International News Today - May 15, 2011

[Fred McKim]

Rounds two and three of the Candidates semi-finals packed a bit more of a punch than round 1, but the result was the same. Tomorrow Kramnik and Gelfand try to win against Grischuk and Kamsky in their respective matches in regulation with the advantage of the white pieces. Play starts at 7am EDT.

Round 4 of the Capablanca is just finishing, but after three rounds Vassily Ivanchuk (UKR), David Navara (CZE), and Le Quang Liam (VIE) share the lead in the Elite group with 2/3. Mark Bluvshtein has grabbed sole possession of 1st place in the Premiere section with 2.5/3.

[Fred McKim]

OK. The original post had the wrong date, it's now really the 15th !!

Another day at the Candidates, another pair of draws. Today the Kramnik-Grischuk game was very eventful but ended with a perpetual by Kramnik to save the position. Rapid play-off matches start tomorrow,

Last night Ivanchuk lost his round 4 game to Bruzon and first place standing in Havana. Dmitry Andreikin won his game and now is in the 1st place tie (2.5/4) with David Navara and Le Quang Liem, who drew. Mark Bluvshtein drew his round 4 games, but still maintains a 1/2 pt lead on the field.

After 8 rounds at the European Women's Championship, Viktorija Cmilyte (LTE) and Bela Khotenashvili (GEO) are in the lead with 6.5. Most of higher rated players are at 6 and 5.5. The top 14 qualify for the 2012 Womens World Championship/Cup Event. Total of 11 rounds.