Round tenby Chriss Lass
Showdown in Dortmund today. It is world champion
Vladimir Kramnik against the tiger Viorel Bologan.
Bologan needed at least a draw to win the tournament.
Kramnik however needed to win to get the tournament
trophy. I took the picture before move one, so both
players are still in a good mood.
The first draw we saw today happened after 13 moves and 30 minutes!
Anand offered the draw to the 16 year-old Teimour
Radjabov. Or as Anand's second GM Dautov told me "No
risk today." This draw ensured third place for Anand.
Replay Radjabov - Anand 1/2
Arkadi Najditch and Peter Leko teased each other for
some time but agreed to a draw after 24 moves and
little over 2 hours of play. The man (you can see on
the picture) starting the clock each round, is referee
GM Andrej Filipowicz.
Replay Naiditsch - Leko 1/2
So what finally happened to Kramnik and Bologan? Well,
both players got very close to time control number one
at move 40. When all the sudden Vladimir Kramnik
started to shake his head in anger. Then he lowered
his head and gave his hand to the winner of Dortmund
2003: Viorel Bologan. Vladimir tried everything today,
but finally had to agree to the draw.
Replay Kramnik - Bologan 1/2
Analysis by GM Boris Alterman and Jason Doss
GM Viorel Bologan, winner
Thanks for clicking me each day. I had a nice time in
Dortmund as every year. And I apologize for the
missing pictures for round 8 and 9. But my car's
engine became a victim of the incredible heat here in
Germany. Have a great summer, or - if you live in
Australia - have a great winter.
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