Sunday, February 22, 2009

2009 Aeroflot 2009

So much chess and so little space! While both ChessVibes and Chessbase are doing a good job at keeping us all current on proceedings in that match and Linares, they're still missing one big event. And for this, I must thank ChessDom.

Our friends in CD are showing the most comprehensive coverage of all big events these days and one tournament for which they have master commentary is the annual Aeroflot Open. I am very impressed especially with the attention they give to one GM Wesley So!

After winning the C group in the Corus tournament, the young Pinoy GM headed off to Russia where, after 5 games, he has so far garnered 2.5 points. Last night, he sadly lost the white side of a Spanish against GM Eltaj Safarli of Azerbaijan.

Aeroflot Open 2009
So, Wesley
Safarli, Eltaj
C86

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Qe2 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. Rd1 Bb7 9. c3 d5 10. d3 Re8 11. Nbd2 h6 12. a3 Bf8 13. Nf1 Na5 14. Ba2 c5 15. b4 Nc6 16. Ne3 d4 17. cxd4 Nxd4 18. Nxd4 exd4 19. Ng4 c4 20. Qf3 Nxg4 21. Qxg4 Qb6 22. dxc4 Rxe4 23. Qg3 Qe6 24. Qd3 Re8 25. Bd2 Qg6 26. Qh3 Rh4 0-1

High risk play by Wesley that yields a nil result.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Chessvibes has reaction from Mamedyarov and reasons why he left Aeroflot: http://www.chessvibes.com/reports/mamedyarov-accuses-opponent-of-cheating-withdraws-from-aeroflot/#more-8497

siow, weng nian said...

Scandal at Aeroflot — Shades of Aus Open 2009 in the Norths U1600. What has happened at Aeroflot has confirmed my views that there is no way in hell you can prove cheating using handheld devices unless you are going to stop and search everyone. At Aus Open, arbiter resorted to actions which in hindsight are questionable. Perhaps the only way to stop possible cheating is to prevent by having rule that requires players not to go for walk-a-round, especially to the toilet. But then chessplayers everywhere will jump up in protest because kibitzing is surely one of the perks of competing.
Sad, sad day for chess.