Dortmund Sparkassen 2003

Alright. By today I stop typing that Anand is "in a good sha**". Maybe my articles cause bad luck for Vishy. Yesterday it was the young Teimour Radjabov who knocked down the former world champ. Today it was "the tiger" Viorel Bologan. I got the impression that Anand tried to get a draw after yesterdays loss. He took the good old classical Caro-Kann out of his pocket - hoping that a draw would show up soon on the board. But no chance. Anand took little time after they made the first time control - and resigned. Bologan will meet draw-master (Sorry, Peter) Leko tomorrow. Let's see if he can win with the black pieces against the winner of Dortmund 2002.

Replay Bologan - Anand 1-0
Analysis by GM Boris Alterman and Jason Doss


What should I say. Leko draw. After yesterdays nice win over Anand, Radjabov wanted to continue his win series and opened bravely with d4. But Leko remembered that good old line of the Queen's Indian that exchanges pieces soon. After some cute tries like a4, both searched a place for their queens - and agreed after some moves that they wont find a better place for their ladies. Draw after 28 moves. Peter, I still dont get the tactic behind your draws. But if you only save energy for next week, then I want to see some fire on the board next week. Thanks;)

Replay Radjabov - Leko 1/2


School's out for summer? Not in Dortmund this year. Not only Bologan thought (with success) that it would be a nice idea to test the endgame skills of the young Arkadi Najditch. But in today's test the teacher was Mr. World Champion Kramnik himself. Just before the second time control at move 60 Kramnik had only 2 pawns and a knight on the board, while Arkadi tried to stop the champ with only a bishop and only one pawn. Kramnik wanted too win so badly, but had to agree to a draw after 89 moves and over 6 hours of play.

Replay Kramnik - Naiditsch 1/2


In my report yesterday I was showing you the Dortmund theater from outside. Today I take you inside with me. If you are sitting here in the nice theater chairs, you have a nice view down to the stage - as you can see on the picture to the left. So: Play often, get a GM norm and maybe you will be on this stage next year. See you then;)

Editor's note: Three games are from the main tournament. 14 year old IM David Baramidze of Germany is playing a match with GM Vladimir Belikov from Russia. The other board is from the Dortmund Open.

Click back tomorrow & CU online.