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Leko-Topolov, 0-1. Another loss with white; another loss for a Hungarian. Leko is seen as an outside favorite to win this championship setting up a possible rematch with Kramnik. However, his loss to Veselin Topalov was a setback given the overwhelming advantage he had developed into the middlegame. Coming out of a Najdorf Sicilian, Leko placed his pieces aggressively, but could not make much of his lead in development. Eventually the queens came off the board and Leko was saddled with a number of weaknesses while Topalov was nursing the two bishops versus two wayward knights. Leko's 37.c4 was soon punished and his position came apart as laser bishops were poised to make way for a decisive rook invasion. Hungarians will look to bounce back tomorrow. (game)
Svidler-Adams, ½-½. This game was the first to finish lasting only 24 moves. "Peter the Great" defended with the Petroff Defense and the delved into known theory against Adams' inveterate 1.e4. The game featured some very interesting tactics in the middle game after 17.Rb2 Bxa3 18.Re2 Bxc1 19.Nc6!? Qf6 20.Nxa5, but the flashy exchanges did nothing for the final position. These two players are expected to remain in the lower-mid range of the field as both seem to lack the killer-instinct possessed by the top two contenders, Anand and Topalov. (game)
Standings:
1st-2nd Anand, Topalov, 1-0 3rd-6th Morozevich, Kasimjanov, Adams, Svidler, ½-½ 7th-8th Polgar, Leko, 0-1
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