In round 5 of this event Igor Ivanov played instead 5 a3. Now 15 Ne4 would just be a draw, so Ivanov played 15 Qc2. Instead, Alburt has repeated the Nd2 of Ivanov and Ftacnik but with his pawn on g3 instead of with the knight on f3. Gold tied for third place. I had just lost an easily won game against Ibragimov, who went on to win the event.
Players have differing reactions to such tough losses.
In round robin events one may have the luxury of drawing his way back into form, but in today's big Swisses, there is generally no time for that. Many competitors switch openings - for practical and psychological reasons. Inevitably, a certain carelessness slips in. Against Goldin, I quickly obtained a dubious opening, which promised to ruin my tournament for good. While he crashed through the center, I sought refuge in bizarre kingside counterplay, putting some distance between myself and the previous round's disaster.