Thessaloniki FIDE Grand Prix May 21 - June 7 2013

[Greg Breed]

I've got a sneaky feeling that Naka might win his last 3 games. I'd put 50p on it

[LawrenceCooper]

I've got a sneaky feeling that Naka might win his last 3 games. I'd put 50p on it

I thought that Topalov would run away with the tournament a couple of rounds ago but the inevitable jinx then occured.

[Mick Norris]

I've got a sneaky feeling that Naka might win his last 3 games. I'd put 50p on it

I think he'd prefer you to predict 3 losses

[Mick Norris]

Kamsky has a half point lead going into today's final round, but is black against Caruana who is a point behind him

Dominguez in second has white against Topalov

[Mick Norris]

http://thessaloniki2013.fide.com/live/analysis/

Games underway, and Grischuk drawn to finish unbeaten

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Caruana won after Kamsky played 35...Kh7 and the computer evaluation went crazy after that.

[Mick Norris]

Not sure how Caruana does it

Puts him clears number 4 in the live ranking list http://www.2700chess.com/

[Paolo Casaschi]

Not sure how Caruana does it

Puts him clears number 4 in the live ranking list http://www.2700chess.com/

With the forced absence of Anand and Carlsen otherwise engaged, Caruana would be a nice substitute at the London Chess Classics (assuming there's still one this December).

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Anyone think Dominguez can win that rook endgame to take clear first?
How does the tie-break between the three players work if Dominguez only draws?

EDIT: Oops. Looks like both players are messing up the endgame. It seems 51...Kd8 was a big blunder, but Domniguez has not played the best reply. Both players are taking pawns straight away with their rooks, rather than playing subtle checks first to drive their opponent's king to a worse square.

[Mick Norris]

How does the tie-break between the three players work if Dominguez only draws?

There is no tiebreak, the grand prix points and prizes are shared
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIDE_Grand ... %80%932013

[LawrenceCooper]

Anyone think Dominguez can win that rook endgame to take clear first?
How does the tie-break between the three players work if Dominguez only draws?

EDIT: Oops. Looks like both players are messing up the endgame. It seems 51...Kd8 was a big blunder, but Domniguez has not played the best reply. Both players are taking pawns straight away with their rooks, rather than playing subtle checks first to drive their opponent's king to a worse square.

What was wrong with Kd8?

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Anyone think Dominguez can win that rook endgame to take clear first?
How does the tie-break between the three players work if Dominguez only draws?

EDIT: Oops. Looks like both players are messing up the endgame. It seems 51...Kd8 was a big blunder, but Domniguez has not played the best reply. Both players are taking pawns straight away with their rooks, rather than playing subtle checks first to drive their opponent's king to a worse square.

What was wrong with Kd8?

Computer says 51...Kd8 52.Ra8+ Kd7 53. Ka3, and now the check on c8 wins the rook on c2 if Black's king tries to approach. I think. Though looking at the final position in the analysis provided online, it looks like things may not be so clear. Need to stop trusting these online engines... (unless they are right of course!).

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Hmm. 60...Kxb6 has allowed mate in 35. I think computers can be relied on to get that right? (Presumably a tablebase-based analysis).

[LawrenceCooper]

Anyone think Dominguez can win that rook endgame to take clear first?
How does the tie-break between the three players work if Dominguez only draws?

EDIT: Oops. Looks like both players are messing up the endgame. It seems 51...Kd8 was a big blunder, but Domniguez has not played the best reply. Both players are taking pawns straight away with their rooks, rather than playing subtle checks first to drive their opponent's king to a worse square.

What was wrong with Kd8?

Computer says 51...Kd8 52.Ra8+ Kd7 53. Ka3, and now the check on c8 wins the rook on c2 if Black's king tries to approach. I think. Though looking at the final position in the analysis provided online, it looks like things may not be so clear. Need to stop trusting these online engines... (unless they are right of course!).

It certainly doesn't look dangerous, assuming black plays Rc3+ rather than blundering his rook in the manner you mentioned (and I did in a similar way when playing for a norm against Andrew Martin )

[LawrenceCooper]

Hmm. 60...Kxb6 has allowed mate in 35. I think computers can be relied on to get that right? (Presumably a tablebase-based analysis).

58...Rb3 surprised me, I was expecting Kb7 and it doesn't appear that white can make progress.