Final FIDE Grand Prix in Astrakhan
Against the odds, FIDE's Grand Prix series has survived and reaches it's final tournament starting tomorrow in Astrakhan, Russia.
The series had a troubled existence almost from the start, with the global credit crunch causing venue changes as sponsors dropped out. However, FIDE's decision to change the rules for the current World Championship qualifying cycle while it was still on-going was an avoidable debacle.
The final event runs from 9-25 May, with Lev Aronian opting out since he has already sealed his place as the overall winner of the series. The official website is here.
The current rules state are that the top two finishers in the Grand Prix go forward to the next stage of the qualifying cycle, so that leaves one more qualifying place up for grabs.
The entrants for the Astrakhan Grand Prix are:
| Vladimir Akopian | Armenia |
| Evgeny Alekseev | Russia |
| Pavel Eljanov | Ukraine |
| Vugar Gashimov | Azerbaijan |
| Boris Gelfand | Israel |
| Ernesto Inarkiev | Russia |
| Vassily Ivanchuk | Ukraine |
| Dmitry Jakovenko | Russia |
| Peter Leko | Hungary |
| Shakhriyar Mamedyarov | Azerbaijan |
| Ruslan Ponomariov | Ukraine |
| Teimour Radjabov | Azerbaijan |
| Peter Svidler | Russia |
| Wang Yue | China |
The current standings are:
| Player | Baku | Sochi | Elista | Nalchik | Jermuk | Best 3 |
| Levon Aronian (ARM) | 180 | 180 | 140 | 500 | ||
| Teimour Radjabov (AZE) | 60 | 150 | 153 | 363 | ||
| Alexander Grischuk (RUS) | 105 | 45 | 153 | 105 | 363 | |
| Wang Yue (CHN) | 153 | 120 | 80 | 353 | ||
| Vugar Gashimov (AZE) | 153 | 65 | 110 | 328 | ||
| Peter Leko (HUN) | 80 | 140 | 100 | 320 | ||
| Dmitry Jakovenko (RUS) | 90 | 153 | 35 | 278 | ||
| Vassily Ivanchuk (UKR) | 65 | 20 | 180 | 265 | ||
| Boris Gelfand (ISR) | 30 | 85 | 140 | 255 | ||
| Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (AZE) | 105 | 80 | 55 | 240 | ||
| Etienne Bacrot (FRA) | 15 | 80 | 105 | 55 | 240 | |
| Gata Kamsky (USA) | 60 | 120 | 55 | 55 | 235 | |
| Peter Svidler (RUS) | 85 | 90 | 55 | 230 | ||
| Sergey Karjakin (UKR) | 60 | 90 | 55 | 80 | 230 | |
| Evgeny Alekseev (RUS) | 35 | 85 | 100 | 220 | ||
| Rustam Kasimdjanov (UZB) | 80 | 20 | 100 | 200 | ||
| Vladimir Akopian (ARM) | 15 | 140 | 35 | 190 | ||
| Ivan Cheparinov (BUL) | 35 | 45 | 50 | 10 | 130 | |
| Pavel Eljanov (UKR) | 35 | 20 | 70 | 125 | ||
| Ernesto Inarkiev (RUS) | 15 | 15 | 20 | 50 |
With the best three results counting towards the final score, it looks like the second qualifier will be either Radjabov, Grischuk, Yue, Gashimov, Leko, Javovenko or Ivanchuk. If scores are tied, then the tie-break is each player's fourth best tournament score. So there's still plenty to play for!
Gelfand has already qualified for the next qualifying stage by winning the World Cup last year, and Kamsky is automatically through as the runner-up in the last candidates series (losing to Topalov). Magnus Carlsen withdrew from the Grand Prix but has managed to qualify anyway along with Vladimir Kramnik by having the highest ratings (and not being otherwise qualified).
So, just to make it crystal clear 
the candidates for the next World Championship cycle will be:
- The loser of the Anand v Topalov match (we'll find out soon!)
- The runner up in the 2009 qualifiers (Gata Kamsky)
- The winner of the 2009 World Cup (Boris Gelfand)
- The winner (Lev Aronian) and runner-up (tbd) of the Grand Prix Series
- The two other highest rated players (Magnus Carlsen and Vladimir Kramnik)
- A wildcard chosen by the organisers (tbd, must be above 2700 Elo)
