Bilbao Chess Final Masters 2009

with live games commentary on Chessdom

Bilbao will once again be the host of the Final Masters of the Grand Slam Chess Tournament. The 2009 edition will feature four players - Levon Aronian, Alexander Grischuk, Alexei Shirov and Sergey Kariakin, in a double round robin.

Live games

Chessdom.com will have daily coverage from Bilbao 2009, bringing you the latest news, photos, and interviews. We will also feature GM live commentary of every round, starting at 17:00 CET.

The opening ceremony is today and the rounds start on SUnday. To follow the live game of day 1 click here.

Competition rules

The rate of play will be 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, 60 moves to finish the game, with 10 extra seconds per move from move number 41. Sofia rule will be used. Players are not allowed to agree draw without arbiter's permission. In case both players request it to him, the arbiter will make his decision after consulting with a technical assistant.

The final standings will be determined according to football like criteria: Players will get 3 points for winning a match, 1 point for drawing and 0 points for losing. If two players tie for first, they´ll play a blitz match immediately after the last round finishes. They´ll play two games at the rate of all the moves in 4 minutes add-on 3 seconds for each move from the first, alternating colors, which shall be decided for the first game by draw. If this match is tied, they shall play a one game Armageddon (sudden death), White will have 5 minutes and Black 4, in the case of a draw Black wins first place. This game´s colors shall be decided by draw. If more than two players tie for first, only the two first classified players according to the systems listed below shall play the match.

More about Bilbao 2009

Official site / forum discussion