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I have not been following the games particularly closely, so far, but do you not look at van Kampen-Naiditsch, Aronian-Hou and Nikolic-Grandelius and wonder whether some players were better off staying in bed this morning?
Naiditsch pitched a piece and immediately resigned. I assume it was a case of impulsively thinking 22...Nxg3+ was tenable, combined with a bit of zeitnot (roughly 15 minutes to make 20 moves prior to the lapse). If they get him in front of the cameras, it will be interesting to hear the basis of that hallucination.
Hou gave up her B against Aronian, which seemed to indicate that she thought her situation was a desperate one. Houdini recommends 25...Kxe5, but I assume cursory analysis convinced her that 26. Bg5 was a too-strong reply. Time was precious for her as well, not helped by the fact that Aronian played quickly. A slightly disappointing showing, after holding Caruana and bruising Giri, but I am sure she still has some punches left in her.
Clearly, Grandelius overlooked 14. Qxe5. 13...Ne4 was the type of blunder I could easily see myself making, if I were in an aggressive mood, but, with Grandelius not being me, I am surprised that he was unable to see that OTB, let alone in pre-game prep.
A resurgent Jan Timman has now entered into a tie for first in the 'B' Group, so uplifting storylines are making attempts to emerge. The homestretch should be great fun to watch.
Naiditsch pitched a piece and immediately resigned. I assume it was a case of impulsively thinking 22...Nxg3+ was tenable, combined with a bit of zeitnot (roughly 15 minutes to make 20 moves prior to the lapse). If they get him in front of the cameras, it will be interesting to hear the basis of that hallucination.
Hou gave up her B against Aronian, which seemed to indicate that she thought her situation was a desperate one. Houdini recommends 25...Kxe5, but I assume cursory analysis convinced her that 26. Bg5 was a too-strong reply. Time was precious for her as well, not helped by the fact that Aronian played quickly. A slightly disappointing showing, after holding Caruana and bruising Giri, but I am sure she still has some punches left in her.
Clearly, Grandelius overlooked 14. Qxe5. 13...Ne4 was the type of blunder I could easily see myself making, if I were in an aggressive mood, but, with Grandelius not being me, I am surprised that he was unable to see that OTB, let alone in pre-game prep.
A resurgent Jan Timman has now entered into a tie for first in the 'B' Group, so uplifting storylines are making attempts to emerge. The homestretch should be great fun to watch.
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