The
First War of Nerves
A running report by Jonathan Tisdall - for the
live version see our Chess Message Boards.
Round One, Day Three
- Playoffs
Volkov and Sakaev should get a special award for
mutual head-bashing above and beyond the
call of duty. The only match that compared was the
excellent Speelman-Macieja duel, but they could
not produce a third consecutive slugfest. Make sure
you play through these games if you play through
anything from the early rounds.
The second quick-play game saw one major upset
and some more heroics. Particularly impressive was
Macieja's ability to conjure up a ferocious initiative
as white against the experienced Speelman's solid
opening repertoire - Speelman out.
Two other decisive games deserve special note -
the amazing saga of Volkov vs. Sakaev appears
to have continued with another back-to-the-wall
win from the underdog Volkov.
The other heroic effort was from Artashes Minasian
who avoided elimination by producing the goods against
Filipino GM Bong Villamayor. Hard not to root for
a guy with a name like a sound effect ...
Faster and faster
The Volkov-Sakaev epic continued with some weird
psychology (draw fast with white) from Volkov -
Sakaev seemed to snap under the pressure,
and went berserk for a clinching win, only to be
neatly dismantled by sensible defence.
In the women's event there was tremendous drama
as favorites Cramling and Peng kept stumbling.
Cramling left a rook hanging in tie-break 4 to prolong
that match.
The heavily favored Peng was on the brink
of elimination by Indian Thipsay, but the local
heroine cracked after a long defence, when a draw
was within reach.
Favorites
endure
Peng and Cramling finally staggered through to the
second round, after many a nervous misadventure.
Back in the men's event, the Belorussian favorite
Aleksandrov finally survived in the round's marathon.
A
salute of farewell to Egypt's El Taher - his match
against Aleksandrov was a real classic with much
tremendous, spirited fighting chess. It is always
sad to see an underdog earn so much respect
only to exit in the end.
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Back
to round 1 results.
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