Chess

[DarthFed]

Man, Kramnik - Caruana got really interesting the past hour. Looked like a pretty dry position through 20 moves, not so much anymore. Kramnik temporarily down a piece for two pawns but it's Caruana who is in danger here.

 

[Federberg]

I was out and missed all the fun. Glad to see Levon won at last. He still has a chance I guess if he can get it together. Going to be interesting to see if Vlad recovers from this and also what his stamina is like. This is a fairly brutal tournament

 

[DarthFed]

Aronian - Grischuk - Good opportunity for Aronian to get right back near the top today. I think he wins

So-Kramnik - Telling game here for Vlad. He blew that game in bad fashion yesterday, should've at least been a draw. I will go with draw but no result surprises me here

Ding - Mamed - draw

Caruana - Karjakin - Sergey simply is in bad form. Caruana has a great chance here to go +3 and he will take it.

 

[Federberg]

Aronian - Grischuk - Aronian - I agree I could see Levon going on a streak

So-Kramnik - draw - I think stabilisation is the name of the game for both of these guys

Ding - Mamed - draw

Caruana - Karjakin - draw

 

[DarthFed]

Very nice position for Aronian after 21 moves and Grischuk predictably in time trouble. I knew it'd be a game of fireworks with those two

 

[DarthFed]

Quick and boring draw for Caruana-Karjakin. There haven't been many of those so far so I won't complain.

 

[Federberg]

the way things are going I might actually get all my predictions today!

 

[Federberg]

oh good grief! What happened to Levon. Thought a Grischuk resignation was inevitable

 

[Federberg]

Given what you've seen so far DF. Do you see anyone playing close to a level that can even challenge Magnus? I just can't see it

 

[DarthFed]

oh good grief! What happened to Levon. Thought a Grischuk resignation was inevitable

Incredible collapse. That could come back to bite him, a half point is what will decide it because no one is going to run away with this tournament.

 

[DarthFed]

Given what you've seen so far DF. Do you see anyone playing close to a level that can even challenge Magnus? I just can't see it

I thought coming in that Caruana is the only one with a chance vs Carlsen and of course not a great one to say the least.

The problem for Kramnik and Aronian is that they would have to win a lot of games to win the match vs Carlsen. Minimum of 3 but probably 4 because they aren't solid enough to hold the slightly worse or even games that Carlsen finds ways to grind out wins. Kramnik would get burnt out and really struggle the 2nd half of the match and Carlsen would probably have little to no trouble with Aronian IMO. Karjakin held a bunch of those tough games and Caruana could as well.

 

[Federberg]

I thought coming in that Caruana is the only one with a chance vs Carlsen and of course not a great one to say the least.

The problem for Kramnik and Aronian is that they would have to win a lot of games to win the match vs Carlsen. Minimum of 3 but probably 4 because they aren't solid enough to hold the slightly worse or even games that Carlsen finds ways to grind out wins. Kramnik would get burnt out and really struggle the 2nd half of the match and Carlsen would probably have little to no trouble with Aronian IMO. Karjakin held a bunch of those tough games and Caruana could as well.

Interesting you think Caruana can hold those worse positions. I would actually have thought Levon would be stronger than Fabi in those sorts of dry endgames. I’ve always tended to think that it’s Caruana’s home prep that keeps it competitive

 

[DarthFed]

Aronian has too much bad chess in him vs Carlsen. Obviously everyone makes errors but you can't afford too many vs Magnus and certainly can't survive big ones. He has gotten better positionally but I definitely think Caruana would be a tougher nut for Carlsen to crack.

 

[Federberg]

that's fair. Caruana's play is definitely more stable than Levon's, even if I'm not sure his highest level is stronger than Levon's despite St Louis

 

[DarthFed]

I agree, I just think it's the matchup dynamic. Against Carlsen I think you need a lot of "positional backbone" It's tough picturing anyone just blow him off the board a few times over the course of a short match and that's what Levon would have to do IMO.

 

[DarthFed]

Caruana-Grischuk - Caruana

Mamed - Kramnik - Draw

So - Aronian - Draw

Ding - Karjakin - Draw. My darkhorse pick has been kind of easing his way in, decent chance for a win today but Karjakin is still tough to beat.

 

[Federberg]

I'm predicting a bloodbath today... Grischuk will burn so much time dealing with Fabi's prep he'll be lost after 40. I think Shak is just the type of player Vlad will have problems with. His aggressive use of the black pieces and Shak's solidity will work against him. I just think Wesley's cautious approach is ideally suited to players like Magnus and Levon

Caruana-Grischuk - Caruana

Mamed - Kramnik - Mamed

So - Aronian - Aronian

Ding - Karjakin - Draw.

 

[DarthFed]

Picking So over Aronian? Just checking as it seemed you were leaning towards Levon

 

[Federberg]

Picking So over Aronian? Just checking as it seemed you were leaning towards Levon

oops! thanks I actually meant Levon would win. I'll correct it

 

[DarthFed]

Very strong position for Caruana after 21 moves. Will be interesting to see if Grischuk can wiggle out of this one, obviously it's not hopelessly lost like yesterday yet but unpleasant position for black to say the least.