Nanjing R7: Svidler and Aronian win, Bu-Topalov drawn

2008 Pearl Spring Chess Tournament, Nanjing, China

Ivanchuk,V (2786) - Aronian,L (2757) [A20]
Pearl Spring Nanjing CHN (7), 18.12.2008
1.c4 e5 2.g3 f5 3.d4 exd4 4.Nf3 Bb4+ 5.Nbd2 Nf6 6.Bg2 Nc6 7.0-0 Bc5 8.Nb3 d6 9.Nfxd4 Nxd4 10.Nxd4 0-0 11.Nc2 Qe8 12.b4 Bb6 13.Be3 Bxe3 14.Nxe3 f4 15.Nd5 Nxd5 16.Qxd5+ Kh8 17.Rfe1 Rf6 18.Rad1 c6 19.Qe4 Qf7 20.Rd4 Bg4 21.Qd3 Rf8 22.Qd2 h5 23.Bf3 fxg3 24.hxg3 Bxf3 25.exf3 Rxf3 26.Re2 c5 27.bxc5 dxc5 28.Rd8 Qxc4 29.Rxf8+ Rxf8 30.Re5 b6 31.Rxh5+ Kg8 32.Rh4 Qe6 33.a4 a6 34.Rh5 c4 35.Qd4 Qf7 36.Rd5 c3 37.Rd6 b5

Ivanchuk has been struggling, but after 38.axb5 axb5 he can hope to hold the position to s draw. Not, however, after 38.Rxa6?, which hands over the point on a platter to Aronian: 38...Rc8 39.Qg4 Qc4 0-1.

An accident during the game (not the one at move 38): Ivanchuk's chair collapses

A flimsy Chinese chair for a strapping Ukrainian GM? Not such a good idea...

Peter Svidler played a very nice black game against Sergei Movsesian, with an exchange sacrifice on move 24, and a long instructive endgame of rook and bishop vs two white rooks. The St Petersburg GM won the game in 64 moves.

Standings after seven rounds

A view through the doors at the players on the stage

Bu Xiangzhi in his game against Veselin Topalov

Veselin Topalov, lucky to hold a draw against Bu

Levon Aronian after his win against Vassily Ivanchuk

... and discussing the result with his opponent

Peter Svidler discussing his 64-move win over Movsesian

A line-up of all the players in their smart Chinese suits: Bu, Topalov, Movsesian, Svidler, Aronian, Ivanchuk

All pictures provided by Yu Feng (俞峰).

A brief Introduction of Pukou District

Extracts from the Event Profile by Lisa Jingxia

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Pukou District is located at the northwestern of Nanjing city, between the Yangtze River and Chu River. It is seperated from the main part of the city by the Yangtze River with hundred miles of mountains and forests. It has an area of 902 square kilometers with a population of 480 thousand. In 2007, the GDP in the Yangtze River reached up to 16.21 billion yuan. There are four towns and seven block offices. Ancient culture and profound history left behind many cultural heritages, natural landscape and places of interests, including National Ancient Mountain and Forest Park, Pearl Spring, Tang Spring, Amber Spring, Damo Stela, Huji Temple Site, Doulv Temple, Wen Temple and old gingko trees. A male ceramic mask found in the Panying Mountain Ancient Cultural site is honored as “the ancester of Nanjing”, the oldest ever found artwork in this area.. Pukou District has been the transportation intersecter between the north and south part, as well as the thoat Gate of the North in Nanjing city. Facing the Yangtze River and with a overall control of Huai River Area, Pukou District is said to be “the Entrance of Nanjing” and “ the Natural Fortress in the northwest” with Jinpu railway and the 312, 328, 104 State Road through it. The first, second and third Bridge across the Yangtze River make it really convinient to travel.

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Pukou District is a big meltpot of natural scenery, cultural sites and historical heritages and has been a tourist scenic area from ancient times. In this district, there are over hundreds and thousands of peaks, mountains and springs. It was awarded the status of National Forest Park in 1991 with forests covering over 80 percent and the main scenery area in the western part of Nanjing. Pukou District is a modern area brimming with dynamism and confidence. It has mild climate, moderate rainfall and clear-cut distinctions between the four seasons, comprehensive strengths with complete infrastructure and is an important transportation and communication hub in Nanjing. With rich tourist resources, dynamic trade and commerce sectors, Pukou District has gradually become a brilliant pearl in the land of the northside of the Yangtze River.

Schedule and results

Links Official tournament site All games in PGN The games will be being broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download the free PGN reader ChessBase Light, which gives you immediate access. You can also use the program to read, replay and analyse the PGN games.