Staunton Memorial Rd.6: Heading for the break

Round 6
Wells 1/2 Cherniaev
Speelman 1-0 Wade
Sokolov 1/2 Timman
Van Wely 1/2 L'Ami
Smeets 1/2Werle
Adams 1/2 Short

Round 7
Werle vs. Wells
L'Ami vs. Smeets
Timman vs. Van Wely
Wade vs. Sokolov
Short vs. Speelman
Cherniaev vs. Adams

On the day before the rest day, the players followed my advice to wrap things up in the first time control because we were treated to a campagne and wine reception by the sponsor. Short's enterprising opening play held Adams to a draw, and the Dutch players all concluded their games peacefully. Wells had a good game against Cherniaev but time trouble limited him to a half point. Bob Wade was doing well but eventually he faltered against Speelman and remains on zero.

Today we all relax and get ready for the second half of the tournament, which continues tomorrow.