Olafsson - Navara
The third round of the Reykjavik Open started with some interesting pairings. The ratings differences are still big but the lower rated players are really looking for their chance to get a GM scalp.
The fact that two rounds are being played on the same day increases the probability of upsets taking place. Even the strongest GMs of the world get tired and may commit blunders under the pressure.
Participants / Follow the games live
David Navara, who arrived to Iceland as the third seed, has drawn another game against a weaker opponent. This time it was Icelandic GM Fridrik Olafsson the one who held the strong Czech Grandmaster to a draw. Furthermore, it was Olafsson the one who could have kept playing for a win in the final position. Navara will need to show some strong chess in the next rounds because he cannot keep giving points away if he wants to win the event.
Another strong player who is in trouble is Dutch GM Ivan Sokolov. The experienced Ivan decided to take a bye on today’s morning round, probably to save some energy. However, he is now in a difficult defensive position against American FM Adarsh Yarakumar, who has a strong passed pawn that might decide the game in his favor.
