SANDS: Tourney win is return to form for Morozevich
5:58 a.m., Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Washington Times
In a welcome return to form for one of the world’s most dynamic players, Russian GM Alexander Morozevich last month won the Russian Higher League Championship in Taganrog, Russia, earning a slot in the national championships to be held next month.
Long one of the world’s most imaginative players, Morozevich has been hampered in recent times by poor health and had not played for nearly six months before storming to the title in Taganrog. He was once a contender for the world title, but his rating has dropped below 2700 (48th in the FIDE July world rankings). His 8-3 result here and improving health could send him back up the ratings charts very quickly.
Last week’s column featured two wildly complex games, so we thought we’d go to the other extreme this week, with two wins taken from the Higher League event that are simplicity itself. In the first, GM Mikhail Kobalia takes down fellow GM Alexandre Danin in a smooth performance that, without any tactical fireworks, wraps up the win in just 30 moves.
More here.
