Just as I was about to write that 2006 has been a sluggish year for the former FIDE world champion, came the Tal Memorial and ended his year on a high note. A shared first place (5.5/9, with Leko and Aronian) is certain to bring a smile to the mellow Ukrainian’s face and reignite his confidence. Earlier this year Ruslan also won the Cuernavaca Young Masters (6.5/9, along with Vallejo) but most everything else was nothing to cheer about.

An even score in the Russian team championship and +1 in the Karpov International may have been reasonable, but 3.5/10 and a shared last place (with Bacrot) in Sofia’s M-Tel was unsatisfactory. That same word can be used to describe his minus 2, (4.5/11) tally from the Aerosvit tournament on home court. He is no stranger to Corus having played here twice before: 2003, where he made his elite debut (6/13) and 2005, finishing with 50%. Still, at only 23 and with so much experience, the unassuming Pono is not only a sure promise for rising further, but also a formidable opponent to anyone.