Semi-Slav 101: 6.Qc2 Bd6 7.Bd3--Gelfand is through to finals

Gelfand's game today from the World Cup continues the Semi-Slav discussion whereby White avoids both the Meran and the sharper Bg5 lines. It's hard to say what Karjakin had in mind in a must-win situation. Gelfand is almost impossible to predict as White against the Semi-Slav, but Karjakin couldn't have anticipated that Gelfand would be willing to play one of the sharpest lines.

The Bishop's Opening: Gelfand puts Karjakin on the ropes

In today's World Cup, Gelfand delivers a yeoman-like win with the black pieces in a throwback game.

No Joy for Kamsky at World Cup

Kamsky couldn't turn a victory today against Wesley So with the Black pieces. There'll be a new World Cup champion for 2009.

French 101: Classical--Kamsky loses with White against So

Gata Kamsky will have his work cut out for himself at the World Cup today, after dropping the first game against Wesley So with the White pieces. So is something of a French specialist.

Ray Robson and the other Marshall Gambit

Ray Robson is one of my favorite players. So I was disappointed to see him eliminated in the first round of the World Cup. He's a tactical whiz, but in this game once the tactics quiet down, he continually finds the second best moves while Jobava finds the best moves. Robson is slowly ground down. This game also presents a bit of the diehard Semi-Slav player's problem in getting to the Semi-Slav against 1.c4. One can play 1...c6 and be prepared for the Panov-Botvinnik variation of the Caro-Kann or play 1...e6 and face, among other things, the Marshall Gambit or Queens Gambit Exchange. The annotations are assisted by Rybka 3.