12 December 2011, Kuala Lumpur – Vladimir Kramnik grabs the lead at the London Chess Classic with a Ruy Lopez Berlin Defence against Luke McShane. Kramnik has 15 points after round 8.
Chess.com reported that the dramatic showdown between Luke McShane and Vladimir Kramnik was the key game of round eight at the London Chess Classic.
Hoping to secure the outright lead, McShane took the game to Kramnik with an exchange sacrifice to create a powerful bishop with threats to Kramnik's king.
However, any advantage that McShane had achieved evaporated during time-trouble and Kramnik took the initiative, but despite being a full rook ahead the result was still far from clear.
However, eventually the tactical tricks ran out and Kramnik earned a crucial win to take the sole lead with just one round remaining.
Nigel Short managed to completely block the position against Hikaru Nakamura, and remarkably there were no captures at all until move 30! Yet "thanks" in part to the anti-draw rules, the players continued shuffling their pieces around until move 90 before a draw was mercifully agreed!
Magnus Carlsen drew his game with black against Vishy Anand, and David Howell ended his event on a positive note by holding Lev Aronian to a draw.
Pix 1. Game of the round between McShane and Kramnik. (Photo courtesy of Ray Morris-Hill at the official website)
ICC also did an analysis of the McShane-Kramnik game of the 8th Round, London Chess Classic 2011. Analysis was done by GM Suat Atalik.
The "Sofia" anti-draw rules are in operation, and the 3-1-0 scoring system adopted for London Chess Classic 2011.
To read more, please visit chess.com or click here. Or visit the official website – www.londonchessclassic.com
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