Grand Chess Tour - Sinquefield Cup 2019

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JustinHorton
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Re: Grand Chess Tour - Sinquefield Cup 2019

Post by JustinHorton » Sat Aug 24, 2019 5:54 pm

Caruana may also have been a little disappointed.
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Paul Cooksey
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Re: Grand Chess Tour - Sinquefield Cup 2019

Post by Paul Cooksey » Sat Aug 24, 2019 7:46 pm

Matt Mackenzie wrote:
Sat Aug 24, 2019 12:12 am
One thing can definitely be said - the supposed "anti-draw" measures at this event have been an unequivocal failure.
It true that there have been many more draws than the same players in Zagreb. I suppose I could argue faffing around with time controls were partly responsible for Aronian losing to Caruana.

Bluntly you don't invite half of this field if you want to maximise wins. But that is not my top priority so in some ways I hope they don't address it.

My theory is that is about form, players both in and out of form have more decisive results, as they did in Zagreb. If everyone is playing to their rating there is not enough difference in strength for many games to be won or loss

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Matt Mackenzie
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Re: Grand Chess Tour - Sinquefield Cup 2019

Post by Matt Mackenzie » Sat Aug 24, 2019 8:02 pm

It might also show that if the WC doesn't step up to the plate, it isn't that likely that one of his rivals will.....
"Set up your attacks so that when the fire is out, it isn't out!" (H N Pillsbury)

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JustinHorton
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Re: Grand Chess Tour - Sinquefield Cup 2019

Post by JustinHorton » Sat Aug 24, 2019 9:30 pm

Anand seems to have missed one cruncher tonight already
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Paul Cooksey
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Re: Grand Chess Tour - Sinquefield Cup 2019

Post by Paul Cooksey » Sat Aug 24, 2019 9:34 pm

I'm watching the GCT commentary today. If I hit the mute button quickly enough when I hear the words "we have a caller from..." or it seems like someone might be about to try to sell me some jewellery or a hoodie, it is bearable

Player interviews always interesting. Magnus said after today's draw that he was doing what he had done with success in previous events but it was not working. Specifically he talked about about playing sharp forcing lines with white.

I'm a bit sceptical though, particularly after Ian showed he basically had to just avoid one trap, and otherwise very equal. I think Magnus might now be in ultra-safe mode because of his poor form in the preceding event.

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Re: Grand Chess Tour - Sinquefield Cup 2019

Post by Paul Cooksey » Sat Aug 24, 2019 11:05 pm

I have to admit that I am getting frustrated with the GCT commentary. When Ding-Anand had the position below, they were complaining about the number of draws. Grrr!



EDIT: ;posted just before Giri took them to task with a similar point.

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Matt Mackenzie
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Re: Grand Chess Tour - Sinquefield Cup 2019

Post by Matt Mackenzie » Sat Aug 24, 2019 11:22 pm

Anand still has a won position, despite missing several chances to finish Ding off. Surely this time......
"Set up your attacks so that when the fire is out, it isn't out!" (H N Pillsbury)

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Re: Grand Chess Tour - Sinquefield Cup 2019

Post by John McKenna » Sat Aug 24, 2019 11:47 pm

Ding-Anand draw in 60 moves.That completes the set of 6 draws out of 6 games in the round.

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Matt Mackenzie
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Re: Grand Chess Tour - Sinquefield Cup 2019

Post by Matt Mackenzie » Sun Aug 25, 2019 12:00 am

JustinHorton wrote:
Sat Aug 24, 2019 9:30 pm
Anand seems to have missed one cruncher tonight already
He missed several.

Can't help feeling Carlsen would have finished off these chances Anand keeps getting.

But to rehash what Spielmann said about himself and Alekhine, he is struggling to achieve the necessary positions at present.
"Set up your attacks so that when the fire is out, it isn't out!" (H N Pillsbury)

LawrenceCooper
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Re: Grand Chess Tour - Sinquefield Cup 2019

Post by LawrenceCooper » Sun Aug 25, 2019 12:03 pm

Matt Mackenzie wrote:
Sun Aug 25, 2019 12:00 am
JustinHorton wrote:
Sat Aug 24, 2019 9:30 pm
Anand seems to have missed one cruncher tonight already
He missed several.

Can't help feeling Carlsen would have finished off these chances Anand keeps getting.

But to rehash what Spielmann said about himself and Alekhine, he is struggling to achieve the necessary positions at present.
I suspect that there's been plenty of envious glances from the other players at the positions that Anand has had against So, Giri and now Ding.

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Re: Grand Chess Tour - Sinquefield Cup 2019

Post by LawrenceCooper » Sun Aug 25, 2019 10:49 pm

Decisive game alert:

Nepomniachtchi 1 Aronian 0

Karjakin 1 MVL 0

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JustinHorton
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Re: Grand Chess Tour - Sinquefield Cup 2019

Post by JustinHorton » Sun Aug 25, 2019 10:51 pm

Nepo had just blown most of a huge advantage on move 40 but then saw Aronian play a series of red moves.
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Re: Grand Chess Tour - Sinquefield Cup 2019

Post by Alex Holowczak » Sun Aug 25, 2019 10:57 pm

LawrenceCooper wrote:
Sun Aug 25, 2019 10:49 pm
Decisive game alert:

Nepomniachtchi 1 Aronian 0

Karjakin 1 MVL 0
Two in one round? And here's me thinking Stokes and Leach putting on 76 for the last wicket to beat Australia was the most unexpected result of the day.

LawrenceCooper
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Re: Grand Chess Tour - Sinquefield Cup 2019

Post by LawrenceCooper » Sun Aug 25, 2019 11:15 pm

Alex Holowczak wrote:
Sun Aug 25, 2019 10:57 pm
LawrenceCooper wrote:
Sun Aug 25, 2019 10:49 pm
Decisive game alert:

Nepomniachtchi 1 Aronian 0

Karjakin 1 MVL 0
Two in one round? And here's me thinking Stokes and Leach putting on 76 for the last wicket to beat Australia was the most unexpected result of the day.
Maybe this tournament will be like the Stokes innings, a very slow start but then an explosion at the end :wink:

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JustinHorton
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Re: Grand Chess Tour - Sinquefield Cup 2019

Post by JustinHorton » Sun Aug 25, 2019 11:16 pm

With all kinds of grotesque errors at the death
"Do you play chess?"
"Yes, but I prefer a game with a better chance of cheating."

lostontime.blogspot.com