Grischuk retains lead as Carlsen slips

Alexander Grischuk draws to retain lead - Carlsen loses.

In the fourth round of the Baku Grand Prix, Alexander Grischuk of Russia held the American Gata Kamsky to a short 21-move draw with the Slav Defense after a repetition of moves, thereby keeping his slender half point lead on 3/4 ahead of a pack of 6 players on 2.5/4.

There were 3 decisive games in the round.  Chinese player Wang Yue registered his first win by beating Cheparinov's Benoni defense.  You have to question Cheparinov's choice of defence; surely a steady draw is needed soon for him to get at least some points on the board.  Instead, he has now lost all four of his games in a truly disastrous start.

The other winners were Britain's Mickey Adams who beat David Navara's French defence and Mamedyarov who took the wind out of Carlsen's sails in a Queen's Indian.

Carlsen will have White tomorrow against Kamsky.  Who will win the battle of the Chess.com favourites? 

The round 4 results in full:

The leader table after 4 rounds: