The sights and sounds of the world championship are available like never before and there is also a record amount of both on-site and off-site reporting going on in the chess webosphere. These events don't get the mainstream press coverage of the Karpov-Kasparov matches, let alone Fischer-Spassky, but with the low entry required for web coverage we are far richer now. The NY Times isn't going to send someone down to Mexico, but their chess columnist can follow just about every angle of the event from his desk. The Times isn't going to print a story about the tournament -- they probably will when it ends -- but there's low overhead on the web. Unfortunately the stuffy NY Times search doesn't include its numerous new blogs. So if you search for "Kramnik" you don't know that McClain has been writing about this tournament every day.
The official site has only recently risen above the classification "train wreck" during the event on the criteria of content, accuracy, timeliness, and design (and, well, spelling). I have no idea why the great work of Leontxo Garcia hasn't been available every day or why the press conferences don't appear there in full. But they have gotten the live moves out with very few problems and I haven't seen any complaints about not being able to watch the games, which is great. As I said at the start, we have been rescued by the flood of our own attending the event. Video coverage of various types is finally becoming standard, although it's still far from where it should be considering I was putting up downloadable video reports with voiceovers and live shots six years ago with technology roughly on par with knocking rocks together to make fire. The next step will be the organizers working directly with the producers in order to improve access and quality. Here's a pitch to Bessel Kok at Global Chess or Silvio Danailov and the Grand Slam guys. Stop worrying about charging for moves and put together a rich content channel with up-close and top quality video. It would be behind the scenes at all the big events with exclusive interviews, post-mortem analysis, and commentary. It could be bundled into an annual subscription package with a world rating, given to anyone who is a member of a chess federation, or use sponsorship to include little ads.
Anyway, plenty of good stuff out there now. Macauley Peterson is putting together some nice video work for the ICC. Chessvibes of course, and ChessBase is filming here and there. For analysis you've got Marin at ChessBase and now TWIC has put up all of Malcolm Pein's annotations on every round. Ian Rogers also annotates in his great on-site reports at Chess Life Online.
As if I would want to read ANYTHING the NY Times puts into print anyway.
Kramnik's handling of the catalan reminds me on his handling of the Berlin as an example. When you understand an opening completely you can play nearly everything...because you UNDERSTAND! He's not fixed to certain moves or sequences. He just knows the value of the catalan deeply and is able to exert a certain pressure anyway.
In the berlin he switched the sequences in nearly every new game. Here it's the same.
Good point Gerhard, it makes think of how Capa and Alekhine were handling QGD in the late 1920s.
On the other hand don't try the same, i.e. to understand, Najdorf or Evans' Gambit, there you can't play nearly everything as an unlucky switching of sequences could lead to instant death.
Mig,
Great post Mig. The video coverage in Mexico has been great. This is a winner business model for internet chess coverage. Now we need capable hands to refine the model and atract more sponsors and more public.
Svidler-Anand drawn. I was watching van Wely's interview on ChessVibes and he says then that "necessary measures" have to be taken if Kramnik continues to trail. Odd that Kramnik didn't up the pace if his second was so gung-ho.
Kramnik played very good this one, 30.Nf4 now seem to lead to win.
Ovidiu: Kramnik played very good this one, 30.Nf4 now seem to lead to win.
I don't quite see it that simple. And Kranmik seems to be thinking on 30 too.
D.
He saw it :)
Great game, perfect, it pleases the mind, Vlad has (a bit ) avenged by this one this sore tournament.
Vlady wins!
Gelfand wins too -- this thing is getting exciting towards th end...
D.
Kramnik, Moro, Gelfand all win... looks like gelfand is going for it.
It's strange why Aronian chose that dubious line with g4 and h4. The only result was his king's position's deadly weakening which Gelf used to penetrate and finish the game masterfully.
Alexander Morozevich is a true warrior. He is one of the very few people who still bring excitement to the game these days.
In my opinion Svidler is the most prominent drawback of this tournament. Imagine Ivanchuk or Carlsen in his place. What a pity...
For sake of argument:
Tomorrow Anand loses to Grishchuk and Gelfand beats Kramnik. They are tied on points then. Does Anand have to beat Leko in the final game? what happens if both anand and gelfand finish on the same score?
Here is the breakdown of wins (using draws as tiebreak) after 12 rounds
Anand 4
Gelfand 3
Morozevich 3
Kramnik 2
Aronian 2
Grischuk 2
Leko 1
Svidler 0
What might be the drawbacks of moving to this type of scoring system?
After 12 rounds, no one is on 50% score!
JaiDeepBlue: I believe they go to a rapid tiebreaker as the head-to-heads are tied.
Was Kramnik's 13. Qf4 new? Excellent game. 27. Qb3+ is exactly the instructional position you find in chess books where the next question is, where should black put his king, h8 or h7 and why?
Poor Leko, one wrong move and he was suddenly completely lost.
Is there anyone in the world who plays more beautiful than Kramnik? This game was amazing.
A question for Jeff Sonas
I was looking at some stats (chessgames.com) for players at the Mexico WC. I noticed that Morozevich has the highest percentage of outright wins (wins/games played) at 33%. He actually has more wins than draws. Jeff have you got a list with this stat?
Guest,
Jeff S wrote an article on the greatest tournament performances of all time - you can google for it.
There you will see some players at certain big tournaments had even more wins per game than Moro is showing here in Mexico.
Hope that helps,
tjallen
I don't want to groundlessly accuse players of such a high-level tournament, but if I saw Aronian's g4 in a game between two 2300 players competing for a class prize, I'd say this game was surely thrown for money. Maybe 2700s can see something others can't...
Is there anyone in the world who plays more beautiful than Kramnik? This game was amazing.
-- Posted by: DP at September 27, 2007 23:26
You mean White Kramnik, right? And not Black Kramnik, don't you?
Watching Kramnik Leko I felt after Qf4 and the long Leko think that the win was coming. It was very similer to the catalans against Moro and Grischuk a new move leading to time pressure and its so hard to find the defence otb. Aronians performance has not lived up to expectations - there were hints of this when he struggled against Carlsen. I dont share the complaints about Kramniks short draw - he has a win with white draw with black strategy. At this level the onus is on the player with the white peces to try sonmthin - after all Grischuk prepared absolutely nothing against Kramniks petroff and he could have tried d4 or c4 if he had nothibg. waht was he doing all those months knowing he was going to face the petroff? I find the criticism of Kramniks performance illogical. If he had won his Grischuk game (and he missed several wins) then the problem was not holding against Moro. For once he was caught by surpise by c4. Otherwise he would be well in contention - and everyone loses to Moro sometimes! As it is he is playing above his rating. I suspect his disappointment is in not putting Grischuk away otherwise his preparation has been excellent. But the tournament belongs to Anand and his wonderful dynamic play. Like everyone I enjoy his games more than Kramniks because he fights for a win with black but Kramnik has to be true to the formula which has been successful for him and made him a lot of money. Which of us would not make the same choice in his position? It would be disasterous for him to start playing sicilians just to entertain people. He got horribly beaten in several Najdorfs and wisely gave it up. He is no Kasparov Topalov Anand or even Radjabov - he cannot suuceesfully win at the highest level playing that way. But he is the only human ever to beat Kasparov in a match. For all those who think Anand is favourite to beat Kramnik in the match just play over their classical games. I think Topalov Ivanchuk and even Aronian are more difficult opponents.
Nice objective post, Andy. Kramnik has been brought up in a particular school of chess, which he has gradually made his own, and it would be alien for him to try to change.
I would say the chances in an Anand-Kramnik match, should that occur, would be about equal, although draw odds might slightly favour Anand. Still, and assuming of course that Anand does win this tournament, there is plenty of time for FIDE to change the rules. Or maybe for Anand to decide he does not want to play Kramnik... I think if he did decide to make a stand, he would find lots of support.
Good post Andy I largely agree. When Kramnik tries to up the tempo with black it doesnt work- Moro, Deep Fritz. Several players over the years were much better with White e.g. Polugaevsky. I think Kramnik plays the most beautiful games in modern chess (obviously others prefer the slash, bang, wallop attacks). The positions he gopt in this tournament as white would normally yield him a lot more than 2 wins. Anand has definitely upped his game with black and reaped the well deserved dividends but i cant see him holding Vlad in a match
Kramnik is impotent with black. That would be a big disadvantage against Anand, who wins with both colors. Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but Anand has more career match wins than Kramnik, who has lost more matches than he has won. Both are playing at a level well above the rest of the field, but Anand looks absolutely impregnable. His defensive skills have improved tremendously; he is probably the best defender in the game today, bar none.
It'll be a great match, but I think the world no. 1 has the edge. The rating difference (which will in all probability increase after this tournament)will tell.
Grischuk is playing like a zombie.
I would not be surprised if his loss was pre-arranged.
>It'll be a great match, but I think the world no. 1 has the edge.>
As far I can tell from analyzing his games Kramnik understands chess better than anyone at the top-10 these days.
It is the "mark" of his style, it strikes the eye in his (unfortunately rare) throughly fought games.
He is a natural deep-thinker, one who may miss tactics but who is looking and taking as guide what is behind the appearences. He is just smart beyond mere combinatorial chess-talent.
This comes naturally to him just as the both fast and (superficially) correct playing comes to Anand or as die-hard exhausting battle comes to Topalov.
I won't see Anand winning the match with Kramnik, in such case this difference will count a lot.
Anand has a decent record in matchplay. He lost to Karpov and Kasparov (when they were in their prime) but has put away Kamsky, Adams, Romanishin, Yusupov, and Ivanchuk. The only real blemish I can think of is losing to Kamsky in the FIDE cycle.
Kramnik has lost 4.5-1.5 to Kamsky and also collapsed against Gelfand in the FIDE candidates not to mention the loss against Shirov so it cannot be said he is untouchable in matches.
Great win by Kramnik, and also fab play by Moro. I need to eat whatever he's eating and I'll play like him! (yes, kidding) I thought Grischuk was winning most of the time, until he resigned :-) I think only Kasparov and perhaps Anand can match his combination of unorthodoxy, unique positional insight and tactical wizardry consistently. I'm counting on him to even the score with Gelfand, beat Leko and climb above 50%! Yes, I'm an optimist where Moro is concerned, go man!!!!!
I think I've finally got to the bottom of this conspiracy.
Kramnik and Morozevich, who of course are both Russian, throw their games against Gelfand.
Meanwhile, Grischuk, is Russian, and Aronian, who comes from somewhere near enough to Russia (and whose name significantly ends with the same three letters as "Russian") still have to play Anand. After cunningly lulling everyone into a false sense of security by their apparently lack-lustre play so far, they suddenly come to life and win their games against Anand, thereby ensuring Gelfand wins the tournament.
But wait, there's more! Kramnik throws his match against Gelfand, meaning that Topalov will have to play in Israel - and everyone knows that Mossad are far more efficient than those KGB blockheads. Need I say more?
Now, where did I put my tinfoil hat?
"As far I can tell from analyzing his games Kramnik understands chess better than anyone at the top-10 these days." Ovidiu
I don't know your chess strength, so I'm unable to comment on the value of your chess analysis. Although the statement has superficial attractiveness, it is absolutely meaningless. Who can measure understanding? Does it make any sense to ask who understood chess better, Alekhine, Capablanca, Botvinnik, Petrosian, Tal, or Kasparov? All that can be said is that certain players understand certain types of positions better.
"mere combinatorial chess-talent."
Historically, combinational talent has been valued more highly than positional talent. The greatest player ever, Kasparov, is a good example. I am willing to concede that this is a matter of taste, but the adjective "mere" is surely misplaced.
"fast and (superficially) correct playing comes to Anand"
"Superficial" and "world no. 1" don't jell. Nobody becomes world no. 1 with superficial play. It is true that none can equal Anand's lightning quick sight of the board or calculation ability, which is why he is the rapid world no.1 also. It was clear from the days when he beat experienced Soviet GMs using less than 30 minutes of his time that he is a genius. However, he's not the world no. 1 only in rapid play, he's the world no. 1 in classical play also, where "superficial" play would be quickly punished. Yes, he probably played too fast in his youth, but the Anand we see today is a different person.
Another reason I think Anand will beat Kramnik in a match is that Anand is the more rounded player. He is as close to a perfect universal player as we will ever see. He wins with either color. He is at home conducting king hunts and defending rook endings. He plays more openings. He has even opened successfully with 1. d4 in the past. Kramnik's repertoire is a lot less flexible, and could become a target. His attempts to diversify his opening repertoire have not been successful. Also, after Kasparov, his match opponents have been weaker than Anand. Leko and Topalov are not really in Aannd's class. Anand will be a stern test for Kramnik.
Anyway, for the future of chess, hope Vishy wins Mexico and plays Kramnik in 2008.
Extreme well prepared Gelfand should not be disregard as serious candidate to the match next year.
For 25 years he has been the strongest Israeli and has all credentials to become next world champion.
I don´t think Encyclopedia Judaica won´t mention that he either won or could have won the world championship in MEXICO, despite some ill anarchists claimining the illegitimacy of this tournament as such.
Andy I don't think that it was Aronian struggling against Carlsen as much as Carlsen playing really beautiful, mature games and making it difficult for Aronian, the favorite, to advance.
>Andy I don't think that it was Aronian struggling against Carlsen ..>
In almost all pictures at chessbase Aronian appears with corners of the mouth very deep down as if chronically depressed or something.
Does anyone know what is going on with the guy these days ?
>I don´t think Encyclopedia Judaica won´t mention that he either won or could have won the world championship in MEXICO..>
be serious, to appear because he "could have won" ? sounds ridiculous.
Gelfand along with Steinitz, Lasker, Botvinnik, Tal, Fischer or Spassky ? ...seems a kind of IQ-test question : who doesn't belong with the rest ?
For some strange reason the Jews of Israel, born or moved there , lose creativity. As if nothing of significant cultural-scientific value can be
produced there, that is if compared with what has been produced in the 1st and 2nd (after 1948) part of 20th century by the Jews living in US or Europe.
Um, here we go. Let the trolling begin.
Paul said Kramnik is impotent with black. Funny you should say that when it was with the black pieces that Kramnik came close to beating Anand in this event.
Paul said Kramnik is impotent with black. Funny you should say that when it was with the black pieces that Kramnik came close to beating Anand in this event.
--Posted by: knight_tour at September 28, 2007 12:36
Close does not count.
If I recall correctly, Kramnik has not won a Black game since Game 2 of the Topalov match a year ago, in which Topalov missed several wins, then missed a draw, and eventually lost.
The Russian conspiracy is for real.
Now it is obvious: Russians make Anand the World Champion. Just look at results of Moro and Grischuk vs. top 3 scorers (Anand, Gelfand, and Kramnik). And you can count Svidler in, but for less degree. I am positive, Grischuk will lose to Anand today with white. O.K. If both Gelfand and Kramnik fail to get a promising position, Anand will propose a draw, and Grischuk will accept it immediately.
Do you ask why Russians are against "Russian' Kramnik and Gelfand? The answer is obvious: Putin puts immigrants very low. Kramnik is as Russian as Sharapova is. He lives in Paris and is married with French. Gelfand represents Israel, and Russia is trying to improve their relationships with Mid-East arabians as 30 years ago.
Why would Russia support Indian GM, you ask? Well, this is about money. Russia is fighting with USA for billions coming from selling weapon equipment to India. And they won few very big bids lately. The WC was just part of the deal. The whole tournament was arranged!!!
P.S. Please note that I disagree with what I wrote above ;-)
Vlad,
A sense of humor with a little levity is good for the soul. My only problem pertaining to what you have written is with "Kramnik is as Russian as Sharapova is." That being true, I can't understand why I would always prefer siding up to Sharapova?
"Close does not count.
If I recall correctly, Kramnik has not won a Black game since Game 2 of the Topalov match a year ago, in which Topalov missed several wins, then missed a draw, and eventually lost. "
- well "missed several wins" does not count either.
I have to admit that his outfit is not as fascinating as Sharapova's ones ;-)
"In almost all pictures at chessbase Aronian appears with corners of the mouth very deep down as if chronically depressed or something.
Does anyone know what is going on with the guy these days ?" Ovidiu
I don't know about "depressed"; to me, he looks perpetually stoned.
Not that he is; he just looks that way.
"In almost all pictures at chessbase Aronian appears with corners of the mouth very deep down as if chronically depressed or something.
Does anyone know what is going on with the guy these days ?" Ovidiu
I don't know about "depressed"; to me, he looks perpetually stoned.
I'm not saying he is; he just looks that way.
According to Chessbase, Aronian has a severe infection and is on antibiotics.