Wesley So scored the sole victory in the second round of Sinquefield Cup 2021. He is now in a four-way lead with Caruana, Vachier-Lagrave and Leinier at 1.5/2. So is currently leading the Grand Chess Tour 2021 tour standings. He would definitely like to win this event and the entire season too. Leinier-Caruana, Shankland-Xiong and Svidler-Mamedyarov had well-contested draws. Only Rapport-MVL game did not witness enough fight. Players mourned the loss of Evgeny Sveshnikov and paid their respects by having the Sveshnikov position on their boards before the start of the game. Round 3 starts tonight from 1:30 a.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
The second round witnessed four draws, and yet three of them were well-fought ones. Xiong continues his impressive run as he drew again, this time against Shankland who kept pushing his compatriot till the very end.
So is poised to win Grand Chess Tour 2021 | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Rest in Peace Evgeny Sveshnikov (1950-2021) | Photo: Saint Louis Chess Club/Grand Chess Tour
Leinier - Caruana: 0.5-0.5
Leinier had an extra pawn, and he could have tried to push further on the queenside, although Caruana had enough compensation.
Position after 26...Qd7
27.b4 was an option. It may not have been much, but worth a try. The game eventually liquidated into a queen ending which ended in a draw by perpetual check.
Leinier and Caruana had a good contest | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Shankland and Xiong had a well-fought draw | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Swiercz - So: 0-1
Swiercz went wrong in the seemingly equal rook endgame which cost him dearly against So.
Position after 36...Rc6
White needs to make a critical decision, whether to exchange the rooks at c6 or decline it and play 37.Ra5. Having less time on the clock, White made an incorrect decision and lost the game.
Interview with Wesley So | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club
So scored the sole win of the round | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Rapport drew his game against Vachier-Lagrave | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Svidler - Mamedyarov: 0.5-0.5
Svidler and Mamedyarov had a well-fought draw.
Interview with Peter Svidler | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club
Peter Svidler | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Photo Gallery:
A tribute to Sveshnikov | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Peter Svidler and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov pay respect to Evgeny Sveshkinov | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Rapport and Vachier-Lagrave mourn the loss of Sveshnikov | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Xiong has been impressive in this event so far| Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Replay Round 2 games
Round 2 results
Only one decisive game | Photo: Grand Chess Tour
Standings after Round 2
Four players share the lead 1.5/2 | Photo: Grand Chess Tour
2021 Sinquefield Cup Round 2 - Live commentary by GMs Alejandro Ramirez, Yasser Seirawan, and Maurice Ashley | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club
