Candidates Matches, 2011: News and Analysis

Originally posted by nimzo5
I struggle with the notion that Gelfand is a relatively weak tactical player.

Robbie- I think a technical player would generally mean someone who seeks to trade their middle game advantage into endgame victories. Dvoretsky's "Technique for the tournament player" is pretty much on that subject. Kamsky in many ways seems to be the most "technical" player in the candidates despite Kramnik's reputation. Just my .02 on that though.

ok Nimzo, thats helpful, i get it now. A technical player is one who applies this technique, interesting. I always, feel robbed when that happens to me. Why should someone win just because they have better technique? Its almost an injustice. where is the creativity, the imagination? the taking of risks, calculated and otherwise? Meh, its machine like and monotonous. There should be some rule that your not allowed to win like that or you only get three quarters of a point and one and a half if you mate your opponent outright, with no pawn promotions.

Gelfand and Grischuk are through to the final. Anand must be very happy

Originally posted by watchyourbackrank
Gelfand and Grischuk are through to the final. Anand must be very happy

yeah! I dreaded another Kramnick v Anand final, i hope Grischuk makes it. Vishy is the special one though. Hope to see plenty of 1.e4 games.

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
yeah! I dreaded another Kramnick v Anand final, i hope Grischuk makes it. Vishy is the special one though. Hope to see plenty of 1.e4 games.

Grischuk played like looser and won like looser. It was disgusting to see him offering a draw after 8 moves 😳
Gelfand played very interesting games and won crazy tie-break today

Originally posted by elady
Grischuk played like looser and won like looser. It was disgusting to see him offering a draw after 8 moves 😳
Gelfand played very interesting games and won crazy tie-break today

yeah, not like your biased or anything because he happens to be an Israeli national. Offering Kramners a draw was just saving time for what was almost a foregone conclusion. I'd offer him a draw after eight moves as well. Grishy v Vishy sounds better than Vishy v Gelfy. I agree the Gelfand game was more interesting but that was due in part to Kamsky who also played a very interesting game. Btw how do you win and still be a loooooser, if thats not bitter i dunno what is. 😉

"To play for a draw, at any rate with white, is to some degree a crime against chess" - Mikhail Tal

I hope Grischuk goes down 0-4.

Don't be surprised if Gelfand beats Grish and then unseats Anand...

I wonder if either Grischuk or Gelfand would take a bribe from Carlsen.

i think Gelfand has played the most interesting chess, Grischuk shown very good fighting spirit. rooting for Gelfand. it's his last chance to have a shot at the world title. grischuk has time ahead of him.

Originally posted by nimzo5
Don't be surprised if Gelfand beats Grish and then unseats Anand...

Gelfand's always been one of my favorite players; he's created a lot of innovations in the Najdorf. His record against Grischuk is terrible in blitz/rapid, so he's probably going to have to beat him straight up in classical.

I'm not sure if either of them can tame the tiger. I just hope we do see a match in 2012. We all know how things go when it comes to putting together a WCC!

The first GG game of the final will start soon
The young G will play with white pieces

Originally posted by elady
The first GG game of the final will start soon
The young G will play with white pieces

yes i am watching it at present, Boris is doing very well, 6...c5! I have a soft spot for the old geezer now, it may be his last shot, i hope he does it. Anyone can watch it here

http://video.russiachess.org/view/304

I'm watching it to

http://kazan2011.fide.com/live-games.html

We are here - White has just played 14.Bf4-g5
Time left White: 1Hour 44 - Black 1 hour


This has the makings of being an interesting game.
Has Grischuk change tactics and not gone for the lottery of Blitz play?
I'm waiting for Black to play 14...e5.
Tactically it looks OK unless I'm missing an obvious shot.
Postionally....I don't know. (will the pawn be weak or strong?)
But with the White King still on e1 opening up the e-file with sacs must be considered.

Edit: Gelfland has played 14...Re8 instead of 14...e5. OK I'll shut up.

Did you mean 14...e4? .....He played e5 on move 13...