Even a Great Wall Can't Stop Him

Vassily Ivanchuk with third consecutive win at the start of 2008 Mtel Masters

Round 3 results:

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

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Vassily Ivanchuk wanted to avoid discussion in the Slav defence and decided to delay d4 by employing some kind of Reti setup. Bu Xiangzhi did him a great favor by carelessly playing 7...Bh5? and after the temporary sacrifice 9. Bxb5 black was already good to resign. Bu just sat there in disbelief and continued playing to avoid embarrassment in front of the journalists. Ivanchuk is off to a wonderful start with three straight wins, which can be crucial in such a short event of only 10 rounds. He admitted that there was no previous preparation and was happy that such a nice move can come out so early.

The games are taking place inside the soundproof glass aquarium

Veselin Topalov said at the press conference that the most difficult issue before today's game against Ivan Cheparinov was to choose an opening "because they know each other very well". "My choice of today's opening comes from yesterday's game. The game with Morozevich was also on my mind" - he added. Cheparinov described the experience of playing with his co-worker as "normal, serious game, but still intriguing". He will look to quickly forget today's loss: "I now have to focus on the next round".

Teimour Radjabov brought a bag of fresh ideas from Baku Grand Prix. He used Inarkiev's novelty in the Anti-Moscow Semi-Slav from the game with Cheparinov. Levon Aronian looked surprised and spent some time to find the best defending plan. He succeeded in parrying off the attack and after further simplifications the game ended in a draw. Radjabov wore a watch that honors his national leader hoping that this will bring him luck in today's game.

Current standings:

1. Ivanchuk Vassily 2740 UKR - 3.0
2. Topalov Veselin 2767 BUL - 2.0
3. Cheparinov Ivan 2695 BUL - 1.5
4-5. Radjabov Teimour 2751 AZE and Aronian Levon 2763 ARM - 1.0
6. Bu Xiangzhi 2708 CHN - 0.5

Round 4 pairings:

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

Vassily Ivanchuk

Teimour Radjabov

Levon Aronian