Candidates Tournament 2013

[Eoin Devane]

Anyone know whether tickets can be bought on the door tomorrow?

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Anyone know whether tickets can be bought on the door tomorrow?

Not sure. I think you can, but always best to phone and check. It wasn't full today, though you can never tell as they may count the people in the commentary room as well - if the worst comes to the worst, you are almost certainly only going to miss being in the auditorium - you will be able to get into the commentary room, and in the room with the shop/bookstall, they have a computer with the positions displayed on it. If I was you, and you really want to be there to see the conclusion to the tournament, I'd say go for it and come along, though try and get there early. I don't think they will turn people away unless it gets really crowded.

Having said that, if 100 extra people turn up tomorrow...and there might be an increased press presence as well (I may aim to get there early for once!)

[Eoin Devane]

Thanks Christopher. I actually already have a ticket for myself, but a couple of friends are interested in coming along as well. I'll forward your response to them - any idea of the number to call to check?

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Thanks Christopher. I actually already have a ticket for myself, but a couple of friends are interested in coming along as well. I'll forward your response to them - any idea of the number to call to check?

No (and calling tomorrow morning wouldn't really help, I suspect). I'd just turn up, to be honest. If there are too many people, let the organisers sort that out... I wonder, are there really hordes of chess players that may turn up tomorrow...

[Eoin Devane]

I reckon you're right. When I was there last Sunday it wasn't packed by any means (though it was busier than I was perhaps expecting). I'll tell them just to show up - as you say it's rather unlikely to be swamped by chess fans!

[Nick Ivell]

Magnus is the greatest endgame player of all time in my opinion. I do however ask myself: are games like yesterday's a good advert for the game? Magnus wins after 7 hours and 100 moves, after another uninspiring opening.

What must a newcomer to the game be thinking? That chess is a game that rewards old-fashioned Sitzfleisch, the ability to sit at the board longer than the opponent. Stamina counts for as much as skill. It won't be long now before trainers start to bandy physical stats around, much as Sir Alex Ferguson is said to worry about Wayne Rooney's weight.

Not that I won't be studying that endgame. I will.

[Alex Holowczak]

Magnus is the greatest endgame player of all time in my opinion.

In an era without adjournments, too.

*runs away*

[Andrew Bak]

My predictions for today:

Carlsen 1-0 Svidler
Ivanchuk 0-1 Kramnik

I assume Carlsen will win the tiebreaks if this happens?

[Carl Hibbard]

A large mug of tea and the video feed pushed to an Apple TV nice, but I dislike the Carlsen position at the 15... c5 point

[Jonathan Bryant]

What odds them both losing? Not sure I fancy Vlad's position that much, although if he's planning to win on time things seem to be developing nicely.

[Carl Hibbard]

What odds them both losing? Not sure I fancy Vlad's position that much, although if he's planning to win on time things seem to be developing nicely.

Yes the Kramnik position looked lost after Qe3 as almost no moves there

[MartinCarpenter]

Actually I somewhat doubt if the way that Carlsen wins some of these endings would really work with adjournments. Its increments which give the opportunity to really put continous pressure on his opponents in that sort of position. Can't say I like it hugely myself but it's clearly very effective indeed.

Also, to be fair, probably something to do with how people play against him - look at what happens whenever he plays Nakamura!

[benedgell]

Carlsen and Kramnik both losing, who'd have guessed that?

[Clive Blackburn]

Carlsen and Kramnik both losing, who'd have guessed that?

Yes very surprising but if they both lose then Carlsen wins the tournament, which I think he deserves.

[Clive Blackburn]

There is still a chance that Kramnik might draw though