Despite yesterday's slip, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov successfully defended his title in the 2017 Vugar Gashimov Memorial today after a last round draw with Veselin Topalov; a draw by his only other rival, Wesley So, clinched first place for the top Azeri grandmaster. Last year Mamedyarov needed to defeat Fabiano Caruana in a playoff to win the the title, but this year will have won clear first with 5.5/9.

A confident Mamedyarov walking to his game. | Photo courtesy Shamkir Chess.

Going into today's round Topalov trailed Mamedyarov by half-point, but with the Black pieces it is always difficult to create winning chances without taking on extreme risk. The two players played it safe and drew without much intrigue: read more...

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