2018 Wijk aan Zee 12 - 28 January

[Chris Rice]

Peter Doggers article on the 8th round:

"The third leader after today is Magnus Carlsen, who won a bizarre game against Gawain Jones. Just out of the opening, the world champion blundered a full piece.

"It's a little embarrassing obviously, more than a little embarrassing," Carlsen readily admitted.

Because it was the world champion, and because he quickly got an initiative after it happened, some fans weren't even sure if it actually was a blunder but Carlsen himself ended the debate right away in his post-game interview.

"That was obviously a crude blunder. I guess I was kind of lucky to get any play at all after that."

Carlsen was referring to move 22, where Jones missed the obvious chance to close off the kingside after the win should have been trivial even against this particular opponent.

"After this, I had nothing to lose," said Carlsen. "It felt kind of absurd; I felt like the game is over already but on the other hand, I thought: let's play a few moves and see what happens."

What happened was Jones losing the thread completely, and going from won to better to worse to lost. The English GM might have a hard time sleeping tonight.

Giri, in his typical half-serious tone, said: "It will be interesting to see whether Magnus is a full piece stronger than the rest of the players here. I didn't think so but now I start doubting."

[MJMcCready]

It was a blunder. I think Danny King gives an accurate assessment of the game on his youtube channel, perhaps he's right that nerves got the better of Gawain.

[Jonathan Rogers]

At least the rest day came at a good time for Gawain. So far, so (very) good today.

I do rather think that his 1 c4 communicated, intentionally or not, "1 e4 and relative simplification is for everyone else; people I am happy to draw with, hoping to win if they overpress. But you, on the other hand ..." But it seems to be the right call nonetheless.

[Mick Norris]

Yes, it is good to see him recovering, and would be great to see him win

[Jonathan Rogers]

Giri back in the lead then.

Karjakin currently leading the "oh &5*4 I hope he doesn't win the candidates" competition, with nine draws from ten, followed by So with eight.

[Matt Mackenzie]

Jones might still be suffering a hangover from Sunday, it seems.....

[Jonathan Rogers]

It's gone wrong, but is itself still far from gone.

[Jonathan Rogers]

Draw then. Not what he wanted, but there were worrying moments too and the save means that he is still having a good/very good tournament. He's probably happy to play White again tomorrow.

[JustinHorton]

Shame in its way though as it may deprive us of the question "who lost to two world number ones in consecutive rounds of the same tournament?".

[Leonard Barden]

Shame in its way though as it may deprive us of the question "who lost to two world number ones in consecutive rounds of the same tournament?".

There is already an answer to this question. At Plymouth 1938 rounds 2 and 3 were played on the same day. Ronald N Bruce lost to Alekhine in the morning round (a famous Caro-Kann, duration 11 moves) and to Vera Menchik in the evening. Afterwards Bruce made the best of the episode by claiming to be the only person ever to have played two world champions on the same day.

[Chris Rice]

Shame in its way though as it may deprive us of the question "who lost to two world number ones in consecutive rounds of the same tournament?".

There is already an answer to this question. At Plymouth 1938 rounds 2 and 3 were played on the same day. Ronald N Bruce lost to Alekhine in the morning round (a famous Caro-Kann, duration 11 moves) and to Vera Menchik in the evening. Afterwards Bruce made the best of the episode by claiming to be the only person ever to have played two world champions on the same day.

Couldn't find the game vs Menchik but did turn up the stat that Ronald Bruce won the Plymouth Chess Club championship 35 times between 1928 and 1968. Here's the Alekhine game:
Alekhine, Alexander vs Bruce, Ronald Date: 1938 Event: Plymouth Result: 1-0
1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Ne5 Bh7 8. Qh5 g6 9. Bc4 e6 10. Qe2 Nf6 11. Nxf7 Kxf7 12. Qxe6+

[JustinHorton]

Shame in its way though as it may deprive us of the question "who lost to two world number ones in consecutive rounds of the same tournament?".

There is already an answer to this question. At Plymouth 1938 rounds 2 and 3 were played on the same day. Ronald N Bruce lost to Alekhine in the morning round (a famous Caro-Kann, duration 11 moves) and to Vera Menchik in the evening. Afterwards Bruce made the best of the episode by claiming to be the only person ever to have played two world champions on the same day.

Ah, that's excellent. Any more, do we think?

[MJMcCready]

We have another c3 Sicilian from Jones. After 10 moves black has a space advantage and is ahead in development as white's light-squared bishop has already made three moves.

[Matt Mackenzie]

He duly lost.

Carlsen looking like he might pull off a miracle against So.

[Barry Sandercock]

Carlsen won.