World Candidates 2014-6: The Plot Thickens!
March 11th-April 1st, 2014 (Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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#
|
Name
|
Flag
|
Rating
|
Result
|
Name
|
Flag
|
Rating
|
| 6.1 | Topalov |
 |
2785 |
1-0
|
Kramnik |
 |
2810 |
| 6.2 | Anand |
 |
2773 |
½-½
|
Karjakin |
|
2766 |
| 6.3 | Mamedyarov |
 |
2757 |
1-0
|
Svidler |
|
2758 |
| 6.4 | Aronian |
 |
2830 |
½-½
|
Andreikin |
|
2709 |
The tournament has turned into a dog-eat-dog world. Veselin Topalov crushed Vladimir Kramnik’s poor handling of the opening. White developed a huge space advantage and broke through on the queenside. The loss is not as disturbing as the way Kramnik has been losing. Generally the Russian is very well-prepared in the opening, but somehow fell behind within the first 15 moves.
In the other decisive game, Shahkriyar Mamedyarov beat Peter Svidler in a topsy-turvy Dutch. Svidler got more out of the opening than one would usually get from such an opening. However, the Russian lost his way, but capitalized off of a flash tactic 28.Bf7+! but ended with an improbable 31.Rg5! White gets three passed pawns in a bishop ending. Nice comeback for the Azeri player who seems to be rounding into form.
Levon Aronian missed a wonderful opportunity after building up a decisive advantage against Dmitri Andreikin. He then made a misjudgement and allowed liquidation into a drawn ending. A golden opportunity missed for Aronian. Because of this, Viswanathan Anand was able to maintain his half-point lead after drawing with Sergey Karjakin.
Official Site: https://candidates2014.fide.com/
Drum Coverage: https://www.thechessdrum.net/blog/2014/03/13/2014-world-chess-candidates-khanty-mansiysk-rus/
Viswanathan Anand, 4/6 (+2 -0 =4), Levon Aronian, 3.5/6 (+2 -1 =3), Vladimir Kramnik, 3/6 (+1 -1 =4), Peter Svidler, 3/6 (+2 -2 =2), Shakriyar Mamedyarov, 3/6 (+2 -2 =2), Veselin Topalov, 3/6 (+1 -1 =4), Sergey Karjakin, 2.5/6 (+0 -1 =5), Dmitri Andreikin 2/6 (+0 -2 =4),
Daaim, I believe you made a mistake with the score for the kramnik and Topalov game. It was definitely a grudge match and stimulating.
Thanks! Report coming!
Anand is putting on the breaks too soon. He should have taken a page from his match with Magnus and utilize the tiniest advantage to the very end until it is absolutely clear that further fighting will end in a truce. It is this way of thinking that sets Magnus apart from the them.
He’s playing very cautious now that he is at the top. Aronian has the combination of talent, will and poise making him a formidable challenge.