Candidates Tournament in Berlin March 2018

[AustinElliott]

I recognise the Tarjan-Karpov denouement Geoff posted from John Littlewood's 'Chess Tactics' paperback.

Karjakin's comment on Tarjan really just reflect how young many of the elite GMs are now. Meanwhile, all us 50+ types from the Fischer boom were cheering Tarjan on, though generally we cheer for Anand and Kramnik on '40+' grounds.

And hope Karjakin's right about Aronian and the Candidates - Aronian-Carlsen would make for an interesting title match.

[Chris Rice]

A John Saunders tweet "Warmest applause of the prizegiving evening was for 69-year-old US GM Jim Tarjan and his remarkable TPR of 2671" pretty much says it all, so Karjakin can shove it.

[Chris Rice]

Interesting article from Alex Colovic on Aronian's triumph in the World Cup. It's along the lines that Aronian wanted it more and he is no longer a 'choker'. Colovic also reckons that the Candidates wild card is likely to be a Russian because of the Russian sponsorship.

[LawrenceCooper]

Interesting article from Alex Colovic on Aronian's triumph in the World Cup. It's along the lines that Aronian wanted it more and he is no longer a 'choker'. Colovic also reckons that the Candidates wild card is likely to be a Russian because of the Russian sponsorship.

No doubt if he doesn't win his next event the theory about getting married costing you rating points will be wheeled out.

[Nick Burrows]

What score does Radjabov need in the final GP to overtake Grischuk?

If Grischuk makes it, then the next most likely wildcard would be Svidler...again

[LawrenceCooper]

If Grischuk makes it, then the next most likely wildcard would be Svidler...again

Ahead of Kramnik?

[Mick Norris]

What score does Radjabov need in the final GP to overtake Grischuk?

If Grischuk makes it, then the next most likely wildcard would be Svidler...again

It isn't the specific score, it is the placing in the GP

Radjabov must finish in clear 3rd, or better; MVL needs clear 2nd or better

[Nick Burrows]

If Grischuk makes it, then the next most likely wildcard would be Svidler...again

Ahead of Kramnik?

A very good point! That would be much preferable. It all feels very unfair on MVL who has clearly been one of the best handful of players this year.

[Nick Burrows]

What score does Radjabov need in the final GP to overtake Grischuk?

If Grischuk makes it, then the next most likely wildcard would be Svidler...again

It isn't the specific score, it is the placing in the GP

Radjabov must finish in clear 3rd, or better; MVL needs clear 2nd or better

Thanks Mick! What if it's MVL 2nd and Radjabov 3rd?

[LawrenceCooper]

What score does Radjabov need in the final GP to overtake Grischuk?

If Grischuk makes it, then the next most likely wildcard would be Svidler...again

It isn't the specific score, it is the placing in the GP

Radjabov must finish in clear 3rd, or better; MVL needs clear 2nd or better

Thanks Mick! What if it's MVL 2nd and Radjabov 3rd?

Then they both qualify. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIDE_Grand_Prix_2017

[Mick Norris]

What score does Radjabov need in the final GP to overtake Grischuk?

If Grischuk makes it, then the next most likely wildcard would be Svidler...again

It isn't the specific score, it is the placing in the GP

Radjabov must finish in clear 3rd, or better; MVL needs clear 2nd or better

Thanks Mick! What if it's MVL 2nd and Radjabov 3rd?

As Loz indicates, they overtake both Grischuk and Shak too

[Chris Rice]

Another Karjakin interview but this time it appears a lot more considered. The interesting part for me was Karjakin's general preparation and in particular that he gives a more detailed description of the New York WC match:

When will you start preparation?

Given that the whole preparation will take around four months, my coaches and I will conduct our first serious session in November. We’ll get together for two weeks and answer our phones less often. In January I’ll play my last tournament before the Candidates Tournament and then February has been completely freed up. Naturally I’ll spend it entirely on preparation.

How many coaches do you have and why do you need them at all? After all, objectively speaking you play better than they do.

My team consists of two or three permanent coaches. Those are grandmasters, but not run-of-the-mill ones, but of a very high level. They needn’t play better than I do, though. Their task is to point out my flaws. They notice that, let’s say, I more often make mistakes in the opening or the endgame, they collect material based on that issue and we work on that stage of the game. Apart from that we prepare for opponents, looking at where they make mistakes and where we can catch them out.

Before the match against Carlsen I gathered together as big a team as possible – about ten people. Among those six worked on chess preparation. I consulted a lot with all kinds of leading specialists. They included some famous names – former World Champions Vladimir Kramnik and Anatoly Karpov.

A few people were responsible for my physical preparation and massages. It was important to take care of every detail. For the trip to New York I even specially hired a cook as it was necessary for me to have normal Russian food. Besides, before the games there was absolutely no time to go to a restaurant.

The match against Magnus Carlsen ended up being very hard-fought and you lost only on tiebreaks. What was the psychological experience of winning the eighth game, taking you into the lead in the match?

That was one of the most exhilarating days. When I broke clear there were only four games until the end, and at that moment I felt that here it is – a real chance to win. At that moment I already felt that I could win.

And in the next game I had a big advantage, but I didn’t manage to convert it, and that, perhaps, was the key moment. If I’d managed to convert in the next game, with plus two and only three rounds to go, then most likely that would have been the World Championship. It’s a pity that it didn’t work out in the end, but we still had his nerves jangling.

[Mick Norris]

Interesting mention of Kramnik & Karpov

I'm assuming January Karjakin will play at Wijk aan Zee

[Chris Rice]

Agon have just released a press statement with details of the venue. It will be played at the Kühlhaus Berlin. The Berlin tourist board describe it as a "cool place for art".

[Mick Norris]

Pete Doggers article with

Ilya Merenzon, CEO of World Chess, announced that local fans will be specially treated. "We are also developing custom commentary and experiences in German for local audience." He stated that "23% of Germans play chess regularly" but no source for that number has been given.

Kaspersky Lab cyber security don't seem popular in the US