GRENKE Chess Classic 2018

[carstenpedersen]

and the Iranians, who may be the best group of the lot. Where have they come from?

Taking a wild punt, Iran?

[Chris Rice]

Rest day today but the scores on the doors after Round 3 are:

1-2 Vachier-Lagrave, Vitiugov 2½
3-5 Caruana, Carlsen, Aronian 2
6-8 Anand, Naiditsch, Bluebaum 1
9-10 Hou, Yifan, Meier ½

Round 4 (2pm UK):
1 Carlsen, M. (2) 2843 — Vachier-Lagr. (2½) 2789
2 Aronian, L. (2) 2794 — Hou, Yifan (½) 2654
3 Vitiugov, N. (2½) 2735 — Anand, V. (1) 2776
4 Caruana, F. (2) 2784 — Naiditsch, A. (1) 2701
5 Bluebaum, M. (1) 2631 — Meier, Georg (½) 2648

[Kevin Thurlow]

"and the Iranians, who may be the best group of the lot. Where have they come from?

Taking a wild punt, Iran? "

For some reason, this reminded me of the 1988 Olympic hockey final, when GB scored what turned out to be the winning goal, and BBC's commentator (Barry Davies?) said, "And where were the Germans? And frankly, who cares?" He'd be locked up for that these days.

I assume digressions are permitted on the "rest" (or perhaps, "travelling") day.

[Alex Holowczak]

For some reason, this reminded me of the 1988 Olympic hockey final, when GB scored what turned out to be the winning goal, and BBC's commentator (Barry Davies?) said, "And where were the Germans? And frankly, who cares?" He'd be locked up for that these days.

It was Barry Davies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfO6hUCRMgI

[Kevin Thurlow]

Thanks!

[IM Jack Rudd]

I see Keymer's TPR is not as high as it would have been had his round 1 victory instead been a default. Gotta love the usefulness of such a stat.

[Keith Arkell]

I approve of Anand's opening choice today

[Chris Rice]

Caruana continues his fine form with the only win today as Naiditsch buckled defending a difficult Queen + knight v Queen + knight ending.

Leaderboard after Round 4:

1-3 Vachier-Lagrave, Caruana, Vitiugov 3
4-5 Carlsen, Aronian 2½
6-7 Anand, Bluebaum 1½
8-10 Naiditsch, Hou Yifan, Meier 1

Round 5:

1 Meier (1) — Carlsen, M. (2½)
2 Naiditsch (1) — Bluebaum, M. (1½)
3 Anand (1½) — Caruana (3)
4 Hou Yifan (1) — Vitiugov (3)
5 Vachier-Lagr. (3) — Aronian (2½)

[LawrenceCooper]

Caruana continues his fine form with the only win today as Naiditsch buckled defending a difficult Queen + knight v Queen + knight ending.

Leaderboard after Round 4:

1-3 Vachier-Lagrave, Caruana, Vitiugov 3
4-5 Carlsen, Aronian 2½
6-7 Anand, Bluebaum 1½
8-10 Naiditsch, Hou Yifan, Meier 1

Round 5:

1 Meier (1) — Carlsen, M. (2½)
2 Naiditsch (1) — Bluebaum, M. (1½)
3 Anand (1½) — Caruana (3)
4 Hou Yifan (1) — Vitiugov (3)
5 Vachier-Lagr. (3) — Aronian (2½)

Four draws so far today albeit Magnus appeared to be in trouble. The Naiditsch game is still going albeit his imaginative middle game play which looked likely to result in a win looks appears less likely now.

[Matt Mackenzie]

Meier missed a forced win, it appears. Will he ever get a better chance to sink a sitting WC?

[Chris Rice]

Meier missed a forced win, it appears. Will he ever get a better chance to sink a sitting WC?

Felt sorry for Meier, no surprise that he got a battering on social media from the usual selection of anonymous losers that seem to think that without the assistance of the engine running and with just three minutes to find the solution, they could have seen the sacrifice of two rooks to checkmate Carlsen. What did surprise me was the Sam Copeland article on Chess.com that players that beat reigning world champions join the "Chigorin Club" which I hadn't heard of before. Probably due to the fact that it has so few members. Some very interesting comments as well from Carlsen on the game.

[JustinHorton]

Funny though, when he went Bg4 my first thought was he must have seen the win, otherwise why not go Ra1 straightaway.

[Tim Harding]

Funny though, when he went Bg4 my first thought was he must have seen the win, otherwise why not go Ra1 straightaway.

Perhaps he had worked out the win against other replies but not against Kh8.

Then you have two minutes for two moves and know 39 Ra1 is a sure-fire draw against the World Champion.

Do you gamble on a combination that may have a hole in it (especially remembering what happened to Gawain)?

[Chris Rice]

Round 6 (2pm UK):

Meier, Georg (1½) — Naiditsch, A. (1½)
Caruana, F. (3½) — Hou, Yifan (1½)
Carlsen, M. (3) — Aronian, L. (3)
Vitiugov, N. (3½) — Vachier-Lagr. (3½)
Bluebaum, M. (2) — Anand, V. (2)

[LawrenceCooper]

Round 6 (2pm UK):

Meier, Georg (1½) — Naiditsch, A. (1½)
Caruana, F. (3½) — Hou, Yifan (1½)
Carlsen, M. (3) — Aronian, L. (3)
Vitiugov, N. (3½) — Vachier-Lagr. (3½)
Bluebaum, M. (2) — Anand, V. (2)

Wins for Naiditsch & Bluebaum and a draw in the Carlsen game so far.