XV Karpov-Poikovsky: Morozevich takes clear first

The 15th Anniversary edition of the Karpov-Poikovsky international tournament is underway and is being played at Nefteyugansk in the district of Ugra, Russia. It is a ten-player round robin competition played at 100 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 50 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment as of move one.

Final report

Emil Sutovsky (rear) and Alexander Motylev enjoy a coffee break

Never say never. After four rounds, the direction the tournament had been taking seemed all but written in the stars. Morozevich and Saric were running away with the tournament, while some such as Vikto Bologan, stood at 0.5/4, and one almost regretted mentioning it, knowing how hard it is to run into such a dry patch. Or so one would have thought.

Alexander Morozevich eventually did win the tournament, just as predicted it is true, but the action had already been seen. After his huge +3 start, he ended the tournament effectively on...+3 or 6.0/9 if you prefer, as he drew the last five games, which was enough to secure him sole first. A laudable victory, but a somewhat disappointing finish.

Alexander Morozevich had a clean victory, and was a class act

Ivan Saric, who had started on fire, drew a long battle in round five against Alexander Morozevich, but in round six crashed into a resurging Bologan in round six. He was never able to recover from it, and was soon in survival mode as he collapsed and ended on a 50% score with 4.5/9. Certainly it garnered him a  few Elo points, but after a 3.0/4 start, he had to have hoped for more.

Ivan Saric had a wonderful start, but was unable to maintain the momentum

Dmitry Jakovenko powered his way to the second spot

Second came in the form of former European Champion, Dmitry Jakovenko, who outfoxed Emil Sutovsky in round five, and then twisted the knife in Saric's wound by beating him in round seven. He was level with Morozevich by then, but Ian Nepomniachtchi was out for blood to secure 50% for himself in the last round.

Ian Nepomniachtchi had an irregular event but when he was hot he was hot

Still, the real name of the latter half of the excellent Karpov-Poikovsky tournament was none other than Viktor Bologan. Though he suffered from a terrible start with 0.5/4, he then did such an about face as to make one's head spin. After beating Pavel Eljanov in round five, he then beat Saric in round six, and Alexander Motylev in round seven. Only Shirov was able to stop him in round eight when he beat him with his trademark creative play, but Bologan was not perturbed as he finished off his run with a victory over Sutovsky in round nine, effectively scoring 4.0/5 in the last half to end with 50%.

With four wins, Viktor Bologan won more games than any player

Third place was shared by Etienne Bacrot and Alexey Shirov, who both finished on 5.0/9 and undefeated with eight draws and one win. It wasn't for lack of trying from either player in all fairness.

Alexei Shirov played very solid chess, not letting his desire for chaos dictate his performance

Etienne Bacrot also played solidly, but the draws were all hard fought

A group shot of the players and organizers

Final standings

Photos by Evgeny Vashenyak 

Links Official tournament site All games in PGN (games from TWIC) The games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download a free Playchess client there and get immediate access. You can also use ChessBase 12 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs.