Radja lost to Aronian

In an early original position out of the Nimzo, Rajabov interestingly played 15.Bh4?!, trying to benefit from the open f-file initiative (15.Bf4 was a calmer alternative). At first glance, Radja's 17.Be1? looks powerful, but 18…Qc5! changes that assessment in a hurry. In the forced sequence that followed, we saw an ending with black up a pawn, and white trying to justify this deficit by generating some play against black's slight development lag. After some piece shuffling black fully consolidated, and despite heroic tries by the Azeri, the latter had to acknowledge capitulation.

In his turn World's No. 1 Bulgarian Veselin Topalov crashed World's No. 2 Vishi Anand and became a new leader at the tournament. Rajabov holds a second place.

Standings after round 8

1. V. Topalov 6
2. T. Radjabov 5 1/2
3. S. Karjakin
L. Aronian
P. Svidler
V. Kramnik 5
7. D. Navara
V. Anand 4
9. R. Ponomariov 3 1/2
10. L. van Wely
S. Tiviakov
A. Motylev 3
13. M. Carlsen 2 1/2
14. A. Shirov 1 1/2

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