Anand Leads in Morelia
By J.Shahade/M.Peterson   
February 21, 2008
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GM Levon Aronian on the free day. Photo Macauley Peterson


After five rounds of Morelia-Linares action, Vishy Anand leads with 3.5/5. It is a tight field- even those occupying the basement (Radjabov, Leko and Ivanchuk) are only a point away from an even score. Topalov, who was leading with 2.5/3 has fallen apart with two losses in a row. However, the most dramatic and saddest story of the last couple days was Ivanchuk's terrible blunder against Levon Aronian.

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Position after 37.Rg3??

Aronian quickly found the winning 37...Rc4 here.

If you want to feel Ivanchuk's pain more concretely, Macauley Peterson captured the moment live on video (courtesy ICC)



Also check out the full game:

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Other decisive games from rounds 4 and 5 included two eerily similar endgame losses for Topalov:

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Meanwhile, Anand quietly ascended to the lead with this victory over Peter Leko.

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Free day photos by Macauley Peterson

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Magnus Carlsen


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Alexei Shirov


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Macauley Peterson


Linares-Morelia
Standings after five rounds

1. GM Anand IND 2799- 3.5

2.  GM Aronian ARM 2739-3.0
3-5. GM Carlsen NOR 2733, GM Shirov ESP 2755 and GM Topalov BUL 2780- 2.5
6-8. GM Ivanchuk UKR 2751, GM Leko HUN 2753 and GM Radjabov AZE 2735- 2.0