The last round didn't give us any of desired answers. Four draws on first four boards, and then on board number five Malakhov (RUS) defeated Fedorchuk (UKR) and took his place in the leading group since he was half a point behind. Two more winners, Navara (CZE) against Cheparinov (BLG) and Jobava (GEO) against K.Georgiev (BLG) both playing white, joined the leading group which is now composed of 11 players with 8,0 points. It was really a bad day for Bulgarian stars. Behind the leaders there is a group of 23 players with 7,5 points. Both groups will play tomorrow tie-breaks, the first one for the champion title and two remaining medals, the second one for other 12 places that lead to the World Cup.
If a tie-break were not in the tournament regulation, the standing on the top would have been: 1. Sokolov (NED), 2. Inarkiev (RUS), 3. Naiditsch (GER), 4. Tomashevsky (RUS), 5. Navara (CZE), 6. Malakhov (RUS), 7. Grachev (RUS), 8. Jobava (GEO), 9. Kobalia (RUS), 10. Guseinov (AZE) and 11. Nyback (FIN). After a couple of disappointing results the Russian chess can be satisfied again, five of their players are in this group.

M.Cebalo