R1: Anand beats Kramnik

Although the Amber tournament is known as a friendly event, and there isn't a single rating point involved, the players did show great fighting spirit already in the first round. Anand won his mini match against Kramnik 1?Ǭ?-?Ǭ?.

Two participants are playing Amber for the first time: Mamedyarov and Karjakin. Both had a satisfying start because the former drew both of his games against Morozevich, who must be considered one of the favorites here, whilst the young Ukrainian even won his mini match against Gelfand 1?Ǭ?-?Ǭ?. On his birthyday, Topalov beat Leko with the same figures and in two very interesting games Aronian defeated Van Wely, again 1?Ǭ?-?Ǭ?. The only player who started really disappointingly (at least for the many fans) was Carlsen; in his White (and blindfold) game against Ivanchuk his attack wasn't succesful and in his Black game he escaped from what probably was a lost ending.

Blindfold games:		Rapid games:

Links:

• Tournament website
• All info, results, standings
• Games in PGN