Five Americans Move on; Four Out
By Jennifer Shahade   
November 25, 2007
Gatalead.jpg
Gata Kamsky at the World Cup. Photo Misha Savinov
After two days of the World Cup (Nov.24-Dec.17, Siberia) , one American player, Gata Kamsky, is guaranteed entrance into round two. Meanwhile, four American players are out in the knockout style tournament, and another four will fight for their lives tomorrow in the tiebreak round. Catch the action live on the official website or ICC at 5 AM EST. The live relay has been problematic thus far, but we expect it will improve as players are eliminated and the event becomes smaller.







World Cup (Khanty Mansiysk, Russia Nov. 24-Dec. 17)
American Results in first match

 0.5-1.5  Adly, Ahmed (EGY) 0-1  Kamsky, Gata (USA)
 
1-1 
Onischuk, Alexander (USA) ½-½  Andriasian, Zaven (ARM)- Advance to Tiebreaks

1.5-0.5
  Vallejo Pons, Francisco (ESP) ½-½  Kudrin, Sergey (USA)

1.5-0.5 
Navara, David (CZE) 1-0  Ivanov, Alexander (USA)

 0-2  Becerra Rivero, Julio (USA) 0-1  Bareev, Evgeny (RUS)

 1-1  Akobian, Varuzhan (USA) ½-½  Roiz, Michael (ISR)- Advance to Tiebreaks

1-1  Gurevich, Mikhail (TUR) ½-½  Kaidanov, Gregory S (USA)- Advance to Tiebreaks

1.5-0.5  Pavasovic, Dusko (SLO) ½-½  Shabalov, Alexander (USA)

1-1  Shulman, Yuri (USA) ½-½  Leitao, Rafael (BRA)-Advance to Tiebreaks

For complete results, check the official website.


Against the Egyptian player Ahmed Adly, Gata was squeezing all game, but didn't deal Adly the critical blow into the following position:

Kamsky39.Qc3.jpg
Position after 39.Qc3


Show Solution



Here's the full game:

1391

oniR1.jpg
Alexander Onischuk in round one of the World Cup. Photo Misha Savinov.


Our other high rated gun, Alexander Onischuk (2674), had a small advantage with White in the endgame, but it wasn't possible to make much out of it. Now Alexander will try to advance in the tiebreaks tomorrow.

1390

WorldCupKaidanov.jpg
Gregory Kaidanov vs. Mikhail Gurevich. Photo Misha Savinov.


Gregory Kaidanov and Mikhail Gurevich drew in a hard-fought game from both ends. M.Gurevich a pretty continuation in the following position:

Kaidanov42...Nc6.jpg
Position after 42...Nc6. White to Move.

Show Solution



Unfortunately, Alexander Ivanov, Sergey  Kudrin, Alexander Shabalov and Julio Becerra were knocked out this round. We hope that in the four Americans in the tiebreaks will avenge their eliminations!

Kudrinvallejo.jpg
Sergey Kudrin was eliminated by the Spanish GM, Paco Vallejo.



World Cup Schedule

Date       Event
22.11.07     Arrival
23.11.07     Opening ceremony
24.11.07     Round I- game 1
25.11.07     Round I- game 2
26.11.07     Tie break
27.11.07     Round II- game 1
28.11.07     Round II- game 2
29.11.07     Tie break
   
30.11.07     Round III- game 1
 1.12.07     Round III- game 2
 2.12.07     Tie break
 3.12.07     Round IV- game 1
 4.12.07     Round IV- game 2
 5.12.07     Tie break
 6.12.07     Round V- game 1
 7.12.07     Round V- game 2
 8.12.07     Tie break
   
 9.12.07     Round VI- game 1
10.12.07     Round VI- game 2
11.12.07     Tie break
12.12.07     Free day
13.12.07     Round VII- game 1
14.12.07     Round VII- game 2
15.12.07     Round VII- game 3
16.12.07     Round VII- game 4
17.12.07     Tie break, Closing
18.12.07     Departure