Originally posted by BurnsiderI would not be surprised at all to see a Reti or something similar- it has a good track record in this kind of situation.
Anand defeated Topalov (with Black) in the last WCh match, when Topa self destructed in the final game. Gelfand will need to control his nerves and keep some control on the clock. One slip up now for either player is curtains, so I'd be surprised to see a sharp opening - but that's certainly what I would wish for!
Originally posted by Fat LadyThis is a bit sad...
I think Anand and Gelfand have proved that neither of them can be considered the best player in the world and that whoever wins this match will be Champion in name only.
Either Carlsen or Aronian need to become World Champion to restore some prestige to the title.
They draw so easy with black, so this makes me wander why they are not brave enough to try different things for white.
I will give you an example: let's say Anad plays 1. a3! today. Anyway he played Slav, so in case of 1...d5 he can go in his easy to draw Slav one tempo up! if 1...e5 he can go in Sicilian/English one tempo up, so he should have no problem to draw if he wants to, and he will be remember in chess history for doing something special, brave. And, imagine if he wins...will be something to be remembered...like Karpov-Miles game.
Come on, Anand, do this for chess fans, play 1.a3 and in case your opponent looks confident just play one of your black drawish opening.
It was just an example, there are many other moves that they can try: 1.c4, 1f4, 1.Nf3...etc, you know better than me.
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Originally posted by Fat Lady"Champion, but not the best player in the world" could be applied to other World champions. Like Euwe, Alekhine (his results after getting tittle back in 1937 were not so good as before), Botvinnik (in late 50ties - 1963), Petrosian (unable to take first place in serious tournament 1966-69). Also Kramnik`s play has arised similar complaints.
I think Anand and Gelfand have proved that neither of them can be considered the best player in the world and that whoever wins this match will be Champion in name only.
Either Carlsen or Aronian need to become World Champion to restore some prestige to the title.
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Originally posted by vipiuIf even fighters like Kasparov sometimes was not "brave enough" there must be a reason for it and you should try to figure out how smart is always to "play brave" like you recommend. Here are some examples from WC matches.
This is a bit sad...
They draw so easy with black, so this makes me wander why they are not brave enough to try different things for white.
I will give you an example: let's say Anad plays 1. a3! today. Anyway he played Slav, so in case of 1...d5 he can go in his easy to draw Slav one tempo up! if 1...e5 he can go in Sicilian/English one tempo up, so he sho ...[text shortened]... there are many other moves that they can try: 1.c4, 1f4, 1.Nf3...etc, you know better than me.
Looks like we could have a good game to finish with (I hope there's a positive result, rapidplay or worse to decide the World Championship is daft).
6. b3 was a real shocker, but looks perfectly logical. 8. h4 is definitely home preparation by Anand whereas Gelfand must surely be thinking for himself by now. If I was a betting man I'd put money on an Anand win, probably by Gelfand making a positional blunder in time trouble between moves 30 and 40.
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I'm thinking 10...c4 must have been expected from Anand team.
I saw it within a few seconds. His crowd must have expected something like that.
You cannot allow yourself to be gummed up like that holding onto material.
Black has the two Bishops. They are useless in blocked positions.
A position full of White potential.
That Knight on c4 pops up a lot in Bb5 Sicilians after Bxc6 bxc6.
I build my opening plan around getting a Knight to c4 in that line.
greenpawn34 - rubenad RHP 2006
Here is the game.