ChessBase 17 - Mega package - Edition 2024
It is the program of choice for anyone who loves the game and wants to know more about it. Start your personal success story with ChessBase and enjoy the game even more.
Consistently one of the Ukraine’s leading players since the late ‘80s, Vassily Ivanchuk stands as another contender ranked in the bottom half of this year’s field of candidates. Of course, as with all of these players, he possesses a CV to be envied. He broke out in 1987 as European Junior Champion, only missing out on the world title the following year by virtue of an inferior tiebreak to that of Joel Lautier. He ably redeemed himself, however, by quickly rising to Top-10 status later that same year.
Cast in a similar mold to that of Carlsen, he gained early notoriety as the 1991 Linares champion, at the age of 21. Eight of the world’s top ten players partook and, as an exclamation point on the feat, he vanquished Kasparov in their individual encounter. A number of additional ultra-strong tournament victories accrued in the years that followed, including that of European Champion in 2004.
Despite his successes and continual presence amongst the world’s elite, Ivanchuk has been the victim of weak nerves and rough luck when participating in world championship cycle events. Early on, he made it to the quarterfinals of the 1991-93 Candidates tournament, suffering elimination by a narrow defeat at the hands of Yusupov, 5½-4½. In the end, Short emerged as the Challenger and, as history painfully recalls, a rift in the chess world soon ensued. Ivanchuk subsequently put in a string of forgettable performances at the FIDE Knockout World Championships, with one exception. In 2002, he qualified to the final, dispatching of Anand to get there. Unfortunately, despite being the heavy favourite in that final match, he fell far too easily to his teenaged compatriot, Ruslan Ponomariov.
Since the chess world was glued back together, he has sat on the outside looking in, anything but patiently awaiting his next opportunity to fight for the ultimate crown. After a quickly recanted retirement announcement at the site of the 2009 World Cup, he has forged on ahead and, now, the fans have what they were waiting for – the return of the mercurial talent, here to cause his fellow candidates some serious headaches. One can only hope he does not melt under the microscope, as, otherwise, he is quite capable of winning this event.
Best of luck to Vassily, and, with that, let’s take a look at his historical results against the candidates in this field.
# | Result | Moves | Year | Event | Opening |
1 | Draw (b) | 19 | 1985 | USSR Junior Ch | C05 French, Tarrasch |
2 | Draw (b) | 40 | 1986 | Sochi Junior | E04 Catalan, Open, 5.Nf3 |
3 | Win (w) | 26 | 1986 | Sochi Junior | E06 Catalan, Closed, 5.Nf3 |
4 | Win (w) | 39 | 1987 | European Junior Ch | E62 King's Indian, Fianchetto |
5 | Loss (b) | 37 | 1989 | USSR Junior Team Ch | E94 King's Indian, Orthodox |
6 | Draw (w) | 27 | 1990 | Linares | E15 Queen's Indian |
7 | Draw (b) | 22 | 1990 | Manila Interzonal | D85 Grunfeld |
8 | Draw (w) | 44 | 1990 | Tilburg | D76 Neo-Grunfeld |
9 | Loss (b) | 62 | 1990 | Tilburg | D85 Grunfeld |
10 | Win (w) | 18 | 1991 | Linares | D78 Neo-Grunfeld, 6.O-O c6 |
11 | Draw (w) | 24 | 1991 | Reggio Emilia | E81 King's Indian, Samisch |
12 | Win (w) | 33 | 1992 | Linares | E97 King's Indian |
13 | Win (b) | 38 | 1993 | Linares | D37 Queen's Gambit Declined |
14 | Draw (b) | 20 | 1994 | Linares | E47 Nimzo-Indian |
15 | Draw (w) | 47 | 1994 | Munich | B23 Sicilian, Closed |
16 | Loss (b) | 93 | 1995 | Belgrade | D85 Grunfeld |
17 | Draw (b) | 27 | 1996 | Wijk aan Zee | A04 Reti Opening |
18 | Loss (b) | 33 | 1996 | Dos Hermanas | D85 Grunfeld |
19 | Draw (w) | 80 | 1996 | Novgorod | E14 Queen's Indian |
20 | Draw (b) | 32 | 1996 | Novgorod | D85 Grunfeld |
21 | Draw (b) | 23 | 1997 | Linares | D19 Queen's Gambit Declined |
22 | Win (w) | 49 | 1997 | Dortmund | D55 Queen's Gambit Declined |
23 | Draw (b) | 63 | 1997 | Belgrade | A41 Queen's Pawn Game |
24 | Win (b) | 46 | 1999 | European Team Ch | A15 English |
25 | Win (b) | 60 | 2000 | Leonid Stein Memorial | A04 Reti Opening |
26 | Draw (w) | 89 | 2000 | Leonid Stein Memorial | C42 Petrov Defense |
27 | Draw (b) | 41 | 2000 | Rubinstein Memorial | A04 Reti Opening |
28 | Draw (b) | 19 | 2000 | Istanbul Olympiad | E18 Queen's Indian |
29 | Draw (w) | 44 | 2004 | Calvia Olympiad | C42 Petrov Defense |
30 | Loss (w) | 49 | 2005 | Russian Team Ch | D17 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav |
31 | Draw (w) | 28 | 2005 | World Team Ch | B96 Sicilian, Najdorf |
32 | Draw (b) | 61 | 2006 | Wijk aan Zee | E15 Queen's Indian |
33 | Draw (b) | 40 | 2007 | Russian Team Ch | E15 Queen's Indian |
34 | Draw (b) | 36 | 2007 | Tal Memorial | D11 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav |
35 | Draw (w) | 22 | 2008 | Corus | A20 English |
36 | Draw (w) | 58 | 2008 | Russian Team Ch | C42 Petrov Defense |
37 | Loss (b) | 38 | 2008 | Sochi Grand Prix | A30 English, Symmetrical |
38 | Draw (b) | 36 | 2008 | Tal Memorial | A30 English, Symmetrical |
39 | Draw (w) | 31 | 2008 | Dresden Olympiad | D11 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav |
40 | Loss (b) | 46 | 2009 | Russian Team Ch | A04 Reti Opening |
41 | Draw (w) | 30 | 2009 | Nalchik Grand Prix | D12 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav |
42 | Draw (w) | 37 | 2009 | Bazna | C42 Petrov Defense |
43 | Draw (b) | 20 | 2009 | Bazna | A04 Reti Opening |
44 | Draw (w) | 30 | 2009 | Biel | A15 English |
45 | Draw (b) | 32 | 2009 | Biel | E11 Bogo-Indian Defense |
46 | Win (w) | 98 | 2009 | Jermuk Grand Prix | A20 English |
47 | Win (w) | 43 | 2009 | Tal Memorial | D12 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav |
48 | Draw (b) | 12 | 2010 | Russian Team Ch | D11 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav |
49 | Draw (b) | 26 | 2010 | Astrakhan Grand Prix | D85 Grunfeld |
50 | Draw (b) | 19 | 2010 | Khanty-Mansiysk Olym. | D37 Queen's Gambit Declined |
51 | Draw (b) | 23 | 2011 | Russian Team Ch | D16 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav |
52 | Draw (w) | 41 | 2011 | Tal Memorial | D45 Queen's Gambit Declined |
53 | Loss (w) | 42 | 2012 | Wijk aan Zee | E10 Queen's Pawn Game |
54 | Draw (w) | 31 | 2012 | Istanbul Olympiad | D85 Grunfeld |
55 | Draw (b) | 25 | 2012 | London Grand Prix | E15 Queen's Indian |
Overall: 10 Wins, 37 Draws, 8 Losses
White: 7 Wins, 16 Draws, 2 Loss
Black: 3 Wins, 21 Draws, 6 Losses
Gelfand and Ivanchuk have a relationship stretching back to their years as rising junior stars in the former Soviet Union. This provides plenty of material for each of them to draw on. Roughly half of their lifetime encounters occurred in the last decade, with Gelfand holding a 4-2 edge in the decisive games over the course of that stretch. Anticipate some fighting chess, but don’t be surprised by justifiable draws emerging, as the “old guys” slug it out for the umpteenth time. The English may be the Ukrainian’s weapon of choice, while Boris surely has some novelties to spring if facing the Grunfeld.
# | Result | Moves | Year | Event | Opening |
1 | Draw (w) | 17 | 1997 | World Team Ch | B06 Robatsch |
2 | Loss (b) | 49 | 1998 | Linares | B84 Sicilian, Scheveningen |
3 | Win (w) | 58 | 1998 | Linares | D85 Grunfeld |
4 | Loss (b) | 33 | 1998 | Dortmund | C92 Ruy Lopez, Closed |
5 | Draw (w) | 46 | 1998 | Elista Olympiad | C69 Ruy Lopez, Exchange, Gligoric Variation |
6 | Draw (w) | 16 | 1999 | Wijk aan Zee | A29 English, Four Knights, Kingside Fianchetto |
7 | Win (b) | 39 | 1999 | Linares | C18 French, Winawer |
8 | Draw (w) | 69 | 1999 | Linares | C48 Four Knights |
9 | Draw (b) | 22 | 2000 | Rubinstein Memorial | B33 Sicilian |
10 | Draw (w) | 30 | 2001 | World Team Ch | C99 Ruy Lopez, Closed, Chigorin, 12..cd |
11 | Draw (w) | 26 | 2005 | World Team Ch | C53 Giuoco Piano |
12 | Win (w) | 25 | 2006 | Linares-Morelia | D80 Grunfeld |
13 | Draw (b) | 55 | 2006 | Linares-Morelia | C88 Ruy Lopez |
14 | Loss (b) | 30 | 2006 | Spanish Team Ch | B07 Pirc |
15 | Draw (b) | 53 | 2007 | Linares-Morelia | C42 Petrov Defense |
16 | Draw (w) | 44 | 2007 | Linares-Morelia | C88 Ruy Lopez |
17 | Draw (w) | 19 | 2007 | Aerosvit | D81 Grunfeld, Russian Variation |
18 | Draw (w) | 30 | 2007 | European Club Cup | D11 Queen’s Gambit Declined Slav |
19 | Draw (w) | 15 | 2008 | Russian Team Ch | D16 Queen’s Gambit Declined Slav |
20 | Draw (w) | 19 | 2008 | Aerosvit | C84 Ruy Lopez, Closed |
21 | Win (b) | 25 | 2008 | Sochi Grand Prix | C65 Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defense |
22 | Draw (b) | 37 | 2008 | European Club Cup | B31 Sicilian, Rossolimo Variation |
23 | Draw (w) | 37 | 2008 | Pearl Spring | C99 Ruy Lopez, Closed,Chigorin, 12..cd |
24 | Draw (b) | 38 | 2008 | Pearl Spring | B30 Sicilian |
25 | Draw (w) | 23 | 2009 | Russian Team Ch | C99 Ruy Lopez, Closed, Chigorin, 12..cd |
26 | Loss (b) | 29 | 2009 | Nalchik Grand Prix | C78 Ruy Lopez |
27 | Loss (w) | 41 | 2009 | European Club Cup | A15 English |
28 | Draw (b) | 27 | 2009 | Tal Memorial | C65 Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defense |
29 | Draw (b) | 51 | 2010 | Astrakhan Grand Prix | C42 Petrov Defense |
30 | Draw (b) | 36 | 2011 | European Team Ch | B35 Sicilian, Accelerated Fianchetto |
31 | Win (w) | 56 | 2011 | Tal Memorial | D80 Grunfeld |
32 | Draw (w) | 42 | 2012 | European Club Cup | A36 English |
Overall: 5 Wins, 22 Draws, 5 Losses
White: 3 Wins, 14 Draws, 1 Losses
Black: 2 Wins, 8 Draws, 4 Losses
From the outset, Svidler and Ivanchuk have enjoyed a lifelong seesaw battle. Vassily may employ the Grunfeld against Peter in London, having used it to secure a favourable outcome in the most recent decision in their lifetime series, but be prepared for anything from both of these players. Whatever the outcome, you can expect their games to be sharp and interesting, aided by their familiarity with one another’s play.
# | Result | Moves | Year | Event | Opening |
1 | Draw (w) | 18 | 2003 | Wijk aan Zee | E15 Queen's Indian |
2 | Draw (w) | 24 | 2003 | European Club Cup | C82 Ruy Lopez, Open |
3 | Draw (w) | 40 | 2006 | Russian Club Cup | C88 Ruy Lopez |
4 | Draw (w) | 20 | 2006 | Aerosvit | C88 Ruy Lopez |
5 | Draw (b) | 25 | 2008 | Sochi Grand Prix | E21 Nimzo-Indian, Three Knights |
6 | Draw (w) | 65 | 2009 | Linares | E20 Nimzo-Indian |
7 | Draw (b) | 41 | 2009 | Linares | C42 Petrov Defense |
8 | Draw (w) | 17 | 2009 | Russian Team Ch | D16 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav |
9 | Win (w) | 37 | 2009 | Nalchik Grand Prix | E97 King's Indian |
10 | Win (w) | 37 | 2010 | Russian Team Ch | B97 Sicilian, Najdorf |
11 | Draw (b) | 22 | 2011 | FIDE World Cup | C10 French |
12 | Draw (w) | 43 | 2011 | FIDE World Cup | D39 Queen's Gambit Declined, Ragozin/Vienna |
13 | Draw (w) | 26 | 2012 | London Grand Prix | D86 Grunfeld, Exchange |
Overall: 2 Wins, 11 Draws, 0 Losses
White: 2 Wins, 8 Draws, 0 Losses
Black: 0 Wins, 3 Draws, 0 Losses
Surprisingly, despite their long-time presence amongst the world’s elite, the two ‘chuks have rarely crossed swords in classical play. Ivanchuk has been spoiled by the number of whites he has received and has used them with effect by securing two back-to-back victories in 2009 and 2010. Grischuk, for his part, has never breached Vassily’s defences at these time controls, but that may soon change in London. They played relatively peacefully during the 2011 World Cup, adapting to the system, but the games will, necessarily, be much more bloody here. Expect anything from these two, as they further develop a feel for one another.
# | Result | Moves | Year | Event | Opening |
1 | Draw (w) | 16 | 2001 | European Team Ch | C11 French |
2 | Draw (b) | 22 | 2003 | Wijk aan Zee | D15 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav |
3 | Win (w) | 32 | 2004 | Calvia Chess Olympiad | B32 Sicilian |
4 | Draw (w) | 23 | 2005 | European Team Ch | E92 King's Indian |
5 | Draw (b) | 23 | 2006 | Linares-Morelia | D84 Grunfeld, Grunfeld Gambit Accepted |
6 | Loss (w) | 44 | 2006 | Linares-Morelia | E92 King's Indian |
7 | Draw (b) | 20 | 2006 | Russian Club Cup | E11 Bogo-Indian Defense |
8 | Draw (b) | 45 | 2006 | Turin Olympiad | B99 Sicilian, Najdorf, 7...Be7 Main line |
9 | Draw (w) | 23 | 2007 | Russian Team Ch | E92 King's Indian |
10 | Loss (w) | 50 | 2007 | European Club Cup | A26 English |
11 | Draw (b) | 28 | 2008 | Wijk aan Zee | B18 Caro-Kann, Classical |
12 | Draw (b) | 38 | 2008 | Linares-Morelia | B46 Sicilian, Taimanov Variation |
13 | Draw (w) | 58 | 2008 | Linares-Morelia | B33 Sicilian |
14 | Win (b) | 48 | 2008 | M-Tel Masters | E15 Queen's Indian |
15 | Draw (w) | 41 | 2008 | M-Tel Masters | B33 Sicilian |
16 | Draw (w) | 37 | 2008 | Sochi Grand Prix | E61 King's Indian |
17 | Draw (b) | 35 | 2008 | Bilbao | D20 Queen's Gambit Accepted |
18 | Win (w) | 49 | 2008 | Bilbao | B45 Sicilian, Taimanov |
19 | Loss (w) | 41 | 2009 | Wijk aan Zee | E97 King's Indian |
20 | Draw (b) | 42 | 2009 | Linares-Morelia | E94 King's Indian, Orthodox |
21 | Draw (w) | 30 | 2009 | Linares-Morelia | C63 Ruy Lopez, Schliemann Defense |
22 | Draw (w) | 37 | 2009 | Bazna | B45 Sicilian, Taimanov |
23 | Draw (b) | 28 | 2009 | Bazna | B94 Sicilian, Najdorf |
24 | Draw (w) | 58 | 2010 | Astrakhan Grand Prix | A16 English |
25 | Win (w) | 35 | 2011 | Bazna | E73 King's Indian |
26 | Draw (b) | 45 | 2011 | Bazna | D41 Queen's Gambit Declined, Semi-Tarrasch |
27 | Draw (b) | 43 | 2011 | World Team Ch | A07 King's Indian Attack |
28 | Win (w) | 41 | 2011 | FIDE World Cup | B31 Sicilian, Rossolimo Variation |
29 | Loss (b) | 28 | 2011 | FIDE World Cup | A37 English, Symmetrical |
30 | Draw (b) | 20 | 2012 | Wijk aan Zee | A57 Benko Gambit |
31 | Draw (b) | 31 | 2012 | Istanbul Olympiad | A15 English |
32 | Draw (b) | 65 | 2012 | European Club Cup | B00 Uncommon King's Pawn Opening |
Overall: 5 Wins, 23 Draws, 4 Losses
White: 4 Wins, 9 Draws, 3 Losses
Black: 1 Win, 14 Draws, 1 Loss
There is no shortage of encounters between Radjabov and Ivanchuk. By and large, they have been trying, hard-fought affairs. They even split their games at the World Cup, with Vassily going through in the tiebreak matches. With stinging memories of poor outings in the Sicilian when facing the Ukrainian, Radjabov may test the French against him, which is on standby as a reserve weapon in his repertoire. Ivanchuk can expect to face the English again as black. When the lights come up on these games, the word “dull” will not be on the commentators’ lips.
# | Result | Moves | Year | Event | Opening |
1 | Loss (w) | 33 | 1993 | Linares | B57 Sicilian |
2 | Draw (b) | 19 | 1993 | World Team Ch | D52 Queen's Gambit Declined |
3 | Draw (b) | 31 | 1994 | Linares | D17 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav |
4 | Win (w) | 40 | 1994 | Novgorod | B33 Sicilian |
5 | Draw (b) | 65 | 1994 | Novgorod | D85 Grunfeld |
6 | Draw (b) | 38 | 1995 | Tal Memorial | A30 English, Symmetrical |
7 | Draw (b) | 20 | 1995 | Novgorod | D52 Queen's Gambit Declined |
8 | Loss (b) | 50 | 1995 | Dortmund | D21 Queen's Gambit Accepted |
9 | Draw (w) | 49 | 1995 | Credit Suisse Masters | B56 Sicilian |
10 | Draw (b) | 46 | 1995 | Belgrade Invest | E91 King's Indian |
11 | Loss (w) | 32 | 1996 | Dos Hermanas | B62 Sicilian, Richter-Rauzer |
12 | Win (w) | 40 | 1996 | Novgorod | D43 Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav |
13 | Loss (b) | 25 | 1996 | Novgorod | D44 Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav |
14 | Draw (b) | 10 | 1996 | Yerevan Olympiad | D45 Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav |
15 | Win (w) | 34 | 1996 | Las Palmas | E81 King's Indian, Samisch |
16 | Loss (b) | 50 | 1996 | Las Palmas | A15 English |
17 | Loss (w) | 41 | 1997 | Linares | B65 Sicilian, Richter-Rauzer Attack |
18 | Loss (b) | 19 | 1997 | Dortmund | D45 Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav |
19 | Draw (b) | 32 | 1997 | Belgrade Invest | A15 English |
20 | Draw (b) | 58 | 1998 | Linares | D02 Queen's Pawn Game |
21 | Draw (w) | 74 | 1998 | Linares | B57 Sicilian |
22 | Draw (w) | 17 | 1998 | Dortmund | C42 Petrov Defense |
23 | Draw (w) | 12 | 1999 | Wijk aan Zee | C42 Petrov Defense |
24 | Draw (b) | 25 | 1999 | Linares | D45 Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav |
25 | Draw (w) | 22 | 1999 | Linares | D37 Queen's Gambit Declined |
26 | Loss (w) | 38 | 2001 | Wijk aan Zee | C65 Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defense |
27 | Draw (b) | 41 | 2003 | Wijk aan Zee | B67 Sicilian, Richter-Rauzer Attack |
28 | Draw (w) | 16 | 2006 | Turin Olympiad | A29 English, Four Knights, Kingside Fianchetto |
29 | Draw (w) | 59 | 2007 | Tal Memorial | C42 Petrov Defense |
30 | Draw (w) | 37 | 2008 | Wijk aan Zee | C42 Petrov Defense |
31 | Win (w) | 49 | 2008 | Dortmund | C42 Petrov Defense |
32 | Draw (w) | 28 | 2008 | Tal Memorial | C42 Petrov Defense |
33 | Draw (b) | 54 | 2008 | Dresden Olympiad | E32 Nimzo-Indian, Classical |
34 | Draw (w) | 28 | 2009 | Tal Memorial | D37 Queen's Gambit Declined |
35 | Draw (b) | 40 | 2010 | Wijk aan Zee | D37 Queen's Gambit Declined |
36 | Draw (b) | 35 | 2010 | Khanty-Mansiysk Olym | D97 Grunfeld, Russian |
37 | Draw (b) | 57 | 2011 | Tal Memorial | D15 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav |
38 | Draw (b) | 78 | 2012 | Istanbul Olympiad | A46 Queen's Pawn Game |
Overall: 4 Wins, 26 Draws, 8 Losses
White: 4 Wins, 10 Draws, 4 Losses
Black: 0 Wins, 16 Draws, 4 Losses
When the stakes have been highest, with teammates depending on the outcome, Kramnik and Ivanchuk have tended to sign peace accords: some hard-fought; some not so much. They have never tangoed with world championship contention on the line, however, so it will be interesting to see what happens when the gloves come off. Kramnik’s Petrov phase yielded no fruit against Vassily in 2008, while costing him a full point in Dortmund, so don’t count on it making a return between these two. Kramnik may take the Richter-Rauzer out of the closet and dust it off, but one of these two will certainly opt for 1.d4.
# | Result | Moves | Year | Event | Opening |
1 | Win (b) | 81 | 2004 | European Individual Championship | D73 Neo-Grunfeld, 5.Nf3 |
2 | Win (w) | 40 | 2005 | Karabakh International | C77 Ruy Lopez |
3 | Loss (b) | 55 | 2005 | World Team Championship | E67 King's Indian, Fianchetto |
4 | Win (b) | 45 | 2006 | Wijk aan Zee | E60 King's Indian Defense |
5 | Win (w) | 45 | 2006 | Linares-Morelia | A15 English |
6 | Draw (b) | 35 | 2006 | Linares-Morelia | E15 Queen's Indian |
7 | Win (w) | 37 | 2006 | Russian Club Cup | C88 Ruy Lopez |
8 | Draw (w) | 45 | 2006 | Turin Olympiad | A29 English, Four Knights |
9 | Win (w) | 42 | 2006 | Bundesliga | E55 Nimzo-Indian |
10 | Win (w) | 49 | 2007 | Linares-Morelia | D38 Queen's Gambit Declined |
11 | Draw (b) | 39 | 2007 | Linares-Morelia | E17 Queen's Indian |
12 | Draw (b) | 62 | 2008 | Wijk aan Zee | D27 Queen's Gambit Accepted |
13 | Loss (w) | 60 | 2008 | Linares-Morealia | C84 Ruy Lopez, Closed |
14 | Draw (b) | 22 | 2008 | Linares-Morelia | D37 Queen's Gambit Declined |
15 | Win (b) | 44 | 2008 | M-Tel Masters | D12 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav |
16 | Draw (w) | 26 | 2008 | M-Tel Masters | D12 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav |
17 | Win (w) | 44 | 2008 | Sochi Grand Prix | D12 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav |
18 | Loss (b) | 70 | 2008 | Bilbao | D27 Queen's Gambit Accepted |
19 | Draw (w) | 69 | 2008 | Bilbao | C69 Ruy Lopez, Exchange |
20 | Draw (w) | 68 | 2008 | Dresden Olympiad | C77 Ruy Lopez |
21 | Loss (b) | 33 | 2008 | Pearl Spring | A04 Reti Opening |
22 | Loss (w) | 39 | 2008 | Pearl Spring | A20 English |
23 | Draw (b) | 56 | 2009 | Wijk aan Zee | E16 Queen's Indian |
24 | Win (b) | 44 | 2009 | Linares | E92 King's Indian |
25 | Win (w) | 35 | 2009 | Linares | D45 Queen's Gambit Declined |
26 | Loss (b) | 40 | 2009 | Nalchik Grand Prix | A31 English, Symmetrica |
27 | Draw (w) | 46 | 2009 | Jermuk Grand Prix | C50 Giuoco Piano |
28 | Draw (b) | 58 | 2009 | Tal Memorial | E06 Catalan, Closed, 5.Nf3 |
29 | Loss (b) | 50 | 2010 | European Club Cup | A62 Benoni, Fianchetto Variation |
30 | Draw (w) | 31 | 2011 | World Team Championship | A07 King's Indian Attack |
31 | Win (b) | 38 | 2011 | Bilbao | D37 Queen's Gambit Declined |
32 | Draw (w) | 35 | 2011 | Bilbao | C67 Ruy Lopez |
33 | Loss (w) | 57 | 2011 | Tal Memorial | C67 Ruy Lopez |
34 | Draw (w) | 30 | 2012 | Wijk aan Zee | E06 Catalan, Closed, 5.Nf3 |
35 | Loss (b) | 42 | 2012 | Istanbul Olympiad | E15 Queen's Indian |
Overall: 12 Wins, 14 Draws, 9 Losses
White: 7 Wins, 8 Draws, 3 Losses
Black: 5 Wins, 6 Draws, 6 Losses
When Aronian and Ivanchuk sit across from one another, they invariably go for the jugular. In fact, their games have delivered more decisive results than they have draws. They both perform well as white, but each also has a plurality of victories as black. Although Ivanchuk holds a reasonably wide margin in their lifetime score, he has served as a bit of a punching bag to Levon as of late, not to say that he is incapable of reversing his fortunes. Expect fireworks from these two and, quite possibly, two decisive outcomes. The Queen’s Gambit and Ruy Lopez may make a reappearance.
# | Result | Moves | Year | Event | Opening |
1 | Loss (w) | 60 | 2007 | Linares-Morelia | A46 Queen's Pawn Game |
2 | Loss (b) | 35 | 2007 | Linares-Morelia | D86 Grunfeld, Exchange |
3 | Draw (w) | 93 | 2007 | Tal Memorial | B33 Sicilian |
4 | Draw (w) | 19 | 2008 | Corus | C68 Ruy Lopez, Exchange |
5 | Draw (b) | 39 | 2008 | Linares-Morelia | B90 Sicilian, Najdorf |
6 | Loss (w) | 40 | 2008 | Linares-Morelia | C67 Ruy Lopez |
7 | Loss (b) | 46 | 2008 | Aerosvit | E97 King's Indian |
8 | Draw (w) | 29 | 2008 | Bilbao | B78 Sicilian, Dragon, Yugoslav |
9 | Win (b) | 32 | 2008 | Bilbao | D37 Queen's Gambit Declined |
10 | Win (w) | 39 | 2008 | European Club Cup | D94 Grunfeld |
11 | Draw (w) | 24 | 2009 | Corus | C92 Ruy Lopez, Closed |
12 | Draw (b) | 34 | 2009 | Linares | D81 Grunfeld, Russian Variation |
13 | Draw (w) | 22 | 2009 | Linares | D56 Queen's Gambit Declined |
14 | Draw (b) | 54 | 2009 | M-Tel Masters | D11 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav |
15 | Draw (w) | 41 | 2009 | M-Tel Masters | B30 Sicilian |
16 | Draw (w) | 31 | 2009 | Tal Memorial | A48 King's Indian |
17 | Loss (b) | 35 | 2010 | Corus | D10 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav |
18 | Draw (w) | 33 | 2011 | Bazna | C65 Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defense |
19 | Loss (b) | 72 | 2011 | Bazna | D38 Queen's Gambit Declined |
20 | Loss (w) | 45 | 2011 | Bilbao | C11 French |
21 | Loss (b) | 34 | 2011 | Bilbao | E21 Nimzo-Indian, Three Knights |
22 | Draw (w) | 74 | 2011 | Tal Memorial | D82 Grunfeld, 4.Bf4 |
23 | Draw (w) | 57 | 2012 | Wijk aan Zee | D56 Queen's Gambit Declined |
Overall: 2 Wins, 13 Draws, 8 Losses
White: 1 Win, 10 Draws, 3 Losses
Black: 1 Win, 3 Draws, 5 Losses
Ivanchuk has been burned one too many times by Carlsen, with his lone wins against the Norwegian both coming in 2008. Considering his abysmal fortunes to date, caution will be the order of the day against Magnus. Two nail-biting draws would be more than Vassily could ask for and would maintain his chances of taking overall tournament victory. As white, the Ruy Lopez has to be Ivanchuk’s preference here, but, after raiding Anand’s cupboard, expect Carlsen to arrive in London with some new sheet music.
Wins
|
Draws
|
Losses
|
Draw %
|
|
Overall |
40
|
146
|
42
|
64.04%
|
White |
28
|
75
|
16
|
63.03%
|
Black |
12
|
71
|
26
|
65.14%
|
Line |
score
|
Perf.
|
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 |
64%
|
2752
|
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 |
66%
|
2764
|
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 |
66%
|
2748
|
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 |
65%
|
2749
|
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 |
73%
|
2815
|
1.d4 d5 2.c4 |
66%
|
2762
|
1.c4 |
69%
|
2686
|
1.Nf3 |
70%
|
2742
|
Ivanchuk is simply a sublime player, so it comes as no surprise that he has an array of weapons to choose from as White. His weakness appears to be the English, so he may opt to leave it at home, but he can smote any one of these players in virtually any system.
Line |
score
|
Perf.
|
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 |
46%
|
2694
|
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 |
49%
|
2718
|
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 |
43%
|
2668
|
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 |
43%
|
2658
|
1.d4 d5 2.c4 |
48%
|
2702
|
1.Nf3 |
46%
|
2688
|
With reasonably good success as black, Ivanchuk tends to score particularly well against the Ruy Lopez and Queen's Gambit. In the past, he has taken down giants with these choices and, given the chance, has no reason not to employ them here.
The London Candidates 2013 will be the strongest tournament of its kind in history. The Prize Fund to be shared by the players totals €510,000. The winner of the Candidates will become the Challenger to Viswanathan Anand who has reigned as World Champion since 2007. Schedule:
Thursday, 14 March | Opening/Players meeting |
Friday, 15 March | Round 1 |
Saturday, 16 March | Round 2 |
Sunday, 17 March | Round 3 |
Monday, 18 March | Rest day |
Tuesday, 19 March | Round 4 |
Wednesday, 20 March | Round 5 |
Thursday, 21 March | Round 6 |
Friday, 22 March | Rest day |
Saturday, 23 March | Round 7 |
Sunday, 24 March | Round 8 |
Monday, 25 March | Round 9 |
Tuesday, 26 March | Rest day |
Wednesday, 27 March | Round 10 |
Thursday, 28 March | Round 11 |
Friday, 29 March | Round 12 |
Saturday, 30 March | Rest day |
Sunday, 31 March | Round 13 |
Monday, 1 April | Round 14 |
Tuesday, 2 April | Tiebreaks/Closing ceremony |
Seed
|
Rank
|
Name |
Country
|
Rating
|
B-Year
|
1
|
1
|
Carlsen, Magnus |
NOR
|
2872
|
1990
|
2
|
2
|
Kramnik, Vladimir |
RUS
|
2810
|
1975
|
3
|
3
|
Aronian, Levon |
ARM
|
2809
|
1982
|
4
|
4
|
Radjabov, Teimour |
AZE
|
2793
|
1987
|
5
|
10
|
Grischuk, Alexander |
RUS
|
2764
|
1983
|
6
|
13
|
Ivanchuk, Vassily |
UKR
|
2757
|
1969
|
7
|
14
|
Svidler, Peter |
RUS
|
2747
|
1976
|
8
|
18
|
Gelfand, Boris |
ISR
|
2740
|
1968
|