Mikhail Tal Memorial, Round 5
There were two decisive games in the 5th round at the Mikhail Tal Memorial in the GUM Exhibition Hall, near Red Square in Moscow. Ruslan Ponomariov (pictured) overcame Peter Leko and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov defeated Gata Kamsky.
Vassily Ivanchuk couldn't make any mark on Kramnik's Petroff defence - will Vishy Anand fare better in their upcoming World Championship match in October?
Alexander Morozevich pushed hard, but was held to a draw by Alexei Shirov. Nevertheless, Morozevich retains his half point lead over the field.
Kamsky may have lost today, but if there were a prize for the most spectacular move in the tournament, he would surely win it with his 21st against Mamedyarov. You have to wonder if Mamedyarov had anticipated it. Try to guess the move before you replay it on the board below!
Tomorrow is a rest day.
The results in round 5:
| Morozevich, Alexander | - Shirov, Alexei | ½-½ | 44 | B33 | Sicilian Sveshnikov |
| Ponomariov, Ruslan | - Leko, Peter | 1-0 | 41 | C89 | Ruy Lopez Marshall |
| Ivanchuk, Vassily | - Kramnik, Vladimir | ½-½ | 28 | C42 | Petroff's Defence |
| Gelfand, Boris | - Alekseev, Evgeny | ½-½ | 52 | E00 | Catalan |
| Kamsky, Gata | - Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar | 0-1 | 40 | B46 | Sicilian Paulsen |
The standings after round 5:
| 1 | Morozevich, Alexander | RUS | 2788 | 3½ |
| 2 | Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar | AZE | 2742 | 3 |
| 3 | Ponomariov, Ruslan | UKR | 2718 | 3 |
| 4 | Ivanchuk, Vassily | UKR | 2781 | 3 |
| 5 | Gelfand, Boris | ISR | 2720 | 2½ |
| 6 | Leko, Peter | HUN | 2741 | 2½ |
| 7 | Kramnik, Vladimir | RUS | 2788 | 2½ |
| 8 | Alekseev, Evgeny | RUS | 2708 | 2 |
| 9 | Kamsky, Gata | USA | 2723 | 2 |
| 10 | Shirov, Alexei | ESP | 2741 | 1 |
