World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship Dubai 2014

[Wayne Komer]

Re: World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship Dubai 2014

World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship 2014

World Blitz

Round Sixteen
June 20, 2014

Mamedyarov (11)-Nepomniachtchi (12) 0-1
Aronian (10.5)-Carlsen (12) 0.5-0.5
Yudin (10.5)-Nakamura (11) 1-0
Polgar, J. (10)-Anand (10) 0-1
Dreev (10)-Harikrishna (10) 1-0
Caruana (9.5)-Le Quang (9.5) 1-0
Safarii (9.5)-Grischuk (9.5) 0-1
Mamedov (9.5)-Hao Wang (9.5) 1-0
Sargissian (9.5)-Morozevich (9.5) 0-1
Korobov (9)-Riazantsev (9) 1-0
Hansen (7)-Naiditsch (7) 1-0

Suddenly Safarii shows up among the leaders. I am convinced that the best way to show the results of a big blitz tournament is to have an ongoing graph so that you can see the winning and losing streaks of each player graphically and in colour!

Round Seventeen
June 20, 2014

Nepomniachtchi (13)-Yudin (11.5) 1-0
Carlsen (12.5)-Dreev (11) 1-0
Nakamura (11)-Aronian (11) 1-0
Anand (11)-Mamedyarov (11) 1-0
Grischuk (10.5)-Mamedov (10.5) 0-1
Morozevich (10.5)-Caruana (10.5) 1-0
Meier (10)-Korobov (10) 0-1
Wojtaszek (10)-Eljanov (10) 0.5-0.5
Harikrishna (10)-Bassem (10) 1-0
Le Quang (9.5)- Polgar (10) 0.5-0.5
Bologan (8)-Hansen (8) 1-0

There was a little incident yesterday, when Viktor Bologan, upset at losing yesterday, pushed away the arm of the official standing next to him:

(ChessVibes viewer) - Look at what Bologan did to the after he lost his game in round 6 :)


http://www.dubai2014wrb.com/en/movie/getvideo/39/

The incident is just near the end of the movie.

[Wayne Komer]

Re: World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship Dubai 2014

World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship 2014

World Blitz

Round Eighteen
June 20, 2014

Mamedov (11.5)-Nepomniachtchi (14) 0.5-0.5
Carlsen (13.5)-Morozevich (11.5) 0.5-0.5
Nakamura (12)-Anand (12) 1-0
Yudin (11.5)-Harikrishna (11) 1-0
Korobov (11)-Aronian (11) 1-0
Dreev (11)-Mamedyarov (11) 0.5-0.5
Polgar, J. (10.5)-Grischuk (10.5) 0.5-0.5
Hao Wang (10.5)-Wojtaszek (10.5) 0-1
Cheparinov (10.5)-Caruana (10.5) 1-0
Hansen (8)-Kryvoruchko (8) 0-1

Round Nineteen

Nepomniachtchi (14.5)-Korobov (12) 0.5-0.5
Mamedov (12)-Carlsen (14) 0-1
Morozevich (12)-Nakamura (13) 0-1
Anand (12)-Yudin (12) 0.5-0.5
Mamedyarov (11.5)-Cheparinov (11.5) 1-0
Wojtaszek (11.5)-Dreev (11.5) 0.5-0.5
Harikrishna (11.5)-Grischuk (11) 0-1
Aronian (11)-Polgar (11) 1-0
Matiakov (11)-Le Quang (11) 0-1
Radjabov (11)-Eljanov (11) 1-0
Caruana (10.5)-Svidler (10.5) 0.5-0.5
Nielsen (8)-Hansen (8) 1-0

Two rounds to go

[Wayne Komer]

Re: World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship Dubai 2014

World Blitz
The twenty-first and last round of the World Blitz Championship is just coming up. Carlsen needs only a draw to become the new champion.

He is paired with Korobov. Carlsen is White.

Komarov expects a quick draw.

http://dubai2014wrb.com/en/

[Wayne Komer]

Re: World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship Dubai 2014

World Blitz

Magnus Carlsen is the new World Blitz Champion with this game:

World Blitz
Round 21
June 20, 2014
Carlsen, Magnus-Korobov, Anton
D45 QGD Semi-Slav

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 a6 7. b3 Bd6 8. Be2 e5 9. cxd5 cxd5 10. dxe5 Nxe5 11. Bb2 O-O 12. O-O Bg4 13. Nxe5 Bxe5 14. Bxg4 Nxg4 15. h3 Nf6 16. Ne2 Rc8 17. Qb1 Qe7 18. Bxe5 Qxe5 19. Nd4 Ne4 20. Qb2 f5 21. Rac1 f4 22. exf4 Qf6 23. g3 h5 24. h4 Rc6 25. Rfd1 Rfc8 26. Rxc6 Rxc6 27. Qe2 Rc3 28. Qxh5 Nxg3 29. fxg3 Rxg3 30. Kf2 Qxf4 31. Nf3 Rh3 32. Qxd5 Kh7 33. Qh5 1-0

[Tom O'Donnell]

Re: World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship Dubai 2014

I hope they bring back Komarov to do more commentary. Fantastic job.

[Francis Rodriguez]

Re : Re: World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship Dubai 2014

World Blitz
The twenty-first and last round of the World Blitz Championship is just coming up. Carlsen needs only a draw to become the new champion.

He is paired with Korobov. Carlsen is White.

Komarov expects a quick draw.

http://dubai2014wrb.com/en/

Komarov:
at 16:32

"Viswanathan Anand.....with.....some plastic bag.......always
....coming here.....with plastic bag.....Viswanathan Anand....some!"

Whaaaaaat???

Dude, at least the 5-time former world champion speaks
faultless English! Thanks for the entertainment though, Yoda!

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

Re: World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship Dubai 2014

Magnus Carlsen is the new World Blitz Champion

He is something - a World triple-chess champion. Congrats.

[Wayne Komer]

Re: World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship Dubai 2014

Press Conference

(with Anastasiya Karlovich)

I started out playing pretty badly on the first day and then started to play well, then lost to Lu Shanglei. Knew I would have to meet all the top guns eventually. Didn't know that Jan Nepomniachtchi would be a field beater. It was in his hands at one point. Then the decisive moment was the third to last round against Mamedov. I had a difficult position and was under pressure and then set him a trap, he fell for it and then I was in the lead. Jan had played the draw and I was equal to him and in the last two games they went easily for me whereas Nepo had difficulties. With three rounds to go I was half a point down and everything was not in my hands and had to do my best. I might have lost against Aronian. My final score of 17/21 is deserving of respect.

You are the triple champion, what else can you do?

I can do it again!!
I definitely want to retain my titles and stick around for a long time.

What was the level of play here?

Generally, the level of play in tourney was very good. There were very few blunders. The secret in blitz is not rocket science - it is to play quick and not blunder.

Do you change your playing style for blitz?

(Laughs) For Fressinet on the first day, I had a special little recipe for him! Generally I keep playing and fighting until the end.
Jan did much of the same, played even faster and with more tricks than I had.

What is your favorite time control and why?

I like them all. After playing a classical tournament, it is nice to play blitz. Since winning here I really might play blitz in my next tournament.

What about bullet and correspondence?

I don’t have the patience for correspondence and I don’t have the quick hands to play bullet – maybe a bit too old for the latter.

What about Chess960?

I am in. Why not?

What are your plans after this?

Staying here one more day then going to Yerevan for a vacation but my next tournament will be the Chess Olympiad.

Dmitriy Komarov said excitedly that we should all resign playing chess now as we have no chance!

Frankly speaking, from what I have heard from Komarov, it doesn’t take much to get him excited.

What does Dubai mean for you?

I got my grandmaster title in Dubai and won two titles here, so everything is perfect here!!

[Wayne Komer]

Re: World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship Dubai 2014

World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship 2014

World Blitz
June 20, 2014

Wrap-Up

Things have got a little out of order with the conclusion coming before the last two rounds, so to speak. This will catch you up.

Round Twenty

Yudin (12.5)-Carlsen (15) 0-1
Aronian (12)-Nepomniachtchi (15) 1-0
Korobov (12.5)-Nakamura (14) 0-1
Le Quang (12)-Anand (12.5) 1-0
Mamedyarov (12.5)-Wojtaszek (12) 0.5-0.5
Grischuk (12)-Morozevich (12) 0-1
Dreev (12)-Mamedov (12) 0.5-0.5
Nguyen Son (11.5)-Radjabov (12) 0.5-0.5
Iturrizaga (11.5)-Bacrot (11.5) 0.5-0.5
Harikrishna (11.5)-Tomashevsky (11.5) 0.5-0.5
Cheparinov (11.5)-Andriasian (11.5) 0.5-0.5
Savchenko (11)-V-Lagrave (11) 0-1
Svidler (11)-Matiakov (11) 1-0
Malakhov (11)-Polgar, J. (11) 1-0
Eljanov (11)-Caruana (11) 1-0
Taleb Moussa (8)-Hansen (8) 1-0

Round Twenty-One, Final Round

Carlsen (16)-Korobov (12.5) 1-0
Nepomniachtchi (15)- Morozevich (13) 1-0
Nakamura (15)-Dreev (12.5) 1-0
Mamedyarov (13)-Aronian (13) 0.5-0.5
Wojtaszek (12.5)-Le Quang (13) 0-1
Anand (12.5)-Radjabov (12.5) 1-0
Mamedov (12.5)-Yudin (12.5) 1-0
V-Lagrave (12)-Sargissian (12) 0-1
Grischuk (12)-Iturrizaga (12) 0.5-0.5
Andriasian (12)-Svidler (12) 0-1
Harikrishna (12)-Nguyen Son (12) 0.5-0.5
Bacrot (12)-Malakhov (12) 0.5-0.5
Tomashevsky (12)-Eljanov (12) 0.5-0.5
Vitiugov (11.5)-Cheparinov (12) 1-0
Dubov (11)-Yangyi Yu (11.5) 1-0
Meier (11)-Najer (11) 1-0
Caruana (11)-Safarli (11) 0.5-0.5
Polgar, J. (11)-Laznicka (11) 1-0
Hansen (9)-Volokitin (9) 1-0

Blitz Final Standings

1. Carlsen, Magnus 17.0/21
2. Nepomniachtchi, Ian 16.0/21
3. Nakamura, Hikaru 16.0/21
4. Le Quang, Liem 14.0/21
5. Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar 13.5/21
6. Aronian, Levon 13.5/21
7. Anand, Viswanathan 13.5/21
8. Mamedov, Rauf 13.5/21
9. Sargissian, Gabriel 13.0/21
10. Morozevich, Alexander 13.0/21
11. Svidler, Peter 13.0/21
12. Yudin, Sergei 12.5/21
13. Dreev, Aleksey 12.5/21
14. Harikrishna, P. 12.5/21
15. Wojtaszek, Radoslaw 12.5/21
16.-25 ten others
________

It is hard to express the magnitude of Carlsen’s achievement. I agree with Colin Crouch when he says he doubts that one person winning the three titles will happen again in his lifetime. Nepomniachtchi matched Carlsen step for step throughout the tournament. Nakamura, Le Quang and Mamedyarov were expected to come high in the standings and they did. Aronian and Anand showed they are of the very highest class in chess.

Colin Crouch: “The top of the list of “players who has never been heard of” would presumably be Serge Yudin. At one stage, he was to be found on top board, but has drifted down to just outside the top ten. He is in his late twenties, from Russia, and a Grandmaster, but at neither 2700 plus level, nor even at 2600 level. He got to close 2600 some years ago, but drifted back a bit. All that remains is that he is a superb blitz player. It took Carlsen and Nepomniachtchi to push him back from the top boards.”

Young Lu Shanglei impressed everyone. Judit Polgar had her moment and finished ahead of grandmasters like Caruana, Jobava and Karjakin. Eric Hansen finished ahead of Vallejo Pons, Ipatov, Mchedlishvilli, Glek, Volokitin and Fier. 10/21 is not a bad score when you are fighting the world’s blitz elite.
_________

Viewers’ Comments

- Man, I can't believe how lucky this Carlsen guy is!!! Time and time again :-)

- Magnus praised both Ian Nepomniachtchi and Hikaru Nakamura for their good play, and said that 16/21 also is a very strong result.

- Magnus Carlsen is the world's very best and most consistent chess player.
He has proved it again and again the last years.
What some people call "luck" is exceptional skill.
With his good psyche and iron nerves he is also the best under pressure when it matters most.
I also want to congratulate Nepo, Carlsen's good friend and second with his impressing play and second place, and congratulations also to Nakamura!

Kudos to all the participants for a nice event!

And thanks GM Komarov for good, skilled and fun comments! His accent didn't bother me. I found it just charming. :-)

- I enjoyed the whole tournament: it was a chess thriller in many ways, with lots of great players and great play, including drama, tension, and entertaining and funny comment moments. And the fact that there were very strong contenders for the two titles, who were hard to surpass, makes Carlsen’s achievement even greater from my view.

This was definitely a performance reminding me of Fischer's best times, who also of course didn't play flawless (who could?). But he showed this level of creativity, mixed with high fighting spirit and strong nerves, which I saw during the last days, especially in Carlsen's play.

Carlsen has a lot of respect for his nearest contenders, as he confirmed in the press conference. And he, in contrast to some here, has no problems acknowledging good play, admitting that they definitely made it hard for him to get through.

(Kasparov tweet) - Carlsen is the strongest, of course, but winning at all 3 time controls is a little like winning tennis slams on clay, grass and hard court.

(Nakamura tweet) - Going to have some nightmares about my loss to Yudin. Oh well, just came up a little short. Carlsen deserved to win.

(Tarjei Svensen tweet) - Carlsen will head to Yerevan for a sponsor event after tomorrow. Then attend the World Cup final in Rio de Janeiro.

(Mark Crowther tweet) - To be fair, Nepomniachtchi takes a bit of practice. I find Mr <copy> <paste> is the most reliable method of getting names right

- Fantastic and entertaining tournament, great commentary, blunders and brilliancies galore!

Looking forward to the next rapid and blitz championships. And I was happy to see Anand and Moro doing well again in both competitions.

[Wayne Komer]

Re: World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship Dubai 2014

Magnus Carlsen in Yerevan, visiting the Tigran Petrosian Chess House, conducting a simul for under 12s.

http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/photoset/all/6370

and paying tribute to World Champion Petrosian

http://bit.ly/1sxtV3p