Aronian wins an epic battle in the 13th round over the Hungarian Peter Leko to claim first place, and Vladimir Akopian won his final round match to finish tied for 2nd with Leko.

Levon Aronian is quickly becoming the best player in the FIDE Grand Prix with yet another Championships under his belt. Having been crowned champion at the Sochi Grand Prix event last year, Aronian earned another top finish in Nalchik by defeating Peter Leko in the final round.

Entering the final round, Aronian and Leko were tied in points and the Armenian GrandMaster needed the victory for a lone spot in the Champion's circle. With the top finish at Nalchik, Aronian has found himself head and shoulders above the competitors in both tournaments that he has been involved in. In the other two grand prix tournaments in Baku and Elista (which Aronian had not participated in,) the top spots were shared by three competitors in each case.

Vladimir Akopian, the other Armenian competitor in the tournament had a successful run and ended in 2nd place with a victory in the 13th round. Akopian now has a combined 155 points in the Grand Prix.

The FIDE Grand Prix is a series of six international chess tournaments, each competitor electing to participate in exactly four of the six tournaments with points being allocated to participants according to the final rankings of each tournament. The first place winner earns 180 points, the second place 150, the third place 130 and so forth. In case of ties, the points are divided among the competitors. For example, if two competitors are tied for third/fourth place, they will split the points, 120 each (130 for third place, 110 for fourth place.)

Having won the Sochi and Nalchik tournaments, Aronian has accumulated 360 points in two tournaments, sitting near the top of standings with competitors who have participated in three and four tournaments. See the table below for more accurate standings.

2008-2009 FIDE CHESS GRAND PRIX STANDINGS
   
BAKU 08
SOCHI 08
ELISTA08
NALCHIK 09
TOURNEYS
TOTAL
Alexander Grischuk RUS TUR
105
45
153.33
105
4
408.33
Teimour Radjabov AZE BEL
60
150
153.33
3
363.33
Levon Aronian ARM BEL
180
180
2
360
Wang Yue CHN TUR
153.33
120
80
3
353.33
Vugar Gashimov AZE BEL
153.33
65
110
3
328.33
Dmitry Jakovenko RUS TUR
90
153.33
2
243.33
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov AZE BEL
105
80
55
3
240
Gata Kamsky USA TUR
60
120
55
3
235

Peter Svidler RUS

 TUR
85
90
55
3
230
Peter Leko HUN BEL
80
140
2
220
Sergey Karjakin UKR TUR
60
90
55
3
205
Etienne Bacrot FRA TUR
15
80
105
3
200
Vladimir Akopian ARM BEL
15
140
2
155
Ivan Cheparinov BUL TUR
35
45
50
3
130
Evgeny Alekseev RUS TUR
35
85
2
120
Boris Gelfand ISR TUR
30
85
2
115
Rustam Kasmidzhanov UZB BEL
80
20
2
100
Vassily Ivanchuk UKR TUR
65
20
2
85
Pavel Elijanov UKR TUR
35
20
2
55
David Navara CZE TUR
35
15
2
50
Ernesto Inarkiev RUS TUR
15
15
2
30
Magnus Carlsen NOR TUR
153.33
1
OUT
Michael Adams ENG TUR
85
1
OUT
Mohamad al-Modiahki QAT TUR
15
1
OUT
Yannick Pelletier SUI TUR
OUT

Source: http://baranyuzlet.com/

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Entering the final round, Aronian and Leko were tied in points and the Armenian GrandMaster needed the victory for a lone spot in the Champion's circle. With the top finish at Nalchik, Aronian has found himself head and shoulders above the competitors in both tournaments that he has been involved in. In the other two grand prix tournaments in Baku and Elista (which Aronian had not participated in,) the top spots were shared by three competitors in each case.

Vladimir Akopian, the other Armenian competitor in the tournament had a successful run and ended in 2nd place with a victory in the 13th round. Akopian now has a combined 155 points in the Grand Prix.

The FIDE Grand Prix is a series of six international chess tournaments, each competitor electing to participate in exactly four of the six tournaments with points being allocated to participants according to the final rankings of each tournament. The first place winner earns 180 points, the second place 150, the third place 130 and so forth. In case of ties, the points are divided among the competitors. For example, if two competitors are tied for third/fourth place, they will split the points, 120 each (130 for third place, 110 for fourth place.)

Having won the Sochi and Nalchik tournaments, Aronian has accumulated 360 points in two tournaments, sitting near the top of standings with competitors who have participated in three and four tournaments. See the table below for more accurate standings.

2008-2009 FIDE CHESS GRAND PRIX STANDINGS
   
BAKU 08
SOCHI 08
ELISTA08
NALCHIK 09
TOURNEYS
TOTAL
Alexander Grischuk RUS TUR
105
45
153.33
105
4
408.33
Teimour Radjabov AZE BEL
60
150
153.33
3
363.33
Levon Aronian ARM BEL
180
180
2
360
Wang Yue CHN TUR
153.33
120
80
3
353.33
Vugar Gashimov AZE BEL
153.33
65
110
3
328.33
Dmitry Jakovenko RUS TUR
90
153.33
2
243.33
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov AZE BEL
105
80
55
3
240
Gata Kamsky USA TUR
60
120
55
3
235

Peter Svidler RUS

 TUR
85
90
55
3
230
Peter Leko HUN BEL
80
140
2
220
Sergey Karjakin UKR TUR
60
90
55
3
205
Etienne Bacrot FRA TUR
15
80
105
3
200
Vladimir Akopian ARM BEL
15
140
2
155
Ivan Cheparinov BUL TUR
35
45
50
3
130
Evgeny Alekseev RUS TUR
35
85
2
120
Boris Gelfand ISR TUR
30
85
2
115
Rustam Kasmidzhanov UZB BEL
80
20
2
100
Vassily Ivanchuk UKR TUR
65
20
2
85
Pavel Elijanov UKR TUR
35
20
2
55
David Navara CZE TUR
35
15
2
50
Ernesto Inarkiev RUS TUR
15
15
2
30
Magnus Carlsen NOR TUR
153.33
1
OUT
Michael Adams ENG TUR
85
1
OUT
Mohamad al-Modiahki QAT TUR
15
1
OUT
Yannick Pelletier SUI TUR
OUT

Vladimir Akopian, the other Armenian competitor in the tournament had a successful run and ended in 2nd place with a victory in the 13th round. Akopian now has a combined 155 points in the Grand Prix.

The FIDE Grand Prix is a series of six international chess tournaments, each competitor electing to participate in exactly four of the six tournaments with points being allocated to participants according to the final rankings of each tournament. The first place winner earns 180 points, the second place 150, the third place 130 and so forth. In case of ties, the points are divided among the competitors. For example, if two competitors are tied for third/fourth place, they will split the points, 120 each (130 for third place, 110 for fourth place.)

Having won the Sochi and Nalchik tournaments, Aronian has accumulated 360 points in two tournaments, sitting near the top of standings with competitors who have participated in three and four tournaments. See the table below for more accurate standings.

2008-2009 FIDE CHESS GRAND PRIX STANDINGS
   
BAKU 08
SOCHI 08
ELISTA08
NALCHIK 09
TOURNEYS
TOTAL
Alexander Grischuk RUS TUR
105
45
153.33
105
4
408.33
Teimour Radjabov AZE BEL
60
150
153.33
3
363.33
Levon Aronian ARM BEL
180
180
2
360
Wang Yue CHN TUR
153.33
120
80
3
353.33
Vugar Gashimov AZE BEL
153.33
65
110
3
328.33
Dmitry Jakovenko RUS TUR
90
153.33
2
243.33
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov AZE BEL
105
80
55
3
240
Gata Kamsky USA TUR
60
120
55
3
235

Peter Svidler RUS

 TUR
85
90
55
3
230
Peter Leko HUN BEL
80
140
2
220
Sergey Karjakin UKR TUR
60
90
55
3
205
Etienne Bacrot FRA TUR
15
80
105
3
200
Vladimir Akopian ARM BEL
15
140
2
155
Ivan Cheparinov BUL TUR
35
45
50
3
130
Evgeny Alekseev RUS TUR
35
85
2
120
Boris Gelfand ISR TUR
30
85
2
115
Rustam Kasmidzhanov UZB BEL
80
20
2
100
Vassily Ivanchuk UKR TUR
65
20
2
85
Pavel Elijanov UKR TUR
35
20
2
55
David Navara CZE TUR
35
15
2
50
Ernesto Inarkiev RUS TUR
15
15
2
30
Magnus Carlsen NOR TUR
153.33
1
OUT
Michael Adams ENG TUR
85
1
OUT
Mohamad al-Modiahki QAT TUR
15
1
OUT
Yannick Pelletier SUI TUR
OUT

The FIDE Grand Prix is a series of six international chess tournaments, each competitor electing to participate in exactly four of the six tournaments with points being allocated to participants according to the final rankings of each tournament. The first place winner earns 180 points, the second place 150, the third place 130 and so forth. In case of ties, the points are divided among the competitors. For example, if two competitors are tied for third/fourth place, they will split the points, 120 each (130 for third place, 110 for fourth place.)

Having won the Sochi and Nalchik tournaments, Aronian has accumulated 360 points in two tournaments, sitting near the top of standings with competitors who have participated in three and four tournaments. See the table below for more accurate standings.

2008-2009 FIDE CHESS GRAND PRIX STANDINGS
   
BAKU 08
SOCHI 08
ELISTA08
NALCHIK 09
TOURNEYS
TOTAL
Alexander Grischuk RUS TUR
105
45
153.33
105
4
408.33
Teimour Radjabov AZE BEL
60
150
153.33
3
363.33
Levon Aronian ARM BEL
180
180
2
360
Wang Yue CHN TUR
153.33
120
80
3
353.33
Vugar Gashimov AZE BEL
153.33
65
110
3
328.33
Dmitry Jakovenko RUS TUR
90
153.33
2
243.33
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov AZE BEL
105
80
55
3
240
Gata Kamsky USA TUR
60
120
55
3
235

Peter Svidler RUS

 TUR
85
90
55
3
230
Peter Leko HUN BEL
80
140
2
220
Sergey Karjakin UKR TUR
60
90
55
3
205
Etienne Bacrot FRA TUR
15
80
105
3
200
Vladimir Akopian ARM BEL
15
140
2
155
Ivan Cheparinov BUL TUR
35
45
50
3
130
Evgeny Alekseev RUS TUR
35
85
2
120
Boris Gelfand ISR TUR
30
85
2
115
Rustam Kasmidzhanov UZB BEL
80
20
2
100
Vassily Ivanchuk UKR TUR
65
20
2
85
Pavel Elijanov UKR TUR
35
20
2
55
David Navara CZE TUR
35
15
2
50
Ernesto Inarkiev RUS TUR
15
15
2
30
Magnus Carlsen NOR TUR
153.33
1
OUT
Michael Adams ENG TUR
85
1
OUT
Mohamad al-Modiahki QAT TUR
15
1
OUT
Yannick Pelletier SUI TUR
OUT

Having won the Sochi and Nalchik tournaments, Aronian has accumulated 360 points in two tournaments, sitting near the top of standings with competitors who have participated in three and four tournaments. See the table below for more accurate standings.

2008-2009 FIDE CHESS GRAND PRIX STANDINGS
   
BAKU 08
SOCHI 08
ELISTA08
NALCHIK 09
TOURNEYS
TOTAL
Alexander Grischuk RUS TUR
105
45
153.33
105
4
408.33
Teimour Radjabov AZE BEL
60
150
153.33
3
363.33
Levon Aronian ARM BEL
180
180
2
360
Wang Yue CHN TUR
153.33
120
80
3
353.33
Vugar Gashimov AZE BEL
153.33
65
110
3
328.33
Dmitry Jakovenko RUS TUR
90
153.33
2
243.33
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov AZE BEL
105
80
55
3
240
Gata Kamsky USA TUR
60
120
55
3
235

Peter Svidler RUS

 TUR
85
90
55
3
230
Peter Leko HUN BEL
80
140
2
220
Sergey Karjakin UKR TUR
60
90
55
3
205
Etienne Bacrot FRA TUR
15
80
105
3
200
Vladimir Akopian ARM BEL
15
140
2
155
Ivan Cheparinov BUL TUR
35
45
50
3
130
Evgeny Alekseev RUS TUR
35
85
2
120
Boris Gelfand ISR TUR
30
85
2
115
Rustam Kasmidzhanov UZB BEL
80
20
2
100
Vassily Ivanchuk UKR TUR
65
20
2
85
Pavel Elijanov UKR TUR
35
20
2
55
David Navara CZE TUR
35
15
2
50
Ernesto Inarkiev RUS TUR
15
15
2
30
Magnus Carlsen NOR TUR
153.33
1
OUT
Michael Adams ENG TUR
85
1
OUT
Mohamad al-Modiahki QAT TUR
15
1
OUT
Yannick Pelletier SUI TUR
OUT

2008-2009 FIDE CHESS GRAND PRIX STANDINGS
   
BAKU 08
SOCHI 08
ELISTA08
NALCHIK 09
TOURNEYS
TOTAL
Alexander Grischuk RUS TUR
105
45
153.33
105
4
408.33
Teimour Radjabov AZE BEL
60
150
153.33
3
363.33
Levon Aronian ARM BEL
180
180
2
360
Wang Yue CHN TUR
153.33
120
80
3
353.33
Vugar Gashimov AZE BEL
153.33
65
110
3
328.33
Dmitry Jakovenko RUS TUR
90
153.33
2
243.33
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov AZE BEL
105
80
55
3
240
Gata Kamsky USA TUR
60
120
55
3
235

Peter Svidler RUS

 TUR
85
90
55
3
230
Peter Leko HUN BEL
80
140
2
220
Sergey Karjakin UKR TUR
60
90
55
3
205
Etienne Bacrot FRA TUR
15
80
105
3
200
Vladimir Akopian ARM BEL
15
140
2
155
Ivan Cheparinov BUL TUR
35
45
50
3
130
Evgeny Alekseev RUS TUR
35
85
2
120
Boris Gelfand ISR TUR
30
85
2
115
Rustam Kasmidzhanov UZB BEL
80
20
2
100
Vassily Ivanchuk UKR TUR
65
20
2
85
Pavel Elijanov UKR TUR
35
20
2
55
David Navara CZE TUR
35
15
2
50
Ernesto Inarkiev RUS TUR
15
15
2
30
Magnus Carlsen NOR TUR
153.33
1
OUT
Michael Adams ENG TUR
85
1
OUT
Mohamad al-Modiahki QAT TUR
15
1
OUT
Yannick Pelletier SUI TUR
OUT

2008-2009 FIDE CHESS GRAND PRIX STANDINGS
   
BAKU 08
SOCHI 08
ELISTA08
NALCHIK 09
TOURNEYS
TOTAL
Alexander Grischuk RUS TUR
105
45
153.33
105
4
408.33
Teimour Radjabov AZE BEL
60
150
153.33
3
363.33
Levon Aronian ARM BEL
180
180
2
360
Wang Yue CHN TUR
153.33
120
80
3
353.33
Vugar Gashimov AZE BEL
153.33
65
110
3
328.33
Dmitry Jakovenko RUS TUR
90
153.33
2
243.33
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov AZE BEL
105
80
55
3
240
Gata Kamsky USA TUR
60
120
55
3
235

Peter Svidler RUS

 TUR
85
90
55
3
230
Peter Leko HUN BEL
80
140
2
220
Sergey Karjakin UKR TUR
60
90
55
3
205
Etienne Bacrot FRA TUR
15
80
105
3
200
Vladimir Akopian ARM BEL
15
140
2
155
Ivan Cheparinov BUL TUR
35
45
50
3
130
Evgeny Alekseev RUS TUR
35
85
2
120
Boris Gelfand ISR TUR
30
85
2
115
Rustam Kasmidzhanov UZB BEL
80
20
2
100
Vassily Ivanchuk UKR TUR
65
20
2
85
Pavel Elijanov UKR TUR
35
20
2
55
David Navara CZE TUR
35
15
2
50
Ernesto Inarkiev RUS TUR
15
15
2
30
Magnus Carlsen NOR TUR
153.33
1
OUT
Michael Adams ENG TUR
85
1
OUT
Mohamad al-Modiahki QAT TUR
15
1
OUT
Yannick Pelletier SUI TUR
OUT

Peter Svidler RUS