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Carlsen seems like he doesn't even have to think, the computer-like moves just come naturally to him.
What amazed me was that in Game Five Carlsen didn’t have one weak move – in other words, all seemed to be what the computer would have played. I wonder if Ken Regan were to run these games through that program of his if he would find that Carlsen had a computer move match rate better than the grandmaster standard of 58%.
[This was discussed in an earlier thread on the Work of the FIDE-Anti Cheating Committee]
Re: World Chess Championship 2013-Don't Count Anand Out Just Yet
When I ran game seven through Houdini's blunder check looking for a 0.34 improvement, the computer had nothing to suggest. Both players were close to flawless. That's great, if you are the Challenger standing at +2 with five to go. Not so good if you are the besieged champion and have to mix things up.
To my mind, the psychology is much more interesting than the computer analysis. What did Anand have to lose by going for complications? Presumably, he was thinking that: 1) he is not yet completely out of it but would be after another loss; 2) he needs to stabilize the situation before it gets any worse; and 3) he doesn't have any bright and shining novelty to throw at Carlsen.
Last edited by Gordon Ritchie; Monday, 18th November, 2013, 07:04 PM.
Reason: additional comment
What amazed me was that in Game Five Carlsen didn’t have one weak move – in other words, all seemed to be what the computer would have played. I wonder if Ken Regan were to run these games through that program of his if he would find that Carlsen had a computer move match rate better than the grandmaster standard of 58%.
[This was discussed in an earlier thread on the Work of the FIDE-Anti Cheating Committee]
They should ask him to take off his socks and shoes...
Re: World Chess Championship 2013-Don't Count Anand Out Just Yet
Carlsen is simply using the Berlin variation to get draws and hoping Anand will push too hard.
Nobody will ever mistake Carlsen for Fischer or Capablanca who played exciting chess.
I don't really care who wins the match. I'd only hoped to see some exciting chess and and maybe some nice innovations. A bit of combo bombo wold also be nicer than more of the Berlin which Kramnik showed us.
Re: World Chess Championship 2013-Don't Count Anand Out Just Yet
It looks like Anand heavily/entirely invested his preparation as White in playing his usual 1.e4. A possible drawback of that first move in my eyes, at least, is that top players (especially in a match) have more ultra-solid (or 'wall') type defences to choose from than is the case against 1.d4. That's if Black plays 1.e4 e5, in which case he has the Berlin Lopez and the Petroff to choose from (he also can play actively for at least the draw with the [Anti-]Marshall Lopez, which White generally is having a tough time making headway against in practice). Not to mention that Black could play the sharp, but sound, Sicilian (especially the Najdorf and even the Sveshnikov) if he's gunning for the win.
By contrast, in playing 1.d4 at the top level, the main (only?) ultra-solid defence White has to fear from a theoretical point of view appears to me to be the Slav.
Anything that can go wrong will go wrong. Murphy's law, by Edward A. Murphy Jr., USAF, Aerospace Engineer
(From the Official Site) Magnus Carlsen changed his opening strategy and went for 1. e4 this time. Viswanathan Anand echoed Carlsen’s repertoire and defended with Berlin Ruy Lopez, to the surprise of everyone in the press room here in Chennai.
Carlsen does not like to enter the Berlin endgame often with white pieces, and instead played the less frequent 5. Re1. The resulting pawn structure is symmetrical but with more pieces on the board. Only two months ago Carlsen had a similar position with black against Hikaru Nakamura in Saint Louis. In 2010 Carlsen and Anand already tested the system, with same colours, in Kristiansund and Nanjing. All these games were drawn.
After the massive exchanges on the open e-file, the game ended in a draw on 33rd move. Carlsen spent only 20 minutes for the whole game. The current score is 5-3 in favour of the challenger.
+++++++++++++
Susan Polgar commentating with R. B. Ramesh
(Susan) FIDE has set a rule called zero tolerance, which means that if a player is not at the board when the game is about to start, he/she gets forfeited. And yesterday, with one minute and eight seconds before the 3 p.m. starting time, unexpectedly, Magnus Carlsen was looking at the count-down clock, stood up and went to the restroom. A big risk. I spoke to the Chief Arbiter and he was very nervous. Because, if Magnus wasn’t back in time, he would have had to follow the rules of the match and forfeit Magnus. He came back to the board with fourteen seconds to go. If I were in Carlsen’s camp I would have been so nervous.
The rule was invented so that when the media comes, and there can be pictures taken only in the first five minutes, the players are sitting at the board.
In the most famous match in chess history, Fischer vs Spassky, Bobby lost the first game, didn’t show up for the second and forfeited. He was then trailing by two games but still won three of the next five games. So, for Anand fans, don’t give up hope, you can always bounce back.
I spent quite a lot of time with Fischer. When he played the 1992 return match against Spassky – Fischer was hiding out in a small city in Serbia, a two-hour drive from Budapest. The whole family went to meet him. At that visit, I asked him if he wanted to spend the rest of his life there. Why not come to Budapest? There are a lot more things you can do there. A few weeks later, he packed up and left and came and lived in Budapest. In the first year or so, I was his host and drove him around and took him out to dinners. He was mostly normal – helped in the kitchen, went for walks and loved mineral baths. But he was confusing…
++++++++++
Lawrence and Tania come in for the second hour. A tweet to them appears on the screen: I don’t know a damn thing about chess and yet somehow find myself in here watching the live broadcast. What a strange night!
(Lawrence) They agreed to a draw on move 33. Absolutely nothing to talk about in that game. If you are in the United States please go back to bed. If you are in Europe and got up early, I apologize, it was rather a damp squib. But from Magnus’ point of view it, was absolutely fine. Vishy has to come out firing. It is getting more and more difficult for him to come back.
+++++++++
Susan takes us behind the scenes in a video. The restrooms are furnished with a fridge with dozens of containers of drinks. There are snacks and a sink and television monitor with the time digitally on it. There are separate bathrooms with monogrammed towels for each player.
She does show the banks of chairs for the spectators and indeed, there are sections named Capablanca, Lasker, Botvinnik, Tal and Fischer. They face the glass wall, behind which are the combatants. Really first-class facilities.
++++++++++++
GM Tweets
(Nigel Short) I have no problem acknowledging that my best days are gone. Instead of trying to be rude, just accept the same is true of Vishy
(Mikhail Golubev) I would be really glad if Anand will play the KIng's Gambit next time. Or Evans, at least? No worse than to play e4 d5 vs Kasparov
(Silvio Danailov) Berlin variation is such a boring opening that I would suggest to ECU GA to permit the players to play it only once in each ECU tournament
(Anish Giri) Was analyzing the fascinating rook endgame from Carlsen-Anand 5th game (1-0). Very surprising conclusions!
- Analysis to be published in next NewInChess issue, as always! :) Just to give you an idea: most quick analysis on websites were wrong! :D
- Not the Anand-won part but the Re2!. :)
Viewers Comments –
- Tragic, this could be his last chance to play the Sicilian in a wch match, and he squandered it.
- Sicilian would have been SMASHED by Magnus quickly, where as Berlin is rich giving winning chances to both sides with chances for complications and avoiding equal middle and end game. This might be the "correct" thinking of Vishy and his team, in my opinion.
- What a boring match...worst ever, not the way to popularise the game
- Did you completely miss Anand-Gelfand? Draws in 24, 25, 27, 29, 25, 24, and 22 moves? Ring a bell? Games three and four of Anand-Carlsen alone were better than that entire debacle.
Look, Carlsen is winning the match by two games. He can draw his way into tying Kasparov's record as the youngest World Champion in history (22 years old) to add to his record as the highest rated player of all time, with an extra $1.5 million to boot. He isn't doing anything wrong at the moment, and if Anand wants to give up the title without putting up a fight, that is his problem.
- Why play for wins when Carlsen can make it easy for himself and draw the remaining games. Smart thinking by Carlsen. It will be over soon and Carlsen the world number one will be the world champion.
- I for one (and I'm sure I'm not alone) just viewed this match as a necessary evil before we see some great matches. Carlsen-Kramnik, or Carlsen-Aronian, would be great. We will probably see Caruana and Nakamura in the 2015 Candidates. This match is the changing of the guard, and we will probably be seeing significantly more interesting matches in the coming years once the younger generation finally comes into its own.
- The by far most exciting thing today was Susan Polgar showing the elevators and towels of the players in utterly boring yellow press style.
- There could be Carlsen Kramnik match and Kramnik would be destroyed. I doubt he will like to face Carlsen in 2 years.
- It's possible I'm just writing this out of unfounded hope for some more excitement, but this may also be match tactics by Anand. After two consecutive wins, Carlsen was at maximum power, ready to make the kill. So it could be a good idea to get his adrenaline level down, make him feel safe. Every draw might make Carlsen longing more for the end, making the shock bigger when Anand wins a game
- Dream on. Carlsen is playing at full power on auto cruise control he could up his level of play any time he wants. Vishy is getting more frustrated and more moody as seen today by his pathetic answers to simple journalist questions. It now looks like Carlsen the cat is playing with Anand the mouse. Carlsen will cruise to victory as expected.
- Carlsen playing 1. e4 for the first time this match, with a two game lead, was an invitation for a fight. Anand declined. Carlsen is in complete control right now, and you can hardly blame him for Anand's capitulation
- I think after this match we should have new respect for Larsen who still kept fighting even when out classed by Fischer , Larsen refused perpetual checks even when 5-0 down.
- Commentators fantasized that Anand, in order to catch up, would play the King's Gambit. But the King's Gambit isn't playable anymore, at GM level. There exist methods of equalization. In fact, white puts himself in danger. It is becoming more and more evident that chess experiences a crisis at top level. I have argued that an enlargement of the opening tree could remedy this
- Today Anand came a step closer to qualifying for the 2014 Candidates Tournament by drawing game 8.
- I want to offer a contrary opinion.
A couple of draws after two devastating losses make sense for Anand as well as Carlsen. Now that he has stopped the bleeding, he can play very sharply for a win.
One advantage is that the entire world thinks he has given up (I agree that his tone in the press conference suggests this as well) and Carlsen can't help but absorb some of this sense. There is a chance he will be put off balance if Game 9 turns out to suddenly be very sharp.Game 9 is Anand's last chance to get back in the match.
- Actually Anand is doing quite fine, performing above his nominal rating of 2775. This would be enough to stay in contention against anyone else. He is just unlucky to have to play Carlsen.
++++++++++++
Match Score Carlsen 5 Anand 3
Remaining Schedule
20.11.2013 Rest Day
21.11.2013 Game 9
22.11.2013 Game 10
Last edited by Wayne Komer; Tuesday, 19th November, 2013, 02:46 PM.
Re: World Chess Championship 2013-Don't Count Anand Out Just Yet
Game Eight Press Conference
19 November, 2013
After the eighth game, the players, Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand spoke to the media. Here is the official transcript:
Q: (FIDE Press Officer) We were slightly delayed, can you please explain what happened?
A: (Viswanathan Anand) We had to be notified about the doping control.
Q: (FIDE Press Officer) What do you think about the doping control? Do you think chess players has something to do with this?
A: (Viswanathan Anand) Well, it is a bit late for that discussion.
Q: (FIDE Press Officer) Let us go to the game. Today was a draw. Can you tell us what happened?
A: (Viswanathan Anand) Generally a fairly solid system for white. Not entirely without chances if black plays inaccurately. The only interesting moment was when 23…Qg5, then 24.h4 is very strong. So, after Qd8 we liquidated to a king and pawn ending.
Q: (FIDE Press Officer) Magnus, your comments please?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) He played the Berlin. I played the most solid line … yada yada yada, we go to the doping control.
Q: (FIDE Press Officer) Magnus, were you surprised by your opponent’s opening choice. Since you played the Berlin before already in this match?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) He has played different systems against me in the past. Berlin is one of the systems I had to recommend. It was not a major surprise.
Q: (FIDE Press Officer) You also played this system in 2010 and there were two draws. What was the plan today and what went wrong? Which scenario you preferred today?
A: (Viswanathan Anand) Obviously I had to be ready for any scenario that turned out. After d4 and c3 this is what I could do.
Q: (FIDE Press Officer) Were you surprised by Magnus’ choice of 1.e4 today. He used to play Nf3 and c4 before?
A: (Viswanathan Anand) In general in a match you should not be surprised. I had not prioritised 1.e4.
Q: (Amit Karmarkar, The Times of India) Anand, at any point how close were you in deciding the Sicilian. Since you are trailing we were expecting sharper lines?
A: (Viswanathan Anand) I did not really know what his intentions were. Even the Sicilian, if you want to play the dry system they are available. It is not like there were clear options there. I thought little bit (two minutes) and decided to go for this. Well the match situation speaks for itself.
It is my job to liven it up. I guess I will try in the next game.
Q: (Ebenezer Joseph, Shubsandesh TV) How happy are you with the opening preparation by your seconds? In the match so far, you are yet to give some dynamic play in your partially disclosed seconds and secretly undisclosed seconds?
A: (Viswanathan Anand) I am quite happy with my opening perparation. This is not the time to start analysing things. I get a bonus evening before the rest day and so I will try and prepare something for the next one.
A: (Magnus Carlsen) Let us discuss this after the match.
Q: (FIDE Press Officer) Magnus, many people say you do not pay too much attention to the opening. I read an interview of Caruana who said you are good in choosing openings which are not pleasant for your opponent. What do you think about this?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) I mean Caruana is a very good player and a clever guy. There must be something to what he says.
Q: (Ashok Venugopal, New Indian Express) With a two point lead did you come with a win in mind or a draw?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) I did not particularly mind the draw as was evident from my play. I was just setting one or two traps.
Q: (V Kameswaran, United News of India) Two draws and one rest day. Coming ninth round and tenth round and then rest and then two games. You must win?
A: (Viswanathan Anand) Well, the match situation is fairly clear now. This was a short two relatively easy games. Obviously I have to try in the next one.
Q: (T.N. Ragu, Deccan Chronicle) Anand revealed his team of seconds even before the match. After the eighth round are you ready to reveal the team now?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) No.
Q: (Paul Truong, USA) This question is for Magnus. A lot of fans are asking you are having a very unique style for somebody so young. How did you develop that style? Is there a player whom you look upto when you were young?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) I did not have a particular bible in chess when I was young. As a young player I was trying to play attacking chess sacrificing material all the time. A bit different from what I do today. Although I am playing the game for a long time I have been playing top level for seven years.
I have had some time to adjust to the situation and adjust to the other players and develop my play.
Q: (Ole Rolfsrud, NRK TV) Can you explain why you average only 30 seconds per move by your 23rd move?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) With the line I chose there was not too much to think about. The moves very much suggest themself. It has been played before. There wasn’t too much to think about. I wasnt in any mood to think either. That influenced my decision.
Re: World Chess Championship 2013-Don't Count Anand Out Just Yet
Fide should find a new format for the world championship. Maybe go back to the format where one player has to win 6 games. This match has to be an embarrassment and the last one with Gelfand wasn't much better.
The Kramnik and Topalov games were a lot more entertaining.
Today is World Toilet Day, which makes it sort of appropriate to recall that WC match (which was characterized by "Toiletgate" among other things).
By the way, World Toilet Day is a serious matter of concern. This was brought home to me when the great Indian writer, Arundhati Roy, noted that a million Indians make their living carrying other people's excrement. Literally.
Last edited by Nigel Hanrahan; Tuesday, 19th November, 2013, 02:52 PM.
Reason: links, remove unparliamentary term
Dogs will bark, but the caravan of chess moves on.
Re: World Chess Championship 2013-Don't Count Anand Out Just Yet
Game 8 was boring, but what can be done about it? It was up to Anand to make something and he didn't. Carlsen wanted a draw and Anand wanted a draw. It's very easy to get a boring draw under those circumstances.
What can possibly be done about it?
Carlsen, two years ago he cited match play itself as the problem. In a round robin, playing for a draw is giving ground to the leaders.
Kasparov proved the "6 wins" format isn't viable in modern chess.
Money thrown at the players for fighting chess would have no impact in a World Championship.
Forcing a decision post-draw through rapid play would be exciting, but traditionalists would cringe.
Having a sliding scale of match points would encourage early action could have a bearing. If today's game was worth 4 points and tomorrow's 3 and the next 2, a defending player would have incentive to take back the victory as soon as possible.
Changing the rules of chess to make draws improbable would make a difference, but that's a topic for another day.
Perhaps the questions that always float around at this stage of a match are more a commentary on our shortened attention spans in the era of the internet.
I would agree that the last two games have been rather lifeless as were the first two. There may yet be fireworks. But even if all the remaining games were draws, would that mean the format should be changed? I would argue that the idea of a "world champion" who ascends to the throne only be beating the reigning champion in a protracted match is a unique and special feature of chess and should be preserved. I cannot think of any other sport that can claim the same epic history. The holder of the crown can trace it back to Steinitz.
Some of those past champions dominated all forms of the game in their prime. Others, such as Botvinnik, were match specialists with less than remarkable tournament records. In every case, and despite the hiccups over the years, the champion had been required to prove himself by taking down the title holder in a match that left little doubt that the best man had won. (Pace Capablanca/Alekhine.)
Of course, our major tournaments provide us with other champions. FIDE to its credit has attempted to inject some stability into the tournament system with its various titled events, with mixed success. But the winners of closed tournaments, such as Wijk an See, or open tournaments, such as Gibraltar, have also earned an important place in our pantheon. Some of these events will be won with a string of brilliant victories, others will be characterized by a plethora of drawn games. That is all part of chess.
That does not make the champion by definition the greatest player in the world at that moment. With another extraordinary invention, the Elo system, we now have detailed ratings that calculate with amazing precision the likely outcome of a contest between two players. Even the current match, as Emil points out, has been fully consistent with that calculation. That gives us the "world number one". In some periods, that ranking is his by a wide margin---Kasparov, Carlsen---whereas in others it seesaws back and forth between leading contenders. In any case, that is another, less historic but arguably no less important, title in the world of chess.
Even as I play over a quick draw that the players rattled off in 40 minutes (game eight), I am content with leaving the basis structure much as it is today: one historic world championship determined by match play; any number of other important championships determined by tournaments of various formats; and a rating system that may establish an undisputed world number one. I challenge any other sport to match us for the richness of this tapestry.
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