Mexico R07: Anand beats Grischuk, takes sole lead

by ChessBase
9/21/2007 – Vishy Anand, the hightest ranked player, defeated Alexander Grischuk in a remarkably exciting game. Vladimir Kramnik and Boris Gelfand drew their encounter, which left Anand in the sole lead at half time, with a 2900+ performance and half a point ahead of the field. Full analysis will follow tomorrow, for now we bring you an express report with the games, results and lots of pictures.

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World Championship 2007 Mexico

The World Championship 2007 is taking place from September 12 to 30 in the Sheraton Centro Histórico Hotel in Mexico City. Eight players are qualified – the tournament is a double round robin. The prize fund is US $1.3 million.

Round seven express report

Round 7: Thursday, Sept. 20th 2007, 14:00h
Peter Svidler 
½-½
 Levon Aronian
Vladimir Kramnik 
½-½
 Boris Gelfand
Alexander Morozevich 
½-½
 Peter Leko
Viswanathan Anand 
1-0
 Alexander Grischuk

Current standings

Full chess commentary by GM Mihail Marin will follow


Pictures from round seven


Mexico City as viewed from the 26th storey of the Sheraton (yesterday's shot was from the 15th)


A dizzying height. During the morning we had an earthquake and fire drill, with the waiters crawling under the tables when the alarm went off. Which reminds us: isn't this event being held on a major geological fault line?


Before the games start the players stand around chatting amicably: Svidler, Gelfand, Aronian, Leko and Anand


At two p.m. the games are started


The game Anand vs Grischuk is started


Vladimir Kramnik vs Boris Gelfand under way


Boris makes his move...


... and ponders what his opponent is going to do next


In the audience: Anand second Peter Heine Nielsen, wife Aruna


Peter Leko's wife Sofi, father-in-law and second Arshak Petrosian

In case you are puzzled by the grain and colours of the last two pictures, be aware that they were taken in the deep darkness of the theatre, without a flash, which is strictly forbidden in the hall five minutes after the games have started. This is the latest Panasonic camera doing some night vision magic.


Anand on his way to victory. The blossom in the foreground, staring at him, is a Strelitzia or bird of paradise flower. The entire front of the stage is decorated with these incredible plants.


Vladimir Kramnik working until late into the evening


Peter Leko, also involved in a long struggle against...


Alexander Morozevich, who is desperately looking for a boost in this event.

The event is really well orchestrated, with the players – all of them, even those who have lost – coming to the press conferences after the game. There a bevy of journalists, photographers and TV crews can ask them questions.


Peter Svidler and Levon Aronian in their press conference after the game


Levon Aronian, who has to take antibiotics for a severe infection


Boris Gelfand and Vladimir Kramnik answer the questions of journalists


Paul German, moderator, Vishy Anand and Alexander Grischuk in the press conference


The journalists filling the press room

Photos by Frederic Friedel in Mexico City


Full Schedule and Results (first half)

Round 1: Thursday, Sept. 13th 2007, 14:00h
Vladimir Kramnik 
½-½
 Peter Svidler
Alexander Morozevich 
½-½
 Levon Aronian
Viswanathan Anand 
½-½
 Boris Gelfand
Alexander Grischuk 
½-½
 Peter Leko
Round 2: Friday, Sept. 14th 2007, 14:00h
Peter Svidler 
½-½
 Peter Leko
Boris Gelfand 
½-½
 Alexander Grischuk
Levon Aronian 
0-1
 Viswanathan Anand
Vladimir Kramnik 
1-0
 Alexander Morozevich
Round 3: Saturday, Sept. 15th 2007, 14:00h
Alexander Morozevich 
1-0
 Peter Svidler
Viswanathan Anand 
½-½
 Vladimir Kramnik
Alexander Grischuk 
½-½
 Levon Aronian
Peter Leko 
½-½
 Boris Gelfand
Round 4: Sunday, Sept 16th 2007, 14:00h
Peter Svidler 
½-½
 Boris Gelfand
Levon Aronian 
1-0
 Peter Leko
Vladimir Kramnik 
½-½
 Alexander Grischuk
Alexander Morozevich 
½-½
 Viswanathan Anand
Free day: Monday, Sept. 17th 2007
Round 5: Tuesday, Sept. 18th 2007, 14:00h
Viswanathan Anand 
1-0
 Peter Svidler
Alexander Grischuk 
1-0
 Alexander Morozevich
Peter Leko 
½-½
 Vladimir Kramnik
Boris Gelfand 
1-0
 Levon Aronian
Round 6: Wednesday, Sept. 19th 2007, 14:00h
Alexander Grischuk 
½-½
 Peter Svidler
Peter Leko 
½-½
 Viswanathan Anand
Boris Gelfand 
1-0
 Alexander Morozevich
Levon Aronian 
½-½
 Vladimir Kramnik
Round 7: Thursday, Sept. 20th 2007, 14:00h
Peter Svidler 
½-½
 Levon Aronian
Vladimir Kramnik 
½-½
 Boris Gelfand
Alexander Morozevich 
½-½
 Peter Leko
Viswanathan Anand 
1-0
 Alexander Grischuk

Live coverage by Yasser Seirawan on Playchess


Playchess commentator GM Yasser Seirawan

The games of the World Championship 2007, which start at 14:00h local time (check the time in your location here), will be broadcast live on the official site and on Playchess.com server, where there will be daily live audio commentary by GM Yasser Seirawan, with a minimum of three one hour lectures per round, beginning approximately thirty minutes after play has started. For a charge of ten Ducats (about one Euro) a visitor gets a twelve hour pass to listen to the live lectures.

Ducats are the currency used on Playchess.com. You can purchase Ducats here. The amount will be credited to your playchess.com account. You need to allow one working day for processing. If you want your Ducats immediately you can order them using our Click&Buy service. Ducats can also be used to buy ChessBase products. Note that you can also purchase Ducats directly from Fritz or the Playchess client using the menu "Edit – Payments – Fill up account". This takes you to a special purchase page with your account name automatically passed on, to simplify the process.

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