ChessBase 17 - Mega package - Edition 2024
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Boris Gelfand holds his coveted placement as the result of his status as the incumbent challenger – technically he is the top seed in this event. Born in Minsk, some of his maiden steps came in the “Petrosian School,” where he had the opportunity to meet the man himself. While there, Tigran imparted some advice, which Boris has lived by to this day: “Even when you’re playing blitz, always think!” Think he did, which ultimately brought him to the pinnacle of the chess world, where, in a gladiatorial struggle, he very narrowly missed out on pushing Anand into the abyss.
Gelfand’s early successes came in the arena of Soviet junior chess, where he, alongside Ivanchuk, stood out as a young all-star. They both missed out on the 1988 World Junior title by virtue of an inferior tiebreak to that of Joel Lautier, but that serves as only a small blemish on an illustrious career. What followed was quick ascension to the chess elite, with 1990 serving as his breakout year. Both he and Ivanchuk tied for first at the Manila Interzonal that year, eventually being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Candidates matches by Nigel Short and Artur Yusupov, respectively.
Remaining loyal to FIDE following the split of the chess world, Gelfand went on to win the 1993 Biel Interzonal, this time capably marching past Michael Adams and Vladimir Kramnik en route to the semi-finals of the Candidates tournament, where he fell 6-3 to the eventual FIDE World Champion, Anatoly Karpov. His effort in the 2002 Classical Candidates tournament, however, fell short, as he failed to progress beyond the group stage.
A stalwart of the upper echelon of the chess world, he went deep in virtually every FIDE Knockout World Championship, but always seemed to fail to reach the final board, being eliminated in various years by the likes of Anand, Khalifman, Shirov and Svidler. If ever a controversy could be attributed to his own career, the 2004 FIDE Knockout World Championship, held in Tripoli, may be it. Predictably, he was unable to compete, which served as a double-blow, as, in the process of the chess world being mended, the finalists in that particular event were granted entry to the 2005 FIDE World Championship.
Gelfand’s absence from these all-important events was brief, however, as he went on to knock off Kasimdzhanov and Kamsky, respectively, at the 2007 Candidates tournament, which was soon followed by a tie with Kramnik for second, behind Anand, at the 2007 World Championship. What came next was an amazing performance at the 2009 World Cup, where he knocked off a series of recognizable faces in quick succession: Polgar, Vachier-Lagrave, Jakovenko, Karjakin and Ponomariov. This was followed by the premiere success of his career, reigning supreme at the 2011 Candidates tournament by winning matches against Mamedyarov (in regulation), Kamsky (tiebreaks) and Grischuk (in regulation), before taking Anand to the brink in the 2012 World Championship match.
Gelfand returns hungry, with an underappreciated ability to take his fellow candidates to task. Watch for him to make a keen effort, as he seeks to clear up unfinished business with Anand in a return title match.
# | Result |
Moves
|
Year | Event | Opening |
1 | Draw (b) |
26
|
1996 | Tilburg | B92 Sicilian, Opocensky |
2 | Win (w) |
24
|
1996 | Groningen | E73 King's Indian |
3 | Loss (w) |
77
|
1999 | Dos Hermanas | A29 English, Four Knights |
4 | Loss (b) |
29
|
2000 | Biel | B90 Sicilian, Najdorf |
5 | Draw (w) |
33
|
2000 | Biel | C92 Ruy Lopez, Closed |
6 | Win (b) |
90
|
2000 | Rubinstein Memorial | B23 Sicilian, Closed |
7 | Draw (b) |
21
|
2001 | Biel | C42 Petrov |
8 | Draw (w) |
28
|
2001 | Biel | A15 English |
9 | Draw (w) |
23
|
2001 | FIDE World KO Championship | E06 Catalan, Closed |
10 | Draw (b) |
20
|
2001 | FIDE World KO Championship | C10 French |
11 | Draw (b) |
30
|
2003 | European Club Cup | B31 Sicilian, Rossolimo |
12 | Loss (b) |
52
|
2004 | Armenia vs. Rest of World | B90 Sicilian, Najdorf |
13 | Draw (b) |
20
|
2005 | Russian Team Championship | C42 Petrov |
14 | Loss (w) |
34
|
2005 | World Team Championship | D85 Grunfeld |
15 | Draw (b) |
25
|
2006 | Turin Chess Olympiad | C42 Petrov |
16 | Draw (w) |
29
|
2006 | Dortmund | D85 Grunfeld |
17 | Draw (b) |
47
|
2006 | European Club Cup | C42 Petrov |
18 | Win (w) |
43
|
2006 | Tal Memorial | A15 English |
19 | Draw (b) |
24
|
2007 | FIDE World Championship | C42 Petrov |
20 | Draw (w) |
22
|
2007 | FIDE World Championship | A15 English |
21 | Loss (b) |
46
|
2008 | Russian Team Championship | C42 Petrov |
22 | Draw (w) |
53
|
2008 | Sochi Grand Prix | A15 English |
23 | Draw (w) |
48
|
2009 | Russian Team Championship | A15 English |
24 | Draw (b) |
49
|
2009 | Nalchik Grand Prix | D43 QGD Semi-Slav |
25 | Draw (w) |
15
|
2009 | European Club Cup | D85 Grunfeld |
26 | Draw (b) |
30
|
2009 | Tal Memorial | C42 Petrov |
27 | Loss (b) |
31
|
2010 | Astrakhan Grand Prix | A15 English |
28 | Draw (b) |
40
|
2011 | Tal Memorial | A13 English |
29 | Draw (b) |
45
|
2012 | Tashkent Grand Prix | B30 Sicilian |
Overall: 3 Wins, 20 Draws, 6 Losses
White: 2 Wins, 9 Draws, 2 Losses
Black: 1 Win, 11 Draws, 4 Losses
Svidler has been a problem for Gelfand in the recent past, winning more often than his Israeli counterpart. Count on the trend to end, however, as Gelfand seeks to affirm that 2011 was not a fluke. The English and Petrov seem safe bets for a return, as they proved more than sufficient between both of these players in the 2007 World Championship and forward.
# | Result |
Moves
|
Year | Event | Opening |
1 | Draw (w) |
19
|
1985 | USSR Junior Ch | C05 French, Tarrasch |
2 | Draw (w) |
40
|
1986 | Sochi Junior | E04 Catalan, Open |
3 | Loss (b) |
26
|
1986 | Sochi Junior | E06 Catalan, Closed |
4 | Loss (b) |
39
|
1987 | European Junior Ch | E62 King's Indian |
5 | Win (w) |
37
|
1989 | USSR Junior Team Ch | E94 King's Indian |
6 | Draw (b) |
27
|
1990 | Linares | E15 Queen's Indian |
7 | Draw (w) |
22
|
1990 | Manila Interzonal | D85 Grunfeld |
8 | Draw (b) |
44
|
1990 | Tilburg | D76 Neo-Grunfeld |
9 | Win (w) |
62
|
1990 | Tilburg | D85 Grunfeld |
10 | Loss (b) |
18
|
1991 | Linares | D78 Neo-Grunfeld |
11 | Draw (b) |
24
|
1991 | Reggio Emilia | E81 King's Indian, Samisch |
12 | Loss (b) |
33
|
1992 | Linares | E97 King's Indian |
13 | Loss (w) |
38
|
1993 | Linares | D37 QGD |
14 | Draw (w) |
20
|
1994 | Linares | E47 Nimzo-Indian |
15 | Draw (b) |
47
|
1994 | Munich | B23 Sicilian, Closed |
16 | Win (w) |
93
|
1995 | Belgrade | D85 Grunfeld |
17 | Draw (w) |
27
|
1996 | Wijk aan Zee | A04 Reti |
18 | Win (w) |
33
|
1996 | Dos Hermanas | D85 Grunfeld |
19 | Draw (b) |
80
|
1996 | Novgorod | E14 Queen's Indian |
20 | Draw (w) |
32
|
1996 | Novgorod | D85 Grunfeld |
21 | Draw (w) |
23
|
1997 | Linares | D19 QGD Slav, Dutch |
22 | Loss (b) |
49
|
1997 | Dortmund | D55 QGD |
23 | Draw (w) |
63
|
1997 | Belgrade | A41 Queen's Pawn Game |
24 | Loss (w) |
46
|
1999 | European Team Ch | A15 English |
25 | Loss (w) |
60
|
2000 | Leonid Stein Memorial | A04 Reti |
26 | Draw (b) |
89
|
2000 | Leonid Stein Memorial | C42 Petrov |
27 | Draw (w) |
41
|
2000 | Rubinstein Memorial | A04 Reti |
28 | Draw (w) |
19
|
2000 | Istanbul Olympiad | E18 Queen's Indian, Old Main |
29 | Draw (b) |
44
|
2004 | Calvia Olympiad | C42 Petrov |
30 | Win (b) |
49
|
2005 | Russian Team Ch | D17 QGD Slav |
31 | Draw (b) |
28
|
2005 | World Team Ch | B96 Sicilian, Najdorf |
32 | Draw (w) |
61
|
2006 | Wijk aan Zee | E15 Queen's Indian |
33 | Draw (w) |
40
|
2007 | Russian Team Ch | E15 Queen's Indian |
34 | Draw (w) |
36
|
2007 | Tal Memorial | D11 QGD Slav |
35 | Draw (b) |
22
|
2008 | Corus | A20 English |
36 | Draw (b) |
58
|
2008 | Russian Team Ch | C42 Petrov |
37 | Win (w) |
38
|
2008 | Sochi Grand Prix | A30 English, Symmetrical |
38 | Draw (w) |
36
|
2008 | Tal Memorial | A30 English, Symmetrical |
39 | Draw (b) |
31
|
2008 | Dresden Olympiad | D11 QGD Slav |
40 | Win (w) |
46
|
2009 | Russian Team Ch | A04 Reti |
41 | Draw (b) |
30
|
2009 | Nalchik Grand Prix | D12 QGD Slav |
42 | Draw (b) |
37
|
2009 | Bazna | C42 Petrov |
43 | Draw (w) |
20
|
2009 | Bazna | A04 Reti |
44 | Draw (b) |
30
|
2009 | Biel | A15 English |
45 | Draw (w) |
32
|
2009 | Biel | E11 Bogo-Indian |
46 | Loss (b) |
98
|
2009 | Jermuk Grand Prix | A20 English |
47 | Loss (b) |
43
|
2009 | Tal Memorial | D12 QGD Slav |
48 | Draw (w) |
12
|
2010 | Russian Team Ch | D11 QGD Slav |
49 | Draw (w) |
26
|
2010 | Astrakhan Grand Prix | D85 Grunfeld |
50 | Draw (w) |
19
|
2010 | Khanty-Mansiysk Olympiad | D37 QGD |
51 | Draw (w) |
23
|
2011 | Russian Team Ch | D16 QGD Slav |
52 | Draw (b) |
41
|
2011 | Tal Memorial | D45 QGD Semi-Slav |
53 | Win (b) |
42
|
2012 | Wijk aan Zee | E10 Queen's Pawn Game |
54 | Draw (b) |
31
|
2012 | Istanbul Olympiad | D85 Grunfeld |
55 | Draw (w) |
25
|
2012 | London Grand Prix | E15 Queen's Indian |
Overall: 8 Wins, 37 Draws, 10 Losses
White: 6 Wins, 21 Draws, 3 Losses
Black: 2 Wins, 16 Draws, 7 Losses
Ivanchuk and Gelfand have a familiarity with one another that stretches back to their junior years in the former Soviet Union. Recent encounters favoured Gelfand, although Ivanchuk did manage two wins as white in 2009. With the opportunity of his lifetime on the line, count on the Ukrainian to punch hard and punch often, but Boris may yet prove sharper. English and Slav lines may be adopted between these two.
# | Result |
Moves
|
Year | Event | Opening |
1 | Draw (w) | 29 | 2001 | Biel | D34 QGD, Tarrasch |
2 | Draw (b) | 25 | 2001 | Biel | C42 Petrov |
3 | Draw (b) | 28 | 2002 | Corus | C42 Petrov |
4 | Win (w) | 45 | 2004 | Russian Team Ch | D34 QGD, Tarrasch |
5 | Draw (w) | 22 | 2004 | European Club Cup | D19 QGD Slav, Dutch |
6 | Draw (w) | 17 | 2005 | Russian Team Ch | E12 Queen's Indian |
7 | Win (w) | 37 | 2005 | FIDE World Cup | E15 Queen's Indian |
8 | Loss (b) | 62 | 2005 | FIDE World Cup | E12 Queen's Indian |
9 | Win (b) | 65 | 2006 | Russian Club Cup | C42 Petrov |
10 | Draw (b) | 26 | 2006 | Tal Memorial | C42 Petrov |
11 | Draw (w) | 23 | 2007 | FIDE World Ch | E15 Queen's Indian |
12 | Loss (b) | 61 | 2007 | FIDE World Ch | E21 Nimzo-Indian, Three Knights |
13 | Draw (b) | 46 | 2008 | Sochi Grand Prix | E04 Catalan, Open |
14 | Draw (w) | 38 | 2009 | Russian Team Ch | E97 King's Indian |
15 | Loss (b) | 50 | 2009 | Nalchik Grand Prix | D58 QGD, Tartakower |
16 | Draw (w) | 30 | 2010 | World Team Ch | E10 Queen's Pawn Game |
17 | Loss (b) | 35 | 2010 | Linares | E55 Nimzo-Indian, Bronstein |
18 | Draw (w) | 60 | 2010 | Linares | A29 English, Four Knights |
19 | Win (b) | 32 | 2010 | Russian Team Ch | D43 QGD Semi-Slav |
20 | Draw (w) | 41 | 2010 | Tal Memorial | D02 Queen's Pawn Game |
21 | Draw (b) | 49 | 2011 | Candidates | D37 QGD |
22 | Draw (w) | 58 | 2011 | Candidates | A37 English, Symmetrical |
23 | Draw (b) | 14 | 2011 | Candidates | D37 QGD |
24 | Draw (w) | 18 | 2011 | Candidates | A37 English, Symmetrical |
25 | Draw (b) | 39 | 2011 | Candidates | D37 QGD |
26 | Win (w) | 35 | 2011 | Candidates | D76 Neo-Grunfeld |
27 | Loss (b) | 30 | 2012 | London Grand Prix | B25 Sicilian, Closed |
Overall: 5 Wins, 17 Draws, 5 Losses
White: 3 Wins, 10 Draws, 0 Losses
Black: 2 Wins, 7 Draws, 5 Losses
Gelfand’s results against Grischuk have been mixed. They split victories at the 2005 World Cup and Grischuk got the upper-hand at the 2007 World Championship. In turn, Gelfand struck in what may have been their most important contest to date, when he eliminated the Russian in the final game of the final match of the 2011 Candidates tournament; thus, qualifying for the 2012 World Championship. What comes next will be a new saga, as the English and Semi-Slav make possible returns.
# | Result |
Moves
|
Year | Event | Opening |
1 | Draw (b) |
26
|
2001 | European Team Championship | E54 Nimzo-Indian, Gligoric |
2 | Loss (w) |
37
|
2003 | Enghien-les-bains | B31 Sicilian, Rossolimo |
3 | Draw (w) |
34
|
2003 | European Team Championship | E92 King's Indian |
4 | Draw (b) |
12
|
2004 | Calvia Olympiad | E12 Queen's Indian |
5 | Win (b) |
31
|
2005 | European Team Championship | B96 Sicilian, Najdorf |
6 | Draw (b) |
25
|
2005 | Spanish Team Championship | B96 Sicilian, Najdorf |
7 | Draw (w) |
20
|
2006 | Russian Club Cup | E92 King's Indian |
8 | Draw (w) |
32
|
2006 | Turin Olympiad | E92 King's Indian |
9 | Draw (b) |
18
|
2007 | Russian Team Championship | E17 Queen's Indian |
10 | Loss (w) |
37
|
2008 | Corus | E94 King's Indian |
11 | Loss (w) |
49
|
2008 | Sochi Grand Prix | E97 King's Indian |
12 | Draw (b) |
32
|
2009 | Bazna | C42 Petrov |
13 | Draw (w) |
37
|
2009 | Bazna | E97 King's Indian |
14 | Draw (w) |
40
|
2010 | Astrakhan Grand Prix | E92 King's Indian |
15 | Loss (b) |
38
|
2010 | Bazna | C42 Petrov |
16 | Loss (w) |
30
|
2010 | Bazna | E94 King's Indian |
17 | Draw (w) |
30
|
2012 | Wijk aan Zee | E92 King's Indian |
Overall: 1 Win, 11 Draws, 5 Losses
White: 0 Wins, 6 Draws, 4 Losses
Black: 1 Win, 5 Draws, 1 Loss
Gelfand’s results against Radjabov in the few games they have played have been somewhat dismal. He won when the Azerbaijani was young, lost when the same boy was even younger and has played the role of victim fairly consistently ever since. The elevated importance of this particular venue, however, may see a corresponding jump in the quality of Gelfand’s resistance. The KID and the Petrov seem as yet unfinished conversations between these two.
# | Result |
Moves
|
Year | Event | Opening |
1 | Draw (b) |
98
|
2005 | Spanish Team Ch | E46 Nimzo-Indian |
2 | Draw (b) |
24
|
2005 | European Club Cup | A29 English, Four Knights |
3 | Draw (b) |
32
|
2005 | World Team Ch | D17 QGD Slav |
4 | Draw (b) |
22
|
2006 | Corus | D17 QGD Slav |
5 | Draw (b) |
29
|
2006 | Russian Club Cup | D43 QGD Semi-Slav |
6 | Win (w) |
33
|
2006 | Dortmund | E15 Queen's Indian |
7 | Draw (w) |
21
|
2006 | Spanish Team Ch | D38 QGD, Ragozin |
8 | Draw (w) |
16
|
2006 | Tal Memorial | E01 Catalan, Closed |
9 | Win (w) |
48
|
2007 | FIDE World Ch | A60 Benoni |
10 | Win (b) |
40
|
2007 | FIDE World Ch | D43 QGD Semi-Slav |
11 | Loss (w) |
30
|
2008 | Corus | D11 QGD Slav |
12 | Loss (b) |
26
|
2008 | Sochi Grand Prix | E15 Queen's Indian |
13 | Win (b) |
49
|
2008 | Dresden Olympiad | A29 English, Four Knights |
14 | Draw (w) |
33
|
2009 | Nalchik Grand Prix | D39 QGD, Vienna |
15 | Loss (b) |
78
|
2009 | Jermuk Grand Prix | D43 QGD Semi-Slav |
16 | Draw (b) |
19
|
2009 | European Club Cup | D45 QGD Semi-Slav |
17 | Win (w) |
66
|
2009 | Tal Memorial | D47 QGD Semi-Slav |
18 | Loss (b) |
41
|
2010 | World Team Ch | D45 QGD Semi-Slav |
19 | Draw (b) |
46
|
2010 | Linares | D48 QGD Semi-Slav, Meran |
20 | Draw (w) |
40
|
2010 | Linares | D15 QGD Slav |
21 | Loss (b) |
41
|
2010 | Tal Memorial | D43 QGD Semi-Slav |
22 | Draw (b) |
40
|
2011 | Tal Memorial | D37 QGD |
23 | Loss (w) |
53
|
2012 | Wijk aan Zee | D31 QGD |
Overall: 5 Wins, 12 Draws, 6 Losses
White: 3 Wins, 4 Draws, 2 Losses
Black: 2 Wins, 8 Draws, 4 Losses
Gelfand has nothing but praise for the quality of Aronian’s play. With three of the last six encounters between these two being results in the Armenian’s favour, expect Gelfand’s reverence to be rewarded with a correspondingly uncomfortable experience. His white-wash of Aronian at the 2007 FIDE World Championship does serve as a trump in his favour, though, so do not count him out. The Meran and the Benoni might be rediscovered here.
# | Result |
Moves
|
Year | Event | Opening |
1 | Loss (b) |
53
|
1993 | Linares | E81 King's Indian, Samisch |
2 | Draw (w) |
11
|
1993 | Biel Interzonal | D10 QGD Slav |
3 | Draw (b) |
41
|
1994 | Linares | E92 King's Indian |
4 | Draw (b) |
14
|
1994 | Candidates Semi-Final | B52 Sicilian, Rossolimo |
5 | Draw (w) |
33
|
1994 | Candidates Semi-Final | B30 Sicilian |
6 | Loss (b) |
35
|
1994 | Candidates Semi-Final | B52 Sicilian, Rossolimo |
7 | Win (w) |
42
|
1994 | Candidates Semi-Final | D32 QGD, Tarrasch |
8 | Draw (b) |
47
|
1994 | Candidates Semi-Final | B22 Sicilian, Alapin |
9 | Draw (w) |
76
|
1994 | Candidates Semi-Final | A50 Queen’s Pawn Game |
10 | Draw (b) |
23
|
1994 | Candidates Semi-Final | B52 Sicilian, Rossolimo |
11 | Win (w) |
63
|
1994 | Candidates Semi-Final | A34 English, Symmetrical |
12 | Draw (w) |
27
|
1995 | Belgrade Invest | A35 English, Symmetrical |
13 | Draw (b) |
11
|
1995 | European Club Cup | B52 Sicilian, Rossolimo |
14 | Draw (w) |
33
|
1996 | Euwe Mem | A33 English, Symmetrical |
15 | Draw (b) |
63
|
1996 | Dos Hermanas | A15 English |
16 | Draw (b) |
24
|
1996 | Dortmund | E97 King's Indian |
17 | Draw (b) |
51
|
1996 | Novgorod | E97 King's Indian |
18 | Win (w) |
62
|
1996 | Novgorod | B70 Sicilian, Dragon |
19 | Draw (b) |
35
|
1996 | Vienna | E97 King's Indian |
20 | Loss (w) |
28
|
1996 | European Club Cup | D45 QGD Semi-Slav |
21 | Draw (b) |
15
|
1997 | Linares | D15 QGD Slav |
22 | Draw (w) |
17
|
1997 | Dos Hermanas | D46 QGD Semi-Slav |
23 | Draw (w) |
17
|
1997 | Novgorod | E14 Queen's Indian |
24 | Draw (b) |
76
|
1997 | Novgorod | D15 QGD Slav |
25 | Draw (w) |
32
|
1997 | Dortmund | D55 QGD |
26 | Draw (b) |
66
|
1997 | Belgrade Invest | E97 King's Indian |
27 | Loss (b) |
40
|
1998 | Wijk aan Zee | D11 QGD Slav |
28 | Draw (w) |
30
|
1999 | Dos Hermanas | D37 QGD |
29 | Loss (b) |
60
|
2001 | Astana | E06 Catalan, Closed |
30 | Draw (w) |
29
|
2001 | Astana | D58 QGD, Tartakower |
31 | Draw (b) |
20
|
2005 | European Club Cup | D12 QGD Slav |
32 | Draw (w) |
19
|
2006 | Dortmund | D47 QGD Semi-Slav |
33 | Loss (b) |
62
|
2007 | Dortmund | D45 QGD Semi-Slav |
34 | Draw (b) |
40
|
2007 | FIDE World Ch | D43 QGD Semi-Slav |
35 | Draw (w) |
26
|
2007 | FIDE World Ch | D47 QGD Semi-Slav |
36 | Draw (w) |
31
|
2007 | Tal Memorial | D12 QGD Slav |
37 | Draw (b) |
48
|
2008 | Corus | E15 Queen’s Indian |
38 | Draw (w) |
47
|
2008 | Tal Memorial | D45 QGD Semi-Slav |
39 | Draw (w) |
81
|
2009 | Tal Memorial | E04 Catalan, Open |
40 | Draw (w) |
32
|
2010 | Tal Memorial | E10 Queen’s Pawn Game |
41 | Draw (w) |
48
|
2011 | Tal Memorial | D37 QGD |
42 | Draw (b) |
59
|
2013 | Zurich | A04 Reti |
43 | Draw (w) |
46
|
2013 | Zurich | E06 Catalan, Closed |
Overall: 3 Wins, 34 Draws, 6 Losses
White: 3 Wins, 18 Draws, 1 Loss
Black: 0 Wins, 16 Draws, 5 Losses
Gelfand has some experience in meting out punishment to Kramnik, having eliminated him in their semi-final match of the 1994 Candidates tournament, while he also emerged unscathed in their encounters at the 2007 World Championship. Simply put, they can both expect tough games when they face across from one another. For those hoping to see history repeat itself, the Rossolimo would be a good choice.
# | Result |
Moves
|
Year | Event | Opening |
1 | Draw (w) |
29
|
2005 | Biel | E12 Queen's Indian |
2 | Draw (b) |
26
|
2005 | Biel | B96 Sicilian, Najdorf |
3 | Win (b) |
38
|
2006 | Tal Memorial | D17 QGD Slav |
4 | Draw (b) |
27
|
2007 | Dortmund | D11 QGD Slav |
5 | Draw (b) |
37
|
2007 | Tal Memorial | A20 English |
6 | Draw (b) |
67
|
2008 | Corus | D45 QGD Semi-Slav |
7 | Draw (w) |
27
|
2009 | Tal Memorial | D80 Grunfeld |
8 | Draw (b) |
40
|
2010 | Bazna | D43 QGD Semi-Slav |
9 | Draw (w) |
33
|
2010 | Bazna | D37 QGD |
10 | Loss (b) |
38
|
2011 | Tal Memorial | D12 QGD Slav |
11 | Loss (b) |
52
|
2012 | Wijk aan Zee | D12 QGD Slav |
Overall: 1 Win, 8 Draws, 2 Losses
White: 0 Wins, 3 Draws, 0 Losses
Black: 1 Win, 5 Draws, 2 Losses
Gelfand has little experience against the young gun from Norway, but, as of late, these fleeting moments have been rather painful for him. In their last two encounters, Magnus has chalked up two victories on the white side of the Slav. On the plus side, he has never lost against the World #1 when holding the white pieces himself. If Boris is feeling ambitious, he may take another crack at the Slav, but, should that happen, few should expect the result to change.
Wins
|
Draws
|
Losses
|
Draw %
|
|
Overall |
26
|
139
|
40
|
67.80%
|
White |
17
|
71
|
12
|
71.00%
|
Black |
9
|
68
|
28
|
64.76%
|
Line |
score
|
Perf.
|
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c6 |
62%
|
2723
|
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 |
56%
|
2705
|
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 |
58%
|
2704
|
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 |
65%
|
2723
|
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 |
62%
|
2741
|
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 |
57%
|
2723
|
1.e4 |
65%
|
2685
|
1.c4 |
60%
|
2724
|
Gelfand’s ability to handle the Slav is first-rate. With few exceptions, the opposition may prefer to deploy the KID.
Line |
score
|
Perf.
|
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 |
51%
|
2699
|
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 |
55%
|
2756
|
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 |
53%
|
2711
|
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 |
41%
|
2595
|
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 |
52%
|
2733
|
1.Nf3 |
46%
|
2667
|
Gelfand is equally capable on the black side of the Slav, as he is on the white side. In a handful of cases, his fellow candidates may spring the English on him.
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.
Full information on the Candidates – pairings and commentary schedule