OT: Chess

[Harbour Dog]

Carlsen, Caruana Top Field For 2022 Tata Steel Chess Tournament - Chess.com

"The 84th edition of the Tata Steel Chess tournament during January 14-30, 2022 in Wijk aan Zee, the Netherlands, will again have the world's top two players, GM Magnus Carlsen and GM Fabiano Caruana. On Tuesday, 13 of the 14 participants were announced; four are in the world's top 10. Carlsen will be playing in Wijk aan Zee for the 18th time. He won the Grandmaster Group C when he was 13 in his first year in 2004 and has won the main tournament a record of seven times. Caruana, the winner in 2020, will come to Wijk aan Zee for the 10th time. GM Jorden van Foreest, the defending champion, will again be representing the Dutch delegation with GM Anish Giri. GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and GM Daniil Dubov, who were initially announced for the 2021 tournament but had to withdraw for reasons related to the pandemic, will get a new chance next year. The youngest participants are 16-year-old GM Praggnanandhaa R. from India, who has made a strong impression during the pandemic in many online events, and 19-year-old GM Andrey Esipenko from Russia, who managed to beat Carlsen in their first-ever encounter in the last edition." I hope @Harbour Dog has time to follow this tourney.​

Me too! Haha

I have one more road trip next week, and then should be settled back down for four or five months at least. Just in time for the WC Match!

 

[ORRFForever]

Me too! Haha

I have one more road trip next week, and then should be settled back down for four or five months at least. Just in time for the WC Match!

Are you going to see the matches?

 

[Harbour Dog]

^Quoting my own post.^

At 10:30, Agadmator says Ne4 wins Magnus' Queen.

Are You Team Magnus or Team Nepo? - YouTube

It does NOT ! Instead Nepo should leave the Knight on g5 and play a7 because a8 (most likely with Check) cannot be stopped.

Am I wrong? What am I missing?

Sorry, Man, I just seen this now. I missed some posts in here, I guess!

I don't see why that wins the queen outright either, so I put it into Stockfish and Stockfish agrees partly.

The best move IS to capture the knight with the pawn (which I'm pretty sure Agadmator missed), but the position is completely lost for Black anyway, because White follows that up with h7 and there's no stopping the h-pawn from queening.

 

[ORRFForever]

Sorry, Man, I just seen this now. I missed some posts in here, I guess!

I don't see why that wins the queen outright either, so I put it into Stockfish and Stockfish agrees partly.

The best move IS to capture the knight with the pawn (which I'm pretty sure Agadmator missed), but the position is completely lost for Black anyway, because White follows that up with h7 and there's no stopping the h-pawn from queening.

Thank you. Agadmator is terrific but even he screws up.

I agree. No stopping the h pawn.

 

[Harbour Dog]

Are you going to see the matches?

Definitely!

I'm going to St. John's next week for a few days (actually going to play a little chess tournament in a bar while I'm there haha), and then I should have a free enough schedule that I'm watching every tournament I can find again.

I was getting up at 5 in the morning for the Tata Steel last year, but now I've moved across country and will have an extra 3.5 hours sleep before all those Euro tournies!

Looking forward to the upcoming Swiss tourney in Latvia too. Will be a lot of big names trying to qualify for the next Candidates.

Also, @Bogart I thought I seen you asking what World Champion I would most like to play like? Tigran Petrosian!

 

[ORRFForever]

Definitely!

I'm going to St. John's next week for a few days (actually going to play a little chess tournament in a bar while I'm there haha), and then I should have a free enough schedule that I'm watching every tournament I can find again.

I was getting up at 5 in the morning for the Tata Steel last year, but now I've moved across country and will have an extra 3.5 hours sleep before all those Euro tournies!

Looking forward to the upcoming Swiss tourney in Latvia too. Will be a lot of big names trying to qualify for the next Candidates.

Also, @Bogart I thought I seen you asking what World Champion I would most like to play like? Tigran Petrosian!

Good for you. Enjoy!

P.S. Good luck with your tournament.

 

[Harbour Dog]

Good for you. Enjoy!

P.S. Good luck with your tournament.

Thanks! Played there a couple times. There are three guys that have actual FIDE ratings and are almost certainly better than me, but I'm .500 against them; so who knows how it will go!

 

[ORRFForever]

Thanks! Played there a couple times. There are three guys that have actual FIDE ratings and are almost certainly better than me, but I'm .500 against them; so who knows how it will go!

Don't be intimidated and give them the game of their lives.

Good luck!

 

[Ben Grimm]

Firouzja has some really sad scruff that needs to be shaved off yesterday!

...Looking forward to the upcoming Swiss tourney in Latvia too. Will be a lot of big names trying to qualify for the next Candidates. Also, @Bogart I thought I seen you asking what World Champion I would most like to play like? Tigran Petrosian!

Thanks. I would choose to play like Tal. I've decided my main white opening is gonna be the Grand Prix Attack. Speaking of the the upcoming Swiss tourney in Latvia:

Caruana, Firouzja Among Winners As FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss Begins In Riga - Chess.com

"Following a precautionary move from the Isle of Man to Riga and despite a new local lockdown in Latvia, the FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss and Women's Grand Swiss took off on Wednesday. Top-seed GM Fabiano Caruana and third-seed GM Alireza Firouzja were among the winners in the first round. " @Harbour Dog

 

[Ben Grimm]

FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss R2: Firouzja, Predke, Saric on 2/2 - Chess.com

"After two rounds, there are three players in the open section on 2/2 and seven female players on the same score at the FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss and Women's Grand Swiss in Latvia, Riga. There are nine rounds to go in the tournament." @Harbour Dog​

 

[ORRFForever]

FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss R2: Firouzja, Predke, Saric on 2/2 - Chess.com

"After two rounds, there are three players in the open section on 2/2 and seven female players on the same score at the FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss and Women's Grand Swiss in Latvia, Riga. There are nine rounds to go in the tournament." @Harbour Dog​

It's nice to see players dressed up.

I remember playing in a tournament in Montreal (many years ago) where one of the top players (who shall remain nameless) slept outside on the grass overnight. He was FILTHY.

I also remember another tournament where one of the best players was drunk. And I mean drunk, drunk! He was known to play better when he was drunk.

As we all know, chess players are not the most normal of people.

 

[Harbour Dog]

It's nice to see players dressed up.

I remember playing in a tournament in Montreal (many years ago) where one of the top players (who shall remain nameless) slept outside on the grass overnight. He was FILTHY.

I also remember another tournament where one of the best players was drunk. And I mean drunk, drunk! He was known to play better when he was drunk.

As we all know, chess players are not the most normal of people.

I watched a bit of the coverage, and they actually touched on this. They've instituted a dress code for the tournament for both men and women.

I like it too. Same with hockey players showing up to games in suits; it just gives the whole thing more a feeling of occasion to me.

 

[Ben Grimm]

FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss R6: MVL, Sasikiran Join Leaders - Chess.com

"There's a five-way tie for first place at the FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss going into the rest day. GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and GM Krishnan Sasikiran won their games and joined the leaders GM Evgeniy Najer, GM Alexei Shirov, and GM Alireza Firouzja."

I love that former world #2 Fire on board is keeping up with the kids. Never play 1. ... f6 @Harbour Dog

 

[Ben Grimm]

FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss R7: Firouzja Back In Sole Lead - Chess.com

"Profiting from a mistake by GM Evgeniy Najer in a rook endgame, GM Alireza Firouzja regained the sole lead in the FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss with four rounds to go. GM Lei Tingjie continues to lead the women's section and now has IM Elisabeth Paehtz as the only player trailing by half a point."

He look so much better after shaving. MVL, Krishnan, and my man Shirov are a half point back. @Harbour Dog​

 

[Harbour Dog]

FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss R7: Firouzja Back In Sole Lead - Chess.com

"Profiting from a mistake by GM Evgeniy Najer in a rook endgame, GM Alireza Firouzja regained the sole lead in the FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss with four rounds to go. GM Lei Tingjie continues to lead the women's section and now has IM Elisabeth Paehtz as the only player trailing by half a point."

He look so much better after shaving. MVL, Krishnan, and my man Shirov are a half point back. @Harbour Dog​

Looking good for Firouzja to qualify for the Candidates at this rate.

Would be pretty cool if Shirov qualified, but he has been a bit shaky for a couple games now, and he has the worst tie break right now of everyody in the top20. It'll be a tall ask from here out.

Firouzja, Vachier-Lagrave and Petrosyan (4.5) have the strongest tiebreaks right now.

I'm expecting a bunch of decisive games tomorrow. There are a lot of very good players at 4.5 who probably need to go at least 2-0-2 to qualify for the Candidates. Caruana, Vitiugov, Dubov, Fedoseev, Yu Yangyi, and Nihal Sarin, will all be out for blood!


Top 5 pairs tomorrow, based on points and tiebreaks:

Firouza (5.5) vs. Sasikiran (5)
Vachier-Lagrave (5) vs. Shirov (5)
Sjugirov (4.5) vs. Petrosyan (4.5)
Sarana (4.5) vs. Yu Yangyi (4.5)
Maghsoodloo (4.5) vs. Nihal Sarin (4.5)

 

[Ben Grimm]

1		Carlsen	2855.9	+0.9		2842.0		2892.0			30
2		Ding Liren	2799.0	0.0		2836.0		2788.0			29
3		Caruana	2790.0	−1.0		2770.0		2765.0			29
4	↑5	Firouzja	2784.2	+14.2

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss R8: Firouzja Increases Lead, Now World #4

"GM Alireza Firouzja is getting very close to qualifying for the 2022 Candidates Tournament. The 18-year-old French star won again in round eight of the FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss and is now a point ahead of the pack, with no fewer than 10 players sharing second place. With today's win, Firouzja also moved up to number four in the live rankings, surpassing GM Ian Nepomniachtchi. There's only one Candidates' spot up for grabs in the women's tournament, and GM Lei Tingjie also leads by a point after another win today.

I don't think AF will fall out of the top 12 until he's 40. @Harbour Dog​

 

[Ben Grimm]

FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss R9: 3-Way Tie As Caruana Beats Firouzja - Chess.com

"Calling the game "super important" but also "a total mess," GM Fabiano Caruana defeated GM Alireza Firouzja to catch his opponent in first place in round nine of the FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss. The two are now sharing the lead together with GM David Howell, who was the only other player on 5.5 points to win his game. GM Lei Tingjie won again and now needs a draw on Saturday to clinch the women's tournament with a round to spare."

The vet beats the kid with White. Howell is also tied for first! @Harbour Dog

 

[Ben Grimm]

FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss R10: Firouzja Sole Leader Again, Lei Secures Victory - Chess.com

"With one round to go, GM Alireza Firouzja is back as the sole leader at the FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss. Despite missing a brilliant defensive move from the Englishman in time trouble, the French-Iranian GM beat GM David Howell. GM Fabiano Caruana and GM Grigoriy Oparin are trailing the leader by half a point. GM Lei Tingjie won the women's tournament with a round to spare by drawing her game on Saturday. The Chinese GM has qualified for the 2022 FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament."​

Ali won't be denied. British and American players are my favorites. @Harbour Dog

 

[Harbour Dog]

Firouzja and Caruana have qualified for the Candidates!

The six spots (3rd to 8th) that qualify for the Grand Prix, and last chance to earn a Candidates seat, are still waiting on a couple games to be decided. Howell vs. Keymer and Sjugirov vs. Vitugov.

Though, I believe that Oparin, Yu Yangyi, MVL, and Shirov are guaranteed to have four of those six spots. The other two are still in question.

 

[Ben Grimm]

2021 Speed Chess Championship Bracket Contest - Chess.com

"It's time for another Speed Chess Championship Main Event, which means it's also time for another Speed Chess Championship Bracket Contest! The Main Event kicks off Monday, November 8, with one of the hardest matches to predict, the contest between #8 seed GM Anish Giri and #9 seed GM Jan-Krzysztof Duda. For the contest, this year Chess.com is offering $600 in cash prizes and over a dozen diamond memberships."

I'll take Nakamura for the win. @Harbour Dog​

 

[Harbour Dog]

2021 Speed Chess Championship Bracket Contest - Chess.com

"It's time for another Speed Chess Championship Main Event, which means it's also time for another Speed Chess Championship Bracket Contest! The Main Event kicks off Monday, November 8, with one of the hardest matches to predict, the contest between #8 seed GM Anish Giri and #9 seed GM Jan-Krzysztof Duda. For the contest, this year Chess.com is offering $600 in cash prizes and over a dozen diamond memberships."

I'll take Nakamura for the win. @Harbour Dog​

Yeah, I think I'd take Nakamura against the field even. Firouzja is the only guy there who is close to even with him in bullet. If Wesley or somebody can build enough of a lead before the bullet section, maybe they'd have a chance; but it's a tall order.

 

[Chimpradamus]

I know one thing. No GM for the NYR has ever played chess, ever. Drury? ROFL! Pure reactional and tactical GM and very little strategy. A disaster. A hockey clown who has no clue what he can do with his mind.

The Russian Mafia held it as prestige to be good at chess and practice the game. A game of pure strategy and no random outcome. You think you just try to plan to move around pieces in the right order, but no, you will implement your strategic, critical mind to the "game" we play every day, rooted within us since childhood. You will improve your planning and thinking in the game. Hopefully even broaden your wisdom with some help or not. You understand mental growth is the opposite of stagnant, always.

It might not be so obvious in the ordinary life you get helped by chess, but in your job, the more abstract it is? Holy hell. I've played for 20 years and I can definitely say chess has helped to broaden how to bring on more perspectives before my nowadays shaky conclusion. I won't be sure my ideas are correct, but I can imagine many possible outcomes that seem plausible.

You unconsciously start to ponder how different pieces will move out from the information you have.

I'm not asking for too much, I'm just praying someone in upper management has an inch of strategical sense and a voice to make thoughts heard.

 

[Ben Grimm]

Nakamura 22 Svidler 10. That's a @Harbour Dog vs Bogart score. Unless Naka gets upset it's kinda boring w/o Firouza.

 

[Harbour Dog]

Yeah, without Firouzja, it's going to be difficult for anybody to even make a close match of it with Hikaru. Wesley probably may have the best chance of doing it.

 

[Ben Grimm]

Firouzja Surges To World No. 3 At European Team Championship - Chess.com

"After winning the FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss, GM Alireza Firouzja's quick rise to the top continues. The French-Iranian started with 4.5/5 at the European Team Championship in Slovenia and is now the new world number-three in the live rankings. The European Team Championships (open and women, four boards per team, held every two years) are currently underway in Brezice, a town in eastern Slovenia near the Croatian border. Many of the Grand Swiss participants are also playing in Brezice, including the winner, Firouzja. And, while just 18 years old, he continues to make headlines."

After the Carlsen/Nepo match I think the next 2 challengers will be Ding Liren and Ali. I also think Nepo has to win in classical to have a chance. It will be tough, because in the WCs Carlsen plays for ties so he can win in speed chess. @Harbour Dog​