LCC - the games!

[Ola Winfridsson]

Nakamura has thrown it away. Black's got an impregnable fort now.

[Jonathan Rogers]

I think that Kramnik played 18...Bc6 precisely in anticipation of Nd6 (so the bishop would not be en prise on b7, though it's generally better placed on c6 in any event). Had Luke played 19 Nd6+, simply 19...Kf8 (and then maybe 20 Ndf5 Nxf5 21 Nxf5 Bxf3)

Has Howell escaped?

Carlsen looks busted, the whole game seems to remind me of almost one half of the Anand v Kamsky match in 1995.

Why is Adams so impotent v Short as White? some thing psychological there?!

[Ola Winfridsson]

Just realized that I thought it was Luke's move before Kramnik played 18...Bc6

Howell certainly looks safe, he's always got the Nh6-g4 manouevre to stifle everything (edit: they just agreed a draw); and it Carlsen requires a miracle to avoid defeat.

But is Adams' position really so unpromising?

[Phil Neatherway]

A draw for Howell. He must be pleased to have saved that.

[Joey Stewart]

Does Ne3 do the job for anand? It seems as though black will almost never be able to escape the bind then.

[Ola Winfridsson]

Luke looks to be doing very well, but is it enough for a win? Black looks very solid.

[Ola Winfridsson]

I was thinking that an invasion on the 7th looked promising: 29.Qd5+ Kh8 30.Qf7 Tc7 31.Qe6. After 29.Ne3, I guess Rc7 is forced, and then ...Qc8 or something would be okish for Black? Edit: Anand played 29.Nh6+, should be good enough for a win!

Short looks to be on the ropes now. Adams' got a very dangerous attack, although 33.Bf3 seems to the take foot off the pedal a bit (I'm probably missing something).

[Ola Winfridsson]

Are the wheels coming off Luke's wagon? He looks overextended at move 40.

[Joey Stewart]

Kramnik looks to have some pretty powerful bishops here - I wouldnt be surprised if he grinds this position out for a win.

[benedgell]

For anyone who has an account with Playchess (not sure if this applies to ICC as well), Adams and Short are giving a post- mortem on their game at the moment.

[Ola Winfridsson]

Kramnik looks to have some pretty powerful bishops here - I wouldnt be surprised if he grinds this position out for a win.

I agree. Isn't Kramnik picking up material now? (after 47...Bxa7) 48.Re1+ Kd2 49.Rxe5 with the double threat of Be1+ and Ra5. Can that be parried? Edit: Doh, 49...Be3 holds everything.

[Joey Stewart]

Bd4 probably spoils it

[Ola Winfridsson]

Bd4 probably spoils it

No, then Black would have picked up a piece or an exchange by Bxc3, but Be3 is good enough.

Is Anand making any real progress against Carlsen?

[Joey Stewart]

What happens if white played Nxc3 - the bishop is still pinning the rook to the king so he is not losing any material and now has a free a pawn to start motoring up the board. It seems kramnik has some other ideas though, I prefered Ra1 to Rh1 but I suspect he has seen something I have not.

[Ola Winfridsson]

Of course, you're absolutely right, Joey! I was thinking that endgame after Kf6 would be better for Black thanks to the bishop, but not only does white have the passer on the a file, you have f4 winning immediately!

In any event, Kramnik's got the pressure on. It's a very difficult position to defend with the king on the back rank.