Chebanenko Slav gains popularity

Malakhov employs it effectivelly against Svidler

The Chebanenko Slav has a reputation of solid opening and a growing population of practitioners. The Russian Grandmaster Vladimir Malakhov is using it to a great effect as he eliminated both Pavel Eljanov and Wesley So in the earlier rounds of the 2009 World Cup. Today he unveiled fantastic preparation and iron nerves as his compatriot Peter Svidler attacked from the white side. The battle in the center finished in black's favour and Svidler's King soon found itself under heavy fire from the Queen and cavalry. The game finished on move 31 when the checkmate was imminent.

Sergey Karjakin and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov fought in the Open Ruy Lopez. White employed a novelty and his opponent responded with a temporal pawn sacrifice in the search for activity. Mamedyarov weathered the storm and took the game into an endgame which appeared to be leaning towards draw. To his regret, one careless move with the Rook allowed Karjakin to create a net around the Black King. Replay game here.

Dmitry Jakovenko dully neutralised Boris Gelfand's pair of Bishops and white was forced to accept the Queens' exchange after which a draw was immediately agreed. On the other hand, Vugar Gashimov had to work longer to earn a draw against the aggressive Ruslan Ponomariov.

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Results

Gelfand Boris (ISR) ½-½ Jakovenko Dmitry (RUS)
Ponomariov Ruslan (UKR) ½-½ Gashimov Vugar (AZE)
Svidler Peter (RUS) 0-1 Malakhov Vladimir (RUS)
Karjakin Sergey (UKR) 1-0 Mamedyarov Shakhriyar (AZE)