Mtel Masters Round 9,

Sasikiran draws with Nisipeanu , maintains sole lead
By Vijay Kumar

Mtel Masters 2007 continues to be full of surprises. One round to go and every player has a chance to grab the victory. Krishnan Sasikiran, who at the end of 9th round heads the field with a slender half a point margin over his nearest four rivals, shocked everyone with his masterly games. The Tournament Director Silvio Danailov praised the Indian Grandmaster and hoped he will now join the Super Grandmasters band.

Arriving at the nick of the time for the start of the game Krishnan Sasikiran opened his white pieces game with Nf3 and his opponent Romanian Grandmaster Liviu Dieter Nisipeanu opted for c5 and the game later turned in to Sicilian Accelerated Maroczy Bind variation. Early in the game both the players castled and prepared for their fight. Sasikiran gradually built up advantage and launched attack on Nisipeanu’s castled king with his rook and queen. A fierce battle was fought in the end game and Sasikiran got tremendously good advantage.However Nisipeanu found right moves kept on exchanging pieces till both the players realized that in no way any one of them could register a win and the game was drawn when ending of rook and pawn versus rook and pawn reached. The peace treaty was signed on 42nd move.

Speaking to White Drums Sasikiran said “. I think both of us played a good game. I had the advantage probably had I played right Queen move the resukt could have been in my favour”

“ I am sure it will be a very interesting game It will probably a decisive game of the event. I don’t remember any such situation where anyone can win. Though I have white pieces but I have not won any single match with white in this tournament Anyhow I will put pressure on Sasikiran for a win “ Topalov told White Drums after his drawn game

The game between Shakriyar Mamedyarov and Michael Adams was played on Queens Indian Defence.Mamedyarov, who was eager to regain the sole lead after he lost to Sasikiran and drew in the previous round, kept pressure on his English opponent Michael Adams but found little help from his opponent and realizing no chance for a win agreed for a draw

“ Though I wanted to fight for a win but my 7th round loss to Sasikiran and yesterdays draw against Topalov were still fresh in my mind . I decided not to risk any thing so near the end of the championship and a draw is always better” Mamedyarov told White Drums after the draw.

In the game between Gata Kamsky and Veselin Topalov Kamsky made an opening surprise by choosing a very solid variation of the Queens Pawn opening. Topalov however came well prepared for this position and played rather quickly and continued Black’s strategy by equalizing the game after the opening moves. Very early in the game Veselin Topalov moved his Bishop on b4 and gave a check to the white King which Kamsky saved by moving his Bishop tod2 and saved the situation. The game went on for a long time and none of the player took any risk and finally it ended in a draw.

With 5 points Sasikiran is leading the championship by a slender margin of half point. Just behind him is a group of Four players on 4 popints

Standing after Round 8

1. Krishnan Sasikiran 5 points
2-5 S. Mamedyarov, Liviu Dieter Nisipeanu, Veselin Topalov Gata Kamsky 4.5 points each
6..Michael Adams 4 points

10th Round pairing

Veselin Topalov vs Krishnan Sasikiran
Liviu Dieter Nisipeanu vs. S.Mamedyarov
Michael Adams vs Gata Kamsky