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Corus Chess 2008   Round 1   Round 2   Round 3   Round 4   Round 5   6   7   8   Short-Cheparinov   9   10   11   12   13  

There were three exciting games in Round 6: Carlsen-Polgar, Leko-Topalov, and Kramnik-Aronian. All three of these games were interesting tactically and strategically. It is interesting to note that Anand played for a draw against Ivanchuk and appears to be having a difficult time during this tournament. Here are a few positions that you may want to analyze from the games I mentioned above.  I will mainly focus on games of interest in my report on this tournament.


Magnus Carlsen played an exciting game against Judit Polgar. His opening strategy was entirely unconventional, but he was able to obtain a winning position.


Black to Move: Tactic after 12.g3

When making the 25th move, Carlsen had a way to sweep up the pawns on Polgar's kingside.

See if you can figure out how from this instructive diagram:


White to Move and Gain a Decisive Material Advantage

Carlsen went on to win against Polgar. He played an unusual game that showed his willingness to innovate and to play like a computer in complicated positions. He is now leading in the tournament.

In Leko-Topalov, Leko made a positionally incorrect error by exchanging queens, which allowed Topalov to have passed pawns in the center of the board supported by his bishop. Topalov went on to win.



White to Move: Can you find moves that result in a draw for white?


Kramnik played an excellent game against Aronian and was able to win an endgame that is very difficult for most players to win because of his superior endgame technique. Many rook endgames are drawn, even when one side has extra pawns. However, he was able to develop a winning position against Aronian.


White to Move: What tactic does Kramnik employ here?


White to Move: Can you devise a winning strategy for white?