Levitov Chess Week: Nepo and Svidler share the lead at halftime

by Carlos Alberto Colodro
9/24/2023 – An inspired Ian Nepomniachtchi and a fighting Peter Svidler climbed to shared first place in the standings of the Levitov Chess Week rapid tournament. Levon Aronian, who had finished day 1 as the sole leader, is now sharing third place with Vishy Anand, as the second half of the double round-robin remains to be played in Amsterdam. The players will return to the boards on Monday, after a rest day. | Photo: Lennart Ootes
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No draws for Nepo

A perfect 4 out of 4 on Saturday allowed Ian Nepomniachtchi to climb to shared first place in the standings of the Levitov Chess Week tournament. The 2-time Candidates’ champion had obtained two wins (with black) and two draws (with white) on the first day of action, which means he has yet to sign a draw at the event in Amsterdam.

Sharing first place with the drawless Nepo is Peter Svidler. The veteran from Saint Petersburg did agree to a couple of draws on Saturday, but he also defeated Vladimir Kramnik and former sole leader Levon Aronian on his way to the top of the standings.

A double round-robin, the tournament will see the players facing each other with colours reversed on Monday and Tuesday. With the leaders on 6/9 scores and the tailenders on 3/9, it is still anyone’s game at the fancy Walford Astoria Hotel in the Dutch capital.

Levitov Chess Week 2023

The participants during the opening ceremony | Photo: Lennart Ootes

Aronian 0 - 1 Svidler

Analysis by Klaus Besenthal

Standings after round 9

All games

Links

Carlos Colodro is a Hispanic Philologist from Bolivia. He works as a freelance translator and writer since 2012. A lot of his work is done in chess-related texts, as the game is one of his biggest interests, along with literature and music.