Another event begins today, with Czech #1 David Navara taking on Vladimir Kramnik in an eight-game rapid match. Official site. This seems to be the live link. Cool event poster of Kramnik, larger on this page. This would appear to be a major mismatch, but Navara has shown his mettle in rapid events such as the Ordix Open before. Still, losing 3-5 would probably be a good result for the hometown hero against Big Vlad. Maybe home cooking will help keep things balanced. Kramnik hasn't played since Amber in March, where he turned in an even score in the rapid event.
Kramnik-Navara Rapid Čez Trophy in Prague
19 Comments
Interesting that both Anand and Kramnik are preferring to warm-up for the match through rapid games. Vishy of course has Leon later this month and Mainz to follow.
Who books these things?... Isn't Big Bad Voodoo Vlady just going to turn Navara into hamburger? I don't want to bash the kid too badly, because I know he could mop the floor with me. But I suppose that's the point; that's why no one is booking a match between us. If I wanted to watch a complete dismantling under rapid time controls, I'd just play Fritz for a half hour. Boo.
Looks like Manfred's right so far.
I believe Kramnik's career record with the Catalan is over 3000. You'd think people would find something else to play against him as Black, really. We surely won't be seeing this in October, will we??
Didn't think much of Anand's comments in his interview linked on Chessbase today. He used to have more class - well, I suppose he used not to say anything; generally the safest way to appear classy.
"I believe Kramnik's career record with the Catalan is over 3000. You'd think people would find something else to play against him as Black, really." -rdh
I would have suggested the Englund Gambit (1.d4 e5) as being a better choice against Kramnik, but Vlad found a way around even this when he opened with 1.Nf3. A former 2800 rated, World Champion understands subtle move-order points like this!
What a great interview by Anand, his "class" really comes through, in spite of the interviewer trying to goad him, he stays calm, humble and objective. Compare this to the comments of Kramnik... but I will assume something got lost in the translation when those crass and "classless" comments about lending and borrowing the championship came out (the phrase "physician heal thyself" comes to mind). At any rate, notwithstanding any deficiencies in "class", Kramnik is a great Chess player, and I really look forward to the match. I cant shake off this feeling that Anand will have a really tough time, I hope his prep is up to scratch, and he doesnt pull a "Kasparov in London 2000" out of the bag...
Seth haha, good one!
I'd say Anand will go for the Slav..I find it very interesting that Kramnik even uses the Petroff and Catalan for rapid and less important events. I think this makes a statement:
it doesn't matter how much info I give you, you will never overcome these openings! Gulp.
1. e4 RIP
Kramnik scored his only rapid victory against Aronian (in Yerevan match) playing 1.e4.
Wow...Navara smashed poor Short last year
ČEZ CHESS TROPHY 2007
GM Short 3 – 7 GM Navara
Kramnik and Anand have both handled their respective positions with "class."
Kramnik, the reigning champion in the Steinitzian long-match tradition, cannot publicly dispute Anand's title. But he can mention his title in "secret code."
With his "lending the title" comment, Kramnik is saying that he currently owns the "real" title and that Anand, who has currently borrowed the "real" title for p.r. purposes, will own the "real" title only if he beats Kramnik.
The interviewer mistakenly assumes that with his "lending" comment. Kramnik taunts Anand and promises to beat him.
Calmly sticking up for his position, Anand refuses the interviewer's invitation to start a hissing match.
Navara won last year the strongest rapid Tournement in the world, The Ordix open. He won it before the last round, so he is not easy to beat in rapid chess.
As evidenced by his remarkable ability to draw one of four games against Kramnik today. Navara got owned. I'd even say pwned. Better luck tomorrow, kid. Ask any former 2800 player and there's a 0.334 probability that he will tell you repeatedly and vehemently that winning a match is much different than winning a tournament.
Reading London to Elista at the moment - great insight to World Championship. Tal's book of 1960 match and Dominic Lawson's book from Short's camp in the match v Garry were also excellent. Anyone know any others ? Sorry a little off topic.....
I'm never very impressed by Anand banging on about how he was world champion in 2000. You don't hear Kasimdhanov doing that.
jcm
"With his "lending the title" comment, Kramnik is saying that he currently owns the "real" title and that Anand, who has currently borrowed the "real" title for p.r. purposes, will own the "real" title only if he beats Kramnik.
The interviewer mistakenly assumes that with his "lending" comment. Kramnik taunts Anand and promises to beat him.
Calmly sticking up for his position, Anand refuses the interviewer's invitation to start a hissing match."
Yes, I guess it must have been easy for Anand to maintain his equanimity in the face of such questions, since he knows as a fact that it was Kramnik who "borrowed" the title and soon after gave it up, and that Anand has the "real" title. Still, very "classy" interview by him.
rdh--
Anand does tend to mention his FIDE tournament "world championships" at every opportunity, and yes, it gets tedious.
I keep wondering if Anand really sees no significant difference between the forgettable tournament events which gave us Khalifman, Pono, Kasim, et. al.) and his WCC matches involving Kasparov and now Kramnik.
It's an interesting question. Either way, it doesn't do him much credit.
rdh, gk,
you guys sound like broken records -- monotonously bouncing off each
other the same worn out crap. Anand has very right to call himself
whatever he desires, he has earned it. I know you ooze sticky Kramnik
bias uncontrollably and at every opportunity, but please, respect
Anand.
Cheers,
D.
Dimi -- I don't think anyone was dissing Anand. There were factual statements but no personal attacks like yours against rdh and gk. Remember that Kramnik and Anand fans should be able to speak freely on this forum without fear of "sticky bias" accusations. If it's the "same worn-out crap" to you, don't read it.