So, Karjakin battle to a draw
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 20 Jan 2014
Round 7 Standings: Aronian 5.5, Giri, Karjakin 4.5, Caruana, Dominguez, So 4.0, Harikrishna, Van Wely, Rapport, Nakamura 3.0, Gelfand 2.0, Naiditsch 1.5
Round 8 Tue 21st Jan 12:30GMT: Giri-Aronian, Karjakin-Gelfand, Dominguez-So, Van Wely-Naiditsch, Harikrishna-Nakamura, Caruana-Rapport.
Manila, Philippines---Grandmaster Wesley So (ELO 2719) fought GM Sergey Karjakin of Russia (2756) to a 51-move draw of a super-sharp Queens Indian Defense to share fourth place along with two others in the seventh round of the super-tough Category A 76th Tata Steel Tournament Masters in Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam on Sunday.
A day after suffering his first lost at the hands of top seed GM Levon Aronian of Armenia (Elo 2803), So playing the white pieces, gained a quality advantage after Karjakin's careless 24th move Bxg2.
Despite quality down (Karjakin has five pawns and two knights against So's five pawns, two rooks and black bishop), Karjakin continued pressuring the f2 pawn of So allowing the latter to gave up his quality advantage after exchanging pieces and turning the game into a drawish position.
Both players agreed to a draw in the 51st move with Karjakin having four pawns and a rook against So's four pawns and a rook.
According to official website Tata Steel, Karjakin realised he had done a "silly thing" in his tough game against So.
So is expected to go all out in a match-clinching win as he plays the black pieces on Monday's eight round against GM Leinier Dominguez of Cuba (2754).
So, Dominguez and GM Fabiano Caruana of Italy (2782) are all tied at 4th to 6th places with 4.0 points each.
Karjakin, meantime shared with GM Anish Giri of the Netherlands (2737) at 2nd to 3rd places with 4.5 points apiece, a clear point behind solo leader Aronian who totes 5.5 points.
In other results, Aronian split the point with GM Boris Gelfand of Israel (2777) after 41 moves of Queens Gambit Declined, Dominguez drew with GM Arkadij Naiditsch of Germany (2737) after 91 moves of King's Indian Defense and Caruana halved the point with Giri after 43 moves of Vienna Game.
GM Loek Van Wely of the Netherlands (2678) toppled GM Hikaru Nakamura of the USA (2786) after 52 moves of Sicilian Classical while GM Richard Rapport (2691) of Hungrary shocked GM Hikaru Nakamura of the USA (2786) after 68 moves of Caro Kann Defense.
The games of the tough 12-man event (Elo average 2743) are also being monitored by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) chairman/president Prospero ?Butch? Pichay Jr. and Fide Asian Zone 3.3 president Rep. Abraham ?Bambol? Tolentino Jr.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Boxers await qualifying draw
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 21 May 2024Boston Holds Edge in East Finals, NBA Championship Series
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 21 May 2024TWO TITLE SHOWDOWNS ROUND OUT STACKED DAVIS VS. MARTIN & BENAVIDEZ VS. GVOZDYK TOPPED PBC PAY-PER-VIEW EVENT ON PRIME VIDEO SATURDAY, JUNE 15
Tue, 21 May 2024The Heat Is On: Miami Fight Night Headlined by Teofimo Lopez-Steve Claggett Junior Welterweight World Title Showdown June 29 at James L. Knight Center LIVE on ESPN
Tue, 21 May 2024Undefeated Faizan Anwar fighting for his future this Saturday in Abu Dhabi on a loaded “Rising Stars Arabia 4” pro boxing card
Tue, 21 May 2024It's Boston Versus Indiana in the East; Minnesota Against Dallas in the West
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 20 May 2024SPORTS FACTS AND FIGURES 69: OLEKSANDR USYK BECOMES THIRD MALE TWO-DIVISION UNDISPUTED CHAMPION
By Maloney L. Samaco, Mon, 20 May 2024Wunderkid Arca Earns 2nd International Master Norm In Vietnam Tourney; pockets chess title
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 20 May 2024U2: Denys Berichyk Gives Ukraine Another World Champion
Sun, 19 May 2024Dallas Mavs Nip OKC Thunder 117-116 Advance to Western Conference Finals
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 19 May 2024The future is bright for Dasma Cavite Spartans
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 19 May 2024Lone Survivor: Usyk Topples Fury to Win Undisputed Heavyweight Crown
Sun, 19 May 2024Undisputed: Oleksandr Usyk Drops, Edges Fury to Claim Heavyweight Glory
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 19 May 2024Elorde named to WBC body
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 19 May 2024Indiana Bests New York, Forces Game 7 in East Semis
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 18 May 2024