with GM Vladimir Dimitrov
| Rank | Name | FED | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vladimir Kramnik | RUS | ** | 1 | ½ | ½ | 2 | ||||
| 2 | Alexander Morozevich | RUS | 0 | ** | ½ | 1 | 1½ | ||||
| 3 | Vishwanathan Anand | IND | ½ | ** | ½ | 1 | 2 | ||||
| 4 | Alexander Grischuk | RUS | ** | ½ | ½ | ½ | 1½ | ||||
| 5 | Peter Leko | HUN | ½ | ** | ½ | ½ | 1½ | ||||
| 6 | Boris Gelfand | ISR | ½ | ½ | ½ | ** | 1½ | ||||
| 7 | Levon Aronian | ARM | ½ | 0 | ½ | ** | 1 | ||||
| 8 | Peter Svidler | RUS | ½ | 0 | ½ | ** | 1 |
More games commented by GM Dimitrov
The two players with highest rating, the two players that are top seeded, the two players that have won a game in the World Chess Championship Mexico 2007, the two players leading the table – all of these are synonyms and refer to Vishy Anand and Vladimir Kramnik. They will engage in a tough battle in round 3 to determine the player who will take solid advantage in the standings.
Until now they have played 118 games, with 14 wins for Kramnik, 86 draws, and 18 wins for Anand (including rapid and blindfold games).
Vishy Anand started the championship in Mexico with a draw against Gelfand. Both players agreed on a draw in a position where play was left. However, Anand concentrated and grabbed a stunning victory with black against Aronian to prove he is the man to beat.
Kramnik followed a similar pattern. He started with a short draw against his friend Svidler. For that game the famous journalist Leontxo Garcia said, “To the immortal Pavarotti never even occurred to suspend a performance in the best moment just because he didn’t feel like singing. But today, Kramnik and Svidler, decided to agree on a tie in a position full of life.” Kramnik reacted to such statements playing a superb game in round 2, sacrificed a piece, and tactically outplayed Morozevich.
