This is one of the best chess tournaments played for a long time. This year I think we got a deserving player as a champion. To begin with line up was quite impressive ( of course we did miss Vishy! ). But apart from Vallejo all others were best possible. But even he displayed some superb quality chess especially defeating and holding Topalov.
The first half which was played in Mexico was totally dominated by Leko and also by poor play by the favorite i.e. Topalov.
Second half was again dominated by Topa this time for his great comeback. Also we saw extra defensive chess by Leko.
But while all this was center of attraction Aronian was playing solid and also Radjabov did a great job. Probably they were never under pressure. I like both of their progress and especially final win for Aronian over Leko with great. Its difficult to find a win with Ruy Lepoz at this high level with black. Great Display!!
Let me discuss about performance of each player.
First the favorite - Topalov. It was actually exact year back when Topalov defeated Kasparov in the final round and got himself crowned as a world champion which he vindicated at San Luis. But after that FIDE championship some how I think he became over confident and did not show his brilliance remarkably. He was expected to run away with the championship here especially in the absence of Vishy, but he started the tournament badly. He was found with football team in Mexico!! I think he should concentrate more on game than anything else, he is not in the league of Fisher and Kasparov. His second half come back was great but he was aided by Peter Leko and in the last round tried too much. In fact he was luck to have survived Vallejo second time. In general disappointing but for me not unexpected. People should stop praising him more. He is not topzilla at all.
About Peter Svidler, in the very beginning I thought he may outplay Topa to win the tournament, after all he was fresh being not present in Corus. But very dismal performance. Bad form. No other explanation!! Should have done much better. He will lose most of the rating points from this tournament.
Peter Leko, he reminds me of one of my friend who use to bore us at local chess tournament by playing long but at the end drawn games. In first half he was remarkable. But in second half he became overcautious. He was playing each game to retain his lead and win tournament. You have to play chess and win most of your games. Not all games are winnable but still, don't like his approach to the game. Going by initial performance should have won it. I know many people must have lost money at bettson because of him. ( of course many must have won too)
Levon Aronian - SSS play i.e. solid stable and strong play. Nice temperament. Good preparation and discipline. Deservingly won the tournament. Great job! We will see him more often winning such tournaments.
Radjabov - Kind of similar to Aronian but will require more maturity and experience. But before the start of final round I thought he may actually win the tournament because for me Leko-Aronian should have been draw especially since Leko had white. Also I thought Topa will find it difficult to win with black against Vallejo as he lost to him with white. bacrot was one of the weakest player of the tournament so I thought he will win. But he agreed to early draw that too in a complicated position. I heard rumors that he was not well. But still such a draw when he may have won the championship is disappointing.
For Ivanchuk - he is genius. No temperament. He takes such a long time on certain moves that he often finds himself in time trouble. With such a style he can give us few beautiful games but no tournament wins for him.
Bacrot - he may not be called this often to such tournaments I feel. Though he kind of played near his rating, still he never showed any promise. He should take a break and work with someone or something ( program).
Vallejo Pons - His nationality probably helped him to be invited to the tournament. He played to his rating. But by defeating Topalov and holding him in final round made a big difference in outcome. Courageous shall I say.
Overall happening tournament!!
