Ponomariov Wins Dortmund 2010
Ruslan Ponomariov drew rising star Le Quang Liem in the final round to secure his first Dortmund title.
Ponomariov made the pragmatic choice of the exchange variation against Le Quang Liem's Caro-Kann defence, and scored the draw he required.
However, both other final round games were to end decisively. Vladimir Kramnik managed to conjure up a win against Mamedyarov to claw his way back to an even score.
Peter Leko scored his first victory of the event against Naditsch to avoid finishing in clear last place, but the former world title challenger will want to forget this tournament.
The final crosstable:
| Ponomariov, Ruslan | UKR | 2734 | * | * | 0 | ½ | 1 | ½ | 1 | ½ | ½ | 1 | 1 | ½ | 6½ |
| Le Quang Liem | VIE | 2681 | 1 | ½ | * | * | ½ | ½ | 0 | ½ | ½ | ½ | 1 | ½ | 5½ |
| Kramnik, Vladimir | RUS | 2790 | 0 | ½ | ½ | ½ | * | * | ½ | 1 | 1 | 0 | ½ | ½ | 5 |
| Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar | AZE | 2761 | 0 | ½ | 1 | ½ | ½ | 0 | * | * | 1 | 0 | ½ | 1 | 5 |
| Naiditsch, Arkadij | GER | 2684 | ½ | 0 | ½ | ½ | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | * | * | ½ | 0 | 4 |
| Leko, Peter | HUN | 2734 | 0 | ½ | 0 | ½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | 0 | ½ | 1 | * | * | 4 |
So, a great tournament for Ponomariov, but also an excellent display by the Vietnamese talent Quang Liem in his first supertournament, finishing ahead of a former world champion. Definitely one to watch for the future!
All photos by Georgios Souleidis.
