Radjabov and Adams move into the lead

Inarkiev recovered from yesterday's defeat, Cheparinov lost again (updated)

Round 2 results:

Kamsky Gata 2726 ½ - ½ Navara David 2672
Grischuk Alexander 2716 ½ - ½ Karjakin Sergey 2732
Adams Michael 2729 1 - 0 Cheparinov Ivan 2695
Bacrot Etienne 2705 0 - 1 Radjabov Teimour 2751
Yue Wang 2689 ½ - ½ Gashimov Vugar 2679
Svidler Peter 2746 ½ - ½ Carlsen Magnus 2765
Inarkiev Ernesto 2684 1 - 0 Mamedyarov Shakhriyar 2752

Tomorrow LIVE on Chessdom: Magnus Carlsen vs Ernesto Inarkiev. See you there!

All news about Baku Grand Prix

A quick 19-move perpetual check in the game Grischuk-Karjakin was seen as a slap in the face by outraged FIDE representatives. The tournament is being played under the Sofia rules which prohibit draw proposals and it is unclear if the players have tried to bypass the system. After the game, Karjakin said he's trying his best in every game, while Grischuk explained that he is still searching for his best form. Grischuk spoke in favor of Sofia rules, claiming that it forces players to make better games.

Zurab Azmaiparashvili, who is acting as FIDE special adviser for Sofia rules, expressed his disappointment that there is no adequate legal framework for these rules as of yet. At the present, there is no way to stop players from making a threefold repetition.

Inarkiev recovered after yesterday's unpleasant episode and defeated Mamedyarov with white pieces. Mamedyarov admitted on more than one occasion that opening preparation is his weakest spot. This time he opted for Pirc defence and reached equal position, but then, in his own words, he "made a couple of empty moves" allowing Inarkiev to seize the advantage. Black resigned shortly before the time control.

Svidler-Carlsen ended in a draw after correct play from both sides in the Open Ruy Lopez. Adams employed a tricky Moscow variation (3.Bb5+) in order to prevent Cheparinov from playing his favorite Naidorf Sicilian. Black should be able to equalize in this line, but once Cheparinov locked his rook on b6, Adams got something to play against. White regrouping on the kingside got black nervous and he overreacted with 32...d5? A quick 33.Rf3! was key in reaching a rook endgame with extra pawn, which Adams skillfully converted into full point.

Seeing Gashimov to play his pet Benoni defence didn't come as a surprise for Wang Yue. The Chinese tried with fashionable fianchetto variation, but Gashimov was well prepared and ideally distributed black pieces on all fronts. A status quo was reached before the time control and soon both of them started repeating moves trying not to spoil the position with uncalled activity. Draw was agreed on move 46.

Navara used Chebanenko Slav against Kamsky, an opening that American Grandmaster likes to play himself. White made it into the middlegame with small advantage, mainly consisting of more active pieces and queenside majority. Massive exchanges transposed the game into material-wise equal ending, but with two connected passed pawns for white. Navara defended with precision and took a well deserved draw. Read also David Navara's profile, written in his own words.

The longest game of the day was Sveshnikov Sicilian battle between Bacrot and Radjabov. Bacrot sacrificed a pawn in order to reach the position with opposite-colored bishops where both sides had better attacking chances. After exchanging a pair of rooks, Radjabov started moving his kingside majority forward. Combined power of rook and bishop allowed black to advance his f-pawn and lock white pieces in passivity. Bacrot made a terrible blunder with 59. Kg2 and lost on the spot. Radjabov said later that game was exhausting.

Michael Adams and Teimour Radjabov

Round 2 standings:

1-4. Kamsky Gata 2726 USA, Radjabov Teimour 2751 AZE, Adams Michael 2729 ENG and Grischuk Alexander 2716 RUS - 1½
5-11. Karjakin Sergey 2732 UKR, Navara David 2672 CZE, Carlsen Magnus 2765 NOR, Yue Wang 2689 CHN, Gashimov Vugar 2679 AZE, Svidler Peter 2746 RUS and Inarkiev Ernesto 2684 RUS - 1.0
12-13. Mamedyarov Shakhriyar 2752 AZE and Bacrot Etienne 2705 FRA - ½
14. Cheparinov Ivan 2695 BUL - 0.0

Round 3 on 23rd April at 15:00 local time

Mamedyarov Shakhriyar 2752 - Kamsky Gata 2726
Carlsen Magnus 2765 - Inarkiev Ernesto 2684
Gashimov Vugar 2679 - Svidler Peter 2746
Radjabov Teimour 2751 - Yue Wang 2689
Cheparinov Ivan 2695 - Bacrot Etienne 2705
Karjakin Sergey 2732 - Adams Michael 2729
Navara David 2672 - Grischuk Alexander 2716