Vassily Ivanchuk signed first draw at the 2008 Mtel Masters

Former World Champion Boris Spassky arrived in Sofia

Mtel Masters 2008: General page / Photos from Mtel

Mtel Masters live: Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Topalov - Ivanchuk / Radjabov - Aronian

Report: Round 1 / Round 2 / Round 3 / Round 4 / Round 5

Round 6 results:

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

Thursday (14 CET): Live game commentary by GM Vladimir Dimitrov and live blog with the Chessdom team in Sofia. See you there!

Vassily Ivanchuk was finally held off to a draw in the 6th round of 2008 Mtel Masters. Teimour Radjabov played his favorite Sveshnikov Sicilian, introducing a late novelty with 20...Rbe8. Ivanchuk assessed that grabbing a pawn on a6 would allow black to build an attack with Be5, Re6-g6 and decided to play safer Nc6. There followed many exchanges and the game was driven into a drawish Rook endgame. Ivanchuk is still holding a full point lead ahead of Veselin Topalov who punished Levon Aronian's experiment attack while being a pawn down. The two leaders are scheduled to meet tomorrow in the 7th round.

The games are taking place inside the soundproof glass aquarium

Bu Xiangzhi is still fighting to find his real playing form. He quickly ended up in passive position with white pieces and you don't have to wave red flag in front of Ivan Cheparinov's nose twice. The young Bulgarian recklessly attacked on the kingside, and even after missing a few stronger shots, he reached a winning pawn endgame with cute zugzwang at the end.

Former World Champion Boris Spassky landed in Sofia and Bulgarian President Parvanov immediatelly honored him with special audience. Spassky will play a simultaneous exhibition with 16 journalists and participate in numerous other events, mostly with juniors.

On the rest day, a football match between FC Levski and Chess United took place at the local stadium. Chessers succumbed and lost 2-3 only after stiff resistance, when particularly goalkeeper Vassily Ivanchuk was brilliant among the bars. Ivanchuk was awarded with Man of the Match title.

Current standings:

1. Ivanchuk Vassily 2740 UKR - 5.5
2. Topalov Veselin 2767 BUL - 4.5
3. Cheparinov Ivan 2695 BUL - 3.0
4. Radjabov Teimour 2751 AZE - 2.5
5.Aronian Levon 2763 ARM - 1.5
6. Bu Xiangzhi 2708 CHN - 1.0

Round 7 pairings:

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

Ivan Cheparinov analyzing his game with Boris Spassky

Vassily Ivanchuk and Teimour Radjabov during the press conference

Football match Levski vs Chess United

Topalov and Ivanchuk after the football match