Candidates Matches 3rd - 27th May 2011

[Jonathan Rogers]

Grischuk's plan is yet clearer!

[LozCooper]

Grischuk's plan is yet clearer!

Round 1 Game 4 tomorrow:

Gelfand (2) v Mamedjarov (1)
Topolov (1) v Kamsky (2)
Grischuk (1.5) v Aronian (1.5)
Kramnik (1.5) v Radjabov (1.5)

[Mick Norris]

White must win a game soon, 5 draws and 2 black wins in the 7 completed games so far

Well Aronian should have won game 1 and may still today. Isn't it actually 9 draws so far?

Sorry, yes, now 12 games played, 10 draws and 2 black wins - makes me wonder if Gelfand or Kamsky has the bigger advantage

[Paolo Casaschi]

Round 1 Game 4 tomorrow:

Gelfand (2) v Mamedjarov (1)
Topolov (1) v Kamsky (2)
Grischuk (1.5) v Aronian (1.5)
Kramnik (1.5) v Radjabov (1.5)

Interesting that both players ahead in their match are rated lower than their opponent, hence the prediction of Grishuk and Radjabov winning tomorrow

[LozCooper]

Game 4 now underway here: http://kazan2011.fide.com/live-games.html

[LozCooper]

First result is a 17 move draw between Alexander Grischuk and Lev Aronian which leaves them tied at 2-2 with a tie-break to come tomorrow.

[Mike W. Richardt]

First result is a 17 move draw between Alexander Grischuk and Lev Aronian which leaves them tied at 2-2 with a tie-break to come tomorrow.

I am surprised that Grischuk didn't play a little bit longer.
I guess the deciders are rapid games? Why would Grischuk go into Rapid games with Aronian I wonder??!!??

[LozCooper]

First result is a 17 move draw between Alexander Grischuk and Lev Aronian which leaves them tied at 2-2 with a tie-break to come tomorrow.

I am surprised that Grischuk didn't play a little bit longer.
I guess the deciders are rapid games? Why would Grischuk go into Rapid games with Aronian I wonder??!!??

Isn't Grischuk a rapid and blitz specialist? Mind you, Aronian isn't bad either

[Leonard Barden]

In recent years according to chessgames.com they are level at 3.5-3.5 in rapid and blitz. Grischuk won the latest of these, in the 2011 Amber rapid.

[Mike W. Richardt]

I have a feeling that Aronian is mentally stronger than Grischuk.

[LozCooper]

You may not be totally shocked to learn that Kramnik-Radjabov has also ended as a draw after 28 moves so they will also play a tie-break tomorrow.

[Mike W. Richardt]

Yeah just seen that. Kramnik a pawn up but looked drawish!!!
Gelfand just drawn as well!!! First through!!!

[LozCooper]

Yeah just seen that. Kramnik a pawn up but looked drawish!!!
Gelfand just drawn as well!!! First through!!!

Obviously Mamedjarov felt his position to be bad enough not to wait for white to open the queenside and decided to save himself five rating points.

[Mick Norris]

Topalov draws and is out, Kamsky plays Gelfand next

[LozCooper]

Topolov-Kamsky has ended as a draw so Kamsky goes through. I thought Kamsky was completely bust at the time control but maybe thing s weren't so simple. Kamsky will now play Gelfand in the semi-final.