Candidates: Drama, drama! Karjakin takes the lead!

Anything goes

It was hard to predict a more dramatic turn of events than round twelve in the Candidates tournament, and had anyone done so, they likely would have been the objects of derision. The news without any histrionic buildup was that both leaders Fabiano Caruana and Shakhriyar Mamdyarov lost their respective games. A similar turn of events took place in 2013 when the mutual leaders Magnus Carlsen and Vladimir Kramnik lost their games in the last round, however, it did not change the end-result, and as such was more a curiosity than drama. In this case, it has literally changed everything, and thrown the tournament wide open in far more ways than just giving others ‘mathematical chances’ at a shot.

At the midway point after seven rounds, all the pundits (the author included) considered the fight for the gold, and a match against Carlsen, to basically be between Caruana and Mamedyarov. This was quite understandable as Fabiano, with 5.0/7 led Shakh by a half-point, and a point and a half over the rest of the field. Ding Liren, Alexander Grischuk, and Vladimir Kramnik were all at 50% while Karjakin, Aronian and So seemed to be in a uniquely depressing fight to see who would not be last. So what happened to change all this?

Karjakin’s amazing comeback

Karjakin was no less than two full points behind the leader, and the talk was really of his finishing with a decent result. However, in the next four rounds he was to score two big wins over Kramnik and Aronian, setting up a massive meeting with Caruana in round twelve. The American, on the other hand, seemed to be running out of steam, and an astonishing missed win against Ding Liren in round nine had many wondering whether the tide had turned. Yes, he continued to lead, but the golden opportunity that he held against the Chinese player, missing win after win after win, made one suspect he might live to regret that. Let’s face it, competition and life in general, has a way of making that happen more often than not. Round twelve saw that truism become reality.

The ceremonial opening move | Photo: World Chess

The Art of the Positional Exchange Sacrifice

The positional exchange sacrifice is one of the most powerful and fascinating strategic weapons in chess. On this DVD Sergey Tiviakov explains why the positional exchange sacrifice is such a strong weapon and how to use it.

This example of exchange sacrifice and opening preparation help illustrate one quality that Karjakin has shown in the spades: great nerves!

A World champion's guide to the Petroff

The great popularity of the Petroff Defence at the highest level has attracted general attention as strong players employ this opening with great success and with both colours. Unfortunately, the opinion of the Petroff as a sterile drawish opening seems to be firmly implanted in many minds. The author tries to dispel these myths and examines the most popular lines and provides a large number of ideas that will enable you to play Petroff successfully, with either colour.

The live post-game commentary by Karjakin and Caruana 

This was the second time that Karjakin has snatched his chance at Caruana’s expense, though this time there are still two rounds to go. What is more, they are hardly alone. Right now, the Russian has the best hand, with a share of the lead and the better tiebreak on all accounts.

A quick reminder of what those criteria are bears remembering, as a playoff only takes place ‘after’ all the tiebreak criteria fail to declare a winner.

1. Results in the games between the tied players;
2. The most number of wins;
3. Sonneborn–Berger score;

It is only if these fail to establish a clear winner then the top spot is decided in a rapid and blitz playoff. Right now, the ball is clearly in Karjakin’s favor as he not only beat Caruana in their game, but has more wins. Still don’t for an instant think that is the end of it, since Mamedyarov beat Karjakin in their game.

Ding Liren makes his move

Speaking of whom, the next big game of the day brought in another potential challenger, Ding Liren. In many ways, the Berlin had been very disappointing for Ding Liren’s fans. The Chinese player is renowned for his sharp play, his inspiring King’s Indian, and fighting spirit. Had he not qualified via the World Cup, he could easily have done so through the FIDE Grand Prix, so his participation was looked forward to by all chess fans. Unfortunately, that sparkling fighting spirit was severely lacking, and he seemed more intent on producing a ‘respectable’ result, rather than trying to win it. After eleven rounds he had eleven draws, drawing inadvertent comparisons with Giri’s all-draw campaign in Moscow 2016, which was all the stranger as Ding Liren has never been considered risk-averse.

While (western) chess has certainly gained traction in China thanks to Hou Yifan and the rising success of players such as Ding Liren (above), a win at the Candidates and match for the title would take this to a whole different level. | Photo: World Chess

What changed was that in spite of the draws, the leaders seemed to be on cruise control now, and instead of stamping their authority seemed more intent on just holding on to their chips. A big game between the Chinese player and the Azeri changed all that.

Know the Terrain Vol.6: Isolated Queen's Pawn

In this DVD, Sam Collins examines the Isolated Queen's Pawn (IQP) and associated structures. Using games almost exclusively from grandmaster praxis in the last two years, Collins explains all of the major ideas for playing with and against the IQP.

Suddenly, that single win has placed him in a tie for 3rd-5th just a half-point behind the leaders with a better tiebreak than Mamedyarov by virtue of their direct game.

This brings us to the final (and fifth!) player to have real chances at gold: Alexander Grischuk. His game against the luckless Levon Aronian might have placed him in stronger contention had he been able to pull off the full point, a chance that did exist, but a draw in the end left him in the group nipping at the heels of the leaders.

While Alexander Grischuk has never quite seemed to threaten to actually win the Candidates, it would be a big mistake to discount him. His chances are every bit as real as the others. | Photo: World Chess

Winning with the Ruy Lopez Vol. 1: Berlin Wall and others

Among the open games the only opening with which White can really fight for an advantage in the long term is the Ruy Lopez. But in order to make this serious effort, he has buckle down and learn a whole series of sub-variations. That is what the professionals do, including of course Viktor Bologan, who now reveals the secrets of his own grandmaster repertoire.

The final game of the day was between Vladimir Kramnik and Wesley So. Kramnik has certainly been one of the most entertaining players of the tournament, taking considerable risks to give himself winning chances, some of which have paid off, and some which have backfired in no small terms. After his loss to Caruana as far back as round four, in spite of still being on plus one, his haunted look and extreme displeasure left one wondering whether it had hit and hurt harder than it should, and sadly this fear came true as he never seemed to recover. In round twelve he was pressing against Wesley So, another player who never got into second gear, but ultimately could not close the deal and a draw was agreed.

Journalists and fans await the commentary | photo: World Chess

The Queen's Gambit Declined Exchange Variation

The Queen’s Gambit Declined Exchange Variation is one of the most important opening systems, having been played by most of the great players in history and from both sides of the board. The most outstanding specialists in this method of play include Garry Kasparov, Mikhail Botvinnik and Samuel Reshevsky. The Black side proponents include Anatoly Karpov, Boris Spassky and Paul Keres. It is truly an opening of champions!

The race to the finish

With two rounds left, and no fewer than five serious candidates (pun intended) for first place, everything will be decided in the next two rounds, and it is the player who is able to really play hard and keep his nerve who will ultimately prevail. For the two leaders Karjakin and Caruana, they each have one big game left that can decide their fates favorably or not. Obviously all points count far more dearly at this point, so all games are decisive, but some more than others. In round thirteen be sure to follow Mamedyarov against Grischuk, as a draw will do neither of them any good, so expect sparks to fly! Lastly, in round fourteen the two big do-or-die games will be Grischuk against Caruana and Karjakin against Ding Liren. Drum roll!

Standings after twelve 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