by Vijay Kumar
Ivanchuk, Mamedyarov, Akopian, Khenkin, Navara, and Sargissian won the all their games to lead on the first day of the two day Ordix Open. It began today at Rhinegoldhalle, in Mainz, and will be an 11 rounds event.
A record number of 72 Grandmasters from all over the world were part of the total 761 Chess players here at Mainz, the largest gathering of chess players ever at Chess Classics. Top players like Ivanchuck, Shirov, Grischuck, Akopian, Almasy, Sergissian, Mamedyarov, Kamsky, Karjakin, Sasikiran, Harikrishna, and world’s youngest grandmaster India’s Parimarjan Negi.
The players at the top of the table did not get the full points easily. Ivanchuk had long and diffiult battle in the fifth game against Naiditsch. Mamedyarov defeated Drozodovsky in another interesting game to remain a part of the first 6 players.
Harikrishna, who has 4,5/5, talked to chessdom’s correspondent, Vijay Kumer, “Today I played better than in Chess960. I won the first four games, but due to time trouble I had to accept a draw from my opponent in the fifth. I think 4.5/5 games is a good result and If I can perform as I have done today I will certainly have a good position.”
India’s Wizkid had a satisfying performance with 3.5 points from 5 games, while the former World Women Champion, Zhu Chen, lost her 5th round game to Sargissian and remained with 4 point. Sasikiran won the first three, lost the fourth, and finally won the 5th game to finish with 4 points.
On the 2nd day 6 more games are to be played and the Championship is still wide open.
Top Boards Standing after 5 Rounds
1-6 Ivanchuck, Mamedyarov, Akopian, Khenkin, Navara and Sargissian 5.0/5 points.
7- 12 Harikrishna , Grischuk, Meir, Landa, Lysij, and Ilijn on 4.5/5 points
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