Candidates Matches 3rd - 27th May 2011

[Thomas Rendle]

Most importantly it looks like we're going to get an exciting game today, especially if Grischuk plays 10....e4!? here

[Mick Norris]

Game 2 under way - I can access the live games link, but can't see the video stream - is it just me?

Video is working for me.

Edit: then it promptly stopped.

Glad it wasn't just me, although it is working now
http://video.russiachess.org/view/314

[Mick Norris]

Up dates pls

http://kazan2011.fide.com/live-games.html

[AustinElliott]

A summary for anyone too busy to follw the live game feed - c move 25:

Gelfand as W has R+P for B+N. Gelfand's R & Q well centralised, and has had threats on Grischuk's King, but Grischuk is gradually "stoppering up" the position on the K side (e.g. w his move 25... h5) and now centralising his Q, possibly aiming to exchange Gelfand's R on e5 w ...Re8. If Grischuk can finally neutralise Gelfand's attacking threats, and exchange the central R, then you'd think his B+N might have a chance of gradually getting on top of Gelfand's remaining R... esp. as Gelfand has an isolated and weak P on b4 that will needs defending if he loses the initiative.

[AustinElliott]

(post 26th moves) Gelfand seems a couple of tempi short. If he had his K on g2 he could now maybe play Rc1 and then c5, keeping a R on e5 and keeping some sort of grip... but not sure if he has time..

Aha - he's played 27 Kg2

[AustinElliott]

Hmm. What will Gelfand do if 27...Re8? If Rs and Qs come off, is the weak Black a-pawn enough to balance White's dodgy b-pawn?

[AustinElliott]

27...Kf6

Getting to the crunch... surely Gelfand has to play 28 d4 to protect the R on e5? Though would mean his b-pawn would be hanging.

[AustinElliott]

28 Re4... so now Grischuk can exchange Qs

28 d4 wouldn't have worked, of course, after either ...Qd4: or ...Nd4: 29 Rf5:+? Nf5:

Now Gelfand has the threat of Qg5+, so I'm guessing Grischuk will most likely take the Qs off.

[AustinElliott]

PS Apologies for all this, it's Friday afternoon and I'm trying to think of reasons for not doing proper work.

[Roger de Coverly]

27...Kf6

Getting to the crunch... surely Gelfand has to play 28 d4 to protect the R on e5? Though would mean his b-pawn would be hanging.

I'm not sure we really know how the players see the position. On the face of it Gelfand could have tried for a repetition with 28 Qg5+ Kf7 29 Qf4. Instead he's allowing 2R6Pv BNR5P. Grishuk also could have forced a pair of rooks off with Re8. Perhaps both players are playing for the win.


(edit) 28 Qg5+ allows 28 .. Kxe5. Perhaps this clarifies things a bit, that Grishuk is better but with a lot of work to do to win. (/edit)

[AustinElliott]

That was a longish think by Grischuk on his 28th. Wonder if he was trying to decide if he had anything better than trading Qs? Anyway, ...Qf4: 29 Rf4: and the Qs are off. Not likely to see anyone mated now.

I'd guess Gelfand will play Ra1 next. If he could get his Rs on the forward B squares on the a and c files (a5 and c5) and Ps on d4 and e3 then one wonders if Grischuk would have any chance of exploiting N&B v R. Would feel a bit drawish, to my untutored eye. What do you reckon, Roger?

[AustinElliott]

PS Sorry, I'll shut up in a minute. I've never got to do a running commentary on anything, you see.

[AustinElliott]

Anyone remind me what the time control is? Grischuk has 19 min left (after 29... Be6), and Gelfand has a bit more at 31 min.

[Mick Norris]

Grischuk has 18 mins for 10 moves, Gelfand 30 mins

Time Control:40 moves in 120m:20 moves in 60m:then finish in 15m with 30 seconds added per move from move 61

[Jonathan Rogers]

27...Kf6

Getting to the crunch... surely Gelfand has to play 28 d4 to protect the R on e5? Though would mean his b-pawn would be hanging.

I'm not sure we really know how the players see the position. On the face of it Gelfand could have tried for a repetition with 28 Qg5+ Kf7 29 Qf4. Instead he's allowing 2R6Pv BNR5P. Grishuk also could have forced a pair of rooks off with Re8. Perhaps both players are playing for the win.

That's what I had thought until I noticed that 28 Qg5+ simply allows Kxe5! So, no indication that Gelfand has spurned any drawing opportunities. I'm sure he'd be very ready to settle for that.