Aronian Claims Lead In Nalchik Grand Prix
Round 6 of the FIDE Grand Prix in Nalchik saw a reversal of fortunes and a new leader. Former leader Grischuk came unstuck at the hands of Mamedyarov, and taking his place at the top of the standings was ratings favourite Lev Aronian (pictured).
Aronian earned a deserved victory over tournament whipping-boy Ivanchuk, with an attractive game. Poor Chucky blows hot and cold, and in Nalchik he's hardly got above freezing.
The players certainly seemed raring to go after their first rest day and there were also wins for Akopian who responded well to an opening novelty from Karjakin, and Svidler who essayed his favourite Gruenfeld defence to bring home the full point against Eljanov.
Round 7 has just finished, with wins for Karjakin and Eljanov against Kamsky and Gelfand respectively. More details asap.
The results in round 6:
| Aronian, Levon | Ivanchuk, Vassily | 1-0 | 40 |
English Symmetrical |
| Leko, Peter | Alekseev, Evgeny | ½-½ | 54 |
Blumenfeld Counter Gambit |
| Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar | Grischuk, Alexander | 1-0 | 38 |
Slav Defence |
| Akopian, Vladimir | Karjakin, Sergey | 1-0 | 71 |
Sicilian Najdorf |
| Kasimdzhanov, Rustam | Bacrot, Etienne | ½-½ | 20 |
Nimzo Indian 4.Qc2 |
| Kamsky, Gata | Gelfand, Boris | ½-½ | 41 |
Catalan |
| Eljanov, Pavel | Svidler, Peter | 0-1 | 73 |
Gruenfeld |
The results in round 7:
| Karjakin, Sergey | Kamsky, Gata | 1-0 | 32 |
French Winawer |
| Alekseev, Evgeny | Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar | ½-½ | 52 |
Pirc Defence |
| Grischuk, Alexander | Akopian, Vladimir | ½-½ | 43 |
Slav Defence |
| Svidler, Peter | Kasimdzhanov, Rustam | ½-½ | 22 |
Petroff's Defence |
| Bacrot, Etienne | Aronian, Levon | ½-½ | 38 |
Ruy Lopez Marshall |
| Gelfand, Boris | Eljanov, Pavel | 0-1 | 36 |
Reti Opening |
| Ivanchuk, Vassily |
Leko, Peter |
½-½ | 55 |
Ruy Lopez Anderssen |
The standings after round 7:
| Aronian, Levon | ARM | 4½ |
| Karjakin, Sergey | UKR | 4 |
| Alekseev, Evgeny | RUS | 4 |
| Leko, Peter | HUN | 4 |
| Grischuk, Alexander | RUS | 4 |
| Svidler, Peter | RUS | 4 |
| Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar | AZE | 3½ |
| Akopian, Vladimir | ARM | 3½ |
| Kasimdzhanov, Rustam | UZB | 3½ |
| Bacrot, Etienne | FRA | 3½ |
| Kamsky, Gata | USA | 3 |
| Eljanov, Pavel | UKR | 3 |
| Gelfand, Boris | ISR | 2½ |
| Ivanchuk, Vassily | UKR | 2 |
