge Match | C47 Four Knights |
20 | Draw (w) |
25
|
2012 | Zurich Challenge Match | C67 Ruy Lopez |
21 | Draw (b) |
43
|
2012 | Zurich Challenge Match | D43 QGD Semi-Slav |
22 | Draw (w) |
43
|
2012 | Zurich Challenge Match | C65 Ruy Lopez, Berlin |
23 | Draw (b) |
40
|
2012 | Tal Memorial | C47 Four Knights |
24 | Loss (b) |
35
|
2012 | Istanbul Olympiad | D10 QGD Slav |
25 | Draw (w) |
67
|
2012 | London Classic | C67 Ruy Lopez |
Overall: 2 Wins, 17 Draws, 6 Losses
White: 1 Win, 12 Draws, 1 Loss
Black: 1 Win, 5 Draws, 5 Losses
Kramnik represents a fellow Top-3 player, who has often gotten the better of Aronian. Their training match in Zurich last year allowed Levon to experience victory with the black pieces in a Semi-Slav, so he has cause to be cautiously optimistic, but Kramnik is not one to be complacent and will seek to build on his victory at the Olympiad. A Slav and a Berlin may be the result.
# | Result |
Moves
|
Year | Event | Opening |
1 | Draw (b) |
31
|
2004 | FIDE World KO Ch | E32 Nimzo-Indian, Classical |
2 | Draw (w) |
19
|
2004 | FIDE World KO Ch | B10 Caro-Kann |
3 | Win (w) |
74
|
2006 | Tal Memorial | E15 Queen’s Indian |
4 | Draw (w) |
20
|
2007 | Corus | E15 Queen’s Indian |
5 | Draw (w) |
31
|
2007 | Linares-Morelia | E04 Catalan, Open, 5.Nf3 |
6 | Draw (b) |
28
|
2007 | Linares-Morelia | E15 Queen’s Indian |
7 | Win (b) |
36
|
2007 | Candidates | C78 Ruy Lopez |
8 | Draw (w) |
21
|
2007 | Candidates | A58 Benko Gambit |
9 | Loss (b) |
41
|
2007 | Candidates | A30 English, Symmetrical |
10 | Win (w) |
40
|
2007 | Candidates | E11 Bogo-Indian Defense |
11 | Loss (b) |
49
|
2007 | Candidates | E12 Queen's Indian |
12 | Draw (w) |
47
|
2007 | Candidates | D17 QGD Slav |
13 | Draw (b) |
36
|
2008 | Corus | C78 Ruy Lopez |
14 | Loss (b) |
40
|
2008 | Linares-Morelia | C84 Ruy Lopez, Closed |
15 | Draw (w) |
28
|
2008 | Linares-Morelia | E17 Queen's Indian |
16 | Loss (w) |
51
|
2008 | Bilbao | A32 English, Symmetrical |
17 | Loss (b) |
36
|
2008 | Bilbao | D47 QGD Semi-Slav |
18 | Draw (b) |
65
|
2009 | Corus | D45 QGD Semi-Slav |
19 | Draw (w) |
37
|
2009 | Linares | E06 Catalan, Closed, 5.Nf3 |
20 | Win (b) |
93
|
2009 | Linares | D45 QGD Semi-Slav |
21 | Draw (b) |
32
|
2009 | Tal Memorial | D47 QGD Semi-Slav |
22 | Draw (b) |
28
|
2011 | Wijk aan Zee | C45 Scotch Game |
23 | Draw (b) |
56
|
2011 | Bilbao | C78 Ruy Lopez |
24 | Draw (w) |
50
|
2011 | Bilbao | D55 QGD |
25 | Draw (w) |
57
|
2011 | Tal Memorial | E15 Queen's Indian |
26 | Draw (w) |
39
|
2011 | London Classic | D12 QGD Slav |
27 | Loss (b) |
68
|
2012 | Wijk aan Zee | D31 QGD |
28 | Draw (b) |
60
|
2012 | Tal Memorial | C67 Ruy Lopez |
29 | Draw (b) |
48
|
2012 | Bilbao | C65 Ruy Lopez, Berlin |
30 | Draw (w) |
44
|
2012 | Bilbao | E17 Queen's Indian |
31 | Loss (b) |
59
|
2012 | London Classic | C77 Ruy Lopez |
32 | Draw (w) |
46
|
2013 | Wijk aan Zee | E90 King's Indian |
Overall: 4 Wins, 21 Draws, 7 Losses
White: 2 Wins, 12 Draws, 1 Loss
Black: 2 Wins, 9 Draws, 6 Losses
Carlsen is brutally efficient against Aronian when holding the white pieces, but has a lifetime deficit as black. As implied by Carlsen himself, the games between these two very well might be the most important in the tournament, so do not expect to see short draws. Tears will be shed and songs written about the ferocious battles they are set to orchestrate. They may both try to surprise one another by taking advantage of lesser-known openings in their respective repertoires. The English has been a great friend to Carlsen, so he may seek to drop the Ruy Lopez, despite its own kindness to him.
Wins
|
Draws
|
Losses
|
Draw %
|
|
Overall |
28
|
111
|
41
|
61.67%
|
White |
17
|
64
|
17
|
65.31%
|
Black |
11
|
47
|
24
|
57.32%
|
Line |
score
|
Perf.
|
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 |
62%
|
2790
|
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 |
63%
|
2779
|
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 |
63%
|
2785
|
1.e4 c5 |
74%
|
2620
|
1.Nf3 Nf6 |
64%
|
2671 |
1.c4 |
73%
|
2796
|
More likely than not, Aronian will repeatedly turn to the Queen’s Gambit in this tournament, winning more than a few scraps. Both general and specific success in virtually every sub-variation of this opening speaks to the high probability.
Line |
score
|
Perf.
|
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 |
49%
|
2724
|
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 |
42%
|
2668 |
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 |
47%
|
2444 |
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 |
40%
|
2639 |
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 |
45%
|
2540 |
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 |
50%
|
2769 |
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 |
51%
|
2621 |
Aronian is as comfortable on the black side of the Queen’s Gambit as he is on the white side. He is ever-so-slightly less successful against the Ruy Lopez, but, faced with the option, he is not averse. In terms of catching the opposition off-guard, he may spring the Sicilian, with which he has no particular history.
The London Candidates 2013 will be the strongest tournament of its kind in history. The Prize Fund to be shared by the players totals €510,000. The winner of the Candidates will become the Challenger to Viswanathan Anand who has reigned as World Champion since 2007.
Full information on the Candidates – pairings and commentary schedule