Linares Update: Rounds 5 & 6

It's unusual for Linares to be overshadowed by another event, but the Kamsky-Topalov match has understandably been distracting attention from this extremely strong and prestigious annual tournament.

In Round 5 all games were drawn, but most clashes saw plenty of fighting chess before splitting the points, especially Radjabov lashing out with the Dragon against Dominguez, and Anand salvaging an unlikely draw against Ivanchuk.

Round 6 saw the clash of the leaders, Grischuk (pictured) and Aronian, and it was Grischuk who won when Aronian missed his 39 f5! shot, just before the first time control.

World champion Anand suffered his second loss of the tournament, against Carlsen to fall back to an even score.  In the last game to finish, Carlsen finally made his advantage count in a thrilling endgame - his first win against Anand!

Ivanchuk strangely agreed a draw against Dominguez in a seemingly superior position, while Yue and Radjabov reached a dead drawn endgame.

Grischuk now leads on an impressive +3, with Carlsen and Aronian a point behind on +2.  Official site here.  Anand faces Grischuk in round 7 tomorrow, in a must-win game if he is to get back in contention to retain his Linares crown.