English Chess Forum

Thanks Justin, links both fixed I hope

Disaster of the Day goes to Duda, who played Mamedyarov off the park before throwing away wins and then draws. Van Foreest also seemed to have had a nightmare, having chosen the only one of three captures on the same square that lost to Magnus rather than drawing: but Carlsen gave back the half-point shortly afterwards. Esipenko seemed to be about to take over against Vidit but missed his best chance for an advantage and agreed a draw.

This just leaves Pragnanandhaa v Grandelius, where Black's lousy form looks likely to continue (white plus six or something as I write). Vidit still leads!

Sponsor withdraws from Norwegian chess broadcast

Mick Norris wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 20, 2022 8:08 am

Sponsor withdraws from Norwegian chess broadcast

In English
https://chess24.com/en/read/news/contro ... -broadcast

Twenty moves in, Rapport v Pragggnanandhaa is worth a look

Lots of fun all round actually, although that game is a bit special

I mean according to the computer White was just much better and I wonder if the players saw it that way!

Giri draws with Vidit, who will at least share the lead tonight. Dubov draws with Shankland.

I'm watching the Rapport - Praggnanandhaa game. They have hit move 41 so taking a breather.

I was waiting for a good 40th move trap here.

[FEN "8/1p3R1b/4r2k/1PPN2pn/2PKp3/3pP2P/6B1/8 b - - 0 40"] 40... Ng3 41. Rxb7 Ne2# *

Mamedyarov absolutely bamboozled Van Foreest today. Disaster Of The Day seems likely to go to Duda for agreeing a draw in a position where he appears to be winning. (It might otherwise have gone to Karjakin for spoiling a won position in the same game.)

FIne defence from Grandelius. In fact he missed a chance himself early doors, but after that it was all Carlsen and White did well to hold. Carlsen one of three players who really might have won with the Black pieces today, another being Caruana.

The computer doesn't seem to think Carlsen ever had a clear win, though I agree that given his start Grandelius did excellently nonetheless.

Finally Rapport wins and shares the lead with Vidit and Mamedyarov.

Shankland v Praggnanandhaa drawn inside two hours

JustinHorton wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 21, 2022 2:54 pm

Shankland v Praggnanandhaa drawn inside two hours

Looks like White had it all prepared, Black had to find best moves OTB but managed to do so.

Mamedyarov v Grandelius drawn, in terms of moves, even faster, White presumably feeling he had lost the thread and was a bit worse. Vidit and Duda played a lot more moves in a much-explored line, for the same result.

Karjakin, Dubov and Giri, all on minus two before this round, have all (according to the Chessbomb computer) been winning or close to it so far.