Kramnik wins President's Cup on tiebreak

Vladimir Kramnik won the President's Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan on Saturday. The former World Champion edged out Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Gata Kamsky on tiebreak.

Kramnik vs Polgar at the President's Cup | Photo © Azerbaijan Chess Federation

The President's Cup took place April 29-May 1 in Baku, Azerbaijan. It was a single round robin with eight players: four from Azerbaijan (Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Teimour Radjabov, Rauf Mamedov and Gadir Guseinov) and four from abroad (Vladimir Kramnik, Gata Kamsky, Emil Sutovsky and Judit Polgar). As we reported earlier, the organizers couldn't give a clear answer to the question why Vugar Gashimov wasn't playing.

Rounds 3-7

Two rounds were played on Thursday, three on Friday and two on Saturday. In our first report we saw that only Shakhryiar Mamedyarov started with two wins on the first day. In the follow-up it was Gata Kamsky who had a good series, scoring 3/4 (he beat Azeri's Mamedov, Mamedyarov and Guseinov but lost to Kramnik).

Mamedyarov-Kamsky After losing a pawn Kamsky showed that Black had excellent compensation. He outplayed his opponent and finished it off with 33...Bxc3! 34.Qxb6 Rxd1+ and Mamedyarov resigned because of 35...Qd3+! and 36...Re1 mate.

With one round to go the American was topping the standings with 4.5/6. In the last round he started with 1.g3 and was easily held to a draw by Polgar. This allowed Kramnik and Mamedyarov to catch him; they defeated Sutovsky and Mamedov respectively, both with the black pieces. On tiebreak it was Kramnik who ended first; second was Mamedyarov and third came Kamsky.

Radjabov-Guseinov White won with 56.Bc3! Ne2+ 57.Ke3 Nxc3 58.a5 and Black resigned.

President's Cup 2010 | Final Standings

Games rounds 3-7

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Photos © Azerbaijan Chess Federation, more here

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