Nakamura vs Komodo, Odds Match

[Jack Maguire]

Next Wednesday and Thursday, Janurary 6 and 7, 2016, Nakamura is going to play Komodo a 4 game odds match, the first two with Pawn odds, the 3rd with Exchange odds, and the 4th with 4 Move odds. Nakamura has set himself a goal of scoring 2/4. (:

http://www.chess.com/article/view/nakamura-to-play-komodo-in-odds-match

[Hugh Brodie]

Re: Nakamura vs Komodo, Odds Match

Why would Black's R be placed on b8 in the Exchange-odds game? (remove White's QR and Black's QN, and place Black's QR on b8)

[Jack Maguire]

Re: Nakamura vs Komodo, Odds Match

Why would Black's R be placed on b8 in the Exchange-odds game? (remove White's QR and Black's QN, and place Black's QR on b8)

I believe it's to prevent Black from castling Queenside (an option not available to White since he has no Rook to castle).

[Hugh Brodie]

Re: Nakamura vs Komodo, Odds Match

I have seen Rook-odds games in which the odds-giver castled Queen-side with the phantom R - just moving his K 2 squares. Carlsen played IM Lawrence Trent a 9-game (blitz) match at Rook odds recently, and lost 5-4. I haven't seen the games, so I don't know if Carlsen had any Q-side castling opportunities. :-)

http://www.chesshistory.com/winter/winter56.html

(scroll down to #6029)

[Vlad Dobrich]

Re: Nakamura vs Komodo, Odds Match

Yes, in rook odds games castling is allowed with the phantom rook. So in the Nakamura game with the rook on b8 castling should also be possible provided the rook is in its starting square on b8.
I once saw a mating problem where a pawn is promoted to a rook on e8 and the king is still on e1. The only mating move is to 'castle' the king to e3 and dropping the new rook to e2 ! Checkmate :D

[Lee Hendon]

Re: Nakamura vs Komodo, Odds Match

Last time Nakamura played odds against Stockfish in this kind of match he lost 3-1
first 2 he had the help of an old version of Rybka
and next 2 were pawn odds

So this time it looks like they are given him a little more help!


Thou I am not sure about the odds games if the extra N will be decisive in the opening before the R's plays

[Caleb Petersen]

Re: Nakamura vs Komodo, Odds Match

Last time Nakamura played odds against Stockfish in this kind of match he lost 3-1
first 2 he had the help of an old version of Rybka
and next 2 were pawn odds

So this time it looks like they are given him a little more help!


Thou I am not sure about the odds games if the extra N will be decisive in the opening before the R's plays

Of note is that the games he lost against Stockfish were because he pushed for a win and then lost, but yes you're right, they are giving him more help, probably because Komodo is stronger than Stockfish.

[Jack Maguire]

Re: Nakamura vs Komodo, Odds Match

Given GM Victor Mikhalevski managed 2 draws in his 6 game match with Komodo, perhaps there's some hope for Nakamura these next two days. (:

http://www.chess.com/news/komodo-squeezes-mikhalevski-prior-to-nakamura-match-5456

[Jack Maguire]

Re: Nakamura vs Komodo, Odds Match

Dylan Love's report on the match, 'The Showdown', is an entertaining read at 'Inverse'. Naka has managed draws in the first 3 games!

https://www.inverse.com/article/9990-the-showdown-hikaru-nakamura-and-the-invulnerable-chess-demon-from-hell

[Jack Maguire]

Re: Nakamura vs Komodo, Odds Match

Naka lost his 4 moves odds game so the final score was Komodo 2.5 and Naka 1.5.

http://www.chess.com/news/komodo-beats-nakamura-in-final-battle-1331