World Chess Cup Round Four Started on Monday

Mamedyarov and Svidler victorious, other games drawn

The final-16 of the 2009 World Chess Cup started on Monday with first games of the round four matches. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov continued his winning streak (only one draw in seven games), this time against the young Czech Viktor Laznicka. Replay the game bellow and enjoy the black queen's beautiful dance.

Peter Svidler is a renowned expert for the Gruenfeld Indian defence, and although he recently suffered several defeats (also against GM Nyback in round one), he continues to persistently defend the black's cause. This time he successfully rebuffed Alexei Shirov's aggressive attack and decided the game with a pawn fork. Among other Russian players, Alexander Grischuk and Dmitry Jakovenko signed a quick peace protocol, probably still feeling the consequences of the exhausting round three tiebreaks. Nikita Vitiugov played his favourite French defence with black and forced Sergey Karjakin to early repetition of moves. Vladimir Malakhov was defending a slightly inferior position against Wesley So who tried everything to win the game, but the draw was finally agreed when only Kings and pair of Rooks remained on the board.

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Faik Gasanov and Vugar Gashimov

Fabiano Caruana held Vugar Gashimov to a draw with black pieces, while French representatives Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Etienne Bacrot could not achieve more than draws with white.

Return games are being played on Tuesday, with Chessdom live commentary provided for the game between Malakhov and Wesley So.

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Etienne Bacrot representing France

Wesley So preparing for the game

Viktor Laznicka arriving to the playing hall

Round four, game one results:

Vachier-Lagrave Maxime (FRA) ½-½ Gelfand Boris (ISR)
Gashimov Vugar (AZE) ½-½ Caruana Fabiano (ITA)
Shirov Alexei (ESP) 0-1 Svidler Peter (RUS)
Laznicka Viktor (CZE) 0-1 Mamedyarov Shakhriyar (AZE)
Karjakin Sergey (UKR) ½-½ Vitiugov Nikita (RUS)
So Wesley (PHI) ½-½ Malakhov Vladimir (RUS)
Bacrot Etienne (FRA) ½-½ Ponomariov Ruslan (UKR)
Grischuk Alexander (RUS) ½-½ Jakovenko Dmitry (RUS)

More information on the official website