Carlsen v Nepomniatchi 2021 World Championship
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Re: Carlsen v Nepomniatchi 2021 World Championship
Simon Williams just said that David Howell lives in Norway now. Is that true?
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Re: Carlsen v Nepomniatchi 2021 World Championship
Well I can't remember the last time they even did it at that level. Perhaps it won't help so much as you can't really surprise players at that level anyway.IM Jack Rudd wrote: ↑Fri Dec 03, 2021 3:27 pmDrawing for colours before each game sounds implausible. Before each pair of games, maybe.
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Re: Carlsen v Nepomniatchi 2021 World Championship
So is it time to start complaining about the match in earnest? Or will it all blow up in games 11-13 and we will then wonder what we were complaining about? We'd complain now, if only we were not afraid of looking stupid next week.
But it has been quite a turn off! Not because of the draws: because of the games. We remember the draw in game one of Caruana v Carlsen, where Carlsen played a blinder until he let it slip, and we remember Caruana grinding from Black in the Petroff to get a winning position in game six, only to miss a study like win (because Carlsen found a way to make it that difficult for him). Of these present games, we will even struggle to remember much about game 2. And we are to go through this again next year too?
I don't really blame Carlsen's style of play, by the way. Maybe we do have to get used to matches which start with lots of correct draws, but what a nightmare for finding sponsorship.
But it has been quite a turn off! Not because of the draws: because of the games. We remember the draw in game one of Caruana v Carlsen, where Carlsen played a blinder until he let it slip, and we remember Caruana grinding from Black in the Petroff to get a winning position in game six, only to miss a study like win (because Carlsen found a way to make it that difficult for him). Of these present games, we will even struggle to remember much about game 2. And we are to go through this again next year too?
I don't really blame Carlsen's style of play, by the way. Maybe we do have to get used to matches which start with lots of correct draws, but what a nightmare for finding sponsorship.
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Re: Carlsen v Nepomniatchi 2021 World Championship
The matches are too short, so both players are overly scared of losing even a single game.
I'm increasingly convinced this is the fundamental problem.
I'm increasingly convinced this is the fundamental problem.
"Set up your attacks so that when the fire is out, it isn't out!" (H N Pillsbury)
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Re: Carlsen v Nepomniatchi 2021 World Championship
Looks like we are about to get our first win.
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Re: Carlsen v Nepomniatchi 2021 World Championship
I've heard this before. How many games do you think is reasonable? I ask as I have no idea.Matt Mackenzie wrote: ↑Fri Dec 03, 2021 4:09 pmThe matches are too short, so both players are overly scared of losing even a single game.
I'm increasingly convinced this is the fundamental problem.
Game 6 is getting interesting...........
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Re: Carlsen v Nepomniatchi 2021 World Championship
White or black?
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Re: Carlsen v Nepomniatchi 2021 World Championship
ha ha, I suspect black but I don't know really.
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Re: Carlsen v Nepomniatchi 2021 World Championship
Perhaps, Matt. Hartston used to tell the story of Spassky v Petrosian 1966 which started with six (?) draws and when Spassky asked someone what he had to do to win a game, that someone said "try losing one first!" Not advice you could give today. Spassky then did that, and since it had no immediate effect, he soon afterwards lost a second too, and was then able to fight back to equalise (though he did eventually lose by one game). And that sort of thing; well it happened all the time in the good old days of 1951-1972 24 game matches. Why, if Smyslov or Botvinnik were to lose three in a row, they would just sing a little song, or order a new dacha to summon the spirit of the motherland, and then try to win four in a row. (Ok, other factors were also in play in those days, and one was more than a touch more likely to win as Black, but this would be the nub of the 20-24 game argument).
Now what, is carlsen in trouble?! How dare he? (I don't really think so, btw. But mutual errors, let the Lord be praised!).
Now what, is carlsen in trouble?! How dare he? (I don't really think so, btw. But mutual errors, let the Lord be praised!).
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Re: Carlsen v Nepomniatchi 2021 World Championship
Computer thinks Nepo may have missed his best chance, and if anything needs to be careful himself now.
"Set up your attacks so that when the fire is out, it isn't out!" (H N Pillsbury)
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Re: Carlsen v Nepomniatchi 2021 World Championship
Absolutely you would back Carlsen to grind this one out
"Do you play chess?"
"Yes, but I prefer a game with a better chance of cheating."
lostontime.blogspot.com
"Yes, but I prefer a game with a better chance of cheating."
lostontime.blogspot.com
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Re: Carlsen v Nepomniatchi 2021 World Championship
Draw looking almost certain now.
EDIT: or maybe not.....
EDIT: or maybe not.....
Last edited by Matt Mackenzie on Fri Dec 03, 2021 5:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"Set up your attacks so that when the fire is out, it isn't out!" (H N Pillsbury)
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Re: Carlsen v Nepomniatchi 2021 World Championship
Rxa3 by Carlson is quite a memorable move, giving up the exchange in the hope of winning with R and N vs Q ending
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Re: Carlsen v Nepomniatchi 2021 World Championship
Declined by Nepo, and probably rightly since his pawns would look none too healthy in that scenario.
But if Carlsen plays the next few moves right, Black could be in real bother now.
But if Carlsen plays the next few moves right, Black could be in real bother now.
"Set up your attacks so that when the fire is out, it isn't out!" (H N Pillsbury)
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Re: Carlsen v Nepomniatchi 2021 World Championship
Maybe they should go back to 24 games, as in the period from 1951 to 1972, and again from 1985 to 1990. I haven't done the research but it would be interesting to map the percentage of decisive games in each match to the total number of scheduled games.LawrenceCooper wrote: ↑Fri Dec 03, 2021 4:20 pmI've heard this before. How many games do you think is reasonable? I ask as I have no idea.Matt Mackenzie wrote: ↑Fri Dec 03, 2021 4:09 pmThe matches are too short, so both players are overly scared of losing even a single game.
I'm increasingly convinced this is the fundamental problem.