Chess thread

[Tal]

So, the first decisive game yesterday saw the favourite show why so many have supported his chances. Magnus Carlsen got the game he wanted: materially level but deep, positional chances for both sides, where talent trumps theory and it is simply a case of trying to find the best position in a sea of possibilities. Nobody does that better and it will certainly be known as his "style".

We got a Semi-Slav, after Magnus transposed from 1.c4 (GMs do this a lot: start with one opening and end up with another) and he slowly worked the unbalanced position he wanted. The computers called it level, but those in the know - including Anand, I can assure you - knew this was advantage Carlsen.

Here are the reports:

http://en.chessbase.com/post/chennai-g5-carlsen-draws-first-blood

And analysis:

http://en.chessbase.com/post/chennai-05-first-blood-what-next



Anand will be hoping he can counterpunch today, or he will have a rest day to think about it. He has been behind twice before in World Title defences, so don't think this is over. Anand also has two White games in a row, now, too, as the colours swap over at the halfway point.

We shall see how he does.

[curnow]

Anand done well to lose yesterday in game that looked totaly drawn
today its looks like he has come out fighting which should be good to watch

Anand done what seems to be a chess novelty in the opening putting Carlsen on tank , any change in opening theory must be wrong & the opponent has to try to workout if it is a mistake , just pleased I never studied opening theory

[McGlashan]

I'm liking today's commentator GM Abhijeet Gupta. He's a real chess player's commentator and analyst who is talking like a normal person and doesn't try to finish his co-hosts sentences.

http://www.twitch.tv/chessnetwork  is another feed for now whilst the official one is down.

[The Baron]

Wow looks like another shocker from Anand (all due respect). Game over now surely? His confidence must be shot. Two defeats, one with white, in drawn games.

[Tal]

After losing in round five, Anand would have wanted to hit straight back. Instead, it was more of the same: an opening with little gain, a middlegame the commentators labelled drawn and an endgame where Magnus took command.

http://en.chessbase.com/post/chennai-g6-carlsen-wins-second-straight



Magnus's people - including his father, central, standing - watch the action.

Here is the excellent analysis of the game:

http://en.chessbase.com/post/chennai-06-disaster-for-india

Just responding to The Baron's comment, every player has their own style and Carlsen has the ability to make level positions interesting; by keeping enough life in them, he challenges his opponent to prove the position is drawn.

Petrosian used to be a bit like that, but Carlsen had taken it to another level. In twenty years, all the best players will be incorporating this into their own games , at least to some extent; it its just part of the evolution of the game itself. We all knew the last two games have been played on Carlsen's turf and that, as great as Anand is, it was only a matter of time before the Norwegian broke through. It is like trying to "park the bus" against Barcelona.

I wouldn't rule out Anand winning a game and getting the match back in the balance. The rest of the games won't all be Carlsen games. The pressure is certainly on the champ, though, now.

[Tal]

Rest day today, in case you were wondering. We go again tomorrow, with Carlsen two games ahead.

[The Baron]

@Kasparov63: The match is only half over, but Anand's problem is not just the score, but his play. Credit to Carlsen, but Anand has defended badly.

[Tal]

@Kasparov63: The match is only half over, but Anand's problem is not just the score, but his play. Credit to Carlsen, but Anand has defended badly.

No question that this isn't Anand at his best. This kid just keeps putting pressure on you, though; he reminds me of Fernando Alonso or Ayrton Senna trying any which way to overtake. It is so difficult to play your A-game under that level of pressure.

The biggest problem is his edge is intangible. It isn't like Tal with that swashbuckling flair or Kasparov with his middlegame force. It's something new. I think people are surprised how well his style has extended to the match format

[The Baron]

I know what you mean Tal and I don't mean to take anything away from Carlsen. I was hoping it would be more like a 35 year old Anand but his last 3/4 years without form is really telling.

As a side who would you want to see win the candidates next to face Carlsen?

[Tal]

I know what you mean Tal and I don't mean to take anything away from Carlsen. I was hoping it would be more like a 35 year old Anand but his last 3/4 years without form is really telling.

As a side who would you want to see win the candidates next to face Carlsen?

Kramnik would be the obvious choice. Part of me feels he deserves it after so nearly getting the seat this time. I also think he's the second best endgame player in the world and we would have lots of the sorts of game we have seen in the last two rounds.

If Carlsen wins this week and we have a new era, Aronian would be the most appropriate challenger. Two completely different styles, like Tal and Petrosian or Fischer and Spassky.

[McGlashan]

Click to see full-size image.

[The Baron]

Naka a great shout too

[The Baron]

@Kasparov63: Carlsen is a combination of Karpov & Fischer. He gets his positions & then never lets go of that bulldog bite. Exhausting for opponents.

[MintTrav]

Naka a great shout too

Against anyone else. But Carlsen has a hex over him.

[Tal]

Some alternative (but less insightful ) coverage:

http://www.chess.com/article/view/wcc-day-6

You might enjoy the comments underneath. Some are helpful, some less so.