Jermuk R2: Aronian and Jakovenko win

Fifth FIDE Grand Prix in Jermuk, Armenia

This is a Category 19 event, with eleven GM rated over 2700. They include Armenia's top GM Levon Aronian who after convincing first place finishes in Sochi and Nalchik stands to earn the right to play in the 2010 qualification for the right to challenge the World Champion.

The Fifth FIDE Grand Prix is being played on the occasion of World Champion Tigran Petrosian’s 80th anniversary. Petrosian is still an Armenian hero who symbolized the overcoming of the difficulties faced by the Armenian nation.

Round two

Some of our readers may be aware of the mantra: "Size doesn't matter." Well, as it turns out, the same holds true for the length of a chess game. With two rounds of the FIDE Grand Prix in Jarmuk currently completed, Dmitry Jakavenko has returned with the fighting spirit he demonstrated in Dortmund, having involved himself in two of the four decisive encounters seen thus far in this tournament. In fact, his handling of Kamsky brought the quickest result to date – a short, sharp Grunfeld that ended after 29 moves.

Dmitry Jakovenko in his second round game against Gata Kamsky

Jakovenko,D (2760) - Kamsky,G (2717) [D15]
5th FIDE GP Jermuk ARM (2), 10.08.2009
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c6 3.d4 d5 4.Nc3 a6 5.e3 g6 6.Bd3 Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qb3 e6 9.e4 dxe4 10.Bxe4 Nbd7 11.Be3 Qc7 12.c5 Ng4 13.Bg5 e5 14.Be7 exd4 15.Na4 Qf4 16.Rfe1 Re8 17.Bd6

17...Be5? This is the first move that was criticised by the expertes in Jermuk. 18.Bc2 Re6 19.h3 Nxf2 20.Nxe5 Nxe5 21.Rf1

21...Nf3+? This is definitely a serious mistake that is ruthlessly exploited by Jakovenko. 22.Qxf3 Qxf3 23.gxf3 Nxh3+ 24.Kh1 Re2 25.Bd1 Nf2+ 26.Rxf2 Rxf2 27.Kg1 Rd2 28.Nb6 Ra7 29.Nc4 1-0.

The GM with the most colorful shirts in Jermuk: Levon Aronian from Armenia

Once again there were two decisive games. The local spectators were delighted to see their top GM win: Levon Aronian took a pawn-up advantage against Evgeny Alekseev into a queen and pawn ending, which the Armenian won in 72 gruelling moves.

Alekseev and Aronian analysing their game with IM Lilit Mkrtchian and Rybka 3 in the press conference

Is this where I missed a quicker win? Yes, you could have played 40.Qf5! instead of 40.h5

Chrrent standings

As it stands, three players presently lead the pack, with 1.5/2: Cheparinov, Leko, and Aronian. Round two was breathtaking, seeing Aronian requiring 72 moves to take home the point against Alekseev. We can only hope tomorrow brings some more tough fights.

FIDE Grand Prix Jermuk 2009 – Schedule and results

The games start at 15:00h Armenian time (12:00 noon CEST, 11:00h London, 6 a.m. New York and 3 a.m. California). Full live coverage, including discussion and analysis with thousands of other visitors, is available on Playchess.

Links Full information on the FIDE site All ChessBase reports on the Jermuk GP All games in PGN The games are 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 PGN games. New and enhanced: CB Light 2009!