WC Match 2016 - New York 10-30 November

[Matt Mackenzie]

This has been undoubtedly the most boring and least inspiring World Championship match in living memory

Only if your "living memory" doesn't stretch back to 2012?

[Nick Grey]

Too many Berlins ... of course if another Karjakin may lose on time.
So rapidplays & if necessary blitz favouring the younger player.
Hopefully it snows & our chess match on 30th is off.
If not my opponent will have no chance of getting a Berlin.

[JustinHorton]

FIDE are largely to blame because the 12-game format leaves so little room for recovery from error

I'd like longer matches, but is there any reason to think that the top players want to play longer matches, or that organisers want to pay for longer stays in venues?

[MartinCarpenter]

Or that a longer match would help so much? Its hardly like there's any signs of them managing to crack any of the openings, which is one of the things that made longer matches attractive in past times. Suspect you'd just get more, very similar, grinds.

Karjakin was quite positive when he got a position letting him try it vs that Bc5 Lopez.

[John McKenna]

Thanks for those colourful memories, Brian, but it's turned into a bit of a perplexing Sunday evening and night for me, so forgive me for asking what exactly it is that you have an issue with?

I got the impression that you were comparing Q+P endgames with the computer aided proof of the 4 colour theorem which I thought was most unfair to Q+P endgames. I'm sure there are human beings other than John Nunn who understand Q+P endgames.

Thanks for explaining yourself, Brian. Now it is my turn to take a little issue.

Endings where both sides have Queens and Pawns are notoriously difficult. (R. Fine - Basic Chess Endings)

That was written just before the age of the electronic digital computer. My point was that some people think that the use of such computers by top-flight chessplayers has resulted in games between such players becoming dour, unenterprising and thus boring and unedifying. The current match being a prime example for them.

I was trying to point out that the use of computers in chess has also resulted in improved technique and a willingness to play seemingly uninteresting positions with a high degree of patience and determination.

I regard those who demand excitement from start to finish as adrenalin junkies. Disparaging the style of play of the 9th World Champion, T. Petrosyan, shows a lack of appreciation of the diversity of styles that the game of chess encompasses.

Not every form of music appeals to everyone but it is all music to the ears.

Anyway, now the slow torture, for some, is ended and they will get their rush in the next stage, but I suppose it will be all too emphemeral for them and still leave a feeling of dissatisfaction.

[Chris Rice]

Like John I've enjoyed this scrap for the most part. Problem is that 12 games means that any short draws gain in prominence. In a 24 game match or first to six wins where there were numerous short draws I can't remember many people complaining about quick halve outs. I would prefer a 24 game match and I don't see why it has to be that much longer of a match if you cut out the ridiculous number of rest days the players have had for this one. However, even if you do all that we're still faced with the Berlin problem. A more radical solution would be to make some of the games Fischerrandom or themed openings where both players play the same position as White and Black. For added thrills one could leave telling the players exactly what they are going to get until the start time which would pretty much cut out all the pre-game computer preparation.

[Matthew Turner]

I am bit worried that the players might not be able to keep their minds on the game on Wednesday. Presumably, they'll be worrying about how it is going in the big Wells - Millfield clash which could decide the fate of the Somerset First Division

[Mick Norris]

I am bit worried that the players might not be able to keep their minds on the game on Wednesday. Presumably, they'll be worrying about how it is going in the big Wells - Millfield clash which could decide the fate of the Somerset First Division

They had this problem last night; needing to finish by 7:45 pm UK time to avoid distracting me at the start of the MCF Council meeting; fortunately they managed it

More seriously, the rest day between games 11 & 12 doesn't seemed to have helped; the more spectator friendly idea of playing Saturday & Sunday would have surely been a better idea

Hopefully, the title will be decided during the rapid games, preferably by Magnus winning

[Jonathan Rogers]

I was on a broken down train yesterday when game 12 started, and (unable to get a good mobile signal) cursed the rail operator. Then I got home and saw what happened and wondered whether I should send them a thank you letter instead.

[AustinElliott]

So rapidplays & if necessary blitz favouring the younger player.

Doubt age is a factor, as Karjakin is not quite 27, so less than two years older than Carlsen. Carlsen may be the better rapid/blitz player of the two, but that is a different issue, I'd say.

I'm one of those who would have enjoyed more tactical battles along the lines of game nine, but the match has definitely not been dull. [The final game yesterday was a disappointment, but perhaps not a surprise given the play-off arrangements.]. There has been plenty of suspense in the match, just mostly in queenless late middlegame /endgame positions. The standard of defending has been quite something, with both Carlsen and Karjakin channeling their inner Tigran Petrosian.

Even if Karjakin loses the rapid/blitz, I think both his play and his reputation are enhanced by the match. He has clearly "raised his game" to take on Magnus, particularly in the quality of defence under extreme 'match / game situation' pressure. In contrast, Carlsen has looked both surprised by Karjakin's resilience and rather frustrated. He gives the impression in some ways of not knowing quite what to set himself as a goal now that he is Champion.

[JustinHorton]

In a 24 game match or first to six wins where there were numerous short draws I can't remember many people complaining about quick halve outs.

My recollection of 1984/5 was that people were dying of boredom.

A more radical solution would be to make some of the games Fischerrandom or themed openings where both players play the same position as White and Black

More radical but also barmy, no?

[Michael Farthing]

Rather curious aside on the impact of this match is that my wife, not a chess player, was able to inform me that she had heard yesterday that "some famous chess player had died" and could confirm on cross-examination that the individual concerned was named Taimanov. She was, however, quite unaware of the state of the world championship, or even its existence.

[Chris Rice]

In a 24 game match or first to six wins where there were numerous short draws I can't remember many people complaining about quick halve outs.

My recollection of 1984/5 was that people were dying of boredom.

They were, I was one of them to be sure. What I was getting at in this instance was that people weren't expecting value for money in each game, given its infinite length, so the quick halve outs weren't complained about. I really didn't like this format though for Classical chess and it should never see the light of day again given the precedent.

A more radical solution would be to make some of the games Fischerrandom or themed openings where both players play the same position as White and Black

More radical but also barmy, no?

Why? Think if nothing else, either of these ideas would have a time control standard for classical chess and therefore would make a better tie break system than rapid games for a Classical chess match. I was reading Greg Shahade's article on making the WC less boring and he even argues that right now Karjakin does not deserve to be World Champion because he wouldn't have beaten Carlsen at Classical chess in this match. https://gregshahade.wordpress.com/2016/ ... ss-boring/

[Jonathan Bryant]

I would prefer a 24 game match and I don't see why it has to be that much longer of a match if you cut out the ridiculous number of rest days the players have had for this one. However, even if you do all that we're still faced with the Berlin problem. A more radical solution would be to make some of the games Fischerrandom or themed openings ....

4 games then a day off would still take over a month to play a 24 game match. I suspect there would also be a fear of dead rubber (real or virtual). Also the longer the match the higher the chance of micro and/or non-event draws I suspect.

I think 14 or 16 games would be a reasonable compromise. Perhaps with fewer non playing days as you suggest. At least they don’t get to take a day off just because they don’t feel like playing these days.


I remember the idea of set openings - in fact it was opening 2 moves drawn by lot - coming up in the commentary room the second half of the 1986 match. Of course you’d have to rule out certain rubbish stuff but it would guarantee a variety of openings and avoid specialisation. But then again it would introduce an element of chance and maybe not as many openings are considered 'playable' these days as they were 30 years ago.

[Chris Rice]

Yasser : If I'd just laid out $1,000 to get into the VIP lounge and I saw this position...

Seems like those good people at AGON have been listening as I received the following email today:

A final chance to watch history being made

A limited number of tickets for the tiebreaker games of the World Chess Championship, which will be held Wednesday at the South Street Seaport, are available now.

For $100, people can watch the tiebreaker games and also stay for the awards ceremony.

For $500, ticket holders will have access to the VIP lounge, be able to attend the award ceremony and also the closing reception at the venue at South Street Seaport.

People who bought tickets for Monday’s game already have the right to attend the tie-breaker games and the awards ceremony. Those ticket holders will receive instructions via email. To buy the ticket please follow the link.