Vela-Ramirez Match 2010 (Game 9)

We're turning the corner into the second half of the match. The score is 5 to 3 in Vela's favour.

Vela decides to test Ramirez's response to 1. e4. Jose responds by playing the Sicilian Defense and Vela plays the Moscow Variation (2. Bb5+). After some slow, cautious play by Jose, Vela gets a dominating position after he finds a nice combination in the middle of the board. The game is on the verge of being strategically won, until Vela makes a slight innacuracy and loses his grip on the position, allowing Jose back in the game. The result was a draw.

It's clear that Vela is not playing for a draw to maintain his lead. He is playing for wins! It appears that Jose is trying to play it safe as Black and hold and then go all-out for a win with White. He might have to change this strategy later in the match and play to win with Black.

The score is 5.5 to 3.5 in favour of Vela.