Candidates Tournament in Berlin March 2018

[LawrenceCooper]

People have noticed that 13.Nd4 is possible for Grischuk, which looks like a clever way of doing something stupid as Silman would say.

I don't think Grischuk-Caruana will be a draw. Where does Fabi put his king?

The kingside looks safe enough

I disagree.

Any reason?

[Jonathan Rogers]

Certainly hard to see what else he will do with the king.

[Jonathan Rogers]

Mamed's opening generally a success. Not that he is yet on course to win, or anything. But he has a game.

[JustinHorton]

Assuming Caruana isn't planning to leave the queen where it is forever, anywhere other than the kingside is going to be pretty vulnerable to e6 sometime.

[Chris Goodall]

Because White has the kingside space. g4 happens. And eventually f4-f5.

[Chris Goodall]

14...h6?? Caruana is lost. Lost! My cat knows not to play 14...h6, and I don't even have a cat.

[benedgell]

Out of interest, is 4...Bc5 a playable line from the opening in Grischuk- Caruana?

[Jonathan Rogers]

(To Chris) You are not influenced by the engines suggesting it is basically level, clearly!

f4-f5 probably has to happen quickly if white is to be better, and it won't.

[benedgell]

I'd be interested in hearing a coach explain to a beginner why Ding putting all of his pawns on the same colour as his remaining bishop is a good strategy. His position doesn't look bad by any means, though.

[Chris Goodall]

(To Chris) You are not influenced by the engines suggesting it is basically level, clearly!

f4-f5 probably has to happen quickly if white is to be better, and it won't.

Engines know nothing. Every decisive game ever played, the engines thought it was level. They're good at endings is all.

[LawrenceCooper]

Out of interest, is 4...Bc5 a playable line from the opening in Grischuk- Caruana?

It's certainly interesting, Bc4 and Qd5 both lead to sharp positions.

[JustinHorton]

Karmanik may be trying that thing of losing the game rather than drawing it again

[Tim Harding]

Karjakin has dropped a pawn.

[JustinHorton]

Perhaps two as surely the a5 pawn would drop at the end?

[Tim Harding]

Perhaps two as surely the a5 pawn would drop at the end?

Commentators are coming round to the view that White will struggle to save this. Karjakin must have overlooked that after 27...h3+ he couldn't play Kxh3 because of ...g4+.
Triumph of the "bad" bishop.

They think 29 g4 is necessary with "decent" drawing chances.