World Cup 2009 - Round 3

After a big cull of top seeds at the World Cup on the first two days of the second round, there were no major shocks in the playoffs, although Leinier Domingez lost to 17 year-old Italian-American Fabiano Caruana (pictured).

Poor Ivanchuk has clearly been badly upset by his second round exit, even suggesting that he may quit professional chess and just continue playing as a hobby.  Don't worry.  Ivanchuk wears his heart on his sleeve, and I doubt he would voluntarily quit professional chess any more than I would voluntarily quit breathing.  I'm sure he'll be back after his disappointment has faded.

In another interview at the official site, Judit Polgar emphasised that despite now having a family, she couldn't live without chess.  I suspect this is true for many of us, at all levels of the game!

The results from the first games in the third round are below.  Exactly half of the games ended decisively, so there will be lots of players desperately trying their all to stay in the competition tomorrow, including Gata Kamsky, Sergei Karjakin and Judit Polgar.