MTel R6: Kamsky wins, Topalov loses to Svidler

Round six report

Standings

Round 6 wrap-up: American chess fans may be excused if they are starting to have flashbacks to Lake Placid, 1980 and the "Miracle on Ice." There aren't any Soviets in Sofia, or anywhere for that matter, but Gata Kamsky's run for the gold has all the elements of a schmaltzy American TV movie of the week. The retirement, the comeback, the lowest rated player in the field. It's like "Rocky" without biceps.

Today's supporting role was played by Ruslan Ponomariov. Kamsky outplayed the Ukrainian former FIDE champion in excellent style after following nearly twenty moves of Morozevich-Grischuk from the Russian team championship event that finished just a few weeks ago. When Ponomariov tried to give up a pawn for counterplay, Kamsky didn't miss the chance to break through with crushing effect with 36.e6! and it was soon over. Kamsky now has wins over everyone in the field except for Topalov and leads the tournament with an impressive +3, 4.5/6 score.

As always seems to happen, the Grunfeld has again risen like a phoenix from the ashes. Its leading acolyte, Peter Svidler, was thoroughly bashed in his favorite defense in Linares a few months ago. Today he used it to beat Veselin Topalov in a fine game. White's new idea in an old line, 16.c4, didn't pan out too well. Svidler kept the sacrificed c-pawn and in the end it was this passed foot soldier who dealt the killing blow. Svidler is now back to a +1 score while Topalov drops back to -1.

The draw of the day was an exciting Marshall Gambit game between Bacrot and Anand. It was quite typical of the breed. Bacrot had strong piece pressure with his rooks with black while Anand was betting on the long-term danger presented by his extra pair of passed pawns. Matter and anti-matter canceled out after harrowing complications and the game was drawn. Lots of theory on the boards today.

Video impressions by Vijay Kumar

• Start of round six
• Start of Anand-Bacrot
• Postgame interview with Anand
• Postgame interview with Kamsky

Picture gallery

A good way of getting to Sofia is by using Bulgaria Air. Regular planes, nice afternoon flight, two and a quarter hours flight from Berlin Tegel, €177 for the return trip. What more do you want?

Driving into the Bulgarian capital, which has a beautiful mountain backdrop

Sofia is the capital of the Republic of Bulgaria and has a population of about 1.4 million. The mountains visible from anywhere in the city are part of the Vitosha massif. The first settlement here was in the 7th century BC by the Thracians, and remnants of their housings can still be seen today.

Everywhere you have parks and open-air cafés

The most convenient way to move around the city is on the improbably long tramcars

Impressions of the city

Going to dinner with a bunch of more-or-less identifiable chess players

The playing hall getting a cleaning and make-over the evening before

Comeback star Gata Kamsky waiting backstage for the round to start

The media preparing to do battle for the best shots and TV footage

Round six starts with Bulgarian star Veselin Topalov on the front board

The start of a tense game in which both sides seemed to have winning chances

By move 25 things are already looking quite bleak for the FIDE world champion

Yuriy Vasiliev filing his report for "Sport-Express Daily"

• Official web site

Schedule and results