Dominguez Takes The Lead At Biel
Carlsen Loses Game To Forfeit Lead
So, Magnus Carlsen is human after all! I guess we were all beginning to wonder. He lost today against Evgeny Alekseev after overpressing with the White pieces in a strange yet fascinating game that stretched to 84 moves.
The Cuban Leinier Dominguez (pictured) took full advantage by beating poor Yannick Pelletier to take the lead on 5/7, half a point ahead of Carlsen and Alekseev. The race for first place at Biel is really on!
The competitors also appear to have forgotten that a draw is a valid way of finishing a game, as for the second round running all games ended decisively; Etienne Bacrot continued his recovery from a very poor start by beating Alexander Onischuk with the very unusual defense 1.d4 e6 2. c4 c5!?
Dominguez and Carlsen will have the black pieces against Alekseev and Bacrot respectively in round 8.
Carlsen and Alekssev start their match:
The results in round 7:
| Dominguez Perez, Leinier | - Pelletier, Yannick | 1-0 | 56 | C88 | Ruy Lopez Closed |
| Carlsen, Magnus | - Alekseev, Evgeny | 0-1 | 84 | C65 | Ruy Lopez Berlin |
| Onischuk, Alexander | - Bacrot, Etienne | 0-1 | 55 | A40 | Unusual Replies to 1.d4 |
The standings after round 7:
| 1 |
Dominguez Perez, Leinier | CUB | 2708 |
5 |
| 2 |
Alekseev, Evgeny | RUS | 2708 |
4½ |
| 3 |
Carlsen, Magnus | NOR | 2775 |
4½ |
| 4 |
Bacrot, Etienne | FRA | 2691 |
3½ |
| 5 |
Onischuk, Alexander | USA | 2670 |
3 |
| 6 |
Pelletier, Yannick | SUI | 2569 |
½ |
