Grand-Prix 2017 Events Venues and Dates confirmed

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Mick Norris
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Re: Grand-Prix 2017 Events Venues and Dates confirmed

Post by Mick Norris » Thu Nov 23, 2017 7:40 pm

JustinHorton wrote:
Thu Nov 23, 2017 7:16 pm
Did we decide that Grischuk's tiebreak is superior to MVL's, so 2-3 in Palma wouldn't be enough?
Tiebreaks

MVL needs 125 to catch Grischuk which would indeed be 2-3, when the tiebreaks would apply

2 would be enough, as would 1-4

Tiebreaks: MVL needs 5.5 to equal Grischuk on the first criteria, he'd need black in the last 2 rounds for the second, another win for the third, that win being with black for the fourth (which it would have to be if the 2nd tiebreak had been met), to go to drawing of lots: let's hope it doesn't come to that
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Re: Grand-Prix 2017 Events Venues and Dates confirmed

Post by Mick Norris » Thu Nov 23, 2017 7:44 pm

round 8 pairings

MVL gets black against Inarkiev, Radjabov black against Gelfand, both looking like must win games
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Re: Grand-Prix 2017 Events Venues and Dates confirmed

Post by JustinHorton » Thu Nov 23, 2017 8:57 pm

Easier for Radjabov, who's got no option but to win twice from here.

MVL might think he's still got a decent chance with a draw, on the grounds that most of the other players currently on 4/7 might be likely to finish on 5/9, so a draw and a last-round win might well be enough. On the other hand, if Aronian were to beat Tomashevky (he's had a couple of tough match-ups in a row!) then MVL would really be struggling since he'd be unlikely to catch Aronian. So what should he do?
Last edited by JustinHorton on Thu Nov 23, 2017 10:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Grand-Prix 2017 Events Venues and Dates confirmed

Post by Mick Norris » Thu Nov 23, 2017 9:31 pm

It's a big risk, as a win for any other player would mean that a last round win might only net MVL joint second, so I think he has to try and go for it

I'm assuming that Inarkiev won't be trying to close the game down for a draw, so there may be a chance of a decent game; unless Inarkiev wants Grischuk to qualify?

MVL likely to play Ding or Jakovenko in the last round (Aronian to play Harikrishna or Naka)
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Re: Grand-Prix 2017 Events Venues and Dates confirmed

Post by JustinHorton » Fri Nov 24, 2017 1:09 pm

Radjabov playing the old-fashioned Bb7 line in the Queen's Indian Defence, which wouldn't be everybody's choice when trying to win with Black.
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Re: Grand-Prix 2017 Events Venues and Dates confirmed

Post by JustinHorton » Fri Nov 24, 2017 1:10 pm

So is Tomashevsky, apparently.
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Re: Grand-Prix 2017 Events Venues and Dates confirmed

Post by JustinHorton » Fri Nov 24, 2017 1:42 pm

Early draw for Aronian,. which maybe throws MVL some kind of lifeline.
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Re: Grand-Prix 2017 Events Venues and Dates confirmed

Post by Mick Norris » Fri Nov 24, 2017 1:54 pm

JustinHorton wrote:
Fri Nov 24, 2017 1:42 pm
Early draw for Aronian,. which maybe throws MVL some kind of lifeline.
If he wins then yes, but it does keep Tomashevsky in the mix
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Re: Grand-Prix 2017 Events Venues and Dates confirmed

Post by Tim Harding » Fri Nov 24, 2017 3:15 pm

MVL pawn down in opposite colour B ending. He'll probably hold it but then it's win or bust tomorrow.
Probably bust.
Radjabov looks like he might be getting back into contention, but Mamedyarov and Grischuk are probably feeling quite hopeful at present.
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Re: Grand-Prix 2017 Events Venues and Dates confirmed

Post by JustinHorton » Fri Nov 24, 2017 3:23 pm

MVL gets his draw. You get the feeling that wasn't really the opening he was hoping for.

Personally I think he's still likely to be in with a chance when the last round starts, but of course he absolutely has to win and not too much can go wrong elsewhere.

Radjabov is doing well with Black against Gelfand and might even find himself better-placed than MVL to qualify tonight.
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Re: Grand-Prix 2017 Events Venues and Dates confirmed

Post by Tim Harding » Fri Nov 24, 2017 3:27 pm

Gelfand has been looking fragile in this event so I expect Radjabov to win.
I wish Boris would go back to working on his book series for Quality Chess; maybe he will after this.
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Re: Grand-Prix 2017 Events Venues and Dates confirmed

Post by NickFaulks » Fri Nov 24, 2017 4:39 pm

Tim Harding wrote:
Fri Nov 24, 2017 3:27 pm
Gelfand has been looking fragile in this event so I expect Radjabov to win.
I wish Boris would go back to working on his book series for Quality Chess; maybe he will after this.
It is said that he will not be playing in the World Rapid & Blitz. If true, I'm guessing that will be because he's had enough high pressure chess for a while rather than for any political motive. As you say, he does seem weary.
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Re: Grand-Prix 2017 Events Venues and Dates confirmed

Post by JustinHorton » Fri Nov 24, 2017 6:09 pm

Radjabov wins! I hope he goes on and finishes the job tomorrow.
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Re: Grand-Prix 2017 Events Venues and Dates confirmed

Post by LawrenceCooper » Fri Nov 24, 2017 8:54 pm

Round 9 on 2017/11/25 at 14.00
Bo. No. Name Rtg Pts. Result Pts. Name Rtg No.
1 3 GM Nakamura Hikaru 2780 4½ 5 GM Aronian Levon 2801 1
2 2 GM Vachier-Lagrave Maxime 2796 4½ 4½ GM Jakovenko Dmitry 2721 10
3 14 GM Tomashevsky Evgeny 2702 4½ 4½ GM Ding Liren 2774 4
4 9 GM Harikrishna P. 2738 4½ 4½ GM Svidler Peter 2763 5
5 8 GM Radjabov Teimour 2741 4½ 4½ GM Rapport Richard 2692 15
6 12 GM Eljanov Pavel 2707 4 2½ GM Gelfand Boris 2719 11
7 18 GM Hammer Jon Ludvig 2629 2½ 4 GM Inarkiev Ernesto 2683 16
8 6 GM Giri Anish 2762 3½ 3½ GM Vallejo Pons Francisco 2705 13
9 17 GM Riazantsev Alexander 2651 3 3½ GM Li Chao B 2741 7

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Re: Grand-Prix 2017 Events Venues and Dates confirmed

Post by Reg Clucas » Fri Nov 24, 2017 10:00 pm

Radjabov must be delighted with his round 9 pairing, as Rapport is often likely to make a game of it rather than shut up shop. (Though not today!)

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