Chess

[Federberg]

So here are the last two games for each of the 4 guys in contention, Fabi, Sergei, Sascha and Shak:

Fabi has Levon (white), Sascha (black)

Sergei has So (black), Ding (white)

Shak has Sascha (white), Kramnik (black)

and Sascha has Shak (black), Fabi (white)

Got to have Sergei as the favourite to win surely?

 

[Federberg]

Actually I've missed the fact that Ding is right in there as well. Wow! It's really tightened up. If I were putting money on it, I would probably go with Sergei which is a bit depressing

 

[DarthFed]

Karjakin would win the TB now right? If so he is clear favorite and he has the easiest path.

 

[Federberg]

Yup correct. I believe he has the best tie break. Fabi will probably over push, that's the risk here. Sergei is just so damn strong, I would be surprised if if he doesn't close it out now

 

[DarthFed]

Even though Carlsen and Karjakin went down to tiebreaks it was not an entertaining match. Not looking forward to a rematch and I agree that Magnus won't have as much difficulty this time around though it will probably just be a win by one or two games.

 

[brokenshoelace]

@brokenshoelace Did MVL come to your club yet? You had mentioned he was going to do that awhile back. If so, how was it?

Didn't happen unfortunately. The arrangement had originally been scheduled for sometime around August, and he had to prepare for (I think) the Sinquefield Cup.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Even though Carlsen and Karjakin went down to tiebreaks it was not an entertaining match. Not looking forward to a rematch and I agree that Magnus won't have as much difficulty this time around though it will probably just be a win by one or two games.

Karjakin is super underrated and incredibly tough to beat but I agree, I would literally rather see anyone else over him against Carlsen.

 

[Federberg]

Tomorrow's matches....

Karjakin vs Ding draw
Aronian vs So draw I think Levon will finally just shut it all down
Grischuk vs Caruana Grischuk - I think Fabi will over push
Kramnik vs Mamedyarov draw

 

[DarthFed]

I will go with
Draw
Caruana
Draw
Draw

Grischuk will be pushing hard, that should be the game of the day. Hoping Caruana wins

 

[Federberg]

I will go with
Draw
Caruana
Draw
Draw

Grischuk will be pushing hard, that should be the game of the day. Hoping Caruana wins

hmmm.. seems like I got the matches wrong.

Shak vs Grischuk draw
Ding vs Kramnik draw
So vs Karjakin draw
Caruana vs Aronian draw

I can't believe Levon won't just try to shut things down now. His ratings have been smashed enough. Otherwise this is just unprofessional

 

[DarthFed]

Oh ok, I didn't check the site.

I'm going with Ding and Caruana wins and the other draws. Great opportunity for Fabi here

 

[Federberg]

Oh ok, I didn't check the site.

I'm going with Ding and Caruana wins and the other draws. Great opportunity for Fabi here

What has happened to Levon? Wow...

 

[Federberg]

Fabi is burning up a lot of time

 

[DarthFed]

Ding - Kramnik got super interesting. Kramnik g5 and f5 looked awkward at first, 2 pieces for a rook and a pawn looks like. after Qa8 looks like Qe4 here to me

 

[DarthFed]

Nb5 now before fxe6, tough one to analyze here especially at work

 

[DarthFed]

Well he played fxe6 first, Nf3 looks decent now

 

[DarthFed]

Or Nf6, I'm sitting this one out lol.

 

[DarthFed]

Aronian sacs a piece for two pawns but I don't see much of an attack to justify it. But cool to see Vlad and Levon all bloodthirsty, they haven't played well to say the least, but at least it's been entertaining and sometimes funny

 

[DarthFed]

Shak wins after Grischuk chokes hard in time trouble. Caruana looks to be heading to the lead though. Ding game still looks drawish but another highly entertaining game from him. That guy is well rounded.

 

[DarthFed]

And Levon is toasted. What a horror show.