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[Mick Norris]

Interesting pairings; chances for both MVL & Radjabov

A win for Aronian would put Mamedyarov in the Candidates (as 2-3 for MVL & Radjabov would give them both 125 points, which isn't going to be enough for MVL), but if he doesn't win, and MVL & Radjabov both do, then 1-3 would give MVL & Radjabov 140 points, meaning both would qualify

That would need draw on boards 3 and 4 though

chess.com round 8 report

[JustinHorton]

Not an implausible scenario, that.

[Mick Norris]

If Aronian is unwell, he's unlikely to beat Naka with black EDIT move 26, looks less likely

Could be an exciting finish; good that it is all still to play for at this final stage

[JustinHorton]

Chessbomb seem to be having transmission problems (so I've moved to Chessbase).

[Paul Cooksey]

Looks like Naka has decided to halve out against Aronian

[LawrenceCooper]

Looks like Naka has decided to halve out against Aronian

Really?

[Paul Cooksey]

well I thought so, drawish theoretical line in Marshall. but he is pressing, as you imply

MVL looks like he has a great chance

[Roger de Coverly]

drawish theoretical line in Marshall. but he is pressing, as you imply

Naka is a pawn ahead in an ending, admittedly with the drawish Marshall queen side pawn structure and facing a Bishop pair. You can play on with little chance of losing and he's now got Aronian to sacrifice a second pawn.

[JustinHorton]

Tomashevsky draws with Ding, to nobody's particular surprise.

[JustinHorton]

Harikrishna draws with Svidler.

[LawrenceCooper]

Six draws already with just Nakamura-Aronian, MVL-Jakovenko & Radjabov-Rapport still in play.

[JustinHorton]

Vallejo Pons should have done better against Giri, who currently seems a shadow of the player he was only a couple of years ago.

[LawrenceCooper]

Vallejo Pons should have done better against Giri, who currently seems a shadow of the player he was only a couple of years ago.

He did play a 140 move game yesterday though so can probably be excused settling for a perpetual with black today.

[JustinHorton]

Radjabov has the sort of position that if Carlsen had it, you'd be chalking up the point already. But not necessarily if anybody else had it.

[LawrenceCooper]

Rather a sad capitulation from MVL although Jakovenko won't be complaining.