CHESS World Champions and Challengers survivor - Kasparov champion !

[Magic 8-Ball]

Group A:
Staunton / Janowski
Steinitz / Marshall
Euwe / Karpov
Keres / Aronian
Tal / Ivanchuk
Kasimdzhanov / Short

Group B:
Morphy / Bogoljubov
Lasker / Gunsberg
Smyslov / Kramnik
Polgar / Fischer
Korchnoi / Gelfand
Ponomariov / Adams

Group C:
Anderssen / Reshevsky
Capablanca / Tarrasch
Botvinnik / Anand
Shirov / Spassky
Timman / Grischuk
Zukertort / Akopian

Group D:
Alekhine / Bronstein
Petrosian / Schlechter
Kasparov / Topalov
Chigorin / Leko
Morozevich / Khalifman
Kamsky / Svidler

[big bad fab]

Less sexy, but almost as wild as Emma Peel or our lil' top model.

RESULTS OF ROUND 7:

Group A:
Staunton / Janowski =/=
Steinitz / Marshall =/=
Euwe / Karpov 0/1
Keres / Aronian 1/0
Tal / Ivanchuk 1/0
Kasimdzhanov / Short 0/1

Group B:
Morphy / Bogoljubov 1/0
Lasker / Gunsberg =/=
Smyslov / Kramnik 1/0
Polgar / Fischer 0/1
Korchnoi / Gelfand =/=
Ponomariov / Adams 1/0

Group C:
Anderssen / Reshevsky 1/0
Capablanca / Tarrasch =/=
Botvinnik / Anand 1/0
Shirov / Spassky =/=
Timman / Grischuk =/=
Zukertort / Akopian 1/0

Group D:
Alekhine / Bronstein 1/0
Petrosian / Schlechter 1/0
Kasparov / Topalov 1/0
Chigorin / Leko =/=
Morozevich / Khalifman 1/0
Kamsky / Svidler 1/0

PROVISIONAL RANKING AFTER ROUND 7:

Group A:
1. Tal 7
2. Steinitz, Karpov 6
4. Ivanchuk, Marshall 5
6. Euwe, Keres 4
8. Aronian 2
9. Staunton 1.5
10. Short 1
11. Janowski 0.5
12. Kasimdzhanov 0

Keres is again competitive. Tal is the only player to have succeeded in all his matches !

Group B:
1. Fischer, Morphy 6.5
3. Lasker, Smyslov 5
5. Polgar, Kramnik 4
7. Gunsberg, Korchnoi 3
9. Gelfand 2.5
10. Ponomariov 2
11. Adams 0.5
12. Bogoljubov 0

Gunsberg and Korchnoi have lost big, with only a draw in this round.

Group C:
1. Tarrasch, Capablanca 6
3. Botvinnik, Zukertort 5.5
5. Spassky 5
6. Shirov 4.5
7. Anand 4
8. Anderssen 3.5
9. Timman 1.5
10. Grischuk 0.5
11. Reshevsky, Akopian 0

Anand or Shirov ? Shirov or Anand ? Anderssen isn't out yet.

Group D:
1. Kasparov, Alekhine 6.5
3. Kamsky 6
4. Schlechter, Bronstein, Petrosian 4.5
7. Leko 3
8. Chigorin, Morozevich 2.5
10. Topalov 1
11. Svidler 0.5
12. Khalifman 0

It's now very difficult for Leko, as Petrosian is better.


Round 8 is now open. Here are the matches:

Group A:
Staunton / Keres
Steinitz / Kasimdzhanov
Euwe / Marshall
Tal / Aronian
Karpov / Ivanchuk
Janowski / Short

Group B:
Morphy / Korchnoi
Lasker / Ponomariov
Smyslov / Gunsberg
Gelfand / Fischer
Kramnik / Polgar
Bogoljubov / Adams

Group C:
Anderssen / Timman
Capablanca / Zukertort
Botvinnik / Tarrasch
Grischuk / Spassky
Anand / Shirov
Reshevsky / Akopian

Group D:
Alekhine / Kamsky
Petrosian / Chigorin
Kasparov / Schlechter
Topalov / Morozevich
Svidler / Khalifman
Bronstein / Leko

[big bad fab]

Group A:
Staunton / Keres
Steinitz / Kasimdzhanov
Euwe / Marshall
Tal / Aronian (it would have been interesting in RL, though)
Karpov / Ivanchuk (boredom vs magic ! )
Janowski / Short

Group B:
Morphy / Korchnoi
Lasker / Ponomariov (I try to have some suspense )
Smyslov / Gunsberg
Gelfand / Fischer
Kramnik / Polgar
Bogoljubov / Adams (at last some point for Bogo ?)

Group C:
Anderssen / Timman
Capablanca / Zukertort (a difficult one, really)
Botvinnik / Tarrasch
Grischuk / Spassky
Anand / Shirov (this is THE match of this round, given their ranking)
Reshevsky / Akopian

Group D:
Alekhine / Kamsky
Petrosian / Chigorin
Kasparov / Schlechter
Topalov / Morozevich (I don't know, in fact)
Svidler / Khalifman
Bronstein / Leko

[Hans-im-Glück]

Group A:
Staunton / Keres
Steinitz / Kasimdzhanov
Euwe / Marshall
Tal / Aronian
Karpov / Ivanchuk
Janowski / Short

Group B:
Morphy / Korchnoi
Lasker / Ponomariov
Smyslov / Gunsberg
Gelfand / Fischer
Kramnik / Polgar
Bogoljubov / Adams

Group C:
Anderssen / Timman
Capablanca / Zukertort
Botvinnik / Tarrasch
Grischuk / Spassky
Anand / Shirov
Reshevsky / Akopian

Group D:
Alekhine / Kamsky
Petrosian / Chigorin
Kasparov / Schlechter
Topalov / Morozevich
Svidler / Khalifman
Bronstein / Leko

[big bad fab]

Don't be afraid by our players !

[Magic 8-Ball]

Group A:
Staunton / Keres
Steinitz / Kasimdzhanov
Euwe / Marshall
Tal / Aronian
Karpov / Ivanchuk
Janowski / Short

Group B:
Morphy / Korchnoi
Lasker / Ponomariov
Smyslov / Gunsberg
Gelfand / Fischer
Kramnik / Polgar
Bogoljubov / Adams

Group C:
Anderssen / Timman
Capablanca / Zukertort
Botvinnik / Tarrasch
Grischuk / Spassky
Anand / Shirov
Reshevsky / Akopian

Group D:
Alekhine / Kamsky
Petrosian / Chigorin
Kasparov / Schlechter
Topalov / Morozevich
Svidler / Khalifman
Bronstein / Leko

[Edu]

Group A:
Staunton / Keres
Steinitz / Kasimdzhanov
Euwe / Marshall
Tal / Aronian
Karpov / Ivanchuk
Janowski / Short

Group B:
Morphy / Korchnoi
Lasker / Ponomariov
Smyslov / Gunsberg
Gelfand / Fischer
Kramnik / Polgar
Bogoljubov / Adams

Group C:
Anderssen / Timman
Capablanca / Zukertort
Botvinnik / Tarrasch
Grischuk / Spassky
Anand / Shirov
Reshevsky / Akopian

Group D:
Alekhine / Kamsky
Petrosian / Chigorin
Kasparov / Schlechter
Topalov / Morozevich
Svidler / Khalifman
Bronstein / Leko

[big bad fab]

A funny chess board, but I don't want to forget Magic and his "basic needs", so here is Kosteniuk again, ready to play and to fight....:



RESULTS OF ROUND 8:

Group A:
Staunton / Keres 0/1
Steinitz / Kasimdzhanov 1/0
Euwe / Marshall 0/1
Tal / Aronian 1/0
Karpov / Ivanchuk =/=
Janowski / Short 1/0

Group B:
Morphy / Korchnoi 1/0
Lasker / Ponomariov =/=
Smyslov / Gunsberg 1/0
Gelfand / Fischer 0/1
Kramnik / Polgar 0/1
Bogoljubov / Adams 1/0

Group C:
Anderssen / Timman 1/0
Capablanca / Zukertort 1/0
Botvinnik / Tarrasch =/=
Grischuk / Spassky 0/1
Anand / Shirov 0/1
Reshevsky / Akopian 1/0

Group D:
Alekhine / Kamsky 1/0
Petrosian / Chigorin 1/0
Kasparov / Schlechter 1/0
Topalov / Morozevich 0/1
Svidler / Khalifman =/=
Bronstein / Leko =/=


PROVISIONAL RANKING AFTER ROUND 8:

Group A:
1. Tal 8
2. Steinitz 7
3. Karpov 6.5
4. Marshall 6
5. Ivanchuk 5.5
6. Keres 5
7. Euwe 4
8. Aronian 2
9. Staunton, Janowski 1.5
11. Short 1
12. Kasimdzhanov 0

Euwe is now out, but can still make it. Ivanchuk isn't safe yet, but it's only theoretical. Tal is still the only player to have succeeded in all his matches !

Group B:
1. Fischer, Morphy 7.5
3. Smyslov 6
4. Lasker 5.5
5. Polgar 5
6. Kramnik 4
7. Gunsberg, Korchnoi 3
9. Gelfand, Ponomariov 2.5
11. Bogoljubov 1
12. Adams 0.5

Gunsberg and Korchnoi can still beat Kramnik but it will be hard, of course. Polgar is nearing qualification.

Group C:
1. Capablanca 7
2. Tarrasch 6.5
3. Botvinnik, Spassky 6
5. Zukertort, Shirov 5.5
7. Anderssen 4.5
8. Anand 4
9. Timman 1.5
10. Reshevsky 1
11. Grischuk 0.5
12. Akopian 0

Anand is of course the big loser and is probably done, but Zukertort had a bad round too. And Shirov is the big winner. Again, Anderssen isn't out yet.

Group D:
1. Kasparov, Alekhine 7.5
3. Kamsky 6
4. Petrosian 5.5
5. Bronstein 5
6. Schlechter 4.5
7. Leko, Morozevich 3.5
8. Chigorin 2.5
10. Topalov, Svidler 1
12. Khalifman 0.5

Petrosian is probably safe and Bronstein too. Schlechter is now threatened, even if it will be hard for Leko and Morozevich.


Round 9 is now open. Here are the matches:

Group A:
Staunton / Short
Steinitz / Karpov
Euwe / Keres
Tal / Kasimdzhanov
Marshall / Ivanchuk
Janowski / Aronian

Group B:
Morphy / Adams
Lasker / Kramnik
Smyslov / Korchnoi
Ponomariov / Fischer
Gunsberg / Polgar
Bogoljubov / Gelfand

Group C:
Anderssen / Akopian
Capablanca / Anand
Botvinnik / Timman
Zukertort / Spassky
Tarrasch / Shirov
Reshevsky / Grischuk

Group D:
Alekhine / Leko
Petrosian / Topalov
Kasparov / Kamsky
Schlechter / Morozevich
Chigorin / Khalifman
Bronstein / Svidler

[big bad fab]

Darth Vader as a Queen ?!?
With chess, everything is possible !

After this round, there will be only 2 left. So, calculations are on !

Group A:
Staunton / Short
Steinitz / Karpov (another big fight !)
Euwe / Keres
Tal / Kasimdzhanov
Marshall / Ivanchuk
Janowski / Aronian

Group B:
Morphy / Adams
Lasker / Kramnik
Smyslov / Korchnoi
Ponomariov / Fischer
Gunsberg / Polgar
Bogoljubov / Gelfand

Group C:
Anderssen / Akopian
Capablanca / Anand (poor Anand, bad round again)
Botvinnik / Timman
Zukertort / Spassky (saving champion Zukertort)
Tarrasch / Shirov
Reshevsky / Grischuk

Group D:
Alekhine / Leko
Petrosian / Topalov (I know I'll lose here...)
Kasparov / Kamsky
Schlechter / Morozevich (just for the suspense !)
Chigorin / Khalifman
Bronstein / Svidler

[Magic 8-Ball]

Group A:
Staunton / Short
Steinitz / Karpov
Euwe / Keres
Tal / Kasimdzhanov
Marshall / Ivanchuk
Janowski / Aronian

Group B:
Morphy / Adams
Lasker / Kramnik
Smyslov / Korchnoi
Ponomariov / Fischer
Gunsberg / Polgar
Bogoljubov / Gelfand

Group C:
Anderssen / Akopian
Capablanca / Anand ()
Botvinnik / Timman
Zukertort / Spassky
Tarrasch / Shirov
Reshevsky / Grischuk

Group D:
Alekhine / Leko
Petrosian / Topalov
Kasparov / Kamsky
Schlechter / Morozevich
Chigorin / Khalifman
Bronstein / Svidler

[Magic 8-Ball]

A funny chess board, but I don't want to forget Magic and his "basic needs", so here is Kosteniuk again, ready to play and to fight....:

Yes, I quite prefer her to the girls from the last round, especially the one with the misshapen head and the hairy continental girl.

[big bad fab]

At the end of round 11, I'll be able to list the matches of next stage.

I hope the first 6 in each group will have different results. But there'll probably be some identical results.

So, I'll first take into account results between tied players. Next, I'll take into account results against players better ranked. Then, I'll take into account results against each player less well ranked.

It's a bit as in RL, though I can't have Elo rankings for every player !

So, even if there isn't any more suspense for Tal, Kasparov, Fischer, Morphy or Capablanca, being as high as possible is still at stake for them (and the others), as the first one in one group will fight against the sixth one in another group, and so on.

[Hans-im-Glück]

Group A:
Staunton / Short
Steinitz / Karpov
Euwe / Keres
Tal / Kasimdzhanov
Marshall / Ivanchuk
Janowski / Aronian

Group B:
Morphy / Adams
Lasker / Kramnik
Smyslov / Korchnoi
Ponomariov / Fischer
Gunsberg / Polgar
Bogoljubov / Gelfand

Group C:
Anderssen / Akopian
Capablanca / Anand
Botvinnik / Timman
Zukertort / Spassky
Tarrasch / Shirov
Reshevsky / Grischuk

Group D:
Alekhine / Leko
Petrosian / Topalov
Kasparov / Kamsky
Schlechter / Morozevich
Chigorin / Khalifman
Bronstein / Svidler

[Edu]

Group A:
Staunton / Short
Steinitz / Karpov
Euwe / Keres
Tal / Kasimdzhanov
Marshall / Ivanchuk
Janowski / Aronian

Group B:
Morphy / Adams
Lasker / Kramnik
Smyslov / Korchnoi
Ponomariov / Fischer
Gunsberg / Polgar
Bogoljubov / Gelfand

Group C:
Anderssen / Akopian
Capablanca / Anand
Botvinnik / Timman
Zukertort / Spassky
Tarrasch / Shirov
Reshevsky / Grischuk

Group D:
Alekhine / Leko
Petrosian / Topalov
Kasparov / Kamsky
Schlechter / Morozevich
Chigorin / Khalifman
Bronstein / Svidler

[big bad fab]

Fortunately, X-Men include many girls:



RESULTS OF ROUND 9:

Group A:
Staunton / Short =/=
Steinitz / Karpov =/=
Euwe / Keres 0/1
Tal / Kasimdzhanov 1/0
Marshall / Ivanchuk =/=
Janowski / Aronian =/=

Group B:
Morphy / Adams 1/0
Lasker / Kramnik 1/0
Smyslov / Korchnoi 1/0
Ponomariov / Fischer 0/1
Gunsberg / Polgar 0/1
Bogoljubov / Gelfand =/=

Group C:
Anderssen / Akopian 1/0
Capablanca / Anand 1/0
Botvinnik / Timman 1/0
Zukertort / Spassky =/=
Tarrasch / Shirov 1/0
Reshevsky / Grischuk 1/0

Group D:
Alekhine / Leko 1/0
Petrosian / Topalov 1/0
Kasparov / Kamsky 1/0
Schlechter / Morozevich 0/1
Chigorin / Khalifman 1/0
Bronstein / Svidler 1/0


PROVISIONAL RANKING AFTER ROUND 9:

Group A:
1. Tal 9
2. Steinitz 7.5
3. Karpov 7
4. Marshall 6.5
5. Ivanchuk, Keres 6
7. Euwe 4
8. Aronian 2.5
9. Staunton, Janowski 2
11. Short 1.5
12. Kasimdzhanov 0

Euwe can only make it if he wins and both Keres and Ivanchuk lose... So, it's over.
The last question is whether Tal will finished with 100% of possible points.

Group B:
1. Fischer, Morphy 8.5
3. Smyslov 7
4. Lasker 6.5
5. Polgar 6
6. Kramnik 4
7. Gunsberg, Korchnoi, Gelfand 3
9. Ponomariov 2.5
11. Bogoljubov 1.5
12. Adams 0.5

Kramnik isn't very strong but he'll probably qualify himself, as his followers aren't stronger.
Will Fischer and Morphy remain side by side ?

Group C:
1. Capablanca 8
2. Tarrasch 7.5
3. Botvinnik 7
4. Spassky 6.5
5. Zukertort 6
6. Shirov, Anderssen 5.5
8. Anand 4
9. Reshevsky 2
10. Timman 1.5
11. Grischuk 0.5
12. Akopian 0

This is the big suspense: Shirov or Anderssen ? It's amazing that it's between 2 romantic and spectacular players... I'm sad because it will be difficult for me to decide, but I know that you'll do it for me... Shirov is the favourite, eh ?

Group D:
1. Kasparov, Alekhine 8.5
3. Petrosian 6.5
4. Kamsky, Bronstein 6
6. Schlechter, Morozevich 4.5
7. Leko, Chigorin 3.5
10. Topalov, Svidler 1
12. Khalifman 0.5

Another suspense here, between Schlechter and Morozevich. Less "sexy" but maybe more tied than Anderssen/Shirov. And Leko and Chigorin can theoretically beat those 2...
And of course there is a small battle for supremacy between Kasparov and Alekhine.


Round 10 is now open. Here are the matches:

Group A:
Staunton / Aronian
Steinitz / Tal
Euwe / Ivanchuk
Karpov / Kasimdzhanov
Marshall / Short
Janowski / Keres

Group B:
Morphy / Gelfand
Lasker / Fischer
Smyslov / Polgar
Ponomariov / Kramnik
Gunsberg / Adams
Bogoljubov / Korchnoi

Group C:
Anderssen / Grischuk
Capablanca / Spassky
Botvinnik / Shirov
Zukertort / Anand
Tarrasch / Akopian
Reshevsky / Timman

Group D:
Alekhine / Svidler
Petrosian / Khalifman
Kasparov / Morozevich
Schlechter / Leko
Chigorin / Topalov
Bronstein / Kamsky

[big bad fab]

Group A:
Staunton / Aronian
Steinitz / Tal (wow, what a match it would have been)
Euwe / Ivanchuk
Karpov / Kasimdzhanov
Marshall / Short
Janowski / Keres

Group B:
Morphy / Gelfand
Lasker / Fischer (it would have been psychologically very interesting...!)
Smyslov / Polgar
Ponomariov / Kramnik
Gunsberg / Adams
Bogoljubov / Korchnoi

Group C:
Anderssen / Grischuk
Capablanca / Spassky
Botvinnik / Shirov (a hard one for Shirov)
Zukertort / Anand
Tarrasch / Akopian
Reshevsky / Timman

Group D:
Alekhine / Svidler
Petrosian / Khalifman
Kasparov / Morozevich (very difficult for Morozevich here...)
Schlechter / Leko
Chigorin / Topalov
Bronstein / Kamsky (interesting one)

[Magic 8-Ball]

Group A:
Staunton / Aronian
Steinitz / Tal
Euwe / Ivanchuk
Karpov / Kasimdzhanov
Marshall / Short
Janowski / Keres

Group B:
Morphy / Gelfand
Lasker / Fischer
Smyslov / Polgar
Ponomariov / Kramnik
Gunsberg / Adams
Bogoljubov / Korchnoi

Group C:
Anderssen / Grischuk
Capablanca / Spassky
Botvinnik / Shirov
Zukertort / Anand
Tarrasch / Akopian
Reshevsky / Timman

Group D:
Alekhine / Svidler
Petrosian / Khalifman
Kasparov / Morozevich
Schlechter / Leko
Chigorin / Topalov
Bronstein / Kamsky

[Hans-im-Glück]

Group A:
Staunton / Aronian
Steinitz / Tal
Euwe / Ivanchuk
Karpov / Kasimdzhanov
Marshall / Short
Janowski / Keres

Group B:
Morphy / Gelfand
Lasker / Fischer
Smyslov / Polgar
Ponomariov / Kramnik
Gunsberg / Adams
Bogoljubov / Korchnoi

Group C:
Anderssen / Grischuk
Capablanca / Spassky
Botvinnik / Shirov
Zukertort / Anand
Tarrasch / Akopian
Reshevsky / Timman

Group D:
Alekhine / Svidler
Petrosian / Khalifman
Kasparov / Morozevich
Schlechter / Leko
Chigorin / Topalov
Bronstein / Kamsky

[Edu]

Group A:
Staunton / Aronian
Steinitz / Tal
Euwe / Ivanchuk
Karpov / Kasimdzhanov
Marshall / Short
Janowski / Keres

Group B:
Morphy / Gelfand
Lasker / Fischer
Smyslov / Polgar
Ponomariov / Kramnik
Gunsberg / Adams
Bogoljubov / Korchnoi

Group C:
Anderssen / Grischuk
Capablanca / Spassky
Botvinnik / Shirov
Zukertort / Anand
Tarrasch / Akopian
Reshevsky / Timman

Group D:
Alekhine / Svidler
Petrosian / Khalifman
Kasparov / Morozevich
Schlechter / Leko
Chigorin / Topalov
Bronstein / Kamsky

[big bad fab]

Superman, Blade Runner... mmmm... nothing very interesting for Magic here...
Well, until next round, you can have some "support" here:



RESULTS OF ROUND 10:

Group A:
Staunton / Aronian =/=
Steinitz / Tal =/=
Euwe / Ivanchuk 0/1
Karpov / Kasimdzhanov 1/0
Marshall / Short 1/0
Janowski / Keres 0/1

Group B:
Morphy / Gelfand 1/0
Lasker / Fischer 0/1
Smyslov / Polgar =/=
Ponomariov / Kramnik 0/1
Gunsberg / Adams 1/0
Bogoljubov / Korchnoi 0/1

Group C:
Anderssen / Grischuk 1/0
Capablanca / Spassky 1/0
Botvinnik / Shirov =/=
Zukertort / Anand 1/0
Tarrasch / Akopian 1/0
Reshevsky / Timman =/=

Group D:
Alekhine / Svidler 1/0
Petrosian / Khalifman 1/0
Kasparov / Morozevich 1/0
Schlechter / Leko 0/1
Chigorin / Topalov =/=
Bronstein / Kamsky =/=


PROVISIONAL RANKING AFTER ROUND 10:

Group A:
1. Tal 9.5
2. Steinitz, Karpov 8
4. Marshall 7.5
5. Ivanchuk, Keres 7
7. Euwe 4
8. Aronian 3
9. Staunton 2.5
10. Janowski 2
11. Short 1.5
12. Kasimdzhanov 0

It's over, now. The only thing at stake is the ranking of the first 6 players.
And, for the first time, Tal hasn't prevailed !

Group B:
1. Fischer, Morphy 9.5
3. Smyslov 7.5
4. Lasker, Polgar 6.5
6. Kramnik 5
7. Gunsberg, Korchnoi 4
9. Gelfand 3
10. Ponomariov 2.5
11. Bogoljubov 1.5
12. Adams 0.5

Kramnik isn't safe yet, but if he doesn't lose AND if both Gunsberg aand Korchnoi don't win, it'll be OK for him. But his problem is that he fights against Fischer.

Group C:
1. Capablanca 9
2. Tarrasch 8.5
3. Botvinnik 7.5
4. Zukertort 7
5. Spassky, Anderssen 6.5
7. Shirov 6
8. Anand 4
9. Reshevsky 2.5
10. Timman 2
11. Grischuk 0.5
12. Akopian 0

Nothing is done, here. Shirov is behind, but he can still make it. Anderssen is still threatened, but Spassky is also in a worse position than anticipated. Even if, theoretically, he can still lose, Zukertort is almost OK.
Guess what ? There is a match Anderssen/Shirov in the last round !

Group D:
1. Kasparov, Alekhine 9.5
3. Petrosian 7.5
4. Kamsky, Bronstein 6.5
6. Schlechter, Morozevich, Leko 4.5
9. Chigorin 4
10. Topalov 1.5
11. Svidler 1
12. Khalifman 0.5

The big suspense is now here, as Schlechter, Morozevich and Leko, but also Chigorin, are all contenders for the sixth place.
It will be easier for Leko (vs Svidler), than for Schlechter (vs Kamsky), for Chigorin (vs Bronstein) and especially for Morozevich (vs Alekhine !).


Round 11 is now open. Here are the matches:

Group A:
Staunton / Ivanchuk
Steinitz / Euwe
Tal / Karpov
Janowski / Kasimdzhanov
Marshall / Keres
Short / Aronian

Group B:
Morphy / Polgar
Lasker / Smyslov
Adams / Gelfand
Fischer / Kramnik
Gunsberg / Korchnoi
Bogoljubov / Ponomariov

Group C:
Anderssen / Shirov
Capablanca / Botvinnik
Akopian / Grischuk
Spassky / Anand
Tarrasch / Timman
Reshevsky / Zukertort

Group D:
Alekhine / Morozevich
Petrosian / Kasparov
Leko / Svidler
Schlechter / Kamsky
Khalifman / Topalov
Bronstein / Chigorin

[big bad fab]

Group A:
Staunton / Ivanchuk
Steinitz / Euwe
Tal / Karpov
Janowski / Kasimdzhanov
Marshall / Keres
Short / Aronian

Group B:
Morphy / Polgar
Lasker / Smyslov
Adams / Gelfand
Fischer / Kramnik
Gunsberg / Korchnoi
Bogoljubov / Ponomariov

Group C:
Anderssen / Shirov (argh... what should I do ?? well, I think that, anyway, Shirov will prevail)
Capablanca / Botvinnik
Akopian / Grischuk
Spassky / Anand
Tarrasch / Timman
Reshevsky / Zukertort

Group D:
Alekhine / Morozevich
Petrosian / Kasparov
Leko / Svidler ("forced" move, as I really hate Svidler... Leko is lucky in this round)
Schlechter / Kamsky (I can't drop Schlechter like that...)
Khalifman / Topalov
Bronstein / Chigorin

[Hans-im-Glück]

Group A:
Staunton / Ivanchuk
Steinitz / Euwe
Tal  / Karpov
Janowski / Kasimdzhanov
Marshall / Keres
Short / Aronian

Group B:
Morphy / Polgar
Lasker / Smyslov
Adams / Gelfand
Fischer / Kramnik
Gunsberg / Korchnoi
Bogoljubov / Ponomariov

Group C:
Anderssen / Shirov
Capablanca / Botvinnik
Akopian / Grischuk
Spassky / Anand
Tarrasch / Timman
Reshevsky / Zukertort

Group D:
Alekhine / Morozevich
Petrosian / Kasparov
Leko / Svidler
Schlechter / Kamsky
Khalifman / Topalov
Bronstein / Chigorin

[big bad fab]

Well, Jack Daniel doesn't seem to be a "player" who has convinced you to take part in, my friends.
I'm really forced to post more suggestive photos...
Even Edu seems to vote only when there are some
(how hypocritical I am... )

Remember this one ?



I should have made it more complete, always with black and white theme:



Don't worry (or...?), next round will be a blonde one.

And don't tell Kal I'm using the cover of this seemingly boring survivor to ressuscitate a "hot girls thread" !


More seriously, matches of next round will be as follows:
1A / 6D
1B / 6C
1C / 6B
1D / 6A
2A / 5D
2B / 5C
2C / 5B
2D / 5A
3A / 4D
3B / 4C
3C / 4B
3D / 4A

[Magic 8-Ball]

Mmm, whiskey and Lucy Liu.  What an enticing combination.

Group A:
Staunton / Ivanchuk
Steinitz / Euwe
Tal / Karpov
Janowski / Kasimdzhanov
Marshall / Keres
Short / Aronian

Group B:
Morphy / Polgar
Lasker / Smyslov
Adams / Gelfand
Fischer / Kramnik
Gunsberg / Korchnoi
Bogoljubov / Ponomariov

Group C:
Anderssen / Shirov
Capablanca / Botvinnik
Akopian / Grischuk
Spassky / Anand
Tarrasch / Timman
Reshevsky / Zukertort

Group D:
Alekhine / Morozevich
Petrosian / Kasparov
Leko / Svidler
Schlechter / Kamsky
Khalifman / Topalov
Bronstein / Chigorin

[Edu]

Group A:
Staunton / Ivanchuk
Steinitz / Euwe
Tal / Karpov
Janowski / Kasimdzhanov
Marshall / Keres
Short / Aronian

Group B:
Morphy / Polgar
Lasker / Smyslov
Adams / Gelfand
Fischer / Kramnik
Gunsberg / Korchnoi
Bogoljubov / Ponomariov

Group C:
Anderssen / Shirov
Capablanca / Botvinnik
Akopian / Grischuk
Spassky / Anand
Tarrasch / Timman
Reshevsky / Zukertort

Group D:
Alekhine / Morozevich
Petrosian / Kasparov
Leko / Svidler
Schlechter / Kamsky
Khalifman / Topalov
Bronstein / Chigorin