Candidates Tournament in Berlin March 2018

The very latest International round up of English news.
Jonathan Rogers
Posts: 4634
Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2008 9:26 pm

Re: Candidates Tournament in Berlin March 2018

Post by Jonathan Rogers » Fri Mar 16, 2018 4:27 pm

I have been thinking about that. Of course the Black win in Kramnik v Caruana could have gone either way and the Aronian v Kramnik game was an opening bombshell, so that has helped Black's score somewhat. By contrast the three White wins, and this might also apply if So wins today, have been genuine cases of massaging some relatively normal advantage from the opening.

LawrenceCooper
Posts: 7167
Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2011 8:13 am

Re: Candidates Tournament in Berlin March 2018

Post by LawrenceCooper » Fri Mar 16, 2018 5:56 pm

Two draws so far but with white wins likely in the So-Aronian & Mamedyarov-Kramnik games. That would give Caruana & Mamedyarov a point lead of the next highest score.

Chris Rice
Posts: 3416
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 5:17 am

Re: Candidates Tournament in Berlin March 2018

Post by Chris Rice » Fri Mar 16, 2018 8:21 pm

Leaderboard after round 6:

1-2 Caruana, Mamedyarov 4
3-6 Kramnik, Grischuk, Ding 3
6-7 So, Aronian 2½
8 Karjakin 2

Rest day tomorrow which hopefully will give Kramnik a chance to get his bearings. Mamedyarov looks the iron man at the moment but with 8 rounds to go no one is really out of it if they can put a little sequence of wins together.

NickFaulks
Posts: 8452
Joined: Sat Jan 02, 2010 1:28 pm

Re: Candidates Tournament in Berlin March 2018

Post by NickFaulks » Fri Mar 16, 2018 11:26 pm

Marathonbet offering both Caruana and Mamed at 7/4. Mathematically offside no doubt, but reasonable odds if you have a view.
If you want a picture of the future, imagine a QR code stamped on a human face — forever.

User avatar
JustinHorton
Posts: 10364
Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:06 am
Location: Somewhere you're not

Re: Candidates Tournament in Berlin March 2018

Post by JustinHorton » Sat Mar 17, 2018 4:37 pm

It's not out of the question that we could go into the second half on a triple tie for first place.
"Do you play chess?"
"Yes, but I prefer a game with a better chance of cheating."

lostontime.blogspot.com

Mick Norris
Posts: 10310
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2007 10:12 am
Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester

Re: Candidates Tournament in Berlin March 2018

Post by Mick Norris » Sat Mar 17, 2018 6:32 pm

JustinHorton wrote:
Sat Mar 17, 2018 4:37 pm
It's not out of the question that we could go into the second half on a triple tie for first place.
Or 4 if there's a winner in Vlad v Ding
Any postings on here represent my personal views

User avatar
JustinHorton
Posts: 10364
Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:06 am
Location: Somewhere you're not

Re: Candidates Tournament in Berlin March 2018

Post by JustinHorton » Sat Mar 17, 2018 6:48 pm

Ah, good point
"Do you play chess?"
"Yes, but I prefer a game with a better chance of cheating."

lostontime.blogspot.com

Chris Rice
Posts: 3416
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 5:17 am

Re: Candidates Tournament in Berlin March 2018

Post by Chris Rice » Sun Mar 18, 2018 5:49 pm

Looks like a massive blunder from Wesley So in what looked a completely drawn position.

User avatar
JustinHorton
Posts: 10364
Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:06 am
Location: Somewhere you're not

Re: Candidates Tournament in Berlin March 2018

Post by JustinHorton » Sun Mar 18, 2018 5:52 pm

And several from Aronian, the last one probably fatal.
"Do you play chess?"
"Yes, but I prefer a game with a better chance of cheating."

lostontime.blogspot.com

User avatar
JustinHorton
Posts: 10364
Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:06 am
Location: Somewhere you're not

Re: Candidates Tournament in Berlin March 2018

Post by JustinHorton » Sun Mar 18, 2018 5:58 pm

Chris Rice wrote:
Sun Mar 18, 2018 5:49 pm
Looks like a massive blunder from Wesley So in what looked a completely drawn position.
Quite the loss of concentration, there.
"Do you play chess?"
"Yes, but I prefer a game with a better chance of cheating."

lostontime.blogspot.com

PeterFarr
Posts: 624
Joined: Sat Apr 06, 2013 11:20 pm
Location: Horsham, Sussex

Re: Candidates Tournament in Berlin March 2018

Post by PeterFarr » Sun Mar 18, 2018 6:01 pm

Aronian losing a crazy game must surely end his chances; also puts Caruana in the sole lead.

User avatar
JustinHorton
Posts: 10364
Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:06 am
Location: Somewhere you're not

Re: Candidates Tournament in Berlin March 2018

Post by JustinHorton » Sun Mar 18, 2018 6:08 pm

Ding, seven draws if he gets this one, and from memory only in trouble briefly (albeit seriously) against Grischuk. I wonder how he'll approach the second half.
"Do you play chess?"
"Yes, but I prefer a game with a better chance of cheating."

lostontime.blogspot.com

Chris Rice
Posts: 3416
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 5:17 am

Re: Candidates Tournament in Berlin March 2018

Post by Chris Rice » Sun Mar 18, 2018 8:14 pm

Not sure whether I should be looking at Kramnik's moves with admiration or horror.

Chris Rice
Posts: 3416
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 5:17 am

Re: Candidates Tournament in Berlin March 2018

Post by Chris Rice » Sun Mar 18, 2018 8:34 pm

Finally drawn, so Leaderboard after Rd 7, the halfway stage and I don't think many would have picked So and Aronian to be the back markers:

1 Caruana 5
2 Mamedyarov 4½
3-5 Kramnik, Ding, Grischuk 3½
6 Karjakin 3
7-8 So, Aronian 2½

Brian Towers
Posts: 1266
Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2014 7:23 pm

Re: Candidates Tournament in Berlin March 2018

Post by Brian Towers » Sun Mar 18, 2018 8:35 pm

Chris Rice wrote:
Sun Mar 18, 2018 8:14 pm
Not sure whether I should be looking at Kramnik's moves with admiration or horror.
I think you should remember that Giri is Kramnik's second. Clearly with Giri's history Kramnik has been sent out with strict instructions to avoid a draw at almost any cost ;-)
Ah, but I was so much older then. I'm younger than that now.

Post Reply