[imagefield_assist|fid=14261|preset=fullsize|lightbox=true|title=GM Magnus Carlsen and GM Vladimir Kramnik played to a round-three draw.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=700|height=523]
A slow start: Rounds 1-3
The 2011 Tal Memorial saw a slow start for three players. After three rounds, Hikaru has 2 draws and 1 loss. Kramnik also has 2 draws after losing in round 1 to "Nepo," and worst of all is Gelfand, who after drawing Hikaru in round 1 has lost two straight, clear last with 0.5 out of 3. As expected, nobody is running away with the event. Ivanchuk started well, beating Svidler, then was much better with black against "Nepo" but had to settle for a draw in the pawn up ending. "Chucky's" good fortune came to an end though as he lost with white to Aronian's Berlin wall in round 3.
Carlsen has had three totally crazy games, and is tied for first with +1. The tournament is very exciting thus far, with only Anand seeming to be lackluster, with three somewhat boring and short draws.
Nakamura had two solid draws with Gelfand and Karjakin, then lost a tough game to Svidler in round 3. Hikaru was a bit better, but faltered in time trouble, as Svidler played magnificently.
[imagefield_assist|fid=14262|preset=fullsize|lightbox=true|title=GM Hikaru Nakamura and GM Levon Aronian talk to the press following their round-five draw.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=700|height=523]
Lots of Draws: Rounds 4-5
The middle rounds of the event saw all draws. At this level, most of the games are drawn, but this tournament has a 40-move draw rule (except for repetitions), and the players have obviously come to fight.
Hikaru played excellently against "Nepo" and built up a winning advantage with the black pieces after white played bizarrely with lots of backward knight maneuvers, handing Hikaru the two bishops. "Nepo" sacrificed a piece, and Hikaru was unable to find 38...Qc7! which should win. Both players thought white had a strong initiative in that case, but the cold-blooded chess engines defend and keep the extra piece. Hikaru expected to win the rook endgame. Although it was likely a win, it was far from easy, and excellent defense by white saved the day.
Hikaru was white against Aronian, and in an extremely complex game, Levon sacrificed the exchange to open up Hikaru's king. The chess engines always think the game is about equal, although both players thought black had the chances throughout. A well-played game ending in an exciting draw.
The rest day was interesting, as a Chess Parlour (food, drinks, chatting, and chess!) took place in the evening with the players, seconds, friends, and special guests. I witnessed some interesting bughouse battles with GMs Max Dlugy, Nakamura, Karjakin, Aronian, and WIM Arianne Caoli.
The standings (in + and -) are the same after rounds 3, 4, and 5, and nobody has been able to win two games yet! Also, black has a nice plus score this event, which is quite rare at this level.
1-4 Carlsen, Karjakin, Aronian, Nepo: 3
5-7 Ivanchuk, Svidler, Anand: 2.5
8-9 Kramnik, Nakamura: 2
10 Gelfand: 1.5
