I'm surprised no one started this thread yet, but it is Sunday.

Magnus has resigned. He defended a rook and pawn endgame accurately for many moves against Aronian. Then, in a textbook position, perhaps due to overconfidence and fatigue, blundered and was lost.

The commentators and fans are still shocked and are waiting to see if the moves are all correct, since Carlsen's last move just looks like a typo.

Some good news: My man, Leko, has won a third pawn and is in a technical position! This means that he will probably win and share first place with Aronian and Pono.

"Tal Memorial // Moscow"

November 5 - 19, 2006

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"Tal Memorial Merit Badges"

Are hereby awarded to...


GM Levon Aronian
GM Peter Leko
GM Alexander Grischuk


For their respective victories over GM's Carlsen,
Moro & Svidler on this day November 12th, 2006.

May they all wear it well!

____________________________


I slept in and never got around to starting this topic... Thanks fearlab! Think I'll try the extended "Tal Memorial 06 - Rds 7 - 9" to finish it up! Then we can a do "SUPER Blitz" Tal Memorial special for the finale...


The quick score tally recap scores after six:


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1/3 // GM Levon Aronian // 4 - 2
1/3 // GM Peter Leko // 4 - 2
1/3 // GM Ruslan Ponomariov // 4 - 2
4/6 // GM Peter Svidler // 3 - 3
4/6 // GM Boris Gelfand // 3 - 3
4/6 // GM 'Shaki' Mamedyarov // 3 - 3
7/8 // GM Alexei Shirov // 2½ - 3½
7/8 // GM Alexander Grischuk // 2½ - 3½
9/10 // GM Alexander Morozevich // 2 - 4
9/10 // GM Magnus Carlsen // 2 - 4

***********************************


Magnus lost a tough one today to Levon... After having reached a known drawn Rook & pawn ending position he blundered badly (73... Ra7+?) - whereas 73... Kg6! still holds the draw (Dvortesky).

Edit add: See "Tal Memorial Thread" for the analysis of this R-ending.

Moro fought hard but it was losing battle against Leko today... It was always just a matter of time before Peter converted his advantage (two pawns up!). Grischuk finally won a game against Svidler with some very nice play... Should point out that 'Shaki' is the only player to draw all his games!

Tomorrow is a 'REST DAY' and here is the remaining schedule:


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Rest Day // Monday // November 13th

Round #7 // Tuesday // November 14th

Carlsen - Leko
Ponomariov - Aronian
Grischuk - Shirov
Gelfand - Svidler
Morozevich - Mamedyarov

Round #8 // Wednesday // November 15th

Leko - Mamedyarov
Svidler - Morozevich
Shirov - Gelfand
Aronian - Grischuk
Carlsen - Ponomariov

Round #9 // Thursday // November 16th

Ponomariov - Leko
Grischuk - Carlsen
Gelfand - Aronian
Morozevich - Shirov
Mamedyarov - Svidler

Saturday & Sunday // November 18-19th

Just think SUPER...



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As you can see there are 'key games' in all rounds with the three present leaders playing one another in Rounds 7 & 9. Plus, Moro and Magnus remain threats with every game they play, so the final stretch will be interesting indeed! :p


- Mal