They announced the full field for this year's Tal Memorial. Kramnik dominated last year and he'll be back to defend his title. The other nine players: Ivanchuk, Morozevich, Alekseev, Shirov, Kamsky, Leko, Mamedyarov, Gelfand, and Ponomariov. A great field that will serve as Kramnik's last warm-up for the Anand match. The event runs August 18-27 in Moscow. (I'd say the same for Kamsky and his Nov. 26 match with Topalov, but there seems to be some doubt hanging over the contracts there. It there weren't it wouldn't be FIDE, right?) There will also be the now-customary massive Tal Cup blitz championship after the Memorial.
Ten in the Tal Memorial
11 Comments
Cant imagine Kramnik can show his best so close to the showdown with Anand. I predict he'll play a few unusual openings just to try and confuse Vishy. Probably lose some rating points as if that mattered too much......
With participants like Leko, Shak, Pono and Gelfand, I don't expect to see many exciting games this year. I hope Ivanchuk and Moro to be in good form to bring some life to the event and make Tal happy.
(With participants like Leko, Shak, Pono and Gelfand, I don't expect to see many exciting games this year. I hope Ivanchuk and Moro to be in good form to bring some life to the event and make Tal happy.)
These players deal with heavy logic in mind, so we can´t expect funny entertainment here.
For only-bloody-games, better follow ICC games, where we find a lot of emotion around few seconds.
U won´t be disappointed there !
I don't know... even setting aside Holent's point(i.e. assuming some supertournaments are more entertaining then others) It is a good lineup---SHIROV,MOROZEVICH, IVANCHUK. Shak plays unusual chess. Kamsky and Mamedyarov are fighting players. Leko and Kramnik might just bash everyone(or lose a few games,either would be entertaining). The only people who are likely to bore are Gelfand(under-motivated) and Alekseev (outclassed and hoping for a draw)
I suppose Gelfand, Ivanchuk & Kamsky won´t have much time to recover as they´ll finish playing in Sochi (FIDE GP) tomorrow
Anyway, let´s hope Shirov & Morozevich play some interesting games
Cheers
I don't think you can characterize Alekseev as "outclassed". He just won Biel ahead of Carlsen, and his rating is above Gelfand on the live list. (four points off Ponomariov, twelve off Kamsky).
I'm not trying to say he's a clear Linares invite yet; he's not. But saying he's outclassed is inaccurate. He just hasn't been around the block the way Gelfand, Ivanchuk, and Kamsky have. I would expect him to finish midpack. It will be interesting to see Ponomariov tangle with the big E Elite again. It's been a while.
Alekseev outclassed?? He is one of the "rising" generation of players, will only get better.
[It will be interesting to see Ponomariov tangle with the big E Elite again. It's been a while.
]
There I have to agree with you, I can´t say I´m expecting too much from him, but personally I hope he will do great. Before Alekseev´s last achievement I wasn´t expecting too much from him in Tal, but now... anything can happen.
Hey, anybody know if there's going to be chess.fm coverage of the Tal Memorial? Also, does anybody know the starting times of the rounds?
Thanks.
Yes, and yes.
http://www.chessninja.com/dailydirt/2008/08/tal_memorial_2008.htm
Never mind, Mig answered my questions in his latest post. Thanks Mig! I've been really looking forward to watching some more live games with you and the GM's commentary.