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Linares (2010) The 27th Linares tournament was held in Teatro Cervantes, Linares, Spain, 13-24 February 2010. The number of participants was the lowest since Linares (2001). They were: Veselin Topalov (Elo ranked #2 in the world), Levon Aronian (#5), Boris Gelfand (#6), Vugar Gashimov (#7), Alexander Grischuk (#15), and Francisco Vallejo Pons (#31). Notable absentees were Magnus Carlsen (#1), World Champion Viswanathan Anand (#3) and Vladimir Kramnik (#4). Games started at 4 pm. Time control: 2 hours for 40 moves, then 1 hour for 20 moves, then 20 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30 second increment per move starting from move 61. Topalov beat Gelfand in Round 10 and won with 6.5/10. He thereby qualified for the Grand Slam Chess Final (2010), but withdrew. A video from round 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ1... Linares, Spain, 13-24 February 2010 Age Elo 01 02 03 04 06 06 1 Topalov 34 2805 ** 10 ½½ ½1 1½ ½1 6½ 2 Grischuk 26 2736 01 ** ½½ 1½ ½1 ½½ 6 3 Aronian 27 2781 ½½ ½½ ** ½½ ½1 ½½ 5½ 4 Gelfand 41 2761 ½0 0½ ½½ ** ½½ ½½ 4 5 Gashimov 23 2759 0½ ½0 ½0 ½½ ** 1½ 4 6 Vallejo 27 2705 ½0 ½½ ½½ ½½ 0½ ** 4 Category: XXI (2758). Arbiters: Juan Vargas and Faik Gasanov. Sources ChessBase, 2/13/2010 (https://en.chessbase.com/(X(1)S(llg... ) ChessBase, 2/25/2010 (https://en.chessbase.com/post/topal...) FIDE rating list January 2010 (http://fidelists.blogspot.com/2010/...) Spanish ChessBase, 13/02/2010 (https://es.chessbase.com/post/linar...) Spanish ChessBase, 25/02/2010 (https://es.chessbase.com/post/la-cl...) Peter Doggers in Chessvibes, 2 April 2012 (http://www.chessvibes.com/?q=commen...) Peter Doggers in Chessvibes, 10 February 2010 (http://www.chessvibes.com/?q=commen...) Ian Rogers in Peón de Rey, No. 86 (May-June 2010), pp. 5-15 (https://e-nautia.com/santiago/disk/...) Previous: Linares (2009). Next: none. The Linares series was discontinued because of financing and scheduling problems. Round dates: February 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24 (from TWIC and ChessBase)  page 1 of 2; games 1-25 of 30  Game   Result Moves Year Event/Locale Opening 1. F Vallejo Pons vs Topalov ½-½ 41 2010 Linares C95 Ruy Lopez, Closed, Breyer 2. Gelfand vs V Gashimov ½-½ 54 2010 Linares A70 Benoni, Classical with 7.Nf3 3. Aronian vs Grischuk ½-½ 26 2010 Linares E25 Nimzo-Indian, Samisch 4. Grischuk vs Gelfand 1-0 35 2010 Linares E55 Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3, Gligoric System, Bronstein Variation 5. Topalov vs V Gashimov 1-0 48 2010 Linares D11 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav 6. F Vallejo Pons vs Aronian ½-½ 41 2010 Linares C67 Ruy Lopez 7. V Gashimov vs Grischuk ½-½ 40 2010 Linares B97 Sicilian, Najdorf 8. Aronian vs Topalov ½-½ 51 2010 Linares A64 Benoni, Fianchetto, 11...Re8 9. Gelfand vs F Vallejo Pons ½-½ 42 2010 Linares D10 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav 10. Grischuk vs F Vallejo Pons ½-½ 34 2010 Linares D17 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav 11. Gelfand vs Topalov ½-½ 40 2010 Linares E06 Catalan, Closed, 5.Nf3 12. V Gashimov vs Aronian ½-½ 48 2010 Linares C84 Ruy Lopez, Closed 13. F Vallejo Pons vs V Gashimov 0-1 35 2010 Linares A70 Benoni, Classical with 7.Nf3 14. Topalov vs Grischuk 1-0 69 2010 Linares B90 Sicilian, Najdorf 15. Aronian vs Gelfand ½-½ 46 2010 Linares D48 Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav, Meran 16. V Gashimov vs Gelfand ½-½ 37 2010 Linares C42 Petrov Defense 17. Grischuk vs Aronian ½-½ 101 2010 Linares D39 Queen's Gambit Declined, Ragozin, Vienna Variation 18. Topalov vs F Vallejo Pons 1-0 40 2010 Linares A29 English, Four Knights, Kingside Fianchetto 19. V Gashimov vs Topalov ½-½ 42 2010 Linares C65 Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defense 20. Aronian vs F Vallejo Pons ½-½ 48 2010 Linares D12 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav 21. Gelfand vs Grischuk ½-½ 60 2010 Linares A29 English, Four Knights, Kingside Fianchetto 22. Topalov vs Aronian ½-½ 45 2010 Linares D43 Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav 23. F Vallejo Pons vs Gelfand ½-½ 35 2010 Linares C42 Petrov Defense 24. Grischuk vs V Gashimov 1-0 40 2010 Linares A62 Benoni, Fianchetto Variation 25. Gelfand vs Aronian ½-½ 40 2010 Linares D15 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav  page 1 of 2; games 1-25 of 30    REFINE SEARCH:   White wins (1-0) | Black wins (0-1) | Draws (1/2-1/2)   < Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 36 OF 36 ·  Later Kibitzing> Feb-27-10    percyblakeney: Chesspro's final Linares report: http://chesspro.ru/_events/2010/lin... http://translate.google.com/transla... Feb-27-10    Bondsamir: <badest: <hedgeh0g> I liked Gris too ... but Topa exploited time and errors in such a systematic way that it definitely seemed like a "plan". Bear in mind that he didn't exactly play his favo openings or disclosed any "novelties"...> this is excellent insight. and also he didn't hide his head in the sand like Anand in his last tournamant. Feb-27-10    Bondsamir: It is very clear to anybody with alive conscience and sound mind that Mr.Vladimir Kramnik in his WCC match against Topalov was recieving remote assistance during the games and this thing was proved by FIDE investigators. besides,he resorted to his former mentor G.Kasparov who taught him chess and cheating (everybody knows the ways kasparov was cheating especially in his famous game vs Judit Polgar) late in that match to save what was left from his face. Feb-27-10    Jim Bartle: What evidence is there that Kramnik received "remote assistance"? If it was proved by FIDE investigators, where can I read their presentation of the evidence? I don't think that evidence exists. And what evidence is their that Kasparov cheats? There is the possiblity he released a piece vs. Judith, then moved to a different square. A <possibility>. But anything else? I don't think so. (Being a jerk sometimes does not qualify as cheating.) Feb-27-10    Bobby Fiske: <Bondsamir:...Mr.Vladimir Kramnik in his WCC match against Topalov was recieving remote assistance during the games and this thing was proved by FIDE investigators...everybody knows the ways kasparov was cheating especially in his famous game vs Judit Polgar.> Can you pls provide any links proving these heavy accusations? Feb-27-10    acirce: <And what evidence is their that Kasparov cheats? There is the possiblity he released a piece vs. Judith, then moved to a different square. A <possibility>.> Actually, he did do that. It was caught on tape. What is not clear is if he knew he had released it. If you don't do it knowingly it hard to call it cheating. Carlsen did the same thing against Aronian, and very few people thought he was trying to cheat, while almost everyone assume the worst about Kasparov. Feb-27-10    Jim Bartle: I stand corrected. Feb-27-10    laskereshevsky: "It is very clear to" <<anybody with alive conscience and sound mind>>" ( Of course here our friendly kibitzer was reffering to the bulgarians ) <that Mr.Vladimir Kramnik in his WCC match against Topalov was recieving remote assistance during the games> (OK,... if i support a chess-player i can accept the fact he could lose.... but if I consider him a NATIONAL HERO..... The "stuff" is psigologically unacceptable ) <and this thing was proved by FIDE investigators.> ÿ( I think that those "fantomatics" FIDE Functionary are the Aliens.... they gived evidences of the cheat directly to our MR. President Kirsan, during his permance in the UFO... Feb-27-10    Bondsamir: <Bobby Fiske:> Yes Sir, I will provide links and evidences. I just need some time to finish some work I nave right now. I will post the links here and on Topalov's profile page too. Feb-27-10    Bondsamir: laskereshevsky: "It is very clear to" <<anybody with alive conscience and sound mind>>" ( Of course here our friendly kibitzer was reffering to the bulgarians ) I apologize if made an offend. Feb-27-10    Eyal: <Chesspro's final Linares report: http://translate.google.com/transla... > According to this report, Aronian vs Topalov, 2010 was chosen as the best game of the tournament (prize: 27 liters of high-quality olive oil). If one looks for a double-edged game it's a reasonable choice, but as far as the level of a single player is concerned I would have picked Grischuk vs Gelfand, 2010. Feb-27-10    laskereshevsky: <Bondsamir> dont worry, no offense at all, I was just a litle sarcastic... (Of course without any intention of offense by my side too!) Feb-27-10    MeatGrinder: Here is some hard evidence that proves Kramnik cheated in Elista: http://images.paraorkut.com/img/fun... http://media.techeblog.com/images/s... http://www.coolfunnycomments.com/im... http://www.chessbase.com/news/2007/... http://www.chessbase.com/news/2007/... And here is a leaked photo of Kramnik's preparation plans for the match: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gTJMEP-c2... Feb-27-10    turbo231: <MeatGrinder> You have a great sense of humor. That took alot of time and effort. Feb-27-10    moronovich: <Meatgrinder> Lol! Feb-27-10    csmath: In the match in Elista Topalov's nerves cracked. It was due to 2 quick losses in unfortunate positions. This is probably why his camp was looking to find external reasons for the losses. Unfortunately it turned into a scandal with preposterous acussations. Nevertheless, the possibility of cheating in high level chess is quite clear now that the engines like Rybka are significantly superior to human players. Even in the case of Elista the idea of having a player retreating often in private premises during the game should not have been tolerated regardless of medical conditions that player could have, which I believe is the case with Kramnik. The possibility of Topalov's team cheating in San Luis should have been investigated as well. FIDE choses to do nothing as usual and that is the part of the problem. Feb-27-10    csmath: The effect of appearance of impropriety on participants is significant. Moro in San Luis decided to offer a draw to Topalov repeatedly in the early stage of game and has not played with full energy. Topalov in Elista acted paranoid with all the acussations. Any possibility for cheating should be eliminated. Feb-27-10    SetNoEscapeOn: <Any possibility for cheating should be eliminated.> If only that were possible... Feb-28-10    Peligroso Patzer: <Eyal: <Chesspro's final Linares report: http://translate.google.com/transla...; <According to this report, Aronian vs Topalov, 2010 was chosen as the best game of the tournament (prize: 27 liters of high-quality olive oil). If one looks for a double-edged game it's a reasonable choice, but as far as the level of a single player is concerned I would have picked Grischuk vs Gelfand, 2010; I would also nominate for consideration both games contested between the two top finishers: Topalov vs Grischuk, 2010 (Round 5) and Grischuk vs Topalov, 2010 (Round 9). Some may quibble that Topalov’s 21. Nf5 sacrifice in the Round 5 game was “unsound” (I would call it “speculative” and “enterprising”.) and that computer analysis reveals various inaccuracies by both players in both encounters, but these two games were each extremely hard-fought in a competitive context where much was at stake. The sequence of unusual material imbalances that developed over the course of the Round 9 game (which imbalances I always find perplexing and vexing when they occur in my own games) gave it a special appeal, and it would probably be my choice for best game of the tournament. In my opinion, BTW, the creativity with which players seek to generate complex imbalances over the course of a game is more meaningful in selecting a “best” game than silicon-endorsed accuracy. Feb-28-10    polarmis: <Peligroso Patzer: Some may quibble that Topalov’s 21. Nf5 sacrifice in the Round 5 game was “unsound” (I would call it “speculative” and “enterprising”.) and that computer analysis reveals various inaccuracies by both players in both encounters, but these two games were each extremely hard-fought in a competitive context where much was at stake.> I agree they were good games, but in that Chesspro report Topalov himself called it an unsound sacrifice. He also said you can't play the way he did if there's really a lot at stake - but as he didn't mind too much about the result he played for fun and made moves that he liked the look of, even if objectively they often weren't great. Mar-03-10    kingsindian2006: <peligroso patzer> I agree with your best game choice, nowadays good chess games are considered low quality if they dont line up with computers. i guess have to take the good with the bad in the computer era of chess. i wish i was alive in the romantic era of chess....lol Mar-12-10    blazerdoodle: Thanks, <Meatgrinder>, I've alaways had much difficulty in understanding how the judges couldn't truly prove TApy/Dan's assertions that Kramnik had cheated, although they wanted too. It was probably the luxery of the settup that fooled them, and the magazine from Car&Driver next to the toilet that through them off. Feb-01-11    Penguincw: I can't wait to see how this year's Linares will turn out. Apr-05-11    siamesedream: No Linares this year: http://www.chessvibes.com/reports/n... Dec-23-15    ketchuplover: RIP Luis Rentero and thanks for the chessic memories Jump to page #    (enter # from 1 to 36) search thread:    < Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 36 OF 36 ·  Later Kibitzing> NOTE: You need to pick a username and password to post a reply. Getting your account takes less than a minute, is totally anonymous, and 100% free—plus, it entitles you to features otherwise unavailable. Pick your username now and join the chessgames community! If you already have an account, you should login now. Please observe our posting guidelines: No obscene, racist, sexist, profane, raunchy, or disgusting language. No spamming, advertising, duplicate or nonsense posts. 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