World Candidates 2014-6: The Plot Thickens!
March 11th-April 1st, 2014 (Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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#
|
Name
|
Flag
|
Rating
|
Result
|
Name
|
Flag
|
Rating
|
| 6.1 | Topalov |
 |
2785 |
1-0
|
Kramnik |
 |
2810 |
| 6.2 | Anand |
 |
2773 |
½-½
|
Karjakin |
|
2766 |
| 6.3 | Mamedyarov |
 |
2757 |
1-0
|
Svidler |
|
2758 |
| 6.4 | Aronian |
 |
2830 |
½-½
|
Andreikin |
|
2709 |
The tournament has turned into a dog-eat-dog world. Veselin Topalov crushed Vladimir Kramnik’s poor handling of the opening. White developed a huge space advantage and broke through on the queenside. The loss is not as disturbing as the way Kramnik has been losing. Generally the Russian is very well-prepared in the opening, but somehow fell behind within the first 15 moves.
In the other decisive game, Shahkriyar Mamedyarov beat Peter Svidler in a topsy-turvy Dutch. Svidler got more out of the opening than one would usually get from such an opening. However, the Russian lost his way, but capitalized off of a flash tactic 28.Bf7+! but ended with an improbable 31.Rg5! White gets three passed pawns in a bishop ending. Nice comeback for the Azeri player who seems to be rounding into form.
Levon Aronian missed a wonderful opportunity after building up a decisive advantage against Dmitri Andreikin. He then made a misjudgement and allowed liquidation into a drawn ending. A golden opportunity missed for Aronian. Because of this, Viswanathan Anand was able to maintain his half-point lead after drawing with Sergey Karjakin.
Official Site: https://candidates2014.fide.com/
Drum Coverage: https://b2bsoftwares.com/client-daaim/blog/2014/03/13/2014-world-chess-candidates-khanty-mansiysk-rus/
Viswanathan Anand, 4/6 (+2 -0 =4), Levon Aronian, 3.5/6 (+2 -1 =3), Vladimir Kramnik, 3/6 (+1 -1 =4), Peter Svidler, 3/6 (+2 -2 =2), Shakriyar Mamedyarov, 3/6 (+2 -2 =2), Veselin Topalov, 3/6 (+1 -1 =4), Sergey Karjakin, 2.5/6 (+0 -1 =5), Dmitri Andreikin 2/6 (+0 -2 =4),
Daaim, I believe you made a mistake with the score for the kramnik and Topalov game. It was definitely a grudge match and stimulating.
Anand is putting on the breaks too soon. He should have taken a page from his match with Magnus and utilize the tiniest advantage to the very end until it is absolutely clear that further fighting will end in a truce. It is this way of thinking that sets Magnus apart from the them.