Chess

[DarthFed]

So much for that theory. Grischuk wins, I'd say Kramnik is now done as well. Pretty shocking after such a good start. I remember the days when that guy was pretty much impossible to beat.

 

[DarthFed]

Looks like Ding won, I'll have to go over the game later to see where Kramnik lost the thread

I'm not seeing anything wrong with Bxe5 as opposed to f6

 

[DarthFed]

I think Vlad saw ghosts, maybe worried about Bxe5, Rxe5, Kd4, Re7 and Rf8 but even getting the knight to f7 doesn't matter as g6 takes care of the mate threat. Haven't played it over with a prog but that looks like the screwup to me.

 

[Federberg]

Engines are looking at his move 76. He went Bf4+ instead of Bf3. I guess the point being that was his last chance of breaking up the connected pawns

 

[DarthFed]

Yeah but that was after the Bxe5, he looked pretty screwed once Grischuk took on f6 but maybe not. Hope I'm not going blind and missing something obvious on Bxe5

 

[DarthFed]

Bf3, Nd5, Be5 Bxe5 and Ke3 still looks lost to me for Vlad

 

[Federberg]

Bf3, Nd5, Be5 Bxe5 and Ke3 still looks lost to me for Vlad

It does to me too. Perhaps a computer might hold it

 

[Federberg]

 

[Federberg]

Aronian v Shak going for a draw here, but I wouldn't be shocked if Levon screws the pooch again
Caruana v Ding draw, Ding is doing a Giri quite clearly, and I doubt Fabi will want to risk too much
Karjakin v Kramnik I think Karjakin wins. If not because Kramnik goes suicidal again, then it'll be stamina
So v Grischuk draw, although I think Sascha's going to be paying close attention to what Fabi and Shak are doing

 

[DarthFed]

I will go with Caruana and draws in the rest.

 

[DarthFed]

Kramnik and Caruana games are quite active. Other two should be draws.

 

[DarthFed]

Very uncomfortable position for Ding here.

Vlad has gone suicide bomber here, I can't picture this working out for him.

Aronian game still looks like a draw but to his credit he's done his best to spice up the position.

 

[Federberg]

Very uncomfortable position for Ding here.

Vlad has gone suicide bomber here, I can't picture this working out for him.

Aronian game still looks like a draw but to his credit he's done his best to spice up the position.

Yup. Looking good for Fabi

 

[Federberg]

The Kramnik melt down continues. I'm not sure what to make of this Candidates. There might be more decisive games this time around, but I have to say, I think the quality last time was a tad higher. This is just nuts

 

[brokenshoelace]

After such a great start, and a really memorable win with that Bg8 novelty, Vlad has been embarrassing. All the more reason the WC should have gone to MVL.

 

[Federberg]

After such a great start, and a really memorable win with that Bg8 novelty, Vlad has been embarrassing. All the more reason the WC should have gone to MVL.

Lol! You won't let that one go. I agree it would have been interesting to see MVL as the wild card, but Kramnik definitely had a case as well. Wasn't his average rating higher?

 

[DarthFed]

I don't see any case for MVL getting it over Vlad and BS is talking in hindsight here as most would have rated his chances as high or higher than MVL's. With that said I think both should have been there. After qualifying it should probably go off ratings. Would MVL be doing this bad? I doubt it but everyone would've said the same about Kramnik coming in. And after being +2 after 3 games this is shocking. At least Levon has been pretty bad for the get-go which is actually easier for him to accept than this has to be for Kramnik.

The thing about Vlad and Aronian's play right now is that a draw is a loss. They both needed miracles to get back in this event. That explains a lot of the recent play.

 

[DarthFed]

The Kramnik melt down continues. I'm not sure what to make of this Candidates. There might be more decisive games this time around, but I have to say, I think the quality last time was a tad higher. This is just nuts

I definitely agree. Mamed and Caruana have played good, solid chess but it hasn't been good from the rest. Grischuk has been OK and thats been it. Last tournament was pretty good aside from Topalov.

 

[DarthFed]

Kamikaze Vlad has a ring to it. I honestly can't wait to see him vs. Aronian in a couple rounds. That will be one bizarre-ass game.

 

[DarthFed]

That knight on d5 is saving everything right now but for how long? This is a game Magnus and any computer definitely wins but other mere mortals might not grind this one out. Fab is playing really strong so far this tourney so he has a good shot here.