Magistral Ciutat de Barcelona 2007

GM Lenier Dominguez and GM Hikaru Nakamura leading

The traditional Magistral d'Escacs Casino de Barcelona 2007 is taking place on 18th-26th October at the Gran Casino de Barcelona in Spanish province Catalonia. The strong field of 9 Grandmasters and one IM is composing round robin tournament of 15th category. Time control is (90'/40 + 30') + 30'' increment.

Best Cuban player GM Lenier Dominguez is back to defend the last year's trophy, which he won in magnificent style with 8.0 points out of 9 rounds. There is no Vassily Ivanchuk this time, but Lenier will be having tough opposition in 2007 Politiken Cup winner GM Michal Krasenkow, 2006 Abu el Dhabi winner GM Vugar Gashimov, 2005 US champion GM Hikaru Nakamura and legendary fighter GM Alexander Beliavsky.

GM Michal Krasenkow - GM Hikaru Nakamura 0-1

Two rounds have already been played and Lenier Dominguez and Hikaru Nakamura are leading with the maximum score. Nakamura played wonderful game against Krasenkow, launching a mating attack after the queen sacrifice (see bellow). All five games in the 2nd round were decided, we could be looking at a very exciting event!

Round 2 results:
GM Alexander Beliavsky - GM Miguel Illescas Cordoba 1-0
GM Marc Narciso Dublan - GM Josep Oms Pallise 1-0
IM Jordi Fluvia - GM Lenier Dominguez Perez 0-1
GM Michal Krasenkow - GM Hikaru Nakamura 0-1
GM Vugar Gashimov - GM Rafael Vaganian 1-0

Round 2 standings:
1-2. GM Lenier Dominguez Perez and GM Hikaru Nakamura 2.0
3-4. GM Alexander Beliavsky and GM Vugar Gashimov 1.5
5. GM Marc Narciso Dublan 1.0
6-9. GM Miguel Illescas Cordoba, GM Josep Oms Pallise, GM Michal Krasenkow and GM Rafael Vaganian 0.5
10. IM Jordi Fluvia 0.0