Candidates Tournament 2013

[Eoin Devane]

Today's livestream: http://new.livestream.com/accounts/1504 ... ts/1962299

[Jonathan Rogers]

Thanks Eoin, I for one find this very helpful. Although both commentators look rather jaded today.

I would say that it looks good for Magnus already. Hard to assess Aronian v Svidler but it will probably turn out quite soon to be very good for White or just equal.

[Matthew Turner]

I've only caught about ten minutes of the commentary today, but it seemed rather good to me. I like Magnus' position too (although Houdini has it as equals). I am hugely impressed with Svidler's play today, maybe he is a serious contender.

In the Carlsen game Lawrence might have missed the idea
15. Ng5 f6
16. Qh5 fxg5
17. Qxe8 Nf6

trapping the queen. It might work!

[Matthew Turner]

Is it just me or are the players walking around a huge amount, much more that you would expect? Is this something to do with the seating/lighting conditions?

[JustinHorton]

I think Aronian might be rather disappointed with that.

[Jonathan Rogers]

I've only caught about ten minutes of the commentary today, but it seemed rather good to me. I like Magnus' position too (although Houdini has it as equals). I am hugely impressed with Svidler's play today, maybe he is a serious contender.

In the Carlsen game Lawrence might have missed the idea
15. Ng5 f6
16. Qh5 fxg5
17. Qxe8 Nf6

trapping the queen. It might work!

So you all missed 16 Nxh7!

[Jonathan Rogers]

I think Aronian might be rather disappointed with that.

Yes, but I tend to agree with Matt on this one, and to think of it as great prep by Svidler (and of course correct chess does lead to a draw!)

[JustinHorton]

Grischuk's position reminds me a bit of one of those email games you play where you're a little worse early on and it just deteriorates until you lose without ever having had a chance. (Carlsen's games often make me think along these lines.)

[Clive Blackburn]

Grischuk is in trouble now (positionally and on the clock).

His kingside attack smacks of desperation!

[Clive Blackburn]

Carlsen won convincingly, he is now level with Aronian

[David Sedgwick]

Is it just me or are the players walking around a huge amount, much more that you would expect? Is this something to do with the seating/lighting conditions?

I've noticed this too. I don't want to speculate about the reason, but I'll try and ask one or two of the players once the tournament is over.

[Matthew Turner]

My predictions for round 5
Ivanchuk 0-1 Carlsen
Svidler 1-0 Gelfand
Kramnik 1-0 Aronian
Grischuk draw Radjabov

I think the candidates is looking more and more like a two horse race Carlsen against Aronian, but if Svidler or Kramnik win today then they will suddenly look much more challenging.

[Jonathan Rogers]

As you say, Kramnik v Aronian is very big for kramnik. VK doesn't want five draws and to be 1.5 points behind Carlsen already. However, I also think that if he does beat Aronian, many will think already "well, neither of them are really going to catch him"!

[Eoin Devane]

Stream for round 5: http://new.livestream.com/accounts/1504 ... ts/1964656

[Jonathan Bryant]

As someone without access to the live feed this afternoon, I'd very much apperiate a quick summary as to how the games are going so far.