Wojtaszek takes sole lead

Michael Adams scores the sole victory in Round 2 as he defeated the overnight leader Vincent Keymer. Wojtaszek drew with Anton Guijarro to take sole lead with 15 points. Keymer isn't far behind despite suffering a loss. He is at second position with 14 points. Adams jumped to third position with 13.5 points as each win is valued at 4 points in the Classical event. Harikrishna made a solid draw with Naiditsch, he is now at fourth position with 13 points. All top four players are very close to each other and the leaderboard can change at any round.

Adams scored a fine victory | Photo: Biel Chess Festival

Adams - Keymer 4-0

The only decisive game of the round was won by Michael Adams who beat the overnight leader Vincent Keymer.

Adams - Keymer

Position after 25...Rb6

The game continued with 26.Rfa1 but there was a better continuation for white. Can you find it?

Position after 42...Nf6

White took on f6 and then grabbed both d6 and e5 pawn. Rest was just a matter of technique and Adams showed a beautiful way to win the already winning Queen endgame.

Plexiglass can help players reflect | Photo: Biel Chess Festival

Studer - Edouard 1.5-1.5

Swiss GM Studer tried to create some chances but unfortunately it was never enough to stir up any kind of trouble for Edouard.

Studer - Edouard

Position after 23...Nf8

The game continued with 24.Nf5. Perhaps white could have gone for 24.Qg3 followed by f4, f5. It may not have been much but it definitely looks like a promising idea.

Studer makes a draw with Edouard | Photo: Biel Chess Festival

Anton Guijarro - Wojtaszek 1.5-1.5

David Anton Guijarro had an uneventful with Radoslaw Wojtaszek. With this draw, the Polish GM took the sole lead with 15 points.

Wojtaszek won't mind this draw | Photo: Biel Chess Festival

Naiditsch - Harikrishna 1.5-1.5

The game between Naiditsch and Harikrishna was almost like battle of the equals. Neither side was able to gain any substantial advantage over the other. Naiditsch was looking to create chances as he pushed with the white pieces but Harikrishna made sure nothing befalls his position.

Naiditsch had a solid draw with Harikrishna | Photo: Biel Chess Festival

Replay all games

All boards of the GMT section | Photo: Biel Chess Festival

Standings after Round 2

1 Radoslaw Wojtaszek 15
2 Vincent Keymer 14
3 Michael Adams 13.5
4 Harikrishna Pentala 13
5 Arkadij Naiditsch 10.5
6 Romain Edouard 7
7 David Anton Guijarro 5.5
8 Noel Studer 4.5

 

Details

Scoring system in Classical event: Win - 4 points, Draw - 1.5 points and Loss - 0 points.

Replay the live stream

Live commentary Part 1 by legendary Australian GM Ian Rogers | Video: Biel Chess Festival
Live commentary Part 2 by legendary Australian GM Ian Rogers | Video: Biel Chess Festival
Live commentary Part 3 by legendary Australian GM Ian Rogers | Video: Biel Chess Festival

Links

Official site