Carlsen - Anand 2014

[Mick Norris]

Just a reminder this starts tomorrow

3pm Sochi 12pm GMT

R1 8th Nov, R2 9th, R3 11th, R4 12th, R5 14th, R6 15th, R7 17th, R8 18th, R9 20th, R10 21st, R11 23rd, R12 25th

Anyone think Anand will win?

[Jonathan Rogers]

I don't know how many of us were around in 1961, but, I wonder how many would have expected Tal to be clobbered by the 50 year old Botvinnik whom he had just vanquished in the previous year? Admittedly Tal's medical condition was a factor but it also possible he would have lost anyway: Botvinnik had learned how to play against him! Anand must also believe he has learnt some lessons; else I don't think he would have found the strength to qualify. His form is also much better, he no longer has home pressure and Carlsen looks afflicted by the understandable "do I really have to bother with all this again, so soon after winning so comfortably last time" attitude.

I don't find it unthinkable that Anand will amaze us all, though the more probable result is still 6.5-4.5 to carlsen, but this time losing a game and sustaining genuine pressure for much of the match, with some dramatic game going his way towards the end.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

I think it unlikely that Anand will clobber Carlsen, but I think it is entirely possible Anand could win. Carlsen is more likely to run away with it than Anand. The key will be the opening preparation. Anand will likely be desperate to get some advantage out of the opening, and that is the area where he could psychologically affect Carlsen. All this was said before the first match, and I don't think there were any opening preparation fireworks. Wonder if it will be different this time around. Maybe Anand will really go for it.

[NickFaulks]

I don't know how many of us were around in 1961, but, I wonder how many would have expected Tal to be clobbered by the 50 year old Botvinnik whom he had just vanquished in the previous year? Admittedly Tal's medical condition was a factor but it also possible he would have lost anyway: Botvinnik had learned how to play against him! Anand must also believe he has learnt some lessons; else I don't think he would have found the strength to qualify. His form is also much better, he no longer has home pressure and Carlsen looks afflicted by the understandable "do I really have to bother with all this again, so soon after winning so comfortably last time" attitude.

I don't find it unthinkable that Anand will amaze us all, though the more probable result is still 6.5-4.5 to carlsen, but this time losing a game and sustaining genuine pressure for much of the match, with some dramatic game going his way towards the end.

I agree with all of this, and have made the Tal Botvinnik comparison myself. It is far too easy too dismiss that on the basis of Tal's poor health. If Anand has learned from his dreadful first match as well as Botvinnik did, then the betting odds of 80/20 are just wrong.

[Stewart Reuben]

If it is really possible to get 4/1 on Anand, it might be worth taking. Then to lay off the bet if they start with 2 draws, as is quite likely.
Of course Anand's game plan was all wrong last time. He should have taken the fight to Magnus right from the start before the inexprienced player got settled in. As Kasparov said, 'I couldn't imagine how different the WC match was than the previous qualify matches. Of course it is too late for that option.
Of course Botvinnik had the right of a rematch against both Smyslov and Tal. Spassky said to Botvinnink that he had used the first match against Tal as a training match. Mikhail looked at him and said, 'You're a wise man.' He had no such luxury against Petrosian.

[Geoff Chandler]

I've put money on Anand and here is a copy of the betting slip to prove it.

http://www.redhotpawn.com/blog/blogread ... postid=191

£5.00 at 11/4 getting back £18.74. Just walked into Ladbrokes and did it.

[David Robertson]

I don't know how many of us were around in 1961, but, I wonder how many would have expected Tal to be clobbered by the 50 year old Botvinnik

I was around. And I cried

[Simon Brown]

I was around too. And I probably cried as well as I was 5 months old when it started...

[NickFaulks]

If it is really possible to get 4/1 on Anand, it might be worth taking. Then to lay off the bet if they start with 2 draws, as is quite likely.

It isn't now, because I've cleaned them out, but you can get close. I doubt that your strategy would work, though. I find that when the market starts out underestimating one side's chances ( in my view ) they keep doing it until close to the end.

[Mick Norris]

Press conference on now
http://new.livestream.com/accounts/7928 ... s/3553668/

Anand’s seconds: “Sasikiran, Wojtaszek, Gajewski.” Carlsen’s: “The Dane and the Hammer.”

[NickFaulks]

Done some 9/2 equivalent on Betfair, someone really fancies Carlsen.

[Chris Rice]

90 minutes to start time (noon uk). Live game link http://live.fide.com/sochi/index.php

[Carl Hibbard]

90 minutes to start time (noon uk). Live game link http://live.fide.com/sochi/index.php

Really quite a nice interface for a change lets hope it works under load and if they could finish before the Rugby starts that would also be welcome.

[Carl Hibbard]

Anand not selecting 1. e4 is quite some surprise to me at least.

[NickFaulks]

Is there a way to make the board on which Svidler is analysing big enough that you can actually see it?