No it isn't, he is a chess player and it's a top level chess tournament. I think it's great having a World Champion who is willing to play in all sorts of events.
2021 World Cup
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Re: 2021 World Cup
If you want a picture of the future, imagine a QR code stamped on a human face — forever.
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Re: 2021 World Cup
Yes, that's the sort of response that always comes up when the question is raised. I think the specifics of what the World Cup is and what it is for are relevant here.NickFaulks wrote: ↑Fri Jul 16, 2021 10:00 pmNo it isn't, he is a chess player and it's a top level chess tournament. I think it's great having a World Champion who is willing to play in all sorts of events.
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Re: 2021 World Cup
Have to admit, I like listening to Nigel commentate. He said Gelfand said when a player says things like "I was +6 in this game and I lost" what he really means is he can't calculate. Never heard quite put like that before.
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Re: 2021 World Cup
Like the Grand Swiss, it is intended primarily a prestige event. Qualification for the Candidates is a by-product of that.IM Jack Rudd wrote: ↑Fri Jul 16, 2021 10:45 pmI think the specifics of what the World Cup is and what it is for are relevant here.
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Re: 2021 World Cup
I find it pleasant to watch commentary of GMs I have never seen before rather than the usual suspects.
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Re: 2021 World Cup
Irene Sukandar has tweeted that she is pulling out of the world cup due to safety reasons.
https://twitter.com/irene_sukandar/stat ... 0831781896
https://twitter.com/irene_sukandar/stat ... 0831781896
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Re: 2021 World Cup
I enjoyed Topalov recently, but I think old stagers like Short and Miro have their merits too.MJMcCready wrote: ↑Sat Jul 17, 2021 12:12 amI find it pleasant to watch commentary of GMs I have never seen before rather than the usual suspects.
I did not have chance to watch live during the week so am starting with rapid tiebreaks today which, from my point of view, is a bit unlucky. Still, I think Ravi has a decent shot, so I am looking forward to it.
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Re: 2021 World Cup
Ravi draws game 3.
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Re: 2021 World Cup
In game 4 Ravi uses a line of the French I never knew existed...though Bacrot clearly prepared.
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 h6!?
Engine doesn't approve of 10...Nc6 as white can retreat the bishop with 11.Bb3 and after 11...Bxc3 take back with the pawn. So looks like advantage Bacrot but game is still complicated enough.
10...Bxc3 11.Nxc3 Nc6 is what stockfish was suggesting - I wonder if Bacrot had intended 12.Ne4 Qxd4 13.Bxc6 bxc6 14.Qxd4 Rxd4 which doesn't look like much but white can keep the game going and could end up better I suppose.
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 h6!?
Engine doesn't approve of 10...Nc6 as white can retreat the bishop with 11.Bb3 and after 11...Bxc3 take back with the pawn. So looks like advantage Bacrot but game is still complicated enough.
10...Bxc3 11.Nxc3 Nc6 is what stockfish was suggesting - I wonder if Bacrot had intended 12.Ne4 Qxd4 13.Bxc6 bxc6 14.Qxd4 Rxd4 which doesn't look like much but white can keep the game going and could end up better I suppose.
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Re: 2021 World Cup
Both Short and Miro are excellent commentators who provide many interesting insights.Paul Cooksey wrote: ↑Sat Jul 17, 2021 9:46 amI enjoyed Topalov recently, but I think old stagers like Short and Miro have their merits too.MJMcCready wrote: ↑Sat Jul 17, 2021 12:12 amI find it pleasant to watch commentary of GMs I have never seen before rather than the usual suspects.
......
I find their respective accents amusing.
Miro's pronunciation of "move" as "meuve" makes it sound as though he's auditioning to be the next Inspector Clouseau.
I remember Short as a junior playing for Bolton School (1976-81) Atherton CC and Lancashire during which time he could have been hired as a junior actor in Coronation St. The Lancashire accent has long gone; he seems to have had a faux Home Counties accent for decades.
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Re: 2021 World Cup
Sadly Ravi lost Game 4, but a splendid overall result anyway.
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Re: 2021 World Cup
Agreed, great experience and two wins in standard play against 2600+ GMs.Kevin Thurlow wrote: ↑Sat Jul 17, 2021 5:35 pmSadly Ravi lost Game 4, but a splendid overall result anyway.
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Re: 2021 World Cup
There was a farcical armageddon game in the women's tournament, the conclusion of which can be viewed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otSiTlwTAnc&t=22735s
Between them they managed to blunder all 4 rooks in 10 seconds, but by this stage both players were knocking the pieces over and it all happened so fast I don't think you could say who was most at fault. In the end white won because she had a knight on the queenside so could put it on a random square and quickly bash the clock, while all black's pieces were on the kingside.
I may have posted on this topic before because it really annoys me to see games in important tournaments decided by this kind of nonsense. I cannot understand why they haven't changed the rules to include an increment from move 1. If this gives black too much advantage then make it 5 v 3 (or whatever numbers that give both sides an equal chance).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otSiTlwTAnc&t=22735s
Between them they managed to blunder all 4 rooks in 10 seconds, but by this stage both players were knocking the pieces over and it all happened so fast I don't think you could say who was most at fault. In the end white won because she had a knight on the queenside so could put it on a random square and quickly bash the clock, while all black's pieces were on the kingside.
I may have posted on this topic before because it really annoys me to see games in important tournaments decided by this kind of nonsense. I cannot understand why they haven't changed the rules to include an increment from move 1. If this gives black too much advantage then make it 5 v 3 (or whatever numbers that give both sides an equal chance).
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Re: 2021 World Cup
They continue to believe that today's farce is what the chess public wants to see. Makes you weep - especially if they're right.Peter Shaw wrote: ↑Sat Jul 17, 2021 10:51 pmI cannot understand why they haven't changed the rules to include an increment from move 1.
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Re: 2021 World Cup
And what makes it even worse is that the pieces are too light, they should not fall over so easily.