One could hardly ask for more drama than what transpired in the ninth round. It started with Anand completely losing focus in his game against Aronian, and losing in a mere 25 moves. Carlsen built a fantastic attack against Ivanchuk, beat him and is now tied for first, but the shocker was Nakamura's loss on time against Vallejo. Report, pictures, video, and annotations by GM Romain Edouard.
The first leg of the Grand Slam was staged in São Paulo, Ibirapuera Park, from September 25th to October 1st, the second leg takes place in Bilbao, Alhóndiga, from 5th to 11th October. Tournament system: double round robin with six players over ten rounds. Time control: 90 minutes/40 moves + 60 minutes + 10 seconds/move starting with the first move. Games begin at 16:00h local Spanish time (10 a.m. New York, 18:00h Moscow).
Anand was not all there as his position imploded shortly after he had equalized
Although there was talk of comebacks when both he and Carlsen were trailing the pack after four rounds, this will not be one of them from the World Champion. He can avoid last if he beats Vallejo tomorrow, but that aside, it seems clear that the approaching World Championship match against Gelfand is what is foremost on his mind.
Carlsen studies the World Champion's position against Aronian
Aronian describes the game to Spanish journalist Leontxo García
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The first leg of the Grand Slam was staged in São Paulo, Ibirapuera Park, from September 25th to October 1st, the second leg takes place in Bilbao, Alhóndiga, from 5th to 11th October. Tournament system: double round robin with six players over ten rounds. Time control: 90 minutes/40 moves + 60 minutes + 10 seconds/move starting with the first move. Games begin at 16:00h local Spanish time (10 a.m. New York, 18:00h Moscow).
Round nine
Round 9: Monday, October 10, 16:30h Vassily Ivanchuk Hikaru Nakamura Viswanathan Anand
The round had had all the promise of drama with Magnus Carlsen facing the leader Vasily Ivanchuk, and the promise of catching up with him should he win. That said, the first sign, the round was going to be atypical was when Anand capitulated after just 25 moves when his game collapsed after a couple of errors.
Carlsen arriving at the venue with his father
Anand was not all there as his position imploded shortly after he had equalized
Although there was talk of comebacks when both he and Carlsen were trailing the pack after four rounds, this will not be one of them from the World Champion. He can avoid last if he beats Vallejo tomorrow, but that aside, it seems clear that the approaching World Championship match against Gelfand is what is foremost on his mind.
Carlsen studies the World Champion's position against Aronian
Aronian describes the game to Spanish journalist Leontxo García
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