Vassily Ivanchuk in early lead

Mtel Masters Round 2

Round 2 results:

Bu Xiangzhi 2708 CHN ½ - ½ Radjabov Teimour 2751 AZE
Aronian Levon 2763 ARM ½ - ½ Cheparinov Ivan 2695 BUL
Topalov Veselin 2767 BUL 0 - 1 Ivanchuk Vassily 2740 UKR

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Vassily Ivanchuk quickly equalized with black pieces in the Classical French against Veselin Topalov and then continued improving the position with combined attack on the weak white pawns. Black was better but Topalov tried to complicate matters as the game was heading into the time scramble. Both of them committed some mistakes under the pressure, but Topalov's blunder on move 40 was the last one and soon he was forced to resign.

The games are taking place inside the soundproof glass aquarium

Current standings:

1. Ivanchuk Vassily 2740 UKR - 2.0
2. Cheparinov Ivan 2695 BUL - 1.5
3. Topalov Veselin 2767 BUL - 1.0
13-14. Radjabov Teimour 2751 AZE, Bu Xiangzhi 2708 CHN and Aronian Levon 2763 ARM - 0.5

Round 3 pairings:

Ivanchuk Vassily 2740 UKR - Bu Xiangzhi 2708 CHN
Radjabov Teimour 2751 AZE - Aronian Levon 2763 ARM
Cheparinov Ivan 2695 BUL - Topalov Veselin 2767 BUL

Teimour Radjabov

Ivan Cheparinov