As happens every so often (okay, all the time), I was recently taken to task for criticizing someone and when I looked up my offending words, I didn't see anything offensive. While we were commentating Corus round 1 and reviewing the prospects of the field, Peter Svidler mentioned that he and Sergei Movsesian had discussed my first column on the Pearl Spring event while they were there in China. Peter gave the impression that I had taken a cheap shot at Movsesian in my preview. And while I've made more than my share of bargain-priced comments, I didn't think this fit the bill.
It will be interesting to see if Movsesian has just been on a hot streak lately or has really raised his game. Now representing Slovakia after first leaving Armenia for the Czech Republic, he's a fun and emotional fellow who seemed destined for eternal B-list status, finishing in the lower half of most of the few supertournaments he was invited to and hanging on the periphery of the top 20. But his recent excellent results have put him close to the top ten and he can really make a statement by just keeping his head above water with this crowd. It would be refreshing to see an old guy (30!) make a move. New blood doesn't always have to be young blood, as Bologan proved at Dortmund in 2003.
On the air Peter agreed that this was fair. Of course the language barrier can be a problem and the past tense of "seemed" is important -- though if his poor result in Nanjing had been replicated at Corus it might have required an update. I confess I didn't look up all of Movsesian's results before writing that, and doing so now the Bosna events where he often did very well were stronger than I'd remembered. But until his recent rise he hadn't been in the top 30 since 2001 (dropping to #98 at one point), which is why I thought it noteworthy and possibly fluky. Corus, even clocking in at "only" a category 19 this year without Topalov, Anand, and Kramnik, is the sort of place flukes go to die. Movsesian is here by virtue of his tremendous 9.5/13 B group win last year and so far he is showing he has every intention of staying in the A group -- and on the A list. And as I said in December, that's new blood and good news, especially since he plays the Sicilian! I'll repeat my question: has anyone else entered the top 10 for the first time after turning 30? In the last decade? I think Krasenkow (now out of the top 100) peeked into the top 10 for a list or two when he was in the Corus A himself. Other late bloomer candidates?
After seven rounds the Armenian-Slovakian is in a tie for first place with more wins than anyone, three, and they came against Adams, Morozevich, and Ivanchuk. And it's not Movsesian's fault Morozevich and Ivanchuk are playing like they need to be drug tested for stupid pills. Ivanchuk was already worse today when he performed his habitual zeitnot hari-kiri routine, leaving himself three minutes for the last 15 moves of the first control. Movsesian efficiently picked the position clean, just as he had against Morozevich's desperate attempts at chaos the day before. The opening was a classical Scheveningen, which is somewhat rare these days because of the Keres Attack, which Ivanchuk declined to play.
The win moved Movsesian into a tie for first on +2 with Karjakin, who offered up 18 moves of theory against Aronian and took a draw in 25 minutes. Not exactly the way to press your lead, but fitting in with the overall conservative tone of this event so far. Adams-Radjabov lasted a few minutes longer to draw on move 15, also one move out of theory. I wouldn't be surprised, and I'd certainly be happy, to see Sofia-style rules at Corus next year if this keeps up.
Two games went long in round seven, Morozevich-Smeets and Kamsky-Stellwagen. On Chess.FM Joel Benjamin expected only the latter to offer real winning chances for white in th endgame. Smeets had been significantly better again the imploding Russian but now had to make a technical defense down a pawn. Instead he played one of the worst blunders I can recall at this level in such a simple position, hanging his one remaining pawn to the only tactical possibility in the position and resigning immediately. Incredible, and with 40 minutes on his clock. Stellwagen was in trouble after a nice attacking effort by Kamsky against another Scheveningen netted him an extra pawn in a heavy-piece endgame. The young Dutchman went rogue, sacrificing his rook for a perpetual check attempt that wasn't clear even to the computers. After longer analysis, however, it does seem that with perfect play White can escape the checks and win. It was a forced draw after 66.Ka4. 66.Ka3 seems to be a winner, although it takes forever and there are still many places for White to go wrong. Daring choice from Stellwagen, who hasn't dared much so far.
Van Wely put Carlsen under pressure and the Norwegian, our unlikely drawing master, felt desperate measures were required. He remarkable 27..Bf2?! was rewarded when van Wely played 28.Red1 instead of the much stronger 28.Re2. The draw was quickly agreed when van Wely realized he couldn't hold the exchange with any advantage. Dominguez gave it his best against Wang Yue's Berlin but didn't have much success. Round 8: Movsesian-Smeets, Wang Yue-Morozevich, Radjabov-Dominguez, Stellwagen-Adams, Carlsen-Kamsky, Aronian-van Wely, Ivanchuk-Karjakin. A chance for Movsesian to really make a move against Smeets if the Dutchman can't collect himself after today's nightmare.
Nigel Short took over clear first in the B by beating Kasimjanov in a nice endgame. Caruana, Motylev, and Volokitin are a half-point back. Mecking got his first win, and over top seed Sasikiran to boot. Werle missed a winning shot in his loss to Caruana. The computer finds 32..Nc3 33.Bxc3 g4! with ..f5 coming. Against L'Ami Navara played a freakish exchange sac on move 10 that is apparently theoretical. He was getting his money's worth until he allowed the exchange of queens. 17.Qd4 and not 17.Qc3 and then Black doesn't have the check on f4 after 17..Qf6 18.e5. Hillarp Persson won to move into a tie with So in the C. Check out Leon Hoyos-Bosboom, in which the young Mexican sacrificed a second knight when the first was rejected and ended up with a queen for three pieces. Fun stuff. Black was playing for the win but blundered and lost.
Mig, you should have given them your ever-famous post with prostitutes about Bologan, or the other one where you compare your daughter and the Google Phone and come to no clear conclusion.
That's probably the reason most of us do read your blog.
Regarding the Karjakin vs Aronian game:
Bring back the chicken factor, please!
" After longer analysis, however, it does seem that with perfect play White can escape the checks and win."
I think it is still a draw. The computers do not see a win.
Don't over-analyze your past comments. If someone feels pissed, just say sorry.
For someone who wants to be fair, funny, interesting to read, and based on facts at the same time you are doing astonishingly well.
For a "B-list player" who enters the Top 10 for the first time, it must seem the achievement of years of hard work and a life-long dedication to chess.
Maybe it turns out to be a "fluke", but for now he feels like he has arrived where he always wanted to be, and probably has the ambition to prove that he belongs there.
In this situation, not everyone will take it lightly when some web-blogging semi-journalist uses funny wording to get some laughs.
There, there, I bet Movsesian himself is much less offended. After all, players are public figures, it's natural for people and journalists, and probably also semi-journalists, to make all sort of comments, good and bad.
The show starts in a few hours, Sunday chess beats the hell outta solving crosswords for a living.
Quoting Nigel Short after his win yesterday against Kasimdzhanov(source Chessvibes): "It is always useful to beat the leader." Not sure if Ivanchuk really agrees in the given situation, but it was good news for Movsesian ... .
Generally, for any given player his first supertournament result should not be overvalued. Who is still remembering Carlsen's -4 at Corus 2007? It is now well-forgotten for obvious and valid reasons: As everyone knows, he still got supertournament invitations and did not 'replicate' such a result.
"I think it is still a draw. The computers do not see a win."
Which computer(s)? How many do you own?
Almost all Internet sites covering the event state that white could have escaped from the checks - I don't know to what extent some are copying each other. TWIC seems the most definite stating that "escaping the checks was fairly easy for a computer" [whatever that means, do computers know the difference between easy and hard? ,:) ] - Chessmind is the only exception I could find, believing that the position is objectively drawn.
I sympathize with Movsesian to some extent, but agree that no harm was done, or malice intended. He should bear in mind the adage that "the only bad PR is no PR."
What does it say about one's state of mind when every game ends in a draw? Obviously Carlsen is not and never has been the sort of player to seek out the draw through laziness or fear. Could it be evidence of "growing pains"? That is to say, can a particular type of preparation with long-term aims lead to temporary drawishness?
"Can a particular type of preparation with long-term aims lead to temporary drawishness?"
I can attest to that fact. Only, in my case, I was losing as well as drawing :)
@Mig: A complete analysis of Bosboom's game may be too much too ask .... but could you please let me know when/where he blundered in your opinion? My own impression was that he was struggling to stay alive throughout the game - and while he managed (or almost so) I never thought he was playing for the win.
But I agree it was fun stuff, and a more honest evaluation from my side would be "I don't understand what the hell is going on ..." ,:)
about round 8 : Must be hard to play against Chucky when he already lost several games , there are a lot of posibilities of him breaking his bad streak with you.
How many points have Morozevich lost in this tournament?
Is he out of top ten yet?
Mig, I think it's hara-kiri, not hari-kiri. Pedants of the world unite...
Hah I almost saw you raising the fist :-)
about Moro, I wonder if he's already reached the lowest point or will the debacle continue...
Re. pedantry, some prefer the term "seppuku" to "hara-kiri".
Sadly, I've forgotten the details of my all-time favorite Mig line, but it had something to do with Judit Polgar tapping Svidler's King on the shoulder and telling him to drop the soap...
Mig says that Movsesian moved from Armenia to Slovakia. But Wiki says:
Sergei Movsesian (born November 3, 1978 in Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, USSR) is a chess Grandmaster of Armenian descent who now plays for Slovakia.
It seems as if Movsesian moved from Georgia to Slovakia.
The ChessBase does it again. Featuring Round 8 game of two 50%-ers rather than leaders with Movsesian. Serves them right for it was the trivial draw.
Oh, for crying out loud!
I was reading an old CHESS LIFE issue (back when the magazine was worth reading) and Burt Hochberg had a rather blunt article on the 1970 US Chess Championship.
It was really refreshing to read something with some meat in it, instead of the mediocre puff pieces about some boring kids tournament in some godforsaken place that is the usual fare nowadays.
It used to be, that chess journalism had some bite in it. Now, aside from the standard honest reviews by John Watson, we seldom see anything other than piffle.
It's not that there isn't interesting stuff going on; there is. It's just that I have a strong suspicion that, because the chess world is relatively small, and because of the greater impact of sponsors now, chess journalists are wary of biting the hand that feeds them, so to speak.
Hey, Mig, keep up the great work!
One thing you wrote: "Of course the language barrier can be a problem . . ."
Listening to him on ICC, seems to me there ain't no barrier between Peter Svidler and the English language. Man, he talks perty.
to Arthur: Movsesian moved from Georgia to Armenia for a couple of years and after that he moved to Slovakia, so technically Mig is right.
Malachy O'Dorus: I sympathize with Movsesian to some extent
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Why? Movsesian needs to brush up on his english if he took even the slightest offense.
Further slight correction (if it matters ...): As far as I know, Movsesian is still living in the Czech Republic, even if he is now playing for Slovakia.
Krasenkow, at 2702, was 10th on the Jul/Oct 2000 FIDE list, when he was 36 years old.
Van Wely, at 2714, was 10th on the Oct 2001 FIDE list, when he was almost 29 years old.
Adams was 27 when he first made the 1999 FIDE top 10.
Akopian and Khalifman came close in 2003.
"It's just that I have a strong suspicion that, because the chess world is relatively small, and because of the greater impact of sponsors now, chess journalists are wary of biting the hand that feeds them, so to speak."
Now just where did you get THAT bizarre idea??
Surely not from hanging out at Chessninja..?
;)
"The ChessBase does it again. ....."
In fairness to Chessbase, it seems that Carlsen-Kamsky was GM Shipov's choice (prior to the round, and he probably cannot give detailed live comments on ALL games). All Chessbase did was translate Russian into English, and republish Shipov's notes.
Peter Svidler is right, Mr. Mig - your "impressions" are really offensive - "cheap shots".
"he's a fun and emotional fellow who seemed destined for eternal B-list status, finishing in the lower half of most of the few supertournaments he was invited to and hanging on the periphery of the top 20"
First of all, he is not a fun fellow for you, don't you think that it is too familiar? Secondly, can you list those few supertournaments he was invited before Nankin? The fact is that some chessplayers has to work very hard in order to be invited to those A-list tournaments (like Movsesian did last year, winning convincingly Corus B. Otherwise, i am in some doubt about his presence in Corus A this year), while others - Mamedyarov, Morozevich are being invited regularly despite their permanent bad results.
3. "It would be refreshing to see an old guy (30!) make a move". Another comment lacking intellect, tact... Mr. old guy
4. "On the air Peter agreed that this was fair. Of course the language barrier can be a problem and the past tense of "seemed" is important" - another poor result of your "journalism", Mr. Past Tense. Peter Svidler, bein' Russian, speaks English much better than you do.
5. "I confess I didn't look up all of Movsesian's results before writing that" - you must confess, that you your comments were and still are offensive, Mr. bloomer candidate.
6. "And it's not Movsesian's fault Morozevich and Ivanchuk are playing like they need to be drug tested for stupid pills" - maybe you shold add Mr. Adams in "Movsesian's fault list" to make all his 3 wins "lucky", a result of his opponent's temporary weakness.
Don't be offended by this post, Mr. Mig, I used your "kind words"... besides you have got into the habit of being rude...
To vaxamon (and anyone else with a similar opinion)
If you don't like the way Mig writes, then do yourself a favour and stop visiting this website!
We are all adults and can make up our minds about what we like and what offends us.
I personally like Mig (I may not agree with everything he writes, but I do like his style and that's why I read his reports often)
Having said that, i respect people's right to disagree with me, but I will never try to change their opinion in a matter that simply relates to personal taste.
I hope we still live in a democratic world where it's impossible to please everyone and where everyone is allowed to do or say whatever they want AS LONG AS they don't break the law!
The fact is that some chessplayers has to work very hard in order to be invited to those A-list tournaments (like Movsesian did last year, winning convincingly Corus B. Otherwise, i am in some doubt about his presence in Corus A this year)
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Yes, god forbid a player has to perform to get invited to a major tournament.
, while others - Mamedyarov, Morozevich are being invited regularly despite their permanent bad results.
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They are invited regularly due to their permanent high rating, unlike Movsesian, who for the majority of the past few years wasn't even rated among the top 50.
This reminds me that Movsesian whined about exactly this (not getting invites, which he believed hindered him from getting a high rating!) a few years back. He came off as moron then, and despite his improved chess, it seems he still is.
2 Thanos - That's what I do, Thanos, I don't visit this site, so don't worry, I have no intention to change your opinion. But as far as you speak about democratic world, you have no right to tell me what to do, especially since it's "impossible to please everyone", including Mig and you. Just visit the ChessVibes.com and you will understand the way i've found this godforsaken ressource.
2 zakki - you don't break tradition of losers here present who offend many GM's (today Movsesian and Svidler). The problem (4 U) that they will never know about the existence of this site and of such "morons" like you, zakki.
Farewell
"He came off as moron then, and despite his improved chess, it seems he still is.
"
I missed it. What has he said lately that makes you believe he is a moron?
"He came off as moron then, and despite his improved chess, it seems he still is."
Thesis advanced: increase in chess strength=reduction of moronic status. Evaluation: ?!
Vaxamon <- guy seems like an old spinster lady, he doesn't likes this site and yet he's here crying and discharging all of his lovely soul.
i liked the abrupt finale: "the existence of this site and such "morons" like you, zakki" Farewell "--- ouch
-> zakki: They are invited regularly due to their permanent high rating, unlike Movsesian, who for the majority of the past few years wasn't even rated among the top 50.
Yes, they should rather invite the same players over and over, players who make 2 draws in cca 15 moves for 2 days in a row, and then enjoy a free day..(guess who?)btw Movsesian was "whining" as you put it when he got no invites despite reaching quater finals (last 8 ) in Las Vegas 1999, eliminating Leko among others...but that tournament doesn't even count, right?
I fail to see how "fellow who seemed destined for eternal B-list status" isn't as insulting as it gets. I realize you regret this now that he is leading corus A group but to deny it ever was insulting is just plain ignorant. It just goes to show you that you need to be careful with your words lest you live to regret them.
That's what I do, Thanos, I don't visit this site, so don't worry, I have no intention to change your opinion....Farewell
NO!
DON'T go!! Please come back, Vaxamon!! All is forgiven!! You COMPLETE me!
What's this fuss about who's getting the invitations? Chess organizers and sponsors invite whomever they want, don't they? It's their money, isn't it? And if they base their invitations on rating - well, what do chess players have a rating list for?
Invitations are just what they are called, and not a kind of state-controlled resource to be distributed by some Supreme Soviet. Thank the sponsors for still spending their money on chess. If any player feels bad because he was not invited, he still has at least two choices: 1) play better, 2) apply for Kalmykian citizenship so that Kirsan might grant him some state sponsorship.