Candidates – Alexander Grischuk (2764 – World #10)

Alexander Grischuk (2764 – World #10)

A stalwart of the storied stable of Russian chess elite, Alexander Grischuk has enjoyed both individual and team success, while also throwing his hat into the world of professional poker. A seemingly infrequent visitor to traditional super-tournaments in recent years, he nevertheless has the title of 2009 Linares Champion to his credit, in addition to netting the Russian Championship title that same year. His involvement with the Russian national team over the years has also, unsurprisingly, secured him some accolades, including individual board medals and team golds at both the World Team Championship and the Olympiad. Where he has really distinguished himself, however, is in blitz play, in which his skills are that of legend. In fact, to date, he is the only two-time World Blitz Champion (2006 and 2012).

Grischuk made the first blaring announcement of his presence to the world at the 2000 FIDE Knockout World Championship, where his superior ability at faster time controls served him well in tiebreak matches, allowing him to book his ticket to the semi-finals. At that point, Shirov rebuffed his attempts to go further in the tournament, but enough had been done for a star to have been born. A similar showing at the 2005 World Cup, however, proved an even more fortuitous career happening, as it saw him qualify to the Candidates Matches from whence he earned his spot at the 2007 World Championship event.

In a tough field, Alexander finished alone in last place at that all-important time in chess history, but his ambitions had far from dried up. This passion was duly rewarded in 2011, when, upon the withdrawal of Carlsen, Grischuk was offered and accepted a spot in yet another Candidates tournament. Again aided by his blitz skills and a match-play format, he managed to knock off top seeds Aronian (#3) and Kramnik (#2) in quick succession, eventually falling prey to Gelfand in the 6-game final.

Suffice it to say that this is not the Russian’s first rodeo and his results have only improved with time as he has learned to optimize his chances by adapting to conditions. An anticipated plethora of draws may prove his undoing, but he is, beyond doubt, eminently qualified to be competing here.

Allow us now to investigate his checkered past with the candidates of this field.

Grischuk's opponents at the Candidates

Boris Gelfand (2740 – World #18)

Overall: 5 Wins, 17 Draws, 5 Losses
White: 5 Wins, 7 Draws, 2 Losses
Black: 0 Wins, 10 Draws, 3 Losses

Gelfand has played Grischuk plenty of times, sporting a number of well-contested bouts. His victory over Alexander at the 2011 Candidates has to be the most important game between these two to date, although Grischuk’s win against the Israeli in the 2007 World Championship cannot pass unmentioned. With the 5-5 split, one can almost smell the blood from their upcoming encounters, even at this relatively early juncture. Grischuk has had plenty to smile about when holding the white pieces against Boris and will try to continue the tradition here. The English is coming, as, too, may the Queen’s Gambit Declined.

Peter Svidler (2747 – World #14)

Overall: 1 Win, 16 Draws, 7 Losses
White: 0 Wins, 8 Draws, 3 Losses
Black: 1 Win, 8 Draws, 4 Losses

Although Svidler and Grischuk may be friends away from the board, when these two meet, Alexander has consistently played the role of martyr on it. The white pieces have been no comfort to him and it will certainly take a shake-up on his part to hope for more than draws. As stated previously, the Sicilian Najdorf seems like a strong possibility, with these players having tested it at both the 2007 FIDE World Championship and the 2011 World Cup, while 1.d4 will be favoured by Grischuk as white.

Vassily Ivanchuk (2757 – World #13)

Overall: 0 Wins, 11 Draws, 2 Losses
White: 0 Wins, 3 Draws, 0 Losses
Black: 0 Wins, 8 Draws, 2 Losses

The "-chuks" have a baker’s dozen of classical games between them, where Grischuk has been saddled with far too many blacks so far. To some extent, Ivanchuk has capitalized, holding two wins and no losses, but, nonetheless, expect Grischuk to lay siege to the Ukrainian’s ramparts. We may not yet have seen the last Ruy Lopez between these two, although Ivanchuk’s recent use of the French against Alexander at the 2011 World Cup opens other interesting possibilities.

Teimour Radjabov (2793 – World #4)

Overall: 2 Wins, 7 Draws, 0 Losses
White: 1 Win, 6 Draws, 0 Losses
Black: 1 Win, 1 Draw, 0 Losses

There is a veritable drought when it comes to the question of Grischuk-Radjabov rumbles. The Russian has taken the driver’s seat, however, and may have more bruises to inflict in London. 99 and 97 move games demonstrate these two have no lack of gumption, so we may see a blowout or two before the final note has been sung. Where Grischuk is concerned, a Najdorf is always possible, while the “kid” may try the KID.

Vladimir Kramnik (2810 – World #2)

Overall: 0 Wins, 11 Draws, 1 Loss
White: 0 Wins, 5 Draws, 0 Losses
Black: 0 Wins, 6 Draws, 1 Loss

Yet another shock – Kramnik and Grischuk have played no more than a dozen games at standard time controls between themselves. Kramnik has the sole win, which came in their most recent encounter at the 2012 Tal Memorial. One should heavily favour Kramnik building off that momentum leading into this event, despite frequent draws between the two at world championship cycle tournaments in the past. The Petrov may, once again, enter into the equation, while Kramnik will set out to avoid Sicilian lines.

Levon Aronian (2809 – World #3)

Overall: 2 Wins, 14 Draws, 6 Losses
White: 2 Wins, 5 Draws, 2 Losses
Black: 0 Wins, 9 Draws, 4 Losses

Aronian is aggressive by nature (don’t let his easygoing demeanour fool you), which has yielded him plenty of positive outcomes against Grischuk. That said, the two most recent decisions between these guys belong to the Russian. Sparks will fly and don’t be caught unawares if the results prove similar to those of the 2007 World Championship. Undoubtedly, they both have deep-seated desires to face Anand later this year, but, 2011 notwithstanding, Aronian must be considered to be holding all the trumps. The openings selected could very well be a re-examination of the 2011 Candidates event.

Magnus Carlsen (2872 – World #1)

Overall: 0 Wins, 6 Draws, 1 Loss
White: 0 Wins, 5 Draws, 0 Losses
Black: 0 Wins, 1 Draws, 1 Loss

Grischuk has proven far too willing to draw early as white against players of Carlsen’s caliber. This policy will not help him win this event. In the few games he and Carlsen have played, Carlsen has already established a lifetime edge and this very well may widen. A victory on the Black side of the French at the World Blitz Championship inspires some confidence that Alexander can get the job done, but his play will need to be particularly inspired. Perhaps he will try this opening again in London, but count on 1.d4 as white.

Overall Stats Against Field

Repertoire white

Grischuk is no pushover, as his stats as white demonstrate. Try the Sicilian against him and he will happily navigate through the complications. Count on some of the players in London being mindful of this and turning to the French.

Repertoire black

Grischuk has dreadfully poor results against the English, while he loves to play the mainline Sicilian. He will have to face his demons here, whether directly, or through transposition from 1.Nf3 lines.

The Candidates Tournament in London

The London Candidates 2013 will be the strongest tournament of its kind in history. The Prize Fund to be shared by the players totals €510,000. The winner of the Candidates will become the Challenger to Viswanathan Anand who has reigned as World Champion since 2007. Schedule:

• Detailed schedule here

Players

• Full information on the players here + Schedule and pairings

Links

• World Chess Web Site
• FIDE Web Site