Ivanchuk strikes again, leads Leko by 5:3

by ChessBase
10/28/2007 – Déjà vu: the first rapid chess game on day two in Mukachevo ended in a draw, in the second Vassily Ivanchuk triumphed with the white pieces, and the last two games were drawn. Just like on day one. The Ukranian star and world's second highest ranked player now leads by two points, which means that Peter Leko must win two games tomorrow just to catch up. Report and games.

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Exhibition Rapid Match in Mukachevo

This match over twelve games is taking place from October 25 - 28, in Mukachevo, a small town located in the western Ukraine. It pits the top players of the two neighbouring countries Hungary and Ukraine, Peter Leko and Vassily Ivanchuk, in rapid chess against each other. Four games are played on each day – October 26, 27 and 28, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They are being broadcast live on the official web site and on Playchess.com.

Day two – rounds 5 to 8


Vassily Ivanchuk, dominating the rapid chess match in Mukachevo

Exactly as on day one Vassily Ivanchuk took the second game of the day, while the other three were drawn. This means that the Ukranian star (and world's number two player) has a 5.0:3.0 lead. Peter Leko must win two of the four games on day three to just catch Vassily Ivanchuk. Here's what happened in the critical game six:

Ivanchuk,Vassily - Leko,Peter
Ivanchuk-Leko Mukachewo, 10m+10s/p (6), 2007
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.d3 Bg7 6.Nbd2 Nf6 7.a4 Nd7 8.h3 0-0 9.a5 e5 10.Nc4 Qe7 11.0-0 Rd8 12.Bd2 Nf8 13.Rb1 f6 14.b4 Be6 15.Ne3 b6 16.axb6 axb6 17.bxc5 bxc5 18.Rb6 Qd7 19.Qb1 Bf7 20.Rb7 Qc8 21.Ng4 Ne6 22.Bh6 Rd7 23.Rb6 Rda7 24.Qb2 Ra2 25.Qc3 R2a3 26.Qd2 Bh8 27.Rfb1 R3a6 28.Be3 Bg7 29.Nh6+ Bxh6 30.Bxh6 Rxb6 31.Rxb6 Qc7 32.Rb1 Qe7 33.Qc3 g5 34.Rb6 Nd8 35.h4 g4 36.Nh2 Be6 37.Be3 c4 38.dxc4 Kf7 39.Nf1 Ra3 40.Rb3 Ra4 41.Nd2 Nb7 42.Rb6 Qd7 43.c5 Kg6 44.Kh2 Nd8 45.Qd3 Qxd3 46.cxd3 Ra3 47.d4 g3+ 48.Kg1 exd4 49.Bxd4 Rd3 50.Be3 Bd7 51.Rb8 gxf2+ 52.Kxf2 Ne6

Black is a pawn down and already in trouble, but his last move puts his bishop into mortal danger. And White has just the piece to go after it. 53.Nc4 Rc3 54.Nb6 and the black bishop is trapped. After 54...Rc2+ 55.Kf3 Peter Leko took his second loss in this match. 1-0.


A tough uphill battle for Peter Leko on the final day tomorrow


The venue: the Cinema Theatre "Peremoha" in Mukachevo

All results:

Saturday, October 27th 2007
Peter Leko 
½-½
 Vassily Ivanchuk
Vassily Ivanchuk 
1-0
 Peter Leko
Peter Leko 
½-½
 Vassily Ivanchuk
Vassily Ivanchuk 
½-½
 Peter Leko

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