Tata Steel (Wijk aan Zee) 2012

[Ian Kingston]

I think we need a thread for this, now that the games have started.

The live games page (http://www.tatasteelchess.com/tournament/livegames) is quite superb - multiple ways to view the games with computer analysis if you want it.

[Paolo Casaschi]

The live games page (http://www.tatasteelchess.com/tournament/livegames) is quite superb - multiple ways to view the games with computer analysis if you want it.

If you like that format, the whycess site is using it regularly for all major current events.

[Ian Kingston]

The live games page (http://www.tatasteelchess.com/tournament/livegames) is quite superb - multiple ways to view the games with computer analysis if you want it.

If you like that format, the whycess site is using it regularly for all major current events.

So it does. Whychess just isn't one of the sites I visit.

Back at the chess: Matthew Sadler is off to a good start in the C group. Wins for Aronian and Carlsen in the A group.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Sadler drew in rounds 2 and 3. Anyone have any idea whether Carlsen can win his round 3 position against Aronian? Knight and bishop and pawn for rook, but could be difficult.

[Paul Cooksey]

Sadler drew in rounds 2 and 3. Anyone have any idea whether Carlsen can win his round 3 position against Aronian? Knight and bishop and pawn for rook, but could be difficult.

Carlsen must be winning, although Aronian doing well to make a fight of it.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Anyone have any idea whether Carlsen can win his round 3 position against Aronian? Knight and bishop and pawn for rook, but could be difficult.

Carlsen must be winning, although Aronian doing well to make a fight of it.

Yeah. Looks like in practice finding the best defensive lines is difficult.

[benedgell]

Just played through that game. Bit disappointing Aronian chose to resign rather then make Carlsen play out B+N v K.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

The latest is that Carlsen lost and Aronian won yesterday, giving Aronian a full point lead with four rounds left:

http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=7865

Looking at Aronian's remaining opponents, he should be odds on favourite to win now.

http://www.2700chess.com/

Might even be able to overtake Carlsen in the live rankings, though the gap is still 12 rating points.

[Ian Kingston]

Aronian is piling the pressure on Giri today. He really seems to have added a more determined edge to his game over the last year or so.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Aronian is piling the pressure on Giri today. He really seems to have added a more determined edge to his game over the last year or so.

Aronian now on +5. The ending in his win over Giri today was brutal. I was completely befuddled by the knight sacrifice at the end. Not so much working out that it works, but even considering the move in the first place. Very impressive.

[Ian Kingston]

Aronian is piling the pressure on Giri today. He really seems to have added a more determined edge to his game over the last year or so.

Aronian now on +5. The ending in his win over Giri today was brutal. I was completely befuddled by the knight sacrifice at the end. Not so much working out that it works, but even considering the move in the first place. Very impressive.

It was very impressive. Only Ivanchuk has a reasonable chance of catching Aronian after today's results. It will be interesting to see whether Aronian now tries to coast in with three steady draws or instead tries to maximise his score.

[Mick Norris]

Aronian might be thinking about the number 1 spot
http://www.2700chess.com/

[Paul Cooksey]

Aronian's play was indeed very impressive again today. I think he is the best prepared top player at the moment. It must be hard for the other super GMs to play white against him. It seems like a straight choice between allowing an easy draw in a classical mainline, or varying and being at best equal and significantly behind on the clock.

Good to see a Sadler win today. He is having quite a strange tournament, reaching extremely sharp positions against weaker players but somehow drawing most of them.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Carlsen's game today against Topalov is crazy... <gulp> Topalov just sacrificed his queen. Not what the website's computer program was suggesting. Aronian in a very double-edged position against Navara. Both have passed pawns racing forward.

EDIT: Impressive play in both these games. I was sure Carlsen would take the draw, but his queens and pawns are posing real problems for the rook and bishop pair.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Absolute bloodbath today in the top group. Looks like 6 out of 7 games will be decisive. Four wins for Black, two for White.