Candidates Matches 3rd - 27th May 2011

[Jonathan Rogers]

This looks a bit more promising than yesterday's game, but I feel slow to get excited. It's still "2 hours gone, 30 pieces remain" and a draw is a reasomable result for both sides.

[AustinElliott]

I suppose one idea would be that after doubling Rs on the e-file, and perhaps pushing the h-pawn, Black is so immobilized that, if there's no obvious centre or K-side breakthrough, White could switch to the Q-side and play b5. White's Rs and Q could easily transfer their attention to the b-file, but Black's pieces are so crammed together that it seems to me he would have a lot of trouble re-routing enough defenders to the Q-side.

Nice position to play as White, anyway. Not much fun as Black, AND Gelfand is behind on the clock for a change.

This game has surely got to be Grischuk's big chance to win the match without a blitz play-off.

[AustinElliott]

Shipov seems to agree with us - or vice versa:

By the way, it’s important [for White] not to blunder the f4-f5 prod. For example, after the doubling of the white rooks. How else can White attack? There’s an option of putting a pawn on h5, pinning Black down completely on the kingside. If it’s not possible to break through directly, then White will in any case manage to tie Black down. And then a blow on the queenside will follow.

[Jonathan Rogers]

This looks a bit more promising than yesterday's game, but I feel slow to get excited. It's still "2 hours gone, 30 pieces remain" and a draw is a reasomable result for both sides.

Some time later, the sinking feeling is growing

[AustinElliott]

Shipov is suggesting Black may be able to play ...e5.

I wonder if White mightn't try Qb2 to over-cover e5 and to push b5. But White probably wouldn't want to allow Black to exchange the white-squared Bs, as the Black QB is well blocked by its own pawns... plus maybe the Black KB could sneak out to a5 and attack the White Re1.

Interested that Jonathan is getting drawing premonitions. If this was Capablanca (White) vs A.N. Other I would be expecting Black's position to crumble to dust under the pressure... but I guess maybe the anthologised games like that are not against top notch Black opposition.

NB Both players down to 35 min or so, which perhaps does favour a "take no risks" draw.

[AustinElliott]

19 Nb2 Rfe7
20 Qc3 (pointing at e5)

I now count six White pieces/pawns pointing at e5, and five Black ones.

The Nb2 could also point at e5 from d3. Bf1-h3..?

20 ...Rd8

So now one less Black piece pointed at e5...

[Mick Norris]

Grischuk's hand hovers in mid air (maybe worried that Austin hasn't spotted this idea ) and plays 21. Bf5

[Jonathan Rogers]

Interested that Jonathan is getting drawing premonitions. If this was Capablanca (White) vs A.N. Other I would be expecting Black's position to crumble to dust under the pressure... but I guess maybe the anthologised games like that are not against top notch Black opposition.

Yes. To be discussed with Keith Arkell!

[Mick Norris]

Shipov says Bg4 was a blunder, Gelfand has now played e5

[AustinElliott]

Whaay-hay!

Gelfand has finally played the e6-e5 push -

- now do we get fireworks, or mass exchanges leading to Jonathan's predicted draw?

23 Bg4xd7: ef:

- looking firework-y so far... and only 25 min each on the clock...

...does Black have threats of a draw with perpetual in some lines via taking on g3?

24 Be8 fe3:

Grischuk is thinking. He now has under 20 min.

Bf7:+ Kf7: Qe3: looks obvious - is Grischuk considering Qe3: first ??


ANS: Yes - 25 Qe3: with the attack of the White Be8 on the Black Rf7 still 'live'.

[Phil Neatherway]

Shipov is suggesting Bg4 is a blunder.

[LozCooper]

At least now I don't have to keep counting how many pieces are covering e5 I can see that a later b5 carries some threat now as it'll either leave a weak pawn on d5 or c6.

[AustinElliott]

Yes, Shipov suggests White has lost his grip on the position

25. Qe3: Ng6
26. Bf7:+ Kf7:
27. Qe6+ Kf8

So does Grischuk still have anything? He has space still, and the K-file. Are there any tactics left in the position?

28. Qh3

- threatening the h-pawn

- both players down to 16 min.

After 28... Kg8, 29 Qe6+ Kf8 would repeat the position.. Is Grischuk still playing for a win?

Gelfand plays 28 ....Qc8 .!!

- Can Grischuk take the h-pawn? Presumably the response would be ...Kf7 threatening ...Rh8.

[Jonathan Rogers]

and now is ....Qc8 simplest, if White cannot reply Qxh7 due to the Euwe-esque ...Kf7 and ...Rh8 ?

[Jonathan Rogers]

pats himsef on back, for spoting ...Qc8 and because of the gloomy draw prediction which has not been forgotten, though the brief tactics were fun