Rajabov leads in Wijk aan Zee

Teymur Rajabov struck again with his King's Indian, this time on the account of the hapless Shirov, who lost his second game in a row.

The two's last encounter in Linares in the same opening ended pleasantly for Alexey, but not this time. Today he repeated Van Wely's Bayonet from round 1, trying to improve with 17.Kg2 over Loek’s 17.g4?!.

After the game Radja said he wasn't impressed by white's 19.Nd5, although he did not offer an alternative.

Instead of his reply of 19…Nd4, he suggested 19…Ng7 as a possible improvement, simply winning the e6 pawn as if white goes: 20.gxf4 Nxe6 black is clearly better. 29.Rc6?! (Radja pointed 29.Kg1!? as a possible improvement) was answered rudely with 29…g5!, a move which surprised Shirov.

In view of the coming onslaught, he tried to muddy the water with a fancy queen sac, but Teymour had his a beautiful (temporary) queen sac of his own.

The brilliant 35…Ng3+! led to an endgame an exchange up for the Azeri - one he converted without any problem.

Radja also won the daily expert prize for this fine showing.

After three rounds Rajabov got 2 1/2 points. V. Topalov, D. Navara, V. Anand, L. Aronian, P. Svidler, V. Kramnik - 2 points. S. Karjakin, R. Ponomariov - 1 1/2. S. Tiviakov, A. Motylev - 1 point. L. van Wely, A. Shirov, M. Carlsen - 1/2.

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