Chess Scotland Noticeboard

Alex McFarlane · King Joined: 13 Mar 2007 Posts: 413

Semi-Final Round 3

The President of the Rebublic of Tatarstan was in attendance today as was the head of the Russian Chess Federation. The former’s presence ensured that once again security was tightened and that there was a military turnout, or perhaps it was because of the appearance of the latter. It can be difficult to say who would be more important in Russian terms.

We had a phone ring just before the end of play, the first since the phone blocking was activated for the second games. There had been some obvious problems with the jamming at the start of play today which lead to some last minute tinkering being done. The repairs seemed to have been effective until near the end of play when …..

The poor old codger whose phone was ringing was so engrossed in the position on his pocket set that he had no idea it was his mobile until told so in no uncertain manner by hotel security. He then got it out and as he was trying to switch it off, a task he seemed incapable of completing, his phone rang again. Two burly security staff then simply grabbed it off of him and took it outside, leaving a totally bewildered gent who, by the look on his face, thought he had been robbed!! I did not try to comfort him.

Well 50% of today’s games were hard fought. It was interesting that Kamsky spent more time away from the board than usual and Gelfand more time at it. Certainly this is the first time that I have seen Boris seriously behind on time so that may form part of the reason. Kamsky seemed to show a lot of indecision during the game. On several occasions he had his hand poised over the board for many seconds like one of those amusement arcade claw cranes that never quite allows you to win a prize. Indeed on one occasion (move 23) he hovered above the h1 rook, slid it along to e1, held it there for a second or two and then brought it back. This must have confused the DGT board into thinking a move had been played because Gelfand came out of the players’ lounge at his usual lick of knots. On looking at the board he stopped in his tracks noticing that the rook was not on e1 but back on its original square. He was then reassured to see that it was Gata’s clock that was running.

Tomorrow sees the midway point of the tournament and barring miracles Monday will see the Semi Final Play-offs.

sigrun · King Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 307 Location: Europa

Grishuk who wasn't supposed to play but replaced Carlsen who chickened out & Gelfand are through!
_________________
''All murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.'' Voltaire

AMcHarg · Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 7:21 pm Post subject:

Andy McCulloch · King Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 280

Oh yes he did.

JR · King Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 447 Location: Edinburgh

Got to say Ive lost all interest in these matches, the chess has been tediously dull with a lot of short draws and very little imaginative play. Should just forget the longer time controls and go straight to the tie-breaks.

Alex McFarlane · King Joined: 13 Mar 2007 Posts: 413

What was originally intended to be my thoughts on the Candidates for primarily an audience back in Scotland has attracted attention with a much wider audience.

Despite identification of the players being kept to a minimum, it is possible that such comments could affect my working relationship with them at this highly charged time. For that reason I will post no further thoughts from Kazan until the conclusion of the final round.

I’m sure that you were getting fed up reading this anyway.

GN · King Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 415

Alan Tate · King Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 377 Location: Edinburgh

I can't recall a worse match/set of matches. Actually the WC match Kramnik - Anand was pretty bad....
Hard to fault Grischuk's strategy as he obviously feels he has an edge in the rapids, but the other players don't have to just go along with it.
In any case it is a complete joke from a spectator's point of view, and also from the sponsor's.
Time to bring in some anti-draw rules for matches like this, no?

Anyone looking for entertainment could do worse than watch the Nakamura - Ponomariov match!

AMcHarg · Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 3:35 pm Post subject:

DMB · King Joined: 08 Mar 2007 Posts: 267

http://www.chessintranslation.com/2011/01/kasparovs-verdict-on-carlsens-withdrawal/

Alan Bell · Queen Joined: 01 Mar 2007 Posts: 89

sigrun · King Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 307 Location: Europa

Stuart Blyth · King Joined: 11 Sep 2008 Posts: 209

If that's the worst game any of you have seen, then all I can say is that you've never been to Glenrothes Chess Club and seen:

a) Pete Selbie's 'Old Stodge' gambit, where no pawns have been taken after thirty moves.

b) Walter Pearson playing out an opposite-coloured bishops ending.
Wink

Alan Tate · King Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 377 Location: Edinburgh

Come to think of it mostly the format is to blame as the players must be tiring by this stage. I don't blame Carlsen for pulling out if it makes Fide take notice. I had believed that Kasparov was behind Carlsen's decision, but reading that article makes it pretty obvious that the kid made it himself (although probably influenced by Kasparov to some degree).

Re Kramnik - Anand, watching any match with commentary definitely helps, but it was certainly one of the worst matches I've seen, probably down to Kramnik's lack of enthusiasm(also 12 games is way to short).

AMcHarg · Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 7:00 pm Post subject:

Anand will retain his title anyway I think. Neither Gelfand or Grischuk have the weapons to take him out.