Kramnik vs. Andreikin in Cup Final
In almost three weeks of play, the 2013 World Cup has been whittled down to two players. A total of 127 players traveled to Tromsø, Norway for a chance to earn one of the two spots in the Candidates Final tournament. Those two players have been determined and like in 2011, they are two Russians. Both Vladimir Kramnik and Dmitri Andreikin are the official qualifiers and will face each other in the final match beginning tomorrow.
(Note: Technically by FIDE Rules, Kramnik would have already qualified merely by his participation. However being a World Cup qualifier, he would cede his rating qualification to the player was the next highest FIDE rating. This will be Sergey Karjakin.)
Here is the tally thus far:
The 23-year old Andreikin won matches against Pouria Darini (Iran) 2½-1½, Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (Vietnam) 1½-½, Alexij Dreev (Russia) 4-2, Sergey Karjakin (Russia) 3-1, Peter Svidler (Russia) 2½-1½ and Evgeny Tomashevsky (Russia) 2½-1½.
Kramnik was victorious over Gillian Bwalya (Zambia) 2-0, Mikhail Kobalia (Russia) 2½-1½, Alexander Areshchenko (Russia) 3-1, Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukraine) 1½-½, Anton Korbov (Ukraine) 1½-½ and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France) 2½-1½.
Photo by Paul Truong.
Both have been impressive in their run of matches maintaining consistency throughout. Andreikin has won five of six matches in the tiebreak and there are many reflecting on similar methods used by Alexander Grischuk (2011) and Teimour Radjabov (2004). However, the Russian champion realizes that he will not be able to hide during the four classical games in the final.
Kramnik has had a steady run needing three tiebreaks to advance, but has been plagued by an occasional lapse of attention. He also admitted that he has made adjustments in his dietary regiment by reducing his sugar intake by eschewing coffee and going for nutrients such as tea, fruits and nuts. Certainly extra energy will be needed, but “Volodya” has a lot of experience in these situations.
Should be an interesting match.
| 2013 World Chess Cup August 10th-September 3rd, 2013 (Tromso, Norway) Match Scores (Finals) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GM Vladimir Kramnik vs. GM Dmitri Andreikin | ||||||||||||||
| Flag |
-TIEBREAKS-
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Pts.
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| Kramnik |
 |
2½
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| Andrekin |
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1½
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Drum Coverage | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Round 5 | | Semifinals | Finals | |
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Official Website: https://www.chessworldcup2013.com/
Drum Coverage: https://www.thechessdrum.net/
All PGN Games (TWIC): https://www.theweekinchess.com/
Rules and Regulations: https://www.chessworldcup2013.com/
w/ Susan Polgar and Vladimir Kramnik
Video by Gerard Demuydt (Europe-Echecs.com).