English Chess Forum

Apparently this event is reaching an exciting finish!

A Guardian article and column to warm up:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/ ... ess-gukesh

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/ ... nst-gukesh

4pm start today.

Some elements worthy of discussion.

(1) I have only just now seen the table-slamming reaction from Carlsen (there is a YouTube clip embedded in the Guardian article - first link above). It was much more aggressive and full of anger than I had realised. It is not a good look for chess, IMO. It continued with his attempts to put the kings on the board to signal his loss. Sad to see that. (The look on Simon Williams's face as Carlsen storms out past him was quite funny, as he (Simon) was clearly not sure how to handle that!)

(2) Quoting Leonard Barden (from his 6 June column, second link above):

There are now suggestions that this will be Carlsen’s farewell appearance in classical.

Discuss! (Really?)

Its his decision at the end of the day.

Christopher Kreuzer wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 06, 2025 11:11 am

(2) Quoting Leonard Barden (from his 6 June column, second link above):

There are now suggestions that this will be Carlsen’s farewell appearance in classical.

Discuss! (Really?)

I doubt it but I do think that classical events for both him and Hikaru (the latter after the world championship cycle completes) will be rarer and rarer.

And again, its their choice.

We really could do without both of them constantly denigrating classical chess, though.

Well yes but they are only denigrating classical chess as they find it at the highest level and not on the whole. Most don't have to go through what they have to but yes agreed, given what they've got from it and it's overall appeal, it would be better to hear something complimentary instead. Magnus has recently said what he likes about it is that it enables him to think deelpy about positions however.

I think Carlsen did win the event in the end, didn't he?