Sindarov-Robson
Robson chose a well-known variation in the Semi-Tarrasch that often leads to an endgame where white is better off, but where black still can hold on to a draw with solid play. This is exactly what happened in this game. Sindarov got the better position, but Robson defended well, and after a little more than 30 moves, the game ended in a draw by repetition.
l’Ami-Ivanchuk
As black in the Modern Benoni, Ivanchuk sacrificed a pawn for activity. However, after some clever maneuvering, l’Ami found a spectacular move, 40.Bd6, that gave him a clearly advantageous endgame. Despite pressing hard, l’Ami did not manage to break down Ivanchuk’s defensive setup, and after a 100 moves, the players agreed on a draw. Maybe it was wrong to play 51.f4+, since this put the f-pawn on a black square, where it could always be attacked by the black bishop.
Grandelius-Rapport
With the white pieces, Grandelius chose an unusual plan against Rapport’s Sicilian Sveshnikov. Advancing the h-pawn completely misplaced the black knight, which ended up at h8, and later at f7. The position was very complicated and it looked like Grandelius might have good chances. However, he could not find any clear continuation and offered a repetition of moves that Rapport saw no reason to decline.
Tan-Erdogmus
Erdogmus played a less well-know variation in the Queen’s Gambit Declined, which Tan answered with a promising pawn sacrifice. Tan got a big development advantage, but Erdogmus defended well. An interesting possibility was 21.Sxe6 fxe6 22.Sf5 which would have led to huge complications, instead Tan sacrificed the exchange a couple of moves later. She got some compensation, but when Erdogmus managed to exchange some pieces, he had no problems winning the endgame.
