Chess thread

[Tal]

Out of interest how many Blondes out there are considering going along to the watch the candidates?

In all seriousness, whilst I will likely be going either next Friday or Saturday (can't make this weekend), I would suspect the entry fee will make it unlikely that others will come along.

£25 is a fair wedge if you're only quite interested, although, FWIW, there is a practical obligation to make the event accessible to novices, enthusiasts and passers-by alike, else it will struggle to sell the brand. This is important to the man handling the overall World Championship cycle, who is trying to extend chess interest markedly.

My suggestion to those who are feeling put off my the price would be to wait until this weekend and see what the website shows is going on. If you're not getting enough bang for your buck, follow it online instead and keep up to speed with Chess Thread

[McGlashan]

Hey Tal normally a friend and I come down from Scotland for the London Chess Classic but on this occasion I'll miss out due to being abroad. On the other hand less poker will be played due to an online candidates sweat.

Ladbrokes have also priced it up. Magnus is 8/15 and at first glance the market has a high over/under.

[Tal]

It will be a fabulous three weeks for sure. There will be some brilliant chess, albeit with a couple of draw merchants in the comp (Radjabov has a wonderful ability to calculate but does draw a LOT of games!).

Long format allows people to play aggressively and the likes of Grischuk, Ivanchuk, Kramnik, Aronian and Carlsen need no permission slips to go for a win.

For those who want to know about Levon Aronian, here's Chessbase's player profile on the Armenian nice guy:

http://en.chessbase.com/Home/TabId/211/PostId/4009146/candidates--levon-aronian-2809--world-3-130313.aspx

[Tal]

As for the betting, Betfair was ten spots above the bookies the other day, so I'm on Carlsen at 1.67 and a bit more at 1.66.

There's a lot in Carlsen's favour going into this tournament, but he has the toughest start with Aronian and then Kramnik. If he gets through that with more than two draws, he'll be shortening. Less and he might actually be worth betting more if the market twitches too far.

Whatever happens, it seems certain we will have a special tournament. Over 40 years since the last Candidates tournament.

[McGlashan]

Fyi there's a drift on Magnus to 1.69 @Marathon

[Tal]

Fyi there's a drift on Magnus to 1.69 @Marathon

Russian money, I expect

[Tal]

Wellity, wellity wellity.

It all begins tomorrow (there was an opening ceremony today but I've not been any details of it as yet...) with round one and those with nothing to do between races at Cheltenham might wisely choose to watch the action on the tournament site:

http://london2013.fide.com/en/main-page/1-news-en/195-player-statistics

The link above is a bit of fun, pinch of salt take able statistics, with a head-to-head of the players historically.

The likes of Carlsen and Radjabov were getting munched by these other guys six or seven years ago, whereas Kramnik and "Chucky" were still in their thirties.

Here's to a special comp.

[Tal]

A cagey affair first up.

Kramnik didn't fancy a long game the day before he takes on Carlsen. Aronian and Carlsen didn't want to go far and, once Aronian had seen his opening neutralised, the players shook hands.

All games, pics and analysis is here:

http://en.chessbase.com/Home/TabId/211/PostId/4009167/candidates--games-of-round-one-under-way-160313.aspx

[MintTrav]

So probably Ivanchuk would be least happy with those results, not winning with White against Grischuk?

Possibly also Radjabov, even with Black, as the reports suggest that he believes he is so much better than Gelfand that he can deliberately play some dodgy moves to open the game up and then take a win?

[Tal]

So probably Ivanchuk would be least happy with those results, not winning with White against Grischuk?

Possibly also Radjabov, even with Black, as the reports suggest that he believes he is so much better than Gelfand that he can deliberately play some dodgy moves to open the game up and then take a win?

Radjabov-Gelfand saw two of the drawiest players playing each other, so I'm not exactly shocked they drew.

You're right to point out the opening, though, as Gelfand isn't regarded as being very good in that department (it is all relative, we must remember). Radjabov tried to lure Gelfand forward so that he could counter punch but the Israeli was having none of it.

[Tal]

Any chance of a picture, Magnus?

[Tal]

Live games link (there are a few sites showing them):

http://london2013.fide.com/analysis/index.html

[Tal]

The games are complete from round two and we have joint leaders.

No. Not eight of them. Two of them.

Carlsen and Kramnik swapped everything off and agreed a draw before the spectators had even opened the hobnobs. I've no doubt that would be annoying to those who'd paid £30 entry plus whatever travel to see these guys play, but this isn't purely an entertainment business.

Radjabov got an edge early against Ivanchuk and never let go, pushing away at Chucky's lack of development to earn a big enough advantage to claim victory.

Aronian is (like Carlsen) very comfortable in unclear positions and Gelfand...isn't. At least not as much. A level but muddled position with multiple weaknesses didn't suit the Israeli (well, born in Belarus, but he plays for Israel now). Aronian took full advantage and the full point.

Grischuk and Svidler played out the kind of Ruy Lopez Super-GMs marmalise weaker players in but draw against each other without too much grief. So it proved. They drew.

http://en.chessbase.com/Home/TabId/211/PostId/4009172/candidates-r2--radjabov-aronian-draw-first-blood-160313.aspx

The table looks like this after two rounds:

[Tal]

This is what the playing hall looks like.

Compare and contrast:



1962, the last Candidates Round Robin Tournament, Curaçao.

[The Baron]

Looks like Carlsen's endgame brilliance might pay off again.