Candidates Matches 3rd - 27th May 2011

[LozCooper]

1 d4 it is then and a g3 Kings Indian or possibly Gruenfeld depending on what Grischuk does with his d pawn

[Phil Neatherway]

It seems odd (to my humble 160 eyes) that Gelfand has moved his R to e1, rather than d1. Could anyone explain why he did that?

[Matt Mackenzie]

remembering that Karpov beat Anand in the rapidplay off in 1997

With, it is fair to say, things far more outrageously stacked in his favour than would be the case with Gelfand here

[LozCooper]

It seems odd (to my humble 160 eyes) that Gelfand has moved his R to e1, rather than d1. Could anyone explain why he did that?

Not totally sure but I suspect that in positions where white answers ...e5 with d5 then the rooks may belong on d1 & e1. I wasn't overly keen on a5 as I prefer to see black getting in e5 or c5 early but it remains to be seen if black's minor pieces are misplaced or not.

[Mick Norris]

Gelfand nearly an hour ahead on the clock, so I assume he prepared this and Grischuk didn't

Shipov commentary translated here:
http://www.chessintranslation.com/live-game/

[LozCooper]

Gelfand nearly an hour ahead on the clock, so I assume he prepared this and Grischuk didn't

Shipov commentary translated here:
http://www.chessintranslation.com/live-game/

16...Ra5 should get some time back on the clock

[Mick Norris]

Indeed, it took him over 40 mins to play Rd1 (maybe Phil was right)

[Phil Neatherway]

Well, I was right yesterday about Be2/Bd3

Why are these super-GMs so casual about tempi?

[Phil Neatherway]

Perhaps the plan of Ra5 - h5 means Grishcuk is already in a rapidplay mindset!

[Ben Purton]

Nh4 played. I like Nb4 here

[LozCooper]

I can't say I'm very optimistic about's black chances here, white seems to be nearer to getting his centre moving and then black's pieces could all be targets. I would like to see Grischuk conjure something up but not sure where from.

[AustinElliott]

Nh4 played. I like Nb4 here

But what would it be doing on b4 after White plays e4? It would be nice for Black to establish an N on d5, sure - and perhaps better to get it to f6 and protect the Rh5 - but as long as White can just play e4 (which presumably is what Rd1 is for) d5 is not going to be an outpost... or even a transfer point...

Update: 18...Bf6 threatening the White N on h4, and thus adding pressure to h3.

...and an instant 19. f4 from White... perhaps starting a central and f-file pawn roller with e4 and f5?

Will Grischuk play 19 ...Bh4: 20. gf: Rh4: ? Or would the R then get cut off and the Black QB "blocked out" by White playing e4 and f5?

[Phil Neatherway]

and now White has played f4.

[Ben Purton]

I liked Qf3 more than f4, I think Grischuk will take on h4 here of course

[AustinElliott]

Shipov was analysing 19 Bf3 Ra5 rather than 19 f4 as played...

...he says that real time trouble "is going to be almost inevitable today"