We have already seen a combination that Anand conducted after the Hungarian retreated with his king into the corner of the board. Well, Peter really tried to change his conception of defending against checks but in chess, one never knew for sure what trouble was to come next.
[Leko - Grischuk]
Lautier and Karpov, the finalist of the previous tournament, became unlucky ones in this group, the twelfth world champion being the sole participant who did not win a single game.
The other group was more balanced in its composition: eight players there formed three neat groups. Kramnik's successful performance, as well as Ponomariov's one, was quite expected, while Bacrot, having obtained the similar two victories and five draws, provided a real sensation. The young French left behind players far more prominent. Topalov and Gelfand had to fight hardly in a tie-break and it turned out that the fate did not want Gelfand's second victory in Cap d'Agde. Veselin qualified for the quarter-final. Azmaiparashvili, Adams and Bareev alternated wins with defeats.
The tensest match in the knock-out phase was Grischuk - Bacrot. Alexander turned out to be more successful in blitz games. After the draw in his first game, Svidler defeated Topalov with black pieces in a perfect style. The rating favorites won two other matches.
The semi-final was more troublesome for the Indian virtuoso. The main games ended with draw, while in the first blitz-game the Russian champion obtained good winning chances but cunning Anand managed to escape the defeat. Svidler lost the next game. Kramnik made it clear already in the first main game against Grischuk - he was not going to wait for the blitz games.
[Grischuk - Kramnik]
However, on the next day, it started all over again and the former accomplishments did not count. Anand was better mobilized for the deciding game. Kramnik failed to obtain advantage with white pieces and accepted the draw offer. Their second game became Anand's brilliant positional achievement.
Only Judith could beat the champion-to-be in Cap d'Agde. She seems to be the only player (apart from Kasparov) who knows how to deliver a tactical strike against the Indian. After the tournament was over, many participants moved to Corsica, where another tournament in rapid chess was held. Topalov and Anand met in final there! Again the Indian did better in the tie-break games.