Candidates 2018: Caruana beats Aronian to take lead

Parry and win

Hello, my dear readers! I had to wait a bit for my turn to write a report on the most important tournament of 2018, and it came at the right time. After round seven we're at the mid-point of the event. Let me first go through today's games, then we can take stock and prognosticate.

One of the two highly anticipated encounters that could affect the leaderboard standings turned out to be a dud. Grischuk vs Mamedyarov just did not live up to its billing.

It's hard to tell what made Grischuk wrap the game up so soon. From a tournament standpoint, he threw away a chance to catch Mamedyarov. Tomorrow he gets another crack at making something happen, this time facing Caruana with White. One can only hope Alexander will be able to get the game off the ground and start making his moves a bit faster. Nobody can figure anything out by staring at a position after some ten moves.

Alexander Grischuk may be notorious for his clock mismanagement, but he has been taking it to dangerous extremes and is paying the price. | Photo: World Chess

From Shakhriyar's perspective, everything is going according to plan. He doesn't mind taking easy draws with black when they're given to him. Aside from his game against Caruana, Shakh has yet to really see his boat rocked.

Mamedyarov has been living up to his no.1 seed and is showing how he rose to world no.2 | Photo: World Chess

A World Champion's Repertoire against the Queen's Gambit Declined

This DVD offers a complete repertoire for handling this solid opening, often featuring a dynamic approach to pose the opponent more practical problems. Both of the main continuations 3...Nf6 and 3...Be7 are covered in two separate parts.

A short interview with Shakhriyar Mamedyarov

Fabiano won today by taking full advantage of Aronian's “attacking” game, which, frankly, looked more suited for a last round must-win situation in a weekend swiss.

The calm power chess that has been the staple of Aronian's play and success in 2017 is lacking in Berlin | Photo: World Chess

A terrible disappointment for Levon's numerous fans. He just doesn't seem comfortable with his normal chess and keeps on trying to force the issue, only to the detriment of his chances.

Caruana, on the other hand, looks like the man to beat in this year’s Candidates. While his game is not error-free there's a great deal of determination in Fabiano's approach. 

The basics of winning chess

International Master Andrew Martin takes you on a tour of the basics of winning chess

A despondent Levon Aronian analyzes the game with Fabiano Caruana

The battle of tail-enders saw Sergey Karjakin getting his first win of the tournament at the expense of Wesley So, who continues to disappoint. I'm surprised at some of Wesley's opening choices, as he is accommodating his opponents way too easily.

Karjakin must be relieved to see a win in his scoreline. However, it may be far too late for him to join the battle for first place. Still, to give him credit, it bears remembering that Sergey was at -2 halfway through the 2014 Candidates in Khanty, only to completely turn it around in the second half. Sergey was better in practically every game he played, and won three, vaulting himself to a second place finish. Maybe he can do it again, but for him (and everyone else) only first place matters, and that just seems out of reach. 

The Nimzoindian Defence — The easy way

Danish GM Jacob Aagaard introduces you to the secrets of the Nimzoindian Defence (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4). In 15 lessons that last 4 hours and 4 minutes Aagaard shows you how you can successfully play this opening by understanding key ideas instead of memorizing long tedious variations.

Sergey Karjakin had to be greatly relieved to chalk his first win, while Wesley So, quite the player of the year in 2016, continues to struggle | Photo: World Chess

Vladimir Kramnik continues to entertain, perhaps against his best intentions. The way he starts his games appears to be solid, but then Vladimir takes sharp turns and quickly loses control.

Ding Liren is still on track to make 14 draws, emulating Giri’s infamous run in Moscow in 2016. While I don't see this happening, it appears that Ding's ambition is mainly not to embarrass himself with losing games, rather than go for it when opportunities present themselves. With a breezier attitude, he could be a contender.

A World Champion's Guide to the King's Indian (2nd Edition)

This disk is a perfect tool for players looking for a complicated battle against 1.d4. The author suggests the King’s Indian Defence and shows with a number of examples how realistic Black’s chances are in this opening to get a complex structure with the most serious attacking potential. Apart from theoretical information, the disk also contains structural insights and an array of ideas which will enable you to include this opening into your repertoire - immediately and with tangible success! The extended 2nd edition is based principally on games which have been played in the last three years with, as Black, either the author himself or top King’s Indian expert Teimour Radjabov.

We have seen Ding Liren when he *really* wants to win, but so far that version has not appeared in Berlin | Photo: World Chess

Looking ahead, I see this as a two-man race between Caruana and Mamedyarov. Simply there's no one else playing near well enough to open up a winning streak. Of course, I have been wrong before...

The spectators are asked who they think will win the Candidates

Standings after seven rounds

Links

• Official site
• Candidates Berlin 2018: What you need to know (schedule and more)
• All stories on the Candidates Tournament 2018
• All round-up shows