Greetings once again you chessaholics out there! I finally bring you the results from the 5th round of the London Chess Classic. At this time, there is one game going on still but I will post the three that have finished.

   It is turning out to be a very tight tournament score wise among the top 5 players in this event. I will post an updated scoreboard when all the games have been completed. But let us start with the key game of the day; Anand(W) vs. McShane(B). These two players were coming in to today tied for 1st, each with 8 points, and as you'll see in a second, they'll be going into Round 6 tied as well. Here is the game:

   Next game up is Nakamura vs Short(B). Short has had a disastrous tournament as he is dead last right now in the standings. Short folded after 34.a3 in a Closed Ruy Lopez: Marshall Attack:

   The third game is Adams(W) vs. Kramnik(B), in a Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defence, which went to a draw after 45.Qd8+, leaving Kramnik a chance to gain a place or two if he wins in one of the next two Rounds.

   Howell(W) vs. Magnus(B) is now over as Carlsen comes up with a key Round 5 victory, making himself a player in the last two rounds. Howell resigned ater 55...Bc5 and pretty much that was the final nail in his coffin.

   The next post will be the updated standings and the Round 6 schedule and pairings. Enjoy! 

   -Mark

  Round 6 takes place on Tuesday, December 14th, at 9 AM Eastern. There is a rest day tomorrow. 

Here are the standings after 5 rounds if my calculations are right: