tag: Chennai - Page 2

Are twelve games enough?

11/18/2013 – One of the more controversial aspects of the world championship today lies in the actual length of the title match. Since 1886, most of the matches to decide the title have lasted more than twelve games, which brings to question the fairness of the current system: How efficient is it at determining the rightful champion? Michael von Keitz looks at past matches to see how history might have changed.

Chennai: Impressions from the World Championship

11/18/2013 – Senior ChessBase editor Frederic Friedel, who is a personal friend of both the World Champion and the Challenger, has undertaken a trip to South India to attend at least part of the World Championship. In a series of special reports he will provide us with his impressions of Chennai and the venue of this spectacular event. Part one is about getting there and settling in.

Chennai G7: A toothless draw

11/18/2013 – After the loss in game six, many speculated on what Anand might do to shake things up and prepare a Rambo mission against Carlsen’s king. Some hoped for a King's Gambit, while others suggested a Scotch. When White repeated the same Anti-Berlin line from Game six, the question was what he had found to insist on this. The answer was nothing as Carlsen equalized with ease and drew on move 32. Round seven report.

Chennai 06: Disaster for India

11/16/2013 – The match isn't quite over, but Anand is in such a disadvantage. Psychologically he might be able to recover, but the damage done in the scoreboard and the obvious fact that his preparation isn't causing Carlsen problems should worry him greatly. Tomorrow is as rest day, a much needed one for himself and his team as they try to conjure some ideas. Analysis of today's major mistake.

Chennai G6: Carlsen wins second straight

11/16/2013 – The game was a solid, uninspiring Spanish that seemed to have nothing in it. The position simplified and an endgame arose with draw predictions from all sides. It was no surprise that Carlsen insisted, until Anand dropped a pawn out of the blue. After the surprise subsided, a draw was again on the horizon, and Magnus played his last trap. Suddenly, it was all over. Illustrated report.

Chennai 05: First blood, what next?

11/15/2013 – Carlsen won, he has proven that he can obtain the kind of positions that he is strong in, and that even Anand cannot always hold positions which can technically be held b ut are very uncomfortable. The World Champion has been in this situation before but he will need to conjure up all his tricks tomorrow to be able to put on the pressure on the Challenger. Full analysis of today's round.

Chennai G5: Carlsen draws first blood

11/15/2013 – In game five, Magnus Carlsen finally eschewed the Reti, and after 1.c4 it was a Semi-Slav. It did not seem promising as he went for simplifications, but it was exactly the type he thrives on, and exactly what Carlsen has been hoping for since game one. Vishy Anand seemed up for the challenge, but each time he regained his footing, he slipped. Ultimately he failed to hold and Carlsen takes the lead. Illustrated report.

WCh Chennai: The Nature of Draws

11/14/2013 – Draws in chess are inevitable when two players exhaust all possible winning chances, and neither blundered nor made mistakes that were that easily exploitable. Draws come in all shapes and forms, some to secure the paycheck at the end of a tournament, and some the just result of an all-out battle that neither player managed to win. Here is a look at the nature of draws with video analysis by Tryfon Gavriel.

Chennai 04: The Tables Turned

11/13/2013 – With everything going right for the defending World Champion, it seemed that it was up to Carlsen to create something and prove that his game was up to par. And today he did exactly that. A slip from Anand allowed Carlsen to snatch a "poisoned pawn", but precise calculation allowed him to keep it and put the pressure on. Anand survived, through cunning and perseverance.

Chennai G4: Carlsen presses Anand in epic battle

11/13/2013 – Another fantastic battle, and the odd trend of trouble for White persists. In game four, Magnus Carlsen played his pet Berlin and it was a resounding success as Vishy Anand floundered and then lost a pawn. The story was a repeat of game three, with Black sporting a large advantage, pressing to win, but unable to deliver the killing blow. Despite Carlsen’s efforts, Anand saved the game. Large illustrated report.

The Pyjama Girls interview

11/13/2013 – As further evidence of the connection Magnus Carlsen has managed to make with young people around the world. In round two, a bold picture circulated on Twitter of four beautiful young girls showing their support for Magnus Carlsen. The interview shows that the impact goes beyond pinup pictures in a teenager's room, and has managed to bring an unprecedented 'cool' factor to chess.

Chennai G3: A thrilling battle as Anand close to win

11/12/2013 – The match finally fulfilled the promise of a thrilling fight, and the chess world held its breath as world champion Vishy Anand built a serious advantage against Magnus Carlsen's Reti, and seemed poised to win. Had he played 29…Bxb2 it might have been, but the moment passed and great defense by the Norwegian challenger saved the draw. A dramatic and exciting battle. In the illustrated report Garry Kasparov comments on the opening preparation.

Chennai 03: How bad was it?

11/12/2013 – The chess world has many things to celebrate: There was an exciting game, Anand, with the black pieces, almost won today, Carlsen looks shaky and not as dominant as he was thought he was going to be before the match. Where does the match go on from now? How will Carlsen fix his problems? We can only wait and see, meanwhile full analysis of today's exciting round.

WCh Chennai: more wishes for Vishy

11/12/2013 – Can you imagine how popular World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand is in his home country? With what intensity people are rooting for him to win the current match? No you can't! Take a look at what Suneet Mausil is doing, on his visits to the Planetskool chess kids. Suneet had a portrait painting made, and took it to the schools for the students to see. It's called King of Lightening.

Chennai 02: Two minor victories?

11/10/2013 – The question is obvious: Who does it favor for the first few games to be lifeless draws? The general opinion is that this favors the World Championship, hands down. However Kasparov objectively observes that the black pieces are the black pieces, and it's good for Carlsen to have been able to neutralize his opponent so easily. We bring you plenty of analysis in English and Hindi.

Chennai G2: More moves, but quicker draw

11/10/2013 – It had the promise of an exciting fight, after a sharp Caro-Kann appeared with castling on opposite wings. Then at a crucial juncture, the queens were traded and the position’s tension vanished in a puff of smoke. Though not the first world championship match to have a slow start, with both players still prodding and studying each other, the fans were hoping for more. Illustrated report with video analysis.

Chennai 01: The Grandmaster Perspective

11/9/2013 – The WCC has begun and every chess player in the planet is focused on what is going on in Chennai. Many different perspectives can be seen but it is unanimous between grandmasters that today's game was a victory for Anand, despite the splitting of the point. We bring you full analysis of the game as well as comments and concerns of top players regarding the match, as well as a report in Hindi.

Chennai G1: Anand holds Carlsen to 16-move draw

11/9/2013 – It was an almost anti-climactic start for the world championship. Carlsen was white in game one and chose an offbeat double fianchetto to face Anand’s Gruenfeld. No doubt he was hoping for a war of attrition to outplay the champion, but instead found himself forced to accept a draw by repetition in 16 moves. A moral victory for the champ as he easily holds the challenger to a draw with black. Illustrated report with video analysis.

WCh Chennai: Opening Ceremony

11/8/2013 – Thursday was the grand opening ceremony of the 2013 FIDE World Championship, held in the massive Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, with 6000 visitors in attendance. It was a festive affair, with competitive presentations by Indian and Norwegian performers. The drawing of lots gave Magnus Carlsen white in the first game on Saturday. Impressions by Anastasiya Karlovich.

Kasparov on Anand vs Carlsen

11/8/2013 – "Some have suggested my rooting loyalties should lie with my fellow 'old man', Anand, and not with the 22-year-old who broke my rating record, writes Garry Kasparov. "But while I cannot say I feel joy when one of my records falls, a win for Carlsen will also be a win for the chess world." Kasparov, who trained Magnus Carlsen in 2009, puts his thoughts on record in this Business Insider article.

Diwali greetings for Anand

11/6/2013 – Diwali, a "festival of lights", is a five-day national Hindu holiday that is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. It is a time of reflection and good wishes – of which plenty are directed at sporting hero and five times World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand. We have collected messages directed at Anand by his colleagues, in English and in Hindi.

Anand vs Carlsen: what their colleagues are saying

11/4/2013 – "It is hard to recall any other match in recent decades where the defending champion has begun with his back so firmly pressed to the wall," says Nigel Short, the 1993 World Championship Challenger. Fourteenth World Champion Vladimir Kramnik thinks Anand may be scared of Carlsen, while Indian GMs Krishnan Sasikiran and Koneru Humpy are more optimistic. Press reports on the match.

Wish4Vishy: a billion fans for Anand

10/30/2013 – If wishes, cheers and prayers decided a chess match the Norwegian kid would be a snowflake in a very hot place. It's five million facing 1.3 billion – 260 times more. They are all being mobilised by Vishy Anand's longtime sponsor NIIT, whose MindChampions’ Academy has reached 1.65 million children in over 17,000 schools. The entire population is called upon to cheer for their champion. Press release.

World Championship: Campaign for Anand

10/27/2013 – The banner on the side of the campaign truck says it all. It is cruising Chennai collecting signatures in support of the World Champion, a son of the city. Meanwhile newspapers have been sounding a more optimistic note on his chances against challenger Magnus Carlsen, who is 95 point higher on the rating list. The Times of India reports that GM Abhijeet Gupta forsees Anand triumphing.
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