Grischuk regains lead in Baku
Grishcuk beats Inarkiev, opens half point lead
In an exciting 9th round, Alexander Grischuk defeated his Russian compatriot Ernesto Inarkiev to open a half point lead in this closely fought opening event of the FIDE Grand Prix.
Gata Gamsky slipped back to an even score after losing to Radjabov, and Mamedyarov and Adams beat Navara and Svidler respectively. With just four rounds to go, Magnus Carlsen has his work cut out if he is going to justify his status as ranking favourite in this event.
The full results of round 9:
| Grischuk, Alexander | - Inarkiev, Ernesto | 1-0 | 46 | E62 | King's Indian 6...Nc6 |
| Radjabov, Teimour | - Kamsky, Gata | 1-0 | 44 | B41 | Sicilian Paulsen |
| Adams, Michael | - Svidler, Peter | 1-0 | 39 | B92 | Sicilian Najdorf with 6.Be2 |
| Bacrot, Etienne | - Wang Yue | ½-½ | 72 | C43 | Petroff's Defence |
| Karjakin, Sergey | - Carlsen, Magnus | ½-½ | 55 | B77 | Sicilian Modern Dragon |
| Cheparinov, Ivan | - Gashimov, Vugar | ½-½ | 30 | E21 | Nimzo Indian 4.Nf3 |
| Navara, David | - Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar | 0-1 | 41 | B46 | Sicilian Paulsen |
The standings after round 9:
| Rank | Name | Rtg | FED | Pts | SB. |
| 1 | Grischuk Alexander | 2716 | RUS | 6 | 22.75 |
| 2 | Gashimov Vugar | 2679 | AZE | 5½ | 24.25 |
| Wang Yue | 2689 | CHN | 5½ | 24.25 | |
| 4 | Radjabov Teimour | 2751 | AZE | 5 | 23.00 |
| 5 | Carlsen Magnus | 2765 | NOR | 5 | 21.50 |
| 6 | Mamedyarov Shakhriyar | 2752 | AZE | 5 | 21.00 |
| 7 | Adams Michael | 2729 | ENG | 5 | 20.50 |
| 8 | Bacrot Etienne | 2705 | FRA | 4½ | 20.00 |
| 9 | Kamsky Gata | 2726 | USA | 4½ | 19.50 |
| 10 | Svidler Peter | 2746 | RUS | 4 | 17.50 |
| 11 | Karjakin Sergey | 2732 | UKR | 4 | 17.00 |
| 12 | Cheparinov Ivan | 2695 | BUL | 3½ | 15.25 |
| 13 | Inarkiev Ernesto | 2684 | RUS | 3 | 12.75 |
| 14 | Navara David | 2672 | CZE | 2½ | 11.25 |
