Short-Bacrot
Bacrot equalized comfortably as black in the Sicilian opening, but Short gained an edge as the time control approached. A very interesting and unusual endgame materialised – two bishops and passed pawns against a queen. Bacrot tried to make the bishop pair count, but in the end Short’s queen proved too strong.
Grandelius-Sarin
Grandelius was well prepared for Sarin’s Spanish with 3…g6. An early advantage became an ending where the Swede could force the win through an attack on the king.
Bjerre-Jones
A rollercoaster of a game – Jones both gained the advantage and lost it in an exciting king’s indian game. After 40 moves Bjerre made a mistake and Jones could regain the advantage in a decisive way.
Van Foreest-Keymer
Van Foreest surprised both us and Keymer with an incredible opening preparation in the Panov variation of the Caro-Kann. Keymer defended himself with vigour, but having used a lot of time early in the game, could not hold the complicated endgame.
