2016 Candidates Moscow 10-29 March

[LawrenceCooper]

Well Caruana was convinced enough, they've agreed a draw.

The downside to not having access to a computer assessment and assuming that Aronian must know what he's doing.

[JustinHorton]

Also he was quite a long way behind on the clock by the end.

[Roger de Coverly]

Well Caruana was convinced enough, they've agreed a draw.

By repetition. Stockfish at the chessbomb site would give up the g7 Bishop in search of a win, playing Qc7 allowing Nf6+ instead of Qd8. It very much looks a position where hidden resources enough to draw at least might be outside the engine's search depth when giving instant opinions.

Otherwise it looked a standard attack familiar to anyone who has ever played the Taimanov f4/Bb5+ idea against the Benoni. Doesn't mean it wins against engine defence.

[LawrenceCooper]

Giri-Svidler was drawn.

[JustinHorton]

Four draws. Bit disappointing in the end. Karjakin and Aronian the happiest, I imagine.

[LawrenceCooper]

Aronian was having fun in the analysis afterwards with f6,h4,h5,hxg6 instead of Bc1 and swinging the queen to the h file http://worldchess.com/broadcasts/europe ... t/round-5/

[Mick Norris]

I see I have missed a classic day while I have been out in East Manchester - did Caruana miss another chance?

[LawrenceCooper]

I see I have missed a classic day while I have been out in East Manchester - did Caruana miss another chance?

It's difficult to say. Sat at home with a computer and without the pressure of being sat opposite Aronian it's easy to question if Aronian had enough compensation for the sacrificed pawns. I think that white had more promising options than what was played but the position was still insufficiently clear for black to feel able to play on.

[Mick Norris]

TWIC round 5 brief report and chess.com

4 wins and 16 draws so far, pretty cautious start as might be expected from a balanced field with so much at stake

Round 6 tomorrow

Anand (2.5) - Svidler (2.5)
Topalov (1.5) - Giri (2.5)
Aronian (3) - Nakamura (2)
Caruana (2.5) -Karjakin (3.5)

[JustinHorton]

I see I have missed a classic day while I have been out in East Manchester - did Caruana miss another chance?

It's difficult to say. Sat at home with a computer and without the pressure of being sat opposite Aronian it's easy to question if Aronian had enough compensation for the sacrificed pawns. I think that white had more promising options than what was played but the position was still insufficiently clear for black to feel able to play on.

No doubt. But while you can't prove these things, does anybody else feel confident that Kasparov or Fischer, or Topalov in his pomp, or for that matter Carlsen would have played on?

[LawrenceCooper]

I see I have missed a classic day while I have been out in East Manchester - did Caruana miss another chance?

It's difficult to say. Sat at home with a computer and without the pressure of being sat opposite Aronian it's easy to question if Aronian had enough compensation for the sacrificed pawns. I think that white had more promising options than what was played but the position was still insufficiently clear for black to feel able to play on.

Some interesting comments on the game here: https://chess24.com/en/read/news/moscow ... brilliancy

[Mick Norris]

I guess so but it will only possible to judge at the end

If you think you need +3 or +4 to win then doing that over the remaining 9 rounds is tough (though Vlad drew his first 7 in London 2013 and then won 4 so it is possible)

It is an evenly matched field so who knows

Caruana Giri & Nakamura may be nervous still

Has Giri reached move 40 yet in any game? He should be fresh

[Jonathan Bryant]

Anand (2.5) - Svidler (2.5)
Topalov (1.5) - Giri (2.5)
Aronian (3) - Nakamura (2)
Caruana (2.5) -Karjakin (3.5)

I’m not seeing a Berlin amongst that lot. Perhaps Caruana - Karjakin if we’re lucky.


Apropos of nothing I’m going to punt the following for results

Anand - Svidler - draw in 30
Topalov - Giri - draw (longer)
Aronian - Nakamura - draw
Caruana - Karjakin - White win.


That last one might just be wishful thinking on my part.

[NickFaulks]

It would seem that Topalov has been studying the games of Simon Williams.

[Jonathan Bryant]

It would seem that Topalov has been studying the games of Simon Williams.

I was reminded of the games of Nigel Short - that period of his career when he was still playing in the top tournaments but lacked the time/enthusiasm/energy/whatever to prepare to take his opponents on in the usual lines.