
The Eighth International Tal Memorial Chess Tournament is being held from
June, 13 to 24, 2013, with a rest day on June 16. The rounds generally start
at 15:00h (=3 p.m.) Moscow time, with the first round starting at 6 p.m.
and the final round at 1 p.m. Accommodation is in the Ritz-Carlton, Moscow,
Tverskaya str. 3, while the event takes place in the in New Technologies
Center Digital October, Bersenevskaya Embankment 6, in Moscow. The tournament
has ten invited players and is a round robin with time controls of one hour
and 40 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 50 minutes for next 20
moves and then 15 minutes for the rest of the game, with an increment of
30 seconds for each move starting from move one. Full information on special
rules, regulation, prize money, etc. can be found in our
initial report.
Round nine report
Round 09 – June 23 2013, 13:00h |
Hikaru Nakamura |
2784 |
0-1
|
Alexander Morozevich |
2760 |
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov |
2753 |
½-½ |
Magnus Carlsen |
2864 |
Vladimir Kramnik |
2803 |
½-½
|
Boris Gelfand |
2755 |
Sergey Karjakin |
2782 |
½-½ |
Vishy Anand |
2786 |
Fabiano Caruana |
2774 |
½-½
|
Dmitry Andreikin |
2713 |

The Chief Arbiter Andjey Filipovich taking his own pictures before the tournament finishes.
Caruana, Fabiano - Andreikin, Dmitry ½-½
Andreikin chose a very solid version of the Spanish, but he did not relegate himself to simple passive defense. His 18...Nh5!? opened the structure in front of his own king, but allowed hi to quickly achieve f5 and obtain counterplay with the now open g-file. Caruana's maneuvers were slow and rather ineffective, but he was definitely never worse. The players agreed to a draw in a position in which both sides were hard to breach.

Andreiking was Russia's best player, with eight draws and one win.

Karjakin also had eight draws, but one defeat instead of a win against Nakamura.
Karjakin, Sergey - Anand, Vishy ½-½
Anand knew everything there was to know in this variation of the poisoned pawn Najdorf, and was able to hold Karjakin to an uneventful draw as neither player really consumed much time on their clocks. The resulting endgame was very drawn but its hard to suggest a moment in which White could have improved.

"Kramnik with black...?"

"...I got this!" Gelfand had almost no trouble holding Kramnik to a draw.
Kramnik, Vladimir - Gelfand, Boris ½-½
Kramnik's opening play was not the most ambitious. After only a few moves Gelfand had equalized and the symmetrical pawn structure didn't allow the Russian to create many threats or utilize his slight lead in development. After further simplification both sides had a bishop and two rooks with a symmetrical structure, enough for a very drawish position, which was also enhanced by the fact that the remaining bishops were of different color diagonals.

"Ahh, Carlsen, Carlsen... :)" Mamedyarov's Facebook status immediately after the game.
Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar - Carlsen, Magnus ½-½
The King's Indian has always been seen as a risky opening suitable for players that need to win with black. This is precisely what Magnus needed as a win would not only give him a share of first place, it would mean that he surpassed Gelfand by virtue of better tiebreaks. Mamedyarov was not partaking in any nonsense however and chose the ultra solid Fianchetto variation, against which Carlsen was simply not well prepared. White early on obtained the pair of bishops and a pleasant initiative. It was due to Carlsen's cunning and some luck as Mamedyarov kept missing the most powerful moves (namely 17.Bb2!) that the Norwegian was able to survive by the skin of his teeth.

Morozevich escaped being last by virtue of a last round win.
Nakamura, Hikaru - Morozevich, Alexander 0-1
A very complex game spawned from Nakamura's unusual opening. In what resembled an anti-Moscow variation, White sacrifice his c4 pawn for intiative and quick development. Morozevich soon after the opening gave back his material advantage to secure a passed pawn on c3, but nevertheless because of White's blockade and kingside pressure he stood better. Nakamura made a key mistake with 29.e5?! a move that closed the a1-h8 diagonal and allowed Morozevich to quickly route his rooks to the open h-file, creating major problems for the enemy king. Nakamura found no defense, lost too much material and had to resign.

Despite his three last round lossses, Nakamura maintained his rating and won more games than any other player in the tournament.

Kramnik finished last, but that doesn't make him any less of a Russian hero.

The tournament held a packed commentator room every round.


The top three finishers: Gelfand, Carlsen and Caruana (on tiebreaks: most blacks, followed by most wins)

Someone tell Fabiano he won a trophy.

With a magnificent showing, being rewarded with the first place trophy and €30,000.
Replay last round games

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1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Bg5 Bb4+ 5.Nbd2 dxc4 6.e3 b5 7.a4 c6 8.Qc2 Bb7 9.Be2 Nbd7 10.0-0 0-0 11.b3 c3 12.Ne4 h6 13.Bh4 g5 14.Nxf6+ Nxf6 15.Bg3 c5 16.Bxb5 Be4 17.Qe2 Rc8 18.Ba6 cxd4 19.Nxd4 Rc5 20.Rad1 Nd5 21.Nc2 Qb6 22.Bc4 a5 23.Rd4 Bg6 24.h4 Rcc8 25.hxg5 hxg5 26.Rg4 Be7 27.e4 Nf4 28.Bxf4 gxf4 29.e5 Kg7 30.Bd3 Rh8 31.g3 Rh6 32.Be4 Rch8 33.Qc4 fxg3 34.Rxg3 Rh4 35.Qc6 Qxc6 36.Bxc6 Bc5 37.Rc1 Rf4 38.Ne3 Bd4 39.Bb5 Kf8 40.Bc6 Bxe5 41.Nd1 Rb4 42.Rxg6 fxg6 43.Nxc3 Ke7 44.Bg2 Rxb3 45.Ne4 Rd8 46.Re1 Rbd3 47.Kf1 Rd1 48.Nc5 Rxe1+ 49.Kxe1 Rd4 0–1
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Nakamura,H | 2784 | Morozevich,A | 2760 | 0–1 | 2013 | D30 | 8th Tal Mem | 9 |
Mamedyarov,S | 2753 | Carlsen,M | 2864 | ½–½ | 2013 | E62 | 8th Tal Mem | 9 |
Kramnik,V | 2803 | Gelfand,B | 2755 | ½–½ | 2013 | A36 | 8th Tal Mem | 9 |
Karjakin,S | 2782 | Anand,V | 2786 | ½–½ | 2013 | B97 | 8th Tal Mem | 9 |
Caruana,F | 2774 | Andreikin,D | 2713 | ½–½ | 2013 | C75 | 8th Tal Mem | 9 |
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1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.0-0 4.d4 exd4 5.Bg5 Be7 6.Bxe7 Qxe7 7.Bxc6 dxc6 8.Qxd4 4.c3 a6 5.Ba4 d6 6.d4 Bd7 7.0-0 Bg7 8.h3 h6 4...Bg7 5.c3 a6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.d4 exd4 8.cxd4 Ne7 9.h3 0-0 10.Nc3 h6 11.Qb3 g5!? 12.Rd1 b6 13.a4 a5 14.Be3 Ng6 15.d5 c5 16.Nb5 g4 17.hxg4 Bxg4 18.Bd2 Qd7 19.Rac1 c6 20.dxc6 Qxc6 21.Bc3 Bxf3 22.gxf3 Rad8 22...Nf4 23.Rd6 Qc8! 24.Bd2 Ne2+ 25.Kg2 Nxc1 26.Bxc1 Rd8 23.Rxd8 Rxd8 24.Rd1 Rd7 25.Rxd7 Qxd7 26.Qd5 Qxd5! 27.exd5 Bxc3 28.bxc3 Ne5 28...Nf4 29.c4 Kf8 30.Nc3 Nd3 29.Nd6 Kf8 30.Kh2? 30.f4 Nd3 31.Nc8 Nxf4 32.c4! Ke8 33.Nxb6 Kd8 34.d6 30...Ke7 31.Nc8+ Kd7 32.Nxb6+ Kc7 33.f4 Nf3+ 34.Kg2 Nd2! 35.Na8+ Kb7 36.d6 Kc6 37.Nc7 Kxd6 38.Nb5+ Kd5 39.Kg3 Kc4 40.Nd6+?! 40.f3 Kb3 41.Nd6 Kxa4 42.Nxf7 Nc4! 40...Kxc3 41.Nxf7 c4 42.f5 Kd4 43.Nd6 Ke5 44.Nb5 Kxf5 45.f3 h5 0–1
- Start an analysis engine:
- Try maximizing the board:
- Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
- Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
- Drag the split bars between window panes.
- Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
- Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
- Create an account to access the games cloud.
Anand,V | 2786 | Nakamura,H | 2784 | 0–1 | 2013 | C60 | 8th Tal Memorial | 6 |
Nakamura,H | - | Mamedyarov,S | - | 0–1 | 2013 | D38 | Tal Memorial | 1 |
Nakamura,H | 2784 | Karjakin,S | 2782 | 1–0 | 2013 | D85 | 8th Tal Mem | 3 |
Caruana,F | 2774 | Nakamura,H | 2784 | 0–1 | 2013 | B90 | 8th Tal Memorial | 4 |
Carlsen,M | 2864 | Anand,V | 2786 | 1–0 | 2013 | E46 | 8th Tal Memorial | 5 |
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Final Results

Schedule
Round 01 – June 13 2013, 15:00h |
Dmitry Andreikin |
2713 |
½-½
|
Alexander Morozevich |
2760 |
Vishy Anand |
2786 |
0-1
|
Fabiano Caruana |
2774 |
Boris Gelfand |
2755 |
|
Sergey Karjakin |
2782 |
Magnus Carlsen |
2864 |
1-0
|
Vladimir Kramnik |
2803 |
Hikaru Nakamura |
2784 |
0-1
|
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov |
2753 |
Round 02 –June 14 2013, 15:00h |
Alexander Morozevich |
2760 |
½-½
|
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov |
2753 |
Boris Gelfand |
2755 |
0-1
|
Hikaru Nakamura |
2784 |
Sergey Karjakin |
2782 |
½-½
|
Magnus Carlsen |
2864 |
Fabiano Caruana |
2774 |
0-1
|
Boris Gelfand |
2755 |
Dmitry Andreikin |
2713 |
½-½
|
Vishy Anand |
2786 |
Round 03 – June 15 2013, 15:00h |
Vishy Anand |
2786 |
1-0
|
Alexander Morozevich |
2760 |
Boris Gelfand |
2755 |
½-½
|
Dmitry Andreikin |
2713 |
Magnus Carlsen |
2864 |
0-1
|
Fabiano Caruana |
2774 |
Hikaru Nakamura |
2784 |
1-0
|
Sergey Karjakin |
2782 |
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov |
2753 |
½-½
|
Vladimir Kramnik |
2803 |
Round 04 – June 17 2013, 15:00h |
Alexander Morozevich |
2760 |
½-½
|
Vladimir Kramnik |
2803 |
Sergey Karjakin |
2782 |
½-½
|
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov |
2753 |
Fabiano Caruana |
2774 |
0-1
|
Hikaru Nakamura |
2784 |
Dmitry Andreikin |
2713 |
½-½
|
Magnus Carlsen |
2864 |
Vishy Anand |
2786 |
½-½
|
Boris Gelfand |
2755 |
Round 05 – June 18 2013, 15:00h |
Boris Gelfand |
2755 |
1-0
|
Alexander Morozevich |
2760 |
Magnus Carlsen |
2864 |
1-0
|
Vishy Anand |
2786 |
Hikaru Nakamura |
2784 |
½-½
|
Dmitry Andreikin |
2713 |
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov |
2753 |
½-½
|
Fabiano Caruana |
2774 |
Vladimir Kramnik |
2727 |
½-½
|
Sergey Karjakin |
2782 |
Round 06 – June 19 2013, 15:00h |
Alexander Morozevich |
2760 |
½-½
|
Sergey Karjakin |
2782 |
Fabiano Caruana |
2774 |
½-½
|
Vladimir Kramnik |
2803 |
Dmitry Andreikin |
2713 |
½-½
|
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov |
2753 |
Vishy Anand |
2786 |
0-1
|
Hikaru Nakamura |
2784 |
Boris Gelfand |
2755 |
½-½
|
Magnus Carlsen |
2864 |
Round 07 – June 21 2013, 15:00h |
Magnus Carlsen |
2864 |
½-½
|
Alexander Morozevich |
2760 |
Hikaru Nakamura |
2784 |
0-1
|
Boris Gelfand |
2755 |
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov |
2753 |
½-½
|
Vishy Anand |
2786 |
Vladimir Kramnik |
2803 |
0-1
|
Dmitry Andreikin |
2713 |
Sergey Karjakin |
2782 |
½-½
|
Fabiano Caruana |
2774 |
Round 08 – June 22 2013, 15:00h |
Alexander Morozevich |
2760 |
0-1
|
Fabiano Caruana |
2774 |
Dmitry Andreikin |
2713 |
½-½
|
Sergey Karjakin |
2782 |
Vishy Anand |
2786 |
½-½
|
Vladimir Kramnik |
2803 |
Boris Gelfand |
2755 |
½-½
|
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov |
2753 |
Magnus Carlsen |
2864 |
1-0
|
Hikaru Nakamura |
2784 |
Round 09 – June 23 2013, 13:00h |
Hikaru Nakamura |
2784 |
0-1
|
Alexander Morozevich |
2760 |
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov |
2753 |
½-½ |
Magnus Carlsen |
2864 |
Vladimir Kramnik |
2803 |
½-½
|
Boris Gelfand |
2755 |
Sergey Karjakin |
2782 |
½-½ |
Vishy Anand |
2786 |
Fabiano Caruana |
2774 |
½-½
|
Dmitry Andreikin |
2713 |
All pictures by Etery Kublashvili