Chess

[Federberg]

Yes agreed. Ding surely should win, but he has to be careful he doesn't let such a big edge fizzle out

 

[DarthFed]

I wonder if Nd3 was playable instead of Re6

 

[Federberg]

I wonder if Nd3 was playable instead of Re6

2nd option according to the engine, but vastly weaker than Re6

 

[Federberg]

what can account for Aronian's poor form? It's really stunning to me. We've been talking about choking on the other thread, perhaps that's what this is

 

[DarthFed]

2nd option according to the engine, but vastly weaker than Re6

Re6 looked awkward to me but Grischuk was able to break the pin easily. This looks pretty drawish now, would be quite the save for him.

 

[Federberg]

Re6 looked awkward to me but Grischuk was able to break the pin easily. This looks pretty drawish now, would be quite the save for him.

Ding must be fuming. Material and time advantage and couldn’t find the win.

 

[DarthFed]

what can account for Aronian's poor form? It's really stunning to me. We've been talking about choking on the other thread, perhaps that's what this is

I think it's just a matter of him trying too hard to win. Realistically when he was at -1 and Caruana was already +3 he knew he'd have to win a lot of games and he's gone for ultra-aggressive but somewhat reckless play. And against this competition he has been punished for it.

 

[DarthFed]

Ding must be fuming. Material and time advantage and couldn’t find the win.

Yeah it's brutal, but at the same time he saved a similar one vs Caruana. That one was better and longer defense than this one though. Ding missed a clear win with Nd8 on move 29, not easy to find but with time most super GM's are spotting that

 

[DarthFed]

Embarrassing stuff from Aronian. I hope he recovers from this tournament but it may take time.

 

[Federberg]

Embarrassing stuff from Aronian. I hope he recovers from this tournament but it may take time.

Yup. Immense psychological damage. And his form was so good leading up to it

 

[Federberg]

oh wow! I stopped watching thinking the Ding game was a draw, and I come back and Sascha must have blundered

 

[Federberg]

Ah! Fizzled out into a draw as expected. That was a great hold by Sascha. He might yet look back on that and see that as the game that got him the tournament win. He's still very much in it

 

[Federberg]

And look who's creeping up all silently. Sergei

 

[DarthFed]

That'd be something crazy if Karjakin sneaks another win here. He is white vs Caruana tomorrow.

 

[DarthFed]

Karjakin - Caruana - Draw
Mamed - Ding - I think Mamed gets it here. Had to be a disheartening draw yesterday for Ding and he's played two straight brutal games

Grischuk - Aronian - when it rains it pours, Grischuk

Kramnik - So - draw. The one meaningless game of the day.

 

[Federberg]

Karjakin - Caruana - Karjakin, just because unless Fabi specifically tries to neutralise, Sergei has the ability to play the sort of dry game I don't think Fabi is proficient at

Mamed - Ding - Agreed, Shak

Grischuk - Aronian - going with a draw, just because I can't believe Levon can be this appalling

Kramnik - So - Kramnik, I think that Wesley occasionally has inaccuracies in his game. I could easily see him winning by the way, but I'll go with Vlad as he has the white pieces

 

[DarthFed]

Wow Ding won as black vs Mamed. Looked like the latter pushed too hard which isn't surprising with 3 rounds left. Going to be tough for him but clearly he wants Karjakin to win, that game is quite active. Karjakin down an exchange for two pawns, equal material wise, maybe slight edge black but tough for either side.

 

[DarthFed]

Big blunder from Caruana in time trouble, looks winning for Karjak now

 

[DarthFed]

Disaster for Caruana to miss Bxf7 wow. Now frickin Karjakin tied for the lead, ugh.

 

[Federberg]

Sigh.. I missed everything today. Had to go and see relatives. I had a sneaking suspicion that Sergei would take Fabi, but he Shak result is a shocker to me. Some guys are simply not destined for greatness. I swear DF, I have this depressing feeling that Sergei is going to do it again. Of all the characters near the top he's the most mentally stable and strong. He knows how to win. I thing this time Magnus will beat him like he stole something