Chess

[Federberg]

Truly bizarre game

 

[DarthFed]

He pussed out. Pretty surprising given the heights he nearly reached this time last year. I haven't seen one like that in quite awhile.

 

[Federberg]

He pussed out. Pretty surprising given the heights he nearly reached this time last year. I haven't seen one like that in quite awhile.

Surely he must have seen something, however illusory that implied serious counter play. He's usually a fighter. Quite bizarre

 

[DarthFed]

Apparently Karjakin had under 2 minutes for 8 moves but there is the 30 second increment. I think he should've played on, it's not like Aronian had much time either.

 

[Federberg]

Apparently Karjakin had under 2 minutes for 8 moves but there is the 30 second increment. I think he should've played on, it's not like Aronian had much time either.

Sergey has always been a beast in time trouble. Only Grischuk has been more impressive in that regard. Hard to imagine that was why he did bailed out, unless he's trying to defend his ratings and didn't feel like taking the risk

 

[DarthFed]

Yeah he definitely saw ghosts. Sure it was still a very open position but it was deceptive for white, he really didn't have too much. Big miss for Sergey as black against an in form Aronian. Hope we see some good games today.

 

[DarthFed]

Ugly position for Karjak as white vs Caruana. Some good karma for yesterday's shenanigans. I don't think Fabiano will be as generous

 

[DarthFed]

Rest of the games were boring draws again...

 

[DarthFed]

Interesting anti-Berlin in Caruana-Anand. Black looks a bit better after 16 moves but it's pretty sharp.

 

[Federberg]

games look to have a lot of potential today

 

[DarthFed]

Anand butchered that pretty bad. Saw ghosts, nothing wrong with Qxc5.

Carlsen pushing hard for a win but it's a pretty easy draw here

 

[Federberg]

Anand butchered that pretty bad. Saw ghosts, nothing wrong with Qxc5.

Carlsen pushing hard for a win but it's a pretty easy draw here

Magnus had a significant edge at one point, but his tendency to try to eliminate any counter-play cost him. Sometimes it's not so easy to do that against these super-GM, which is why Magnus isn't winning as much these days. But I guess it's understandable given how poor his 2016 was

 

[DarthFed]

Major fireworks ahead in Naka-Carlsen game. The So-Aronian game is quite exciting too but a little more balance with Queen and pawn vs Rook, Bishop, and Knight. More dangerous for white right now though as his pawns are weak but should be a draw.

 

[Federberg]

Yes agreed. I think Magnus could have got himself in a bit of trouble there. He wasn't quite accurate enough even though his position was better. And Naka got a position which required a draw by repetition, Magnus deferred and now he's going to have to equalise

 

[DarthFed]

So messed up badly with b3. Aronian easily got the two passers and now has good winning chances

 

[DarthFed]

Great play from Naka. Would be a heck of a win but this is not going to be easy to convert

 

[Federberg]

Going to be interesting to see if Magnus can swindle him. Naka has tightened up over the last few years so more probably that he sweats to escape with a draw. But I would say that any result is possible still, albeit a Magnus win is at best a 10% chance

 

[Federberg]

Looking grim for Magnus

 

[DarthFed]

Yeah it'd take a howler of a collapse for Naka to lose the game. Draw seems most likely but Naka can and should make him suffer. He has all the winning chances.

Aronian gave up the draw easily. I think h6 may have been a bit premature.

 

[DarthFed]

Not fun at all to defend this even if you're Carlsen. Pretty easy to see that Black's pawns are going to fall, question that decides this contest for white is if he can eliminate the f pawn without sacrificing a piece. The other ones are toast.