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So far only Anand played consistent, without major misses. If he does not lose to Aronian tomorrow, he will take a serious step in winning the tournament, as Kramnik, Topalov, and Svidler look vulnerable. The three Radjabovs fight also hard for the "wooden spoon" and as expected they place last at the half.
Anand – I have never seen the move 3.Qb3 here before. I couldn’t think of any way to exploit it. I tried the pawn sac because if Black makes the usual moves, White can choose his set-up. I wasn’t worried about preparation.
Aronian – "I just convinced myself during a nap that this was a good move and so I played it. I overestimated my own vision – the computer thinks I am busted." But he believed that he could always “pull a Petrosian” and slowly consolidate. "It is a difficult task to get a good position. I was stressed from the start and so took a draw later on."
At the press conference, Peter announced that besides losing, he had to go for a doping test. During his lengthy analysis of the game, he drank two litres of bottled water, so he will be able to provide as much sample as the doctors need.
Candidates 2014
Round Eight
March 22, 2014
Kramnik, Vladimir – Andreikin, Dmitry
D15 QGD Slav Accepted (4..a6)
Chess-news.ru copied a commentary today of Murtas Kazhgaleev GM KAZ on the first cycle of the Candidates tournament.
He thinks Anand will lose his chance to win today.
Of Aronian: At ease with and superiority in the opening game, freedom and speed of decision-making – in all of these, the Armenian surpasses his rivals. I do not want to jinx it, but his fate is in his own hands. It is for Aronian to decide whether he will play a world championship match this fall.
In what he writes about Karjakin, one really wonders if the Ukrainian situation is on his mind:
Karjakin is a major disappointment, not only for the tournament, but for some time now. It's a shame to see how the brightest representative of his generation is now just a very strong, faceless grandmaster. Courage and imagination have completely disappeared from Sergei’s game . Tightness in the game and the behavior of political correctness, the heavy cargo jacket with the logo of the sponsor are not allowing this talented player and good man of freedom to make his statement.
__________
FIDE Press Officer Anastasia Karlovich told the players about Levon Aronian’s nap discovery and asked whether they have ever found any new ideas in their sleep.
Vladimir Kramnik: “I can tell I came across the 3.Qb3 idea as well, but it is such a heresy that I didn’t use it even for rapid chess. Excuse me (laughs)…
I never find any ideas when I sleep. Many ideas come when I work out on an exercise bike, because it is extremely boring and I always think about various positions. However, usually when I check them on the computer, they turn out worthless. I have a bunch of ideas like 3.Qb3, I could play like that until retirement”.
Dmitry Andreikin: “3.Qb3 is a standard idea. I am more impressed about Anand’s 3…d4. Somehow he was prepared for it! I never find chess ideas in dreams, I have dreams of a different kind”.
Aronian and Anand split the point today. They remain in joint lead but now the possible tie-break at the end of the tourney would favor Anand (mutual score 1.5-0.5)
________________
Viewers’ Comments
(Silvio Danailov) – After such a draw of the two leaders at the Candidates today some people will understand why FIDE and professional chess need deep changes
(Yannick Pelletier) – Topalov gave back the piece to simplify the position. This should not be allowed..Deep changes in chess are needed!
- Peter really heroically took today´s crush of his hopes... bit of trembling hands/voice and the water he spilled over the table aside (all of which is perfectly understandable), after a minute he seemed to be back to his normal chatty self. Maybe he attended the press conf simply because he needed to talk to somebody in such a moment...?
The game itself was a pleasure to watch, lots of very interesting things happening, starting as early as 6.e4!? (almost a novelty!...I have a master game from 1983 in my base), via 10.Kh8, 14.g6! and ending with Sergey´s excellent exchange sac (65...b6!!).
Lev-Vishy was another very interesting game (both psychologically and chesswise), opening with a novelty as early as move 3 (!! - take that, draw death zealots!), followed by ex-champ´s pawn sac (to his supposed nemesis, and possibly entering his computer analysis...), but my feeling was that Vishy had slight problems orientating in what was essentially a 1.d4 position, which certainly ´helped´ with repetition. This one could formally be counted as little psychological victory for the Tiger, but Lev is simply betting that he will win more than his (ex?) client in the remaining rounds, which is not so unlikely to happen...
- "The reason I didn't continue was because the stress of the start was a bit too much for me..."
No other competition on the planet allows the participants to agree to a tie ("draw") and then move on as if nothing happened...This is nuts!
- Svidler is amazing. Even in defeat you get an eloquent, witty, funny and free lecture from a top 2700 player.
Last edited by Wayne Komer; Sunday, 23rd March, 2014, 01:49 AM.
Now Anand has drawn with Aronian, he has 4 whites in his remaining 6 games. He could have a strong finish.
If players are tied for first after the double round robin will the S/B tiebreak be used to decide the winner? I think it's the best round robin tie breaker but that's only my opinion.
I have not been taking notes during the rounds but that could change during the home stretch. Gary rightly points out that Anand has 4 whites in the last 6 games. He has been ultra solid compared to the chaos that the others players have endured. Anand is still ahead of Aronian on tie-breaks. The first criteria is head to head, then most wins, followed by Sonnenborn Berger. I think the last 2 criteria are backwards. If these 3 filters fail to separate the players (unlikely in general but the standings are surreal!), rapid and blitz will follow.
So saying, it's tough to choose between Anand and Aronian, who seeks imbalance and seems better able to manage it than the others. Kramnik is obviously still in the hunt.
lol! I did not see this picture when I replied to Egis. Every half hour I do a time check to ensure that the clocks are functioning properly and confirm the move number. From the position of my pen this looks like the first check at 3:30. It's a tad congested where I am walking. There are 4 robotic cameras on tripods and each table has a smaller night table behind it for the players to stash their drinks/snacks.
On the note of lunch, I don't really have time for it. We leave for the hall at 1:30 and return typically between 9-10pm. A late dinner means a late night, say 1-2am, so we grab some breakfast at 10am. For me the food is better than last time but Takis says this is the worst hotel/food conditions he has ever endured as an Arbiter.
Peter said at the press conference that people have been asking him to play more boring (winning?) chess and this game is the result. He didn’t decide to play a Najdorf until he was at the board. On the other hand, Andrekin in his home prep anticipated this opening!
Svidler had a slight advantage in the opening and could have pressed on but they decided on a draw.
Candidates 2014
Round Nine
March 23, 2014
Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar – Aronian, Levon
E20 Nimzo-Indian, Kmoch Variation
The press conference between the two was very friendly. After 12 moves, black has sacrificed two pawns and white has a pawn stuck way up on g7. The position is very hard to evaluate. Aronian starts to drift, makes a few mistakes and Mamedyarov takes over. Shortly before the time control white decides to trade down to a winning opposite-colored bishops ending with two extra pawns. Black immediately gave up.
Candidates 2014
Round Nine
March 23, 2014
Karjakin, Sergey – Kramnik, Vladimir
D02 Queen’s Bishop Game
Today it was Sergey Karjakin’s turn to use an unexpected move order in the opening to throw Vladimir Kramnik off the balance.
The position after 7. Qb3 strongly resembled some of the Kramnik’s own games with white from the 90’s. Exactly at this moment black erred by capturing the pawn on c4 instead of taking the knight on f3.
Karjakin grabbed the b7-pawn and after a sequence of natural moves obtained clear advantage.
In desperation, black sacrificed another pawn in the hope of setting a blockade on the light-squares. But after some patient build-up, white was able to push the opponent’s pieces back.
Karjakin exchanged everything to reach a winning double-rook endgame with two extra pawns. Kramnik resigned on move 64.
Kramnik: "There was no game today, I just blundered in one move: 7...dxc4?? Unfortunately that happens to me in almost every tournament.”
Karjakin: "It seems to me I played one of the best games in my career against Svidler yesterday. I am just on the way of finding my play and to strengthen it."
Candidates 2014
Round Nine
March 23, 2014
Anand, Viswanathan – Topalov, Veselin
B90 Sicilian, Najdorf, Adams Attack
Anand - Topalov also had the h3 Naidorf Sicilian on trial.
Topalov went for a more flexible structure with e6, much similar to the Scheveningen Sicilian.
White allowed the exchange of his strong dark-squared bishop, but he got a quick long castle in return. Black’s reaction was not the best and he soon ended up in a slightly passive French-like structure with the backward pawn on e6.
Black tried to obtain some counterplay against white f4-pawn, but the exchange of both pairs of rooks only helped white to press on black’s weak points.
In the ensuing Q B endgame white king was also much safer.
After some clever maneuvering white won the pawn and proceeded to convert the advantage.
Anand was asked at the press conference about his chances now that Aronian lost today but he only smiled and said that he was looking forward to the rest day tomorrow.
- Lev has blown a gasket and will have a pit stop now, so may never catch up.
(Harikrishna) - Fine victory by Anand against Topalov! 1 point lead with 5 rounds to go. Anand vs Carlsen coming soon ;)
- I also predicted Anand to finish at the bottom. Boy was I wrong or what! The tiger has woken up and now causes carnage! I think Anand has Topa's number. Fun game though. I expected d4 but hey nice surprise for the fans! Anyway, now I hope either Anand or Aronian win this!
Aronian, come on man...don't disappoint your supporters. :(
- What on earth was Kramnik's 7th? He thought for a long while before playing dxc4, but after Karjakin's taking on b7 Kramnik thought a lot also on the next move. Can he just have missed that the pawn was hanging? In any case he was just dead lost after 7 moves.
- "After (possibly) beating Anand, Kramnik will have only one white game left - against his 'friend' Topalov"
But he has a white against Svidler before that, and that is a game he won last Candidates. If he does that now too and then beats Anand he will be first on tiebreak with three rounds to go (and white against a weak Topalov left).
- Fantastic game by Anand to move to 3 and regain sole lead after 9 rounds..
Who would have thought that the veteran would be a favourite at this stage, and to think of it - No one gave him any chance before the tournament.
I guess this proves Anand's hunch - He can still come and win a Candidates Event at this age - Just play well and fight.
Awesome games by Mamedyarov and Karjakin. All of Anand's main pre tourney rivals were defeated today, to *almost* make way for Anand's second clash with World Champ Carlsen.
- Aronian's overall strategy for the tournament looks flawed: He takes too many risks while playing for the black side. Go for the pressure with white, but try to get an early draw and some rest with black. Players like Mame love playing interesting games (as he himself always says) but if the crown is your ultimate aim, 'I just wanted to try some interesting concept' cannot be a valid excuse on the path to the world championship. I am glad Mame is playing in this; he is the 'Ivanchuk' of this year's tournament, causing big changes in the standings.
- There is no indication that Anand's form will change. He has played the fewest moves of any players in this event and has the most wins with no long losses or draws. His energy reserves are good and we are coming up on a well-timed rest day. He also has 2 whites vs the tournament coming soon vs the tournament bottom tablers. There is no indication that Vlad will do anything to Anand with white because Anand has been rock solid with black and he will not choke like Carlsen did last year. The only way I see Anand not winning is if he tries to draw his way through the event and someone else gets red hot and wins 3 or 4 straight. Problem is I have no reason to believe all the other chasers wont drop at least one more game. The other wildcard is desperation affecting the quality of games. I foresee more decisive results and very few draws as the event draws to a close until players become mathematically eliminated and then the draws will return in the last 2 rounds.
Last edited by Wayne Komer; Sunday, 23rd March, 2014, 01:33 PM.
This has been a remarkable tournament so far. With the exception of Anand, whose performance has been spectacular through 9 rounds, the players are incredibly evenly matched as shown by today's losses from the two pre-tournament favourites, Kramnik and Aronian. And the games have been fantastic, fighting chess, a far cry from the bland fare that has become too common at top level events. Hats off to the players and the organizers.
Anand said it was a balanced position at the end and taking a draw was an easy decision. In Karjakin-Andreikin similarly, there is nothing to see at the end. Andreikin had prepared well and there was not much that Karjakin could do. Dmitry said that now he is just playing for pleasure.
Svidler wanted to give himself one or two question marks for 9..Bc5. Better was 9... Nc6 when Kramnik was planning 10. a4 (10. Re1 Bc5 11. e4 fxe4 12. Rxe4 Nd4 ). Kramnik is asked what is wrong with him. He says maybe it is tiredness but he played well until the blunder, so he doesn’t know.
Topalov has dissatisfaction with his play. He said that he had three good positions as black against Svidler, Andreikin and Anand and lost the games.
Are the years catching up with Kramnik and Topalov?
Aronian says there are still four rounds to go in the tournament and he has chances if he doesn’t make any one-move blunders.
_______________
Viewers’ Comments
- I think what has happened to Kramnik this tournament is a great shame. I predicted that he would be highly motivated - I am sure he was, but he also looks to be in poor shape, perhaps trying too hard.
There could still be a final twist, if Kramnik pulls out a one-off performance against Anand in the next round, which would give Aronian a chance to catch up.
If, as seems most likely, Anand qualifies to play Carlsen again, I would put it on a par with the Karpov-Korchnoi matches of the late 1970s/early 1980s: very few expected the older player to do well, but he gave the younger champion one or two frights along the way, while the chess world waited for the next generation challenger to come along...
- This seems over now. I just don't see anyone catching Anand.
- Aronian is having his chance to step up now but he is the one who is cracking under pressure. he has been playing great chess for half a year and now suddenly when he needs it most is playing his weakest chess in a half year? Carlsen would utterly destroy Aronian.
- I think that all conclusions must wait until at least round 13. Anything is possible. My guess is Aronian will beat Kramnik and possibly Karjakin, and draw with Svidler and Andrekin (the last is unclear although he is playing solidly). So Anand cannot afford to lose to anyone...
- I do not remember Kramnik playing so badly. First lack of preparation and then blunders. It looks as if he does not put his mind into this event, even if he tries.
Anand gives the exact opposite impression that he is in full control, avoiding any danger and scoring at almost every opportunity. He can afford quick draws like today. It is hard to imagine him going down now.
- If Anand draws his remaining games, then Aronian requires 3.5/4, which would be a very impressive 3091 rating performance by my calculations.
Interestingly, they both have to face the "Russian Row" of Kramnik, Karjakin, Svidler and Andreikin in the last four rounds. This is of course a consequence of the forced pairing of the Russian players at the start of each cycle - the last four rounds are a mini Russia vs Rest of the World match.
Personally, I can't wait!
Last edited by Wayne Komer; Tuesday, 25th March, 2014, 04:09 PM.
Reason: added commentary after last press conference done
Yesterday, someone opened at twitter account for the FIDE World Championship Match Carlsen – Anand 2014. It seemed premature but who knows?
Kramnik-Anand – The Tournament just got a new sponsor and so the blue tablecloth at the press conference desk is emblazoned with ASUS IN SEARCH OF INCREDIBLE.
Kramnik seemed to have suffered a lot because of yesterday’s blunder. He played an opening, the Catalan, that was very solid and that he knew well. He spoke of equalizing, not being happy with his position even when he was two pawns up. He said he had analysed 11.Na3 a few years ago, but he blamed “old engines” for not seeing the compensation for Black. A draw.
When asked about how he sleeps during a tournament he said it ranges between not good and awful. After his loss, he didn’t get to sleep until 6 a.m. “I never had a night of more than eight hours. Nine hours would have been a dream - if every round I had slept for nine hours, I would have a 100% score.”
On the other hand, Anand says he sleeps very well during a tourney, getting between nine and ten hours. It is only after the tournament that he can’t sleep.
There was a long question about how Svidler could win and Anand not in a scenario posted by Mr. Sutovsky. Vishy more or less brushed it aside.
____________
Svidler-Aronian started as a Reti but soon the pawn structure resembled the Slav Exchange variation. Aronian said that the last time he played this, he blundered.
Svidler marked 22. b4 as a mistake after which black succeeded in trading the heavy pieces on the c-file. Both players agreed that 22. Rc2 was a better try, when black would probably start preparing a break with e5.
After the queens went off, a draw was agreed on move 33
__________
Andreikin-Mamedyarov also was a Catalan with Andreikin admitting that he was surprised in the opening and spent a lot of time trying to find the best moves. White made a break by advancing c4-c5, but black exchanged all the pawns on the queenside. On a positive note, white obtained a pair of bishops.
The resulting endgame 2B vs B N and four pawns on the same flank should be equal, but still some precision was required from black.
Mamedyarov recollected that Kramnik and Gelfand held similar endgames, but he didn’t feel entirely at ease in today’s game. Nevertheless, he managed to trade more pawns and draw was finally agreed to.
__________
Topalov-Karjakin was the last game to finish and the hardest fought.
(ChessVibes) Black played the double fianchetto, and in a well known position Topalov came up with the new idea g4-g5 & Nc3-e4.
After a funny rook shuffle (c8-c7-c8-c7) by Black, both players put their queen behind a bishop (recently dubbed “Réti's Rifle” by IM Arthur van de Oudeweetering) and, like a Wild West duel, these rifles were looking at each other - quite a unique situation.
In the endgame black had two passed pawns a- and h-files and always threatened to advance them. Eventually white stopped them both with his king and rook and a draw was agreed. In the post game analysis both sides seemed to think that they were winning or losing at some time.
Attention Karsten Müller: Could Karjakin have won at some point?
Later: (in http://chess-news.ru/en/node/15047) - Karjakin played 45...Bf2 and after 46.Rh8 Kg7 47.Rh5 Kg6 48.Kc2 he could do nothing. No win is seen after a recommended by computer 45...Bg1 because of 46.Rf8 Kg7 47.Rd8 with equality.
The only way to the victory is: 45...a3!! 46.Kc2 Be3!. Sergey had to find a winning combination with bishop on f4 and then White is unable to defend from several threats at a time: except passed-pawns there's also e5-е4 breakthrough and king marching to d3. Now in case of 47.Rh8, there's 47...e4! 48.fxe4 Ke5, аnd if White plays 47.Rf8 , there's 47...Ke6 48.Re8 (48.Ra8 а2! 49.Kb2 Bf4! - exactly this move is needed for maintaining the threat of h4-h3) Kd7 49.Ra8 Kc7! with decisive advantage.
If Karjakin has won, he would be only a point behind Anand.
______________
Viewers’ Comments
- It was interesting to know during the Kramnik-Anand press conference that Anand sleeps well during the tournament but not after the tournament.
- Only two people could have enjoyed the round today. Anand, because he's snoozing toward a rematch. And Carlsen, because he must figure that none of these guys has a chance against him.
Otherwise, the day was a disaster for slow chess. The only slightly interesting game was Topalov-Karjakin, thanks to an offbeat rook vs. bishop ending. Make these guys play death matches, and we might get something worth watching.
- I can easily see Anand drawing the rest of his games. That would make it almost impossible for anybody to catch him. And of course, all the other players know that. They're playing like they just want to get it over with.
Now if Anand stumbles in the next round or two, all of a sudden things come back to life. But he's got white against Andreikin tomorrow. I'd say Andreikin's chance for a win is maybe 5%, possibly less.
Now Anand's game with black against Karjakin in round 13 might get interesting, especially if Sergey somehow wins tomorrow against Mamedyarov.
- To be honest, it looks pretty much over for Aronian, too. If Anand just draws out the string - which everybody seems almost resigned to - then Aronian has to win every game due to the tie-breaker. What are the chances of that?
Only an Anand loss could bring the tournament back to life. But so far he's never even had a significantly worse position, much less been in any real danger of losing.
- Karjakin was today most close to a win but it was not easy. Maybe 45...Be3 with the idea e4 and Ke5 offered some chances for a win but I am not sure if there was a win.
- Totally agree. What's wrong with Karjakin? Is he the new Leko? That's what sets Carlsen apart, he would have pushed Andreikin and Topalov to the limit, and they might have cracked. Karjakin will never be a true winner this way. Sad, sad...
- Practically Anand has won. If he draws the remaining 3 games he will have 8.5. Nearest rival Aronian will have to win all the 3 games to reach 9 to overtake Anand. Even if Anand lose one and draw two still Aronian will have to win 2 out of 3 games which seems difficult. So if nothing very surprising happens Anand will go through to WCC against Carlsen.
- Karjakin missed a win against Topalov, see the analysis of the game at chessgames.com
Last edited by Wayne Komer; Wednesday, 26th March, 2014, 11:16 PM.
Reason: viewers' comments added as usual
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