MTel Sofia 2008

MTel R1: All games decided, Bulgarians lead
08.05.2008 – The first round of the MTel Masters brought three decisive games. Both the "home boys", Veselin Topalov and Ivan Cheparinov, won their games against Levon Aronian and Bu Xiangzhi respectively. And Vassily Ivanchuk scored a shock black-piece victory over Teimour Radjabov. The event is being held in an "aquarium" – a revolutionary concept that just might represent the future of chess.

MTel R2: Ivanchuk beats Topalov
09.05.2008 – It was a wild and vicious game, one of the most enjoyable we have seen in a long time. Both sides had chances, and it was the trademark throw-everything-at-the-enemy strategy of Veselin Topalov that failed against Vassily Ivanchuk, possibly the most experienced player in top-level chess. The other games were drawn. Full report with commentary and videos.

MTel R3: Ivanchuk wins again, Topalov beats Cheparinov
10.05.2008 – For the third time in three rounds Vassily Ivanchuk scored a full point, utterly crushing Chinese GM Bu Xiangzhi, who could have resigned right out of the opening. Veselin Topalov beat his second Ivan Cheparinov with the black pieces. Ivanchuk leads with a perfect 3.0/3 score. The only regret: he missed a chance for a perfect miniature by overlooking a spectacular mate in 13.

MTel R4: Ivanchuk wins yet again, leads by 1½ points
11.05.2008 – This is it, a potentially all-time record-breaking run: Vassily Ivanchuk has his fourth game in round four, continuing to maintain a perfect score in a category 20 tournament with a 2737 average rating of the participants. His performance, if that can be counted for a 4/4 score, is 3530. The other two games were drawn, leaving Veselin Topalov in second place with 2.5/4 points. Full report.

MTel R5: Ivanchuk aiming for infinity with 5.0/5
12.05.2008 – When's the last time we have seen anything like this? The amazing Vassily Ivanchuk has won his fifth game in succession, beating Levon Aronian. He has won all games of the first half of the category 20 tournament, and has beaten all of the other players, three times with black and twice with white. Veselin Topalov is also in top form, winning his third game, against Bu Xiangzhi. Full report.

MTel R7: Ivanchuk and Topalov draw, Bu loses to Radjabov
15.05.2008 – The summit match between top seed Veselin Topalov and tournament uberplayer Vassily Ivanchuk ended in a hard-fought 49-move draw. Ivanchuk continues to lead Topalov by a full point, while the Bulgarian is a point and a half ahead of the next-best players. Teimour Radjabov beat the luckless Bu Xiangzhi, who has 1.0/7 and a performance of 2427. Full report.

MTel R6: Topalov and Cheparinov win, Ivanchuk draws
15.05.2008 – The shocker of round six: Vassily Ivanchuk only drew his game against Teimour Radjabov, the first time he has dropped half a point in this tournament. His performance has dropped to a dismal 3155. Both Bulgarians, Cheparinov and Topalov, won their games and are in second and third place. A prominent visitor was Boris Spassky, who commentated for the spectators. Full pictorial report.

MTel R9: Bu beats Topalov, Ivanchuk leads
17.05.2008 – Bulgaria's top grandmaster Veselin Topalov, rated 2767, had won three of his last four games; Chinese GM Bu Xiangzhi, 2708, had lost three of his last four encounters and was languishing at the bottom of the table. Today they met head-on, and Bu won the game! With a round to go Vassily Ivanchuk is a full point ahead and playing "goal-keeper". Illustrated report with videos.

MTel R8: Topalov and Radjabov win
17.05.2008 – Veselin Topalov had little difficulty beating his second Ivan Cheparinov, while Levon Aronian blundered one move before the time controls (see his round seven interview) to throw away the full point against Teimour Radjabov. Meanwhile Vassily Ivanchuk was lucky to survive against tail-ender Bu Xiangzhi. Full report with a simultaneous exhibition and interview with Boris Spassky.

MTel R10: Ivanchuk wins Sofia by 1½ points
18.05.2008 – Ivan Cheparinov threw everything at him, but Vassily Ivanchuk defended coolly and scored a final black-piece victory to clinch the 2008 MTel Masters, with 8.0/10 and a performance of 2977. Second was Veselin Topalov, who drew Radjabov to end at 6.5/10, with a 2839 performance. We bring you a final report with commentary, pictures and more great videos by Europe Echecs.