Chess thread

[The Baron]

Baron, here's an article that compares era's and helps put Magnus in perspective. It also includes some play through Queen sac games from Morphy and Fischer. http://www.businessinsider.com/magnus-carlsen-our-first-post-modern-chess-champion-2013-11

Great article. Appreciated TY.

[McGlashan]

"My mistakes didn't happen by themselves"

   - Anand

Great quote. To elaborate on that we have this explanation from the previously linked article.

Second, Carlsen is demonstrating one of his most feared qualities, namely his “nettlesomeness,” to use a term coined for this purpose by Ken Regan. Using computer analysis, you can measure which players do the most to cause their opponents to make mistakes. Carlsen has the highest nettlesomeness score by this metric, because his creative moves pressure the other player and open up a lot of room for mistakes. In contrast, a player such as Kramnik plays a high percentage of very accurate moves, and of course he is very strong, but those moves are in some way calmer and they are less likely to induce mistakes in response.

[MintTrav]

Was it wise of Carlsen to turn down a draw offer earlier in the final game?

I didn't realise he did. It seems a little inappropriate to decline the offer tbh, knowing that made him the champ. Carlsen commented today he was playing for no complications (read "playing for the draw") but then decided he might be able to win, until it started getting too complicated and he swapped everything off.

MBN to have that kind of control.

It wasn't an explicit offer. Anand repeated, with an implied draw offer, but Carlsen didn't reciprocate.

[Tal]

Was it wise of Carlsen to turn down a draw offer earlier in the final game?

I didn't realise he did. It seems a little inappropriate to decline the offer tbh, knowing that made him the champ. Carlsen commented today he was playing for no complications (read "playing for the draw") but then decided he might be able to win, until it started getting too complicated and he swapped everything off.

MBN to have that kind of control.

It wasn't an explicit offer. Anand repeated, with an implied draw offer, but Carlsen didn't reciprocate.

Oh ok. Sometimes, players repeat just to take them a couple of moves closer to the time control;  gives them a little more time to think. You might well be right on this one, though

[The Baron]

"My mistakes didn't happen by themselves"

   - Anand

Great quote. To elaborate on that we have this explanation from the previously linked article.

Second, Carlsen is demonstrating one of his most feared qualities, namely his “nettlesomeness,” to use a term coined for this purpose by Ken Regan. Using computer analysis, you can measure which players do the most to cause their opponents to make mistakes. Carlsen has the highest nettlesomeness score by this metric, because his creative moves pressure the other player and open up a lot of room for mistakes. In contrast, a player such as Kramnik plays a high percentage of very accurate moves, and of course he is very strong, but those moves are in some way calmer and they are less likely to induce mistakes in response.

If like to see them meet in match play. Fascinating stuff.

[McGlashan]

The good news is we might not have to wait long as there's another WC match next year due to catching up on a backlog. Notably Nakamura no.4 in the world is missing.

The full list of candidates competing in March can be found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Chess_Championship_2014 along with explanations of how said candidates qualified.

[Tal]

The good news is we might not have to wait long as there's another WC match next year due to catching up on a backlog. Notably Nakamura no.4 in the world is missing.

The full list of candidates competing in March can be found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Chess_Championship_2014 along with explanations of how said candidates qualified.

That's very useful, McGlashan. Thanks.

Yes, it is a reasonable conclusion that Nakamura would have been more of a threat for the title than Svidler, but the host does get to pick a wildcard and that's who they've gone with. There are a dozen players who would have made competitive choices, so someone was always going to lose out. Certainly would have been an argument for Michael Adams, for example, but I think it's fair to say the Russian choice was more likely to be favoured.

Andreikin will have his work cut out and so will Mamedyarov. As we saw last time with Radjabov, as soon as these players smell blood with one person losing a couple in a row, the draw offers stop and the way back becomes horribly tough.

No doubt Aronian and Kramnik will be favourites to get the seat for next year. It will be interesting to see how Anand does, although it seems likely he will be no worse than mid table in that field going into the late rounds. As we saw last time, anything is possible.

[Tal]

http://en.chessbase.com/post/chennai-aftermath-the-experts-opine

Some final reviews of the World Championship Match, including from Danny King and one Garry Kasparov.

[Tal]

This is an excellent article on oldest and youngest world champs and world number ones in chess:

http://en.chessbase.com/post/maturity-and-majesty

Love a good chess photo, me.

[McGlashan]

As the only 2 GM's ranked higher than Anand they will rightly be the favourites, may the best man win.

[Tal]

Did you really have to choose that photo of Kramnik?!

[McGlashan]

Did you really have to choose that photo of Kramnik?!

On the subject of young number 1's, that is Vlad becoming the highest ranked ELO player in the world at a youthful 20 years of age,  a record only surpassed by Magnus (courtesy of Chessbase).

And it's funny

[The Baron]

http://en.chessbase.com/post/chennai-aftermath-the-experts-opine

Some final reviews of the World Championship Match, including from Danny King and one Garry Kasparov.

I like Giri's article too.

[McGlashan]

Click to see full-size image.

What's Spanish for why is this chess player on our football pitch?

[Tal]

I reckon Ramos is thinking "As soon as he kicks the ball away, I'm going to wait a couple of seconds and then I'm going to kick him"