Topalov closing the distance

Ivanchuk saved a draw against Bu and is still half point ahead of Topalov

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 / Round 7

Round 8 results:

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

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

Bu Xiangzhi finally played an excellent game and tortured the leading Vassily Ivanchuk deep into the Rook ending when Ukrainian had to save the draw with unique moves. Perhaps Bu even missed a win some time before 47. Ke2. Ivanchuk is still holding a half point lead two rounds before the end, but Veselin Topalov is dangerously breathing down his neck. Topalov played a rare and apparently quiet variation against Ivan Cheparinov's Gruenfeld Indian defence, but then with couple of energetic moves simply blasted off the board his long-time training partner.

The games are taking place inside the soundproof glass aquarium

Azeri press will certainly celebrate Teimour Radjabov's fine victory against Levon Aronian. It was a bayonet variation of the King's Indian defence, where Radjabov presented correct patient plan for black. He is recovering from fatigue after a long series of consecutive tournaments and already has two wins in a row after the shaky start. Aronian, on the other hand, appears to be completely out of form, having signed four losses in only eight rounds.

Current standings:

1. Ivanchuk Vassily 2740 UKR - 6.5
2. Topalov Veselin 2767 BUL - 6.0
3. Radjabov Teimour 2751 AZE - 4.5
4. Cheparinov Ivan 2695 BUL - 3.5
5.Aronian Levon 2763 ARM - 2.0
6. Bu Xiangzhi 2708 CHN - 1.5

Round 9 pairings:

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

Veselin Topalov vs Ivan Cheparinov

Bu Xiangzhi

Levon Aronian

Boris Spassky playing a simul against Bulgarian journalists