Today marks the first part of the double round-robin that will determine the four semifinalists. And we already have some indications, with four decisive games.  

 Pool A 1 2 3 4 PTS Grischuk aa 1/2 1/2 1/2 1.5 Nakamura 1/2 aa 1 1/2 2.0 Esipenko 1/2 0 aa 1 1.5 Bacrot 1/2 1/2 0 aa 1.0

In Pool A the "Game Of the Day", Grischuk-Nakamura, ended in a draw, leaving the American in the lead with 2.0/3. Esipenko defeated Bacrot, to join Grushuk half a point behind Nakamura.

 

 Pool B 1 2 3 4 PTS Wojtaszek aa 1/2 1 1/2 2.0 Fedoseev 1/2 aa 0 1 1.5 Rapport 0 1 aa 1/2 1.5 Oparin 1/2 0 1/2 aa 1.0

In Pool B we had two draws. Wojtaszek, thanks to his win over Fedovees in Round 1, leads the group with 2.0/3.

 Pool C 1 2 3 4 PTS Aronian aa 1/2 1 1 2.5 Dubov 1/2 aa 1/2 0 1.0 Keymer 0 1/2 aa 1/2 1.0 Gujrathi 0 1 1/2 aa 1.5

In Pool C, the young German star Keymer couldn't resist the super-strong now-American Levon Aronian, who won his game to jump to a stunning 2.5/3.

 

Dubov, who is not having a good time since Tata Steel, lost to Vidit today.

 

 Pool D 1 2 3 4 PTS So aa 1/2 1/2 1 2.0 Dominguez 1/2 aa 1/2 1 2.0 Harikrishna 1/2 1/2 aa 1/2 1.5 Shirov 0 0 1/2 aa 0.5

In Pool D, Shirov lost his second game with Wesley So, who wins his first game and catches Domingues on top with 2 points out of three.

 

Dominguez and Harikrishna drew their game. Tomorrow round 4 of the Pools phase at 9 AM EST - 15:00 local (CET) - 14:00 UTC.