Chess World Championship 2014

[Skybird]

It is Anand against Carlsen, and it begins today, I think the first match starts at 12:00 UTC.

I think Carlsen will defend his title, but maybe the fight will be closer than last time.

Live here:
http://www.chessdom.com/carlsen-anand-2014-live-games/

The link offers live commentary in writing, and parallel analysis with three very strong chess engines (Stockfish amongst them,3.0 of it also being available as a free engine for Android GUIs! ;)

http://www11.pic-upload.de/08.11.14/vgdaigjlw33l.jpg (http://www.pic-upload.de/view-25192265/1.jpg.html)

[Skybird]

The first battle of the new war has been fought, and after almost five and a half hours ended in a draw. 48 salvos were fired by each side. This was a Gruenfeld-Indian.

Anand - Carlsen 1/2 : 1/2

total 1/2 : 1/2

http://www11.pic-upload.de/08.11.14/wofyie9v62k.jpg (http://www.pic-upload.de/view-25195340/1.jpg.html)

Next match tomorrow, same time.

[Skybird]

It's the 25th move of the second match, and Carlsen with the white pieces has secured a minor advantage out of the Spanish Opening, Berlin Defence, and in midgame has taken the initiative and has forced Anand into a defensive posture that needed most precise play by the challenger while White has amassed pressure on the king's castle that looked intimidating and only was to be survived by extremely precise defence indeed. Carlsen is mounting even more strategic pressure now, with Black's position very slowly detoriating in strategic value currently. I currently cannot see Anand winning this match, it will become either another draw, or a White win.

After yesterday's quite spectacular opening, this match is another hot running display of excellency from both players. A worthy world championship show so far - chess at its very best, and apparently both players in top form.

P.S. Holy cow, White managing to bring both Rooks and the Queen on the e-file. Not often to be seen on this skill level. Open fire, all weapons!

P.P.S. All three analysis engines see White in front by 1.5 - 1.9 pawns (28th move)

http://www11.pic-upload.de/09.11.14/n3esfwxubmy.jpg (http://www.pic-upload.de/view-25205467/carlsen-anand-540x304.jpg.html)

[Onkel Neal]

:up:

[Skybird]

And Carlsen scores the first win! The pressure both from position and time was too much and lured Anand into a mistake in his 34th - he moved, and then resigned immediately after White's response. His position would fall apart and his material losses cannot be compensated if deflecting the mate-attack.

Carlsen - Anand 1 : 0

total 1.5 : 0.5

http://www11.pic-upload.de/09.11.14/7wd9wjvrg15.jpg (http://www.pic-upload.de/view-25206163/1.jpg.html)

Tomorrow is a break. Next match will be on Tuesday, same time.

Anand was heavily criticised for the way he played in the last duel between the two, and started into the qualification for the championship challenge with the explicit intention to "rehabilitate" himself for the mediocre impression he left last time. But first with White he just pulled out a draw in a match that from beginning to end saw the balance shifting in black/Carlsen's favour, and now with Black suffers a defeat already in the second match.

Stuff the psyche needs to digest... A promising start looks different. Carlsen leaves a top impression so far. His physical fitness seems to be obvious. And he showed to be able to enforce twice right that kind of positions where he especially excels at.

[vienna]

Like, who won the 'wild card' playoff?...


<O>

[Skybird]

Like, who won the 'wild card' playoff?...


<O>
Peter Svidler. He ended 7th of 8 in the Candidates Tournament.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Chess_Championship_2014

Four of the eight candidates were Russians. So Russia, beside emerging chess nations like India and China, still is a power in chess. The youth training however that is systematically run in China and India, can change that sooner or later.

[Skybird]

A reminder for those who want to follow it live: the third match will start in right one hour from now on. That is 12:00 UTC .

[Skybird]

And there they head for the field again, their banners reading "Declined Queens Gambit". :yeah: Ten moves in five minutes. :)

http://www11.pic-upload.de/11.11.14/359ilotzf89.jpg (http://www.pic-upload.de/view-25224054/carlsen-anand.jpg.html)
(pic from match 2)

[Skybird]

We're in the 25th move, and it seems to me that Carlsen got out of the biggest problems Anand confronted him with. Until 15th move, it was theory and they copied a game from younger tournament history that saw White projecting intimidating pressure on the c-file and a pawn on c7 (which is still there). Carlsen's position looked tightened. But so far Anand's initiative did not achieve anything on the board, only on the clocks: Anand has more than twice as much time left, Carlsen has 35 minutes for 15 remaining moves. He now tries to untie his queen from blocking c8 for the white pawn on c7, then can try to simplify position by offering an exchange of pieces on d6. I think he has managed to leave the worst threats behind by his excellent precise defence play for which he is famous.

I currently expect to see this ending not in a white victory, probably also not in a black victory: another draw, then. That is if no player fumbles. On the other hand, Carlsen would not be Carlsen if he would not try everthing to squeeze out a full point from a psoition that all others may see as a draw. And if there is one player in the world that can do that and is second to none in this special discipline, then it is Carlsen: fulling and dispersing the position until either the opponent looses his nerves, or a single drop of advantage trickles out and pushes the balance in Carlsen's favour. I read some players describing him as an Anaconda, therefore.

Another sharp game, btw. Like the opening two as well.

[Skybird]

And the moment I fantasize about a draw, Anand tightens his grap around Carlsen again (26.Rc6), a move that completely evaded my attention although it is a quite obvious one, now that I look at it. :doh:

I assume that illustrates the reason why Anand and Carlsen are sitting at that table, and not me. :haha:

Carlsen now has 20 minutes for 14 moves left, in a dangerous position. Time to get that supermove out of the box.

From the commentation in the live coverage:

VC: Carlsen is World rapid champion (http://www.chessdom.com/magnus-carlsen-is-world-rapid-chess-champion/) and also World blitz champion (http://www.chessdom.com/magnus-carlsen-completes-treble-wins-the-fide-world-blitz-chess-championship/) and he is getting to a point where his fast chess skills will be needed. Time trouble is ahead.

[Skybird]

Drama unfolding? 7 minutes for 12 moves left for Carlsen. Anand still has 40 minutes, and plays precise so far, showing by that the lack of a plan for Black.

Anand now moves fast, trying to keep the time pressure up for Carlsen, I think.

P.S. Carlsen finally manages to take that pesky pawn on c7. But the engines' evaluations immediately spike high in favour of White, from +1.9 to +3.3. I wonder what the cost for Carlsen will be?!

P.P.S. Now I see it. Blacks must accept an exchange loosing a bishop for a pawn. That should decide the match. The game is close to Anand's first victory in the competition.

P.P.P.S
Fast moves, 100 seconds for Carlsen for 8 more moves. Wild exchange of pieces, Carlsen is far behind, Bishop for Rook. Considering the skill level these two play on, I wonder whether he will continue for much longer.

[Skybird]

30 seconds for 7 moves... Carlsen with his back against the wall...

[Skybird]

An d its over! Time ran out for Carlsen. O h dear, what an ending. Long-lasting stubborn defence by Carlsen, but as excellent an upkeeping of pressure by Anand, who reminded people of why they nicknamed him "the tiger". The victory is fully deserved.

3. Anand : Carlsen 1 : 0
total 1.5 : 1.5


http://www11.pic-upload.de/11.11.14/hsrm2rzjq9f4.jpg (http://www.pic-upload.de/view-25225834/Unbenannt.jpg.html)

A very exciting, very theory-heavy match that was a joy to watch (like the first two already were as well), continuing the very high standard of this competition so far.

Next match tomorrow at 12:00 UTC.

[Skybird]

Get your boards out and the pieces ready - they are about to begin any moment! It's match 4 of the world championship with last match's winner Anand this time playing with Black and Carlsen opening with the white pieces.

P.S.
And we have the Sicilian Defense on the board. A challenge announced by Anand. That could become a very aggressive match.

P.P.S.
When going into the Steinitz variation, Carlsen maybe wanted to head for some closed kind of position, but what there is on the board after ten moves looks more open than anything to me. :)

P.P.S.
Anand has no real worries currently. Carlsen still searching a plan apparently. A first tactical yearning of him could be for securing the bishops' pair for himself and denying it to Anand (move 12).

[Skybird]

Trying to assess the position and to calculate it - 15th move - gives me a headache. To me it looks very complexy and sharp, full of aggressive potential for both players who still stalk each other and sharpen their claws in the hidden. Personally I hate such positions, I always found them to be extremely dangerous and difficult top play. The first mistake - or even just weaker move - could easily be the last mistake deciding the game.

It seems they are determined to continue this championship's tradition to present sharp play to the audience.

Carlsen tries to exchange light figures. Anand will try to avoid that.


P.S.
the focus had been on the isolated black pawn on d5, and with Carlsen now opening the center, that remains to be the centre of gravity. Both sides have their rooks on e- and d-file, and both sides managed to maintain their pair of bishops. I still do not see a decisive plan for White, while Black plays flawless. It seems to me that the balance is shifting by a minor, little bit in favolur of Black, somehow his figures look to me as if they have more freedom, range and activity. Anand seems to add tiny bit to tiny bit, improving with babysteps. White to me just manages the position.

P.P.S.

And there was the exchange in the centre, the black isolated pawn is no more. Black now has pawns on a- and c-file, and white on a- and b-file. Here could be Carlsen's plan: to take advantage of that pawn structure that in theory is slightly more advantageous for White.

---

Unfortunately, real life is now catching me, and I have to leave here. Will post the final outcome and diagram later this night. Enjoy the rest of the game!

[Skybird]

So Carlsen again ran short on time, and passed the 40th move with less than 1 minute on the clock. But the match turned into a Queens-only endgame, and both sides's attempts to turn one of their pawns into an advantage, failed. In the end both players controlled the final positions of the match to a degree that the resulting draw was inevitable. Fair deal.

4. Carlsen - Anand 1/2 : 1/2
total 2 : 2

http://www11.pic-upload.de/12.11.14/32iglt2mulh.jpg (http://www.pic-upload.de/view-25238618/Unbenannt.jpg.html)

That finishes the first third of the championship, again an exciting game and good play by both players. After this opening of their duel, they face the remaining 8 games from a state of total equality in points. Anand is in much better shape than last year. The duel is of much more intensity and quality, I would say. It is two equals fighting it out so far. Anand benefits from his known pedantic preparation, something where Carlsen lacks maybe, which maybe is the reason why the clock does not love him. When Anand won game 3, he admitted at the press conference that he had prepared the game's moves until 24th move at least. Carlsen must have known the matches that were copied ion that game, too - I wonder whether he "forgot" them or had not cared for them during his theoretic studies, and for that reason had to waste so much time while Anand could play fast? In the end, time pressure was what broke Carlsen's neck in game 3.

Tomorrow they have a break again. Game 5 will be held on Friday, 12:00 UTC.

[Skybird]

Today'S a break, and I take the opportunity to introduce some chess apps on Android OS.

I use a Samsung Galaxy 10.1, so all screenshots I took represent that huge display, not small telephone displays.

Skill and difficulty is no argument for the ordinary chess player anymore when choosing chess engines - almost all of the better contenders are of a competence by now that they will be able to pose a challenge to almost everybody. You need options indeed that do not optimise but tune down the engine's skill levels without letting it look like intentionally fumbling. ;)

The chess program I play most with on tablet, is SHREDDER. That is for three reasons. The important one is that Shredders offers a self-adapting skill mode. That is the more games you played, the more stabile the software's estimation of your skill level becomes, by your scoring. After each match it adapts its own skill level, and the more matches you have played, the closer to your skill level it becomes, and the smaller the later changes will be. Especially for the occasional players, this is a very convenient and useful feature, for it makes the computer opponent more accessible and guards against too much frustration. The second reason is that Shredder is one of the former top titles on PC, winning the world championship for chess engines several times. The code of the Android version bases on earlier versions of Shredder, still comes from one of the most skillful and knowing chess coders out there, so you deal with an engine that you can really set to play quality chess, if that is desired, both on tactical and strategical/positional level. The third reason is that Shredders includes several options for the visual appearance of the board and symbols, and amongst them is a set of pseudo-3D pieces that different to many other chess apps indeed is accessible and playable, I like to play with using that set. Just a recent update finally added the landscape (widescreen mode) to the Android version (ipad version had it for longer time already). The amount of secondary information displayed, as well as the huge bars on top and at the bottom, are a bit sub-optimal. Still, the app does what it should do, and it does that very well. It is payware, but imo absolutely worth its price. As an additional gimmick that allows some "chessing" when there is too little time for a whole game, it includes a library of I think one thousand chess problems.


Shredder Android
http://www11.pic-upload.de/13.11.14/eknq8iq7u5.jpg (http://www.pic-upload.de/view-25245104/IMG_1744.jpg.html)


And a closer look at the set with pseudo-3D pieces
http://www11.pic-upload.de/13.11.14/jg7ordcsdxe.jpg (http://www.pic-upload.de/view-25244576/IMG_1746.jpg.html)


The second chess-playing app I introduce, is FREEWARE (!), and it is great, also one of the best chess apps around. DROIDFISH CHESS offers some features for serious analysts that most other chess apps on Android are missing. It comes free with an earlier version of Stockfish, which in its latest version on PC currently is ranked on the SSDF list as the world's strongest chess engine is (means: it is one of the very best there are :) ). Visually, board and pieces are less fragile and detailed than Shredder, but it offers plenty of additional data at the bottom on the screen that other apps often lack. Also, the app allows export of played games, import of opening libraries in the much-used chessbase-format as well as polyglot and internal format standard, allows PGN import and export, the program also offers the usual range of edits and tunigns for visual appearance of board and pieces and what info additionally gets displayed, it allows blind chess by using either checker pieces or no pieces at all (!), you can add third party UCI engines (haven't tried that though) and even edit their parameters, as well as additional table bases. Considering that all this comes for zero cash, this app is not only a steal - it is a must-have.


Droidfish Chess
http://www11.pic-upload.de/13.11.14/jgsi5cpzmm8.jpg (http://www.pic-upload.de/view-25244717/IMG_1742.jpg.html)


And a third engine I introduce because it is a legend, was done by a legendary programmer, (Richard Lang), and should be included if only for the fact that it still features a very high standard for playstyle quality: CHESS GENIUS. There is not much to say about it, it comes with the usual standard options and the way they sorted the elements on the display reminds of the other two apps above. It is payware, but still costs only half of what Shredder costs. Genius is around since long, but still the program gets updated, which shows that the author really cares for it. It is offering skill adjustment by traditional, somewhat old-fashioned skill-levels, of which there are ten. I would not say it is a must have like Shredder and Droidfish, but still it plays a chess that has so much quality that one should give it serious consideration. I got it mainly because I know Lang-programs since so long time now, since the golden age of chess computers in the 80s. How I miss that time of promise and magic!


Chess Genius
http://www11.pic-upload.de/13.11.14/xevif9aw28ww.jpg (http://www.pic-upload.de/view-25244832/IMG_1747.jpg.html)


All three apps can be found in appstores, where you can also see more screenshots showing other board and pieces graphics and colours, and how the display is arranged on smaller and telephone displays.


Chess computing is not complete without Chessbase. The German company is global market leader for chess databases and promotion of chess-related software. Their Android app accessing their game database is a bit steep in pricing (for Android standards), and costs more than any chess engine for Android, but for me finally with their latest update became stable and reliable. This is no engine,k, but only a GUI for accessing their database of played tournament matches. You can search and filter the database, to find the match(es) or players that you want, the game then gets presented via the well-known Fritz-graphics which imo set the standard for chess software in beauty and detail, on PC their 3D sets are fully usable, indeed I use them frequently instead of a board, or additional to a board when doing analysis. I just like them nice graphics. :D Most games in their database from daily and ordinary tournament practice are without comments, but highlights, classical games and high profile-matches come with comments and options. Then it could look like this, for example ( I still think the interface needs more optimization, I do not need the list of available entries constantly displayed on the left).


Chessbase App
http://www11.pic-upload.de/13.11.14/yv9j5ivfg7zr.jpg (http://www.pic-upload.de/view-25244925/cb.jpg.html)


And that's it for today. In one of the coming days, I will lose some info on free chess options on the PC. Play on, and if the king has the wrong colour: mate him! :D LOL

[VirtualVikingX]

New game on for tomorrow?

[Aktungbby]

I'm still betting on the incumbent to steadily wear down his opponent http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.608048050984061966&w=228&h=171&c=7&rs=1&pid=1.7 the old fashioned way!http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.608039027265703398&w=103&h=103&c=8&pid=3.1&qlt=90&rm=2 http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.608029664233131431&w=103&h=103&c=8&pid=3.1&qlt=90&rm=2 but I gotta try some of these new apps... Shredder eh!:hmmm:

[Skybird]

@VirtualViking:
Sure.

@Aktungbby:
Good choice!

[Skybird]

http://www11.pic-upload.de/14.11.14/merwh1eh2p2j.jpg (http://www.pic-upload.de/view-25251850/anand_1384164209_540x540.jpg.html)

Countdown is ticking for today's game number 5 in the FIDE championship for the chess world title. Anand has already shown that his unlucky start in the first two games did not effect him, and the media now say that Carlsen also is not easy to be impressed, which might come handy considering that he suffered losses of points in game 3 and 4.

In other words: with a 2:2 in total the championship again is wide open and starts again from the starting line today. And "today" means: in 1 hour! :03:

http://www11.pic-upload.de/14.11.14/ddxc1f7ky6p.jpg (http://www.pic-upload.de/view-25251840/image-776519-galleryV9-tmqp.jpg.html)

[Skybird]

And the battle is hot, and they call it Nimzo-Indian, a main player in Carlsen's repertoire with black pieces...

P.S.
15 moves, and still opening theory.

I'm running a parallel analysis with Android Shredder on my tablet. First time I do it like this, normally I would use my PC (more CPU power). Surprisingly, the Shredder on Android Samsung Galaxy 10.1 currently reaches the same analysis depths like Komodo and Houdini, currently digging 17-18 half-moves deep. Those tiny little tablets have gone a long way...

In all matches so far, the three engines they use on the website I linked to, behaved the same way. Stockfish is the most "nervous" evaluator, spiking higher and falling deeper than the other two. Houdini is the calmest of the three, and not easy to be impressed, often having its graph moving slightly around the neutral 0-line. Komodo dances between the two other engines evaluation: not as active as Stockfish's and not as inactive as Houdini's evaluation graph.

P.P.S.
move 16, they have left theory, according to my database, but I am using a small and old one currently. White tries to push his isolated pawn on d5, but an enforced exchange of figures could be ahead.

P.P.P.S
Black accepts to exchange his advanced but isolated d-pawn. Now their bihsiops are facing each other on open diagonal line b7-g2 and maybe get exchanged next. Then we would almost be in an early endgame already. Moves so far: 18.

I wonder whether Carlsen with Black would accept this position to only score a draw in the end, because he is famous for wringing a position endlessly until he squeezes out some tiny advantage, and he does that when other players often would have given up and agreed a tie already.

[Skybird]

The variation trees become wider in this open position, and the difference in calculation power between the tablet and the PC start to show: the online engines have started to left my tablet Shredder behind, and after 30 seconds already are 4-5 halfmoves ahead already. Shredder does niot reach teir top ply scores anymore, even when calulating for minutes.

Still - try yourself to beat a chess engine that nevertheless still goes 16 moves deep after some seconds! :D

Stockfish calculates 3-4 half-moves deeper than his two collegues currently. That indicates that Houdini and Komodo use more extensive "knowledge" algorithms to assess positions, which might explain their more modest position evaluations.

White fires along both centre files, and the board's centre is almost empty.

P.S.

Move 20. I cannot spot any enforced, decisive attack options for either side here. Which of course must not mean anything. :) Carlsen has deflected the often claimed tiny advantage of White from opening with the first move for sure. I think I read last year somewhere that that often claimed opening advantage for the white player maybe is a myth anyway. The argument was that it might be easier for White to enforce a draw against Black's will because White is one move ahead - but not necessarily to enforce a win. Empirically, the differences in points scored by White and Black are anything but dominant. A lot depends on knowing theory of openings. And in some enforced openings Black even is showing empirical superiority in game scores. Personally, I think since a long time that the claimed White advantage is not worth to be seriously thought about. And depending on it would border folly. In my youth days and days of tournamernt chess, I preferred to play Black, since defending and then counter-attacking suit my playing style and maybe even my character better. To seek the initiative was something that I had had to learn - and I never liked it.

P.P.S.

White has exchanged his Knight for Black's Bishop, which is a small disadvanatge for Black in this open position. A Bishop is of higher value in this situation, I would say, with all this openness and two wings to fight on. The Knight's shorter reach is a handicap here.

P.P.P.S

From the live comment after Black's 22nd move:

Risky stuff from Magnus! This means also that he really did not like the ending. The game becomes very interesting!
Is he starting to do his Anaconda-kind of thing? :D
For the first time ever in this championship, Carlsen has more time left than Anand. 53 minutes left for the Indian, 74 minutes for the Norwegian. Carlsen is one pawn ahead, but Anand commands the board. Defensive battle ahead for Carlsen - wearing out forces and reducing the material, to finally benefit from that pawn he leads by.

[Skybird]

And they exchanged the Queens, leaving Black with a double pawn on the f-file and White's Rook penetrating deep to the 7th line, attacking a7 and f7, binding Black's forces.

Stockfish rates it 1 pawn ahead - for White. The others +0.3.

P.S.

A relatively fast exchange on the queen's wing leave sit almost empty of any material. It is a Rook- endgame, with one Rook per side, and 3 pawns. To me it looks like a draw now.

P.P.S.

And there it is - they agreed a draw in 39th move.

5. Anand - Carlsen 1/2 : 1/2
total 2.5 : 2.5

The game lasted longer than expected in its middle, Carlsen trying to avoid a draw, but Anand did not comply. I did not find this game overly exciting, it certainly was the least dramatic so far. Tomorrow Anand will play Black, and after a day of break with Black again becasue at halftime they "switch" the colour changing mode.

Worth to note: Carlsen after almost 40 moves had still 1 hour left.

http://www11.pic-upload.de/14.11.14/svpd29v5k9ic.jpg (http://www.pic-upload.de/view-25253264/Unbenannt.jpg.html)

[Skybird]

I just made it back from town in time for game 6. Carlsen plays White, and it is Sicilian again.

[Skybird]

Anand allowed the game to go into a rather unambitious, though stable variation for Black. In move 16 now it promises to become a slow, dragging, long match with little risks for either side, but a minor advantage for White however. As the live comment just said as well, that is a risky thing to do against a player like Carlsen who can find surprises in positions that other players already have checked off the list. 1:34 and 1:28 left for Carlsen and Anand - with 23 more moves to make until time control.

P.S.
Battle excluisvely rages on the kings' wing, with White attacking. But Black could open the somewhat strangled position of his. White has an isolated double pawn on the c-file now. That might be a strategic asset for Black if he manages to get out of the fight on the other side of the board.

P.P.S. Move 23, both players still lie in wait. White's position looks preferable to Black's, but Black has no obvious weaknesses and immediate threats to care for despite his now isolated h-pawn, and White still needs to demonstrate that he has a tangible plan. Engine evaluations range from +0.2 to +0.6

[Skybird]

Both players just demonstrated that they are still only humans, after all :) : Carlsen played a very weak move that could have put him into a very clear disadvantage (engines dropped from +0.6 to -1.3), only to be met by Anand not seeing it and refusing to take advanatge form it by playing a blunder himself! And so engine evaluations now vary between +1.3 and +1.5 again.

P.S.
Ooops, and there go the computer evaluations up and through the ceiling in favour of White: +2.0 to + 2.8. Carlsen has two rooks - unopposed, two pawns and two open files on the kinside now, with only one black pawn on the h-file. I think Anand is in trouble.

P.P.S.

Anand tries counter offensive on the queenside. Exchanges ahead... I think Carlsen saw the better end for himself...

P.P.P.S

And Carlsen now has unopposed pawns on e-, f- and g-files. I would not like to play this with Anand's pieces now... The match is not yet over, but a preliminary decision seems to have taken place. Anand's counterplay on the queenside does not offer sufficient compensation, I think.

[Skybird]

Carlsen is 3 pawns ahead currently, and has plenty of time left for the remaining 3 moves. Anand consumed much more time.

I do not think it will ,last much longer. It seems to dawn on Anand that his plan for compensation on the queenside collapsed. Maybe we already see famous last convulsions to avoid a bit longer to accept reality. He is done.

Fast moves by Carlsen. He knows he is through. Engines say +3.7, +4.7, +5.2.

P.S.

And there it happened, Anand resigned in move 38. A very clear victory for the Norwegian.

It is halftime at the chess world championship 2014 in Sotchi, and the reigning world champion Magnus Carlsean leads by 3.5 : 2.5, who played two victories, suffered one - his first ever against Anand! - defeat, and three draws. That is pleasant enough for the audience. However, Anand presents himself in much better shape than last year at Chennai, where he got sunk by Carlsen without comment or signs of seriously resisting (6.5 : 3.5) and wa sunable to defeat the Norwegian even just one single time.

Tomorrow will be a break, and on Sunday they start into the second half of the championship, again Carlsen with the white pieces, since at halftime they change playing sides, so to speak.

6. Carlsen - Anand 1 : 0
total 3.5 : 2.5

http://www11.pic-upload.de/15.11.14/lnosvufnrhz1.jpg (http://www.pic-upload.de/view-25263947/Unbenannt.jpg.html)

[Skybird]

http://www11.pic-upload.de/17.11.14/my13d51mvxx.jpg (http://www.pic-upload.de/view-25283848/image-777490-galleryV9-gsxe.jpg.html)

Yes, its that time of the week again when we play chess. I mean: them. Game 7 today. Carlsen again plays the white pieces.

P.S.

And they already were off for an early start today: 12:58 on my watch, and 6 moves already played. Ruy Lopez, the Spanish Opening, on the board, Berlin Defense. White initiative against good Black defensive.

P.P.S.

20 moves done already - Carlsen consumed 15 minutes, Anand 10 minutes. When will there be the novelty shown by Carlsen?

P.P.S.

Said novelty seems to have been - right the 20th move Kf2 by Carlsen. Now 5 moves later I fail to see what is so nice in that move. The position already is almost endgame-ish, and looks not really anything different than drawish. There seems to be initiave for Carlsen, but I currently do not see it getting him anywhere in a really enforced fashion. But that maybe is because I calculate it wrong!? :)

P.P.P.S.

I do not see more than a draw in this. Dramatic blunders and re-blunders like in game 6 not counted. :woot:

I cannot help it, but I get bored. This game is not really interesting or exciting, me thinks.

[Skybird]

The decisive phase, Carlsen leads by one knight versus 2 pawns - and Black having four pawns on the a-, b- and c-file. Anand meanwhile sacrificed his bishop, obviously thinking he could still secure a draw.

Chess engines see Carlsen in lead by +1.0 - +2.0.

Could this still end in another victory for White? Heck, I suck at endgames...

35 moves, Carlsen has more than one hour left, Anand half an hour.

P.S.

Black builds a castle with his pawns that White would need to destroy in order to get his minority of pawns through it. I think that is a task that is a bit too much. I still think - move 37 - that we see a draw on the board. Or a black victory - its four black pawns versus 2 whites. Anyway, I still bet my money on a draw.

P.P.S.

And they pass the time control...

White must manouver with his figures to force the black king out of his fortress of pawns, so that the white king can enter and cause havoc. Attacking with the pawns is no early option for White, since they must be saved from getting exchanged to have at least one of them being turned into a royal butterfly...

P.P.P.S

Carlsen attacks the rear, trying to break up Black's castle from behind. I still cannot see that attack producing the needed enforced pressure. The king seems to be able to stay close enough to defend that weak back pawn that Carlsen threatens, even with checks by the knight forcing Black to move his king.

[Skybird]

"Es zieht sich..." :shifty:

To me the most unattractive game so far in this championship. Or I suffer from a heavy case of Monday mood.

P.S.

Carlsen tries everything, and so far Anand counters everything. White has rook and knight in striking distance, and now starts trying to move his king towards the black fortess of pawns. If he succeeds, then it becomes a fight in the tunnels and halls...

P.P.S.

60 moves, and probing and probing and probing in order to find a way to crack open Black's castle.

P.P.P.S.

Carlsen cannot turn this into a win. One pair of pawns is ready to be exchanged, then he has only one left. Maybe he tries to exhaust Anand now, to physically exhaust him in a war of attrition so that he can recover less until tomorrow - Carlsen is in top shape, physically, and only half as old as Anand.

[Aktungbby]

I'm still betting on the incumbent to steadily wear down his opponent http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.608048050984061966&w=228&h=171&c=7&rs=1&pid=1.7 the old fashioned way!http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.608039027265703398&w=103&h=103&c=8&pid=3.1&qlt=90&rm=2 http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.608029664233131431&w=103&h=103&c=8&pid=3.1&qlt=90&rm=2 but I gotta try some of these new apps... Shredder eh!:hmmm:


I do not think it will ,last much longer. It seems to dawn on Anand that his plan for compensation on the queenside collapsed. Maybe we already see famous last convulsions to avoid a bit longer to accept reality. He is done.

And there it happened, Anand resigned in move 38. A very clear victory for the Norwegian.

and wa sunable to defeat the Norwegian even just one single time.

Tomorrow will be a break, and on Sunday they start into the second half of the championship, again Carlsen with the white pieces, since at halftime they change playing sides, so to speak. IT begins again; chess is no game to play 'catchup' in at this level. Against Carlsen there can be no collapses of any sort.

[Skybird]

Fast moves by Carlsen, betting against Anand's clock. 16 more moves until next time control, and Anand has 31 minutes left in a position where the variation trees are both wide and deep. Carlsen has 1 hour 18 minutes left. But ever minute he spends thinking, he allows Anand to calculate, too. He will try to keep up the time pressure, and find something unexpected that throws Anand off balance, provoking errors that way. Carlsen is the first chess master ever who has won the triple of world championships in chess, speed chess and Blitz chess, the latter two both this year. Those qualities now come handy.

A battle of some more than just wooden pieces on squares now. It finally becomes exciting - though not due to chess problems exclusively. :) The struggle lasts for five hours already.

P.S. And now Anand answered quick - and causes a longer delay in Carlsen's response. What works one way - works also the other way. :)

P.P.S.

So much for time pressure - Carlsen sits and thinks and sits and thinks... Somebody should go over to him, tap his shoulder and ask where the problem is. :D

[Skybird]

Technically Carlsen cannot win anymore, there is an enforced variation that exchanges all remaining 4 versus 2 pawns, leaving only R+N versus R, which cannot be won. But Anand needs to take the first pawn now. Question is: does the Indian see it?

P.S.

He saw it and did the right move. Now Carlsen should realise it. Its game over, and they soon will agree the draw.

P.P.S. Both sides strike out at the pawns, though in a different fashion than predicted... Did Anand not see it - or did he see something different, or does it not matter? - So many questions, so few answers, life is too short for all that.

P.P.P.S.

They act coyly, but I think they - Carlsen - exaggerate it now.

[Skybird]

And their server collapsed under too heavy load...

P.S.

Feeding it from another site. Carlsen still refuses to accept that it is a draw. 87 moves now. White R+N versus Black R+2P.

P.P.S

And now my alternative site - collapsed. Much drama about nothing. What a crazy day 7.

P.P.P.S.

Move 99, R+P versus R+N. Carlsen still marches on... :doh:

[Skybird]

Black Rook versus White Rook and Knight. 101 moves. Looks as if Carlsen is seriously attacking ??? the black king...!?!?!

P.S.

104 moves. The longest match at a world championship lasted 124 moves, Kortschnoj versus Karpov.

[Skybird]

114 moves. Tell me: can this still be won?

http://www11.pic-upload.de/17.11.14/hruz4fe5cwyg.jpg (http://www.pic-upload.de/view-25287489/Unbenannt.jpg.html)

There is the 50 moves rule, yes. Whether to play like this really is fait sportsmanship, is something different. Carlsen currently does not win new friends, I think.

[Skybird]

Thank God its over, 122 moves, almost six and a half hours. Not before the rooks were exchanged and only the kings and one knight was left, Carlsen agreed to end it.

Whether he did his reputation a favour, can be doubted. :nope:

[Skybird]

They are playing again, game 8 with Anand leading the white pieces. It is Grunfeld-Indian, Carlsen already managed to vary the variation and to set course into what he prefers: more unplotted grounds, to leave the theoretical battles behind as fast as possible. Different to Anand, Carlsen is known for not liking to focus on endless clashes over theory and textbook variations. He plays for the sake of enjoying to play: free, without ropes and other safeties, writing his own books instead of just repeating them. Anand on the other hand is said to be one of the best theoretical preppers in chess there are. In this, both players are very different.

I hope it doe snot become another bogged-down mess like yesterday. I really hated yesterday's match. And Carlsen has taken quite some Flak in the press. I do not think it is completely unjustified, although by rules it was legal. In the end, he has successfully stolen two hours from Anand's preparation timetable. Legal , but not real sportsmanship-like. But the history of chess championships always has lived by the stories about psycho wars as well. Fisher Spasski, Kortschnoj Karpov, Karpov Kasparov are legendary, in this regard.

P.S.

Move 17. Looks as if Carlsen has managed to stop White's initial advantage already a few steps behind the starting line. White's currently only king attack option leads nowhere and only makes noise, but Black seems to have the chance to push the balance even more in his favour. A white chance for a win is currently not in sight.

P.P.S.

Carlsen has achieved total equality.

P.P.P.S.

Carlsen enforces the exchange of pieces wherever he can, determined not to let Anand escape a draw.

Did I say "draw"? Yes, that's what I smell in the air. Annand cannot be satisfied with this outcome.

[Skybird]

30 moves made, and Carlsen still has 1 and a half hour left, Anand less than half an hour. This also indicates that it went more or less exactly like Carlsen wanted it. Having secured - most likely - the draw with Black, on Thursday he will try to win again with White. Tomorrow is a break. Anand will need to find some innovations in th coming matches to catch Carlsen off his guard. With two thirds of the chamapionship over and trailing behind by one point, pressure is mounting and time is slowly running out.

P.S.

And they pass the time control for a game that at their playing level objectively seen is a safe draw. They now have 1:14 hours and 2:13 hours for the next 40 moves. I hope they do not push it to the limit like yesterday. If they do, I will break off. Two boring monster games in two days is a bit too hefty.

P.P.S

And the moment I typed the above, they show mercy and agree the draw in move 41.

Solid match today, but nothing spectacular, I would say. Tomorrow is a break, on Thursday the final third of the championship will begin.

8. Anand - Carlsen 1/2 : 1/2
total 3.5 : 4.5

http://www11.pic-upload.de/18.11.14/r43pbn7wj8m.jpg (http://www.pic-upload.de/view-25296082/Unbenannt.jpg.html)

[Skybird]

They have a break today, and I use the opportunity for another intermezzo.

The time from the late 70s to the mid-90s are seen by many as the golden age of chess board computers, devices that often were of beautiful looks and after the starting years featured high quality wooden sensory boards and magnetic pieces, all computer hardware inbuild. The spearheads of these, as well as the tournament machines that were heavily tuned, sometimes costed prices equal to that of a factory-new mid-class car. Hard to imagine today anymore, the younger ones around here obviously will frown, since they do not remember it.

But inevitably the fate of these machines saw them coming to the end of their justification. PC software had the advantage to no depend on a hardware, and being able to benefit from hardware changes that were more economically to be achieved than to buy new chess board computers. The revolution took its toll on the way modern tournament chess is played today, though, and I am critical of it, it has done at least as much bad for chess than it may have done good, I think. It has certainly fundamentally changed chess, and the content and importance of theory. It has also killed a good part of the magic.

I thought that high quality board computers since several years were no longer in production, not form Hegner+Glaser, Novag, Saitek, Fidelity, or anyone. The Exclusive-board by Mephisto and the PC-linked DGT sensory boards where the last such devices I was aware of. I was wrong!

Yes, occasionally that happens. :D :lol:

Some Dutch software engineer found that he missed the good old times as much as I do. And so there he went and coinstructed a new cmachione and founded his own company, and came up with a high quality sensory board with embedded computer hightech, modern PC software implemented, modern display and the option for customers to even choose amongst several sets of wooden pieces. The new line of Revelation-II computers are equipped with either Shredder or Hiarcs chess software. The Swedish Computer Chess Association rates this machine as the strongest board computer that has ever been build, their SSDF-list has it at around 2800 ELO when running Hiarcs 13. That is extremely impressive (compared to other PC programs on PC hardware). The thing has a steeper price tag, however it is cheap compared to those mentioned racing horses they had in the 80s, that spiked to prices of up to 30,000 DM (= ~ 15,000 Euros). Customers pay between 2900 and 3500 Euros for the Revelation II today, depending on the choices for additional options and figure set (I would prefer the Royal for 75 Euros). The system can also emulate interfaces and programs from earlier board computers, namely the Mephistos.

You can check it all out here

http://www.phoenixcs.nl/

And some pics:

http://www.phoenixcs.nl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=150&Itemid=73&lang=en

http://www.phoenixcs.nl/images/stories/RevII/IMG_8312.sml.jpg

http://www.phoenixcs.nl/images/stories/RevII/REVELATIONII_DISPLAY_01.sml.jpg

http://www.phoenixcs.nl/images/stories/RevII/IMG_8393.sml.jpg

The board has LEDs in the corners of the fields.

Mephisto Emulator mode:

http://www.phoenixcs.nl/images/stories/pcs_scr_000000018028.bmp

http://www.phoenixcs.nl/images/stories/pcs_scr_004294943374.bmp

---

In this context, another emulation of old chess software. Ed Schroeder, former programmer for some of the Mephistos that were not coded by Richard Lang, already several years ago has declared his old programs Rebel-V, M-IV and M-V as freeware, so that you can download them both for an interface that mimics the control surfaces of the old Mephisto modules, and as UCI engines so that you can put them into your existing UCI-compatible GUI, may it be Arena, may it be the Fritz-surface by Chessbase. Consideing modern CPU power, you can have these old programs nor clauclating to the very limit for thewir encoded capacities within just seconds, where twenty years ago you would have needed tuning kits and n ights and days of time to poush them that far - and even then they oftehn would have run out of memory.

Richard Lang additonally gave his permission to have his Amsterdam, Dallas and Roma programs being offered on that site as well.

It all is legal, and it's free, and has the blessing of the original authors and copyright owners of these programs. Get them here:

http://www.top-5000.nl/mephisto.htm

---

Thats chess for today. In the last intermezzo on Saturday I will loose some words on the most prominent chess GUIs out there for the PC. Keep chessing!

[Aktungbby]

My baby! from the stone age!:D http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTE5NVgxNjAw/z/IA8AAOSwibFUYN~~/$_57.JPG

[Skybird]

Game 9 is set to begin in less than half an hour. Anand is one point behind and plays the black pieces, the pressure will be high for him. Loosing another game probably would be an early decision on the championship. Carlsen must know this, and will try his best to sink his fangs deep into his opponent therefore.

http://www11.pic-upload.de/20.11.14/lgkjugevhd1.jpg (http://www.pic-upload.de/view-25314414/image-774357-galleryV9-egcx.jpg.html)

[Skybird]

Once again the Berlin variation of the Ruy Lopez is on the board. Has Anand found something in Carlsen's earlier play of it?

P.S.

Carlsen doe snot cooperate with Anand'S probably intention and deviates from the earlier matches' moves before the Indian could. I would think that is a clever decision. Anand must have prepared something.

P.P.S.

Carlsen may have avoided to repeat the earlier games between the two in this variation, but the deviation he chooses still seems to have been prepared by Anand - he responds fast, and with a novelty not in the books so far.

P.P.P.S.

Wham-Bham! 20th move, 1 hour played, they agree a draw.

I refuse to spend much commenting on this game.

9. Carlsen-Anan 1/2 : 1/2
total 5 : 4

http://www11.pic-upload.de/20.11.14/xqyd6p2ptiwa.jpg (http://www.pic-upload.de/view-25314889/image-774357-galleryV9-egcx.jpg.html)

[Aktungbby]

IT begins again; chess is no game to play 'catchup' in at this level. Against Carlsen there can be no collapses of any sort.



. Anand is one point behind and plays the black pieces, the pressure will be high for him. Loosing another game probably would be an early decision on the championship. Carlsen must know this, and will try his best to sink his fangs deep into his opponent therefore.


YA THINK!:D A 'Fangschuss' then!

[Skybird]

11 moves are played in game 10 at the championship, which sees Anand with the white pieces countering Carlsen's Grünfeld-Indian with the Russian system. Anand is trailing behind by points, and with playing White can be expected today to play for the full point at all cost - since time is running out for him.

At first5 glance White seems to control more space, however Black's position currently is solid and without weaknesses. Anand thinking longer than the moves before. If he wanted to assault Carlsen with something new coming out of nowhere, than so far his plan has failed.

P.S.

Anand has a free pawn on the d-file. That makes it a natural ingredient of any plans he may calculate.

P.P.S. And with his 15th move Carlsen leaves the realm of theory behind.

P.P.P.S.

Carlsen maybe has chosen a sub-optimal defence against the d-pawn, allowing White a solidification of the strategic potency of his position. Had the Norwegian seen something, or did he just play a weak move? He seems to think that the d-pawn is no threat that must be taken serious. Means: he does not think that it can transform or create sufficient pressure to pose a risk.

Interestingly, the engines' evaluation shave dropped in favour of Black.

[Skybird]

What also is a concern for Carlsen is his knight on a6, it is currently ineffective and is almost out opf action.

And Anand strikes aginst the black kingside, taking on h6 with the Bishop.

Carlsen does not mind and let his Queen take prey on b2. The Queen on b2 and bishop on g7 stay in mutually supportive contact.

White is in the offence, but I still cannot see an enforced variation deciding the game in his favour.

P.S. My old Fritz 11 rates it +4.4 at calculating 22 moves ahead - something that the online engines do not see, or is Fritz just getting old ? :o

P.P.S.

Nonsense! I forgot to include a black knight... :haha:

P.P.P.S.

Somehow I feel that White has let something pass by without taking advantage of it. The potency to mount pressure suddenly seem to have dramatically declined, and now Black has threats on the queenside on his hand.

[Skybird]

Visitors, tzzz... don't come that often to my place, but when they come, then at impossible times...

24 moves played, Anand has 26 minutes left, Carlsen 47 minutes.

P.S.

Anand is getting into time troubles, and has no decisive plan to follow. The position is complicated for both, not equal I would say, but nevertheless open-ended. One would rate White's position as slightly better, but still there are so complex differences between both sides that it is hard to see any decisive, enforced variation there. Everything is possible. Black can play slightly more relaxed, having more time, and not needing to win at all cost. If I were Black, I would play for securing the draw.

Carlsen is said to hate only losses more than draws, however. :D

Anand: 20 minutes for 14 remaining moves.

P.S.

And there rings the door bell again. I don't believe this...

[Skybird]

I'm back and see that they are finished :huh: after heading for a rook endgame and equal chances, 32 moves. The time pressure for Anand (still 8 moves needed in 12 minutes) may have played a role in him offering a draw.

Note to myself: before next match, shoot that freaking door bell off that wall.

10. Anand : Carlsen 1/2 : 1/2
total 4.5 : 5.5

Tomorrow will be a break.

http://www11.pic-upload.de/21.11.14/rzp5wqe9jzj5.jpg (http://www.pic-upload.de/view-25325817/Unbenannt.jpg.html)

[Skybird]

In about half an hour, game 11 will start. Carlsen this time is in striking distance to secure early the title with a win. He also can play it safe and calculating to secure two draws today and tomorrow, which also would be sufficient. We will see his choice. It could become a Sicilian today, one of Black's sharpest weapons against e4 if Black wants to play for a win. Anand must take risks, he stands with his back against the wall.

P.S.

No Sicilian, but once again - Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defence. Big surprise for me, I must admit. I would have expected something far more aggressive by Anand.

P.P.S.

In move 14, Anand brings a novelty. Whether it is sufficient, remains to be seen. I fail to see something decisive coming from it.

I cannot help it, but I have the feeling thatAnand decided to not press the match today, but to get a draw and try a final offensive in the last regular game when he plays White again, and then hoping for the tie break game(s) after game 12.

P.P.P.S.

Carlsen tries to start worries for Black on the kingside, by opening the psoition a bit, enforcing compolications, and then having his king in a quite offensive support role for an attack on Black's then-to-be- weak pawn on g5.

20 moves played, Carlsen has 1:04 and Anand 1:08 hours left.

[Skybird]

Sometimes I feel tempted to switch to another channel, featuring this:

http://cdn2.spiegel.de/images/image-780161-galleryV9-gmcs.jpg
Chess-Boxing. Several rounds of chess and boxing, in turns.

[Skybird]

Carlsen currently acts with initiative, but whether that initiative actually will lead somewhere, is in doubt, I think. Anand chooses for a solid, but passive defence. He seems to not follow a strategy for victory in this game.

P.S.

Carlsen still seem to have initiative at first glance, but maybe that is deceiving an impression. Black opened the queenside recently, has a solid dfeence and even some inherent potential for raising threats by himself. His pieces are placed well enough. Carlsen's activity in centre and on the kingside currently raises dust only. The engines' evaluations have notoriously dropped in Black's favour over the recent moves.

P.P.S.

White just stopped Black'S counterplay on the kingside, it seems. Now a battle for the recently opened b-file can be expected. White cavalry camps on d5 and f6, in mutual support, looking deep into the Black back-country.

P.P.P.S.

This is still midgame, but the kings already established close opposition on c6 and e4. :)

[Skybird]

The situation has swung around once again, Black now has given up one knight and one rook, for the two white bishops, he has a free pawn on b4 now, but I doubt that is sufficient. With the b-file now closed again, the white rooks still stand ready on the d- and e-files.

Engines' evaluations jumped up to +1.0.

A very interesting game it is. And still a nightmare of complexity, I think. A sharp position.

P.S.

Exchanges on the kingside now, pawns and knights. The white rooks have just won in weight, now the position opens up. And while typing, rook number one reaches deep into Black'S territory, Rd7, he even could double rooks on he d-file. Engines' jump to +2.0. Anand is under heavy pressure, me thinks. Black's only option now is the free pawn on b4, c7 trails behind too much, and is locked by the rook (King on b7). White has threats by himself, and a pawn on d5 and a centralised king free to go plundering in Black's ruins on the kingside - if that even is needed anymore.

P.P.S.

Oh-oh... Anand plays unprecise, several sub-optimal moves, the commentary says, and I think that is right. Tournament-panic? He is sliding down that hill now. The question is if he can solidify once again before impacting down at the bottom. I doubt it, Carlsen is blowing the trumpet for for attack.´Stockfish already has it at +3.5Black'S only remaining weapons that look promising, is his pair of bishops wanting to support the b-pawns transformation. If that fails, he is done.

P.P.P.S.

Carlsen enforces exchanges, and the b-pawn cannot hold its promise anymore, with black bishops falling as well. The game effectively is over, Carlsen will win and defend his world championship title one game early. Anand can only delay the realisation of his defeat.

[Skybird]

They pass the time control.

[Skybird]

Move 45, and its over, the chmapionship is decided - Anand resigns, and the final result is 6.5 : 4.5 !

http://www11.pic-upload.de/23.11.14/9fxfiapbn652.jpg (http://www.pic-upload.de/view-25349381/Unbenannt.jpg.html)

Carlsen played with more stediness throughout the past two weeks, while Anand played funbles in at least 2 games. That is too much against such player like the Norwegian. However, all in all Anand left a better impression than last year in Anand, and this was his major mission anyway: to correct that damage to his reputation.

The win for Carlsen is absolutely okay. Congratulations!

:woot: :woot: :woot:

[aanker]

Yes Congratulations (although I was cheering for Anand : )

My favorite game analysis is from Jerry, a National Master in chess - aka: 'ChessNetwork'. He should have game 11 up soon:
https://www.youtube.com/user/ChessNetwork

(If this is a private topic, I apologize and my post can be deleted)

[Aktungbby]

IT begins again; chess is no game to play 'catchup' in at this level. Against Carlsen there can be no collapses of any sort.



Yes Congratulations (although I was cheering for Anand : )

My favorite game analysis is from Jerry, a National Master in chess - aka: 'ChessNetwork'. He should have game 11 up soon:
https://www.youtube.com/user/ChessNetwork

(If this is a private topic, I apologize and my post can be deleted)@ aanker: good site thanks! :up:

AS predicted!http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.608029664233131431&w=103&h=103&c=8&pid=3.1&qlt=90&rm=2

[Skybird]

I have replayed all matches in fast mode now, and noted one thing: Anand almost always was very well prepared and had quickstarts out of the opening, clear advantage for him over Carlsen there. But he never really made something out of it. The game when he defeated Carlsen, I looked closer at, and searched for comments on the game. Several professionals seem to think it was more that Carlsen shot himself, than that Anand hunted him down. Carlsen did not play his usual optimal chess that day.

If I consider both these things, I would conclude that although after the first half it looked different by points, Anand neverthless was still maybe more chanceless than one would imagine at first thought, Carlsen had that one loss - and in the other matches never really left the Indian a realistic chance to win. I hoped he would be able to set up more of a fight in the second half of the championship - but he never really was able to.

Seen that way the tournament maybe should be seen as a much clearer affair for Carlsen than the result of 6.5:4.5 let you assume at first glance. Carlsen destroyed Anand three times in 11 games. And when he lost one game, that was because he ran into a prepared open knife variation by Anand. So: Anand maybe did better than last year in Chennay.

But not that much better.

The future belongs to the young players, and I think that Anand will not be able to return to the chall,e nge once again, more likely it will be players like Italo-American Fabiano Caruana or German-Armenian Lewon Aronjan.