World chess championship - warning, contains chess

[Pe├▒a Oxford United]

Well, Gelfand didn't really make the attempt and he stays half a point behind Anand after their quick draw. Understandable, but it probably betrays a deep lack of confidence that he can really beat the Indian, who is surely now the big favourite. In the next round on Sunday he's the only one of the leading three to have the White pieces. Monday he plays Black against Kramnik: a win and a draw and I think he'd have it in the bag.

Report from the previous round.

[Pe├▒a Oxford United]

Round eight report.

Round nine shortly:

Leko v Svidler
Grischuk v Gelfand
Anand v Aronian
Morozevich v Kramnik

[Snake]

ItÔÇÖs getting quite exciting.

[Pe├▒a Oxford United]

Great drama last night as both Gelfand and Kramnik went down to defeat. Gelfand seemed to me to be OK but after the queens went off he was hopelessly passive: Kramnik got manouevred early on into a sort of structure of which he's got little experience, and was outplayed by Morozevich.

Kramnik has to beat Anand tonight or forget it.

[Jimski]

Is this championship the only one for the world crown these days? I seem to recall there was a boxing/darts-style split at one point.

[boris]

Is this championship the only one for the world crown these days? I seem to recall there was a boxing/darts-style split at one point.

Boxing/darts - now that's a game worth getting a Sky subscription for!

[A-Ro]

Is this championship the only one for the world crown these days? I seem to recall there was a boxing/darts-style split at one point.

Boxing/darts - now that's a game worth getting a Sky subscription for!

Reminds me of Brian from the Beech with his Fighting Plates.

[Pe├▒a Oxford United]

Is this championship the only one for the world crown these days? I seem to recall there was a boxing/darts-style split at one point.

Yes it is, and hopefully likely to remain so for a while.

[Pe├▒a Oxford United]

Well, Kramnik couldn't beat Anand and Gelfand couldn't beat Grischuk, so the Indian stays a point ahead.

[Pe├▒a Oxford United]

A point and a half after being the only winner last night.

It's the rest day today but the tournament's already over. Anand is surely the winner now.

[Hog]

Are chessers in major tournaments subject to drugs testing?

[Snake]

http://www.jeremysilman.com/chess_raves ... _rave.html

I can’t imagine playing a serious game of chess without cigarettes and coffee.

[Pe├▒a Oxford United]

Are chessers in major tournaments subject to drugs testing?

There was a big fuss about this a few years ago but it's been shelved as far as I can see.

Smoking's been banned at chess tournaments for many years now and a good thing too.

Round eleven report.

I'd like to say everything was building up to an exciting finish but it's not: Anand will win, quite likely before the final round.

[Snake]

A shame it’s not exciting in the end. Do you think this will make more news?

http://www.redhillandreigatelife.co.uk/ ... ampion.php

[Pe├▒a Oxford United]

I think unless you actually know something about the case it might be better not to invite speculation about it, no?

Menawhile there is still some life in the tournament as last night both Gelfand and Kramnik won, thus making up ground on Anand. Tonight, the two chasers play one another and really have no option but to throw themselves at one another. It's probably already too late for Kramnik, still a point and a half behind Anand, and Gelfand himself still lags by a point, but certainly both need to win their last two games if they're to have any chance.