World Cup Heats Up!

[Hal Bond]

Crossing the floor

My departure from the Arbiting crew caused a tiny bit of strife today for a few reasons. Radjabov was speaking directly to Ivanchuk about his nervous shaking of the table, which is suppoed to be done via the Arbiter. Ivanchuk obliged without incident, but it set Ashot slightly on edge. Then came news that Carl Rist was planning to leave at 6am in the morning, which was news to the Chief. Carl promptly changed his flight to the following day. Then Navara- Grischuk drew, and we appeared to headed for 3 tiebreaks. The Chief Arbiter wanted to eliminate the local Arbiters at this stage of the competition. When Ponomariov finally won against Gashimov some pressure was allayed.

Speaking of which, that ending seemed very strange, as though Pono was playing with his food. It looked to me like he simply had to march over to a1, flush out the B, block the diagonal with his Knight and promote. Instead he made at least a dozen pointless moves before proceding with the plan. Gashimov forced Ponomariov to take the B on a1, hoping to keep the Black King stuck in the corner but the Black Knight could always Zug the White King off the c file.

So Ivanchuk and Radjabov go to tiebreeak along with Grischuk and Navara. I predict two players will be eliminated.

[Fred McKim]

Re: World Cup Heats Up!

Yesterday was my last day as Arbiter. In an unusual move, I was appointed as a substitue on the Appeals Committee because one of the members had to leave early.

Although we are of course allowed in the tournament hall, we have our own (small)room where we hang out most of the time. The WIFI is superb and I am enjoying the actual broadcast.

Ivanchuk was walloped today by Radjabov so they go to tiebreaks tomorrow. Polgar just lost with White to Svidler so her journey is over. At this moment Navara has a pawn and looks close to winning against Grischuk, while Ponomariov and Gashimov appear quite level.

It appeared Navara misplayed what looked like a winning ending and goes to the tie-breakers. Ponomariov nursed a small advantage and eventually converted the ending. So one semi-final is set (Ponomariov-Svidler).

[David Gordon]

Re: World Cup Heats Up!

Actually I was quite facinated with the Ponomariov - Gashimov ending. After the king takes the bishop in the corner if the white king has a choise of going to c1 or c2 then the game is a draw. Example is 101.....Kxa1?? 102.Kc2!=. Same theme 1 rank over for 99.....Kb1?? 100.Kd1!=.

[Tom O'Donnell]

Re: World Cup Heats Up!

I agree with Dave. This ending was very instructive and I am not sure it is actually winning until 100.Kd3?

Anyway, the video coverage has been fantastic and even if the method for choosing the winners is more than a bit random, it seems to me that any three of Ivanchuk, Grischuk, Svidler and Ponomariov would be excellent additions to the Candidates.

[Hal Bond]

Final Four

Hey Tom - yes, so I discovered from others here. Houdini was calling for mate in 20 moves or something, and Pono took about 35.

So we are down to 2 Russians and 2 Ukranians. If I read the tree correctly it will be Svidler - Ponomariov and Ivanchuk - Grischuk.

Ivanchuk defended well in the first game against Radjabov, finally taking refuge in a R vs B ending. In the second game he held a small edge and Radjabov blundered in time pressure. The Black pieces proved to be most dangerous in the Grischuk - Navara match. Grischuk won the first game as Black and Navara failed to convert his Knight ending with an extra pawn.

So these 4 players will play until September 20 if needed. The next round decides who is playing for first second or third. Then comes 4 games in the final round. Tiebreaks will take place on the morning of the September 20 if needed, followed by Closing Ceremonies that evening. Then the gruelling journey home. I'll be more than ready by then.

[Hal Bond]

Re: World Cup Heats Up!

Very quiet today. The Russians had White and draws were agreed in 20 and 22 moves. We were outta there before 6pm.

Tomorrow the Ukranians will have White - Ivanchuk against Grischuk and Ponomariov against Svidler. The first free day of the tournament happens following the tiebreaks of this round. If both games are decisive tomorrow we have two days off.

[Hal Bond]

Svidler to play for Gold

Svidler managed to sac the exchange for a Qside passer and won nicely today with Black against Ponomariov. He now plays the winner of Ivanchuk - Grischuk, who drew today and will decide things tomorrow.

Ponomariov will face the loser in a fight for a third spot in the Candidates.

[Ben Daswani]

Re: World Cup Heats Up!

svidler is a beast!!

go svidler go

[Hal Bond]

Grischuk joins Svidler

We have an all Russian Final, and the Ukranians will battle for the third spot. The 25-10 featured two spirited wins with White. According to Houdini, Ivanchuk blundered in time pressure with Black and could only draw as White.

Tomorrow we rest, then the rest. 4 game matches followed by tiebreaks as needed.

[Hal Bond]

Svidler wins with Black!

Bloody Mary and I took care of the laundry on our rest day. It was great to have a little help.

Today some folks expected the Russians to draw early and the Ukranians to fight. Not quite. Svidler collected the point with Black after Graischuk appeared to go in for a combo that didn't work out.

Ivanchuk's White pieces were contained by Ponomariov. Houdini showed it to be a level affair throughout.

[Hal Bond]

Another White bites the dust!

Ivanchuk developed some pressure with Black today against Ponomariov and converted the point nicely.

Svidler was satisfied with a half point as white today. He and Grischuk shook after only 16 moves.

[Tom O'Donnell]

Re: World Cup Heats Up!

Speaking of shaking, did anyone else see Ivanchuk's hands trembling when executing the last few moves of his game today? In poker, it's known that a trembling hand from an otherwise steady player does not normally mean a bluff, but rather usually indicates holding a monster. Seems to be the same in chess! ;-)

[Hal Bond]

Re: World Cup Heats Up!

I love so see poker parallels in chess.

Tom - do think Pono could have held? After 36...Be2 Houdini suggested 37. Rxe2 and soon regaining the exchange in a worse position, - .94. After 37. Rxf5 Pono was -5.71. Ivanchuk played the best line and scored.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

Re: World Cup Heats Up!

H.B., may you answer one question:
Do spectators come to see a live action?

A photo from Chessbase:

Looks quite empty.

[Aris Marghetis]

very impressive assignment for Hal!

Hal would never be boastful about his accomplishments. However, as this world cup has progressed, it is not only players who have been eliminated, but arbiters have also been thanked for their services, leaving only the very best to continue. Hal is clearly being recognized as one of the top IAs, period! So, a tip of the hat to Hal for his success! :)