World Blitz.

[Eoin Devane]

The second day of the World Blitz has just started. At the end of day one Carlsen and Aronian led with 10/14. Carlsen has just beaten Mamedyarov, while Aronian lost to Kramnik in round 15. Still another 23 (!) rounds to go, though.

Live games with analysis: http://livechess.chessdom.com/site/

Live video (with Russian commentary): http://video.russiachess.org/

Standings: http://www.russiachess.org/online/blitz/index.html


Edit: I see it's going on for three days this year, so tomorrow is the final day.

[Eoin Devane]

Carlsen just fell foul of touch move. It can happen to even the best!

[Gareth Harley-Yeo]

I loved nakamura's h-file hack on kramnik. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHrg8Lib0WU

[Eoin Devane]

Aronian leads after 17 rounds. Half-a-point ahead of Carlsen, Shakh and Kramnik.

[Eoin Devane]

Three defeats in a row now for Carlsen.

[Eoin Devane]

Sorry - last one was a draw. I missed on the video that Carlsen has a perpetual.

[Eoin Devane]

At the halfway point:

1. Kramnik 13, 2. Aronian 13, 3. Carlsen 12.5, 4. Mamedyarov 12, 5. Nakamura 10, 6. Ponomariov 10, 7. Svidler 10, 8. Radjabov 10, 9. Nepomniatchi 9.5, 10. Karjakin 9.5, 11. Grischuk 9.5, 12. Caruana 9, 13. Gelfand 9, 14. Movsesian 9, 15. Eljianov 0, 16. Vachier-Lagrave 8.5, 17. Grachev 7.5, 18. Savchenko 7, 19. Mamedov 6, 20. Andreikin 6.

[Alex Holowczak]

Nakamura just beat Carlsen, Kramnik lost, and Aronian looks like drawing at best. So Nakamura no more than 2.5 behind...

Edit: Aronian lost, so Nakamura just 2 behind (after starting with 3.5/10).

[Eoin Devane]

Come on Naka!

Speaking of comebacks, Rauf Mamedov started 0/10, and is now up to a respectable 6.5/20 and has overtaken Dima Andreikin.

[Eoin Devane]

Naka beat Kramnik. Wins over Carlsen and Kramnik back-to-back with the black pieces.

[Eoin Devane]

It seems to be some sort of break (possibly for lunch?) now. I have to say that the video coverage really is excellent. Following the games on chessdom / playchess can be rather difficult at times because of the difficulty in the boards and their operators keeping up with the fast pace of the game, but the video lets you see what's going on, and the quality is good enough to actually make out where the pieces are. They also sometimes put up the positions in the bottom corner to show you where the pieces are, which works pretty well in the slower stages of the game. This is a format in which chess really could be shown on TV. I just wish I understood Russian, the commentary sounds really interesting.

Edit: It's in Moscow, so I suppose it's more likely an early dinner break.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

I have to say that the video coverage really is excellent.

Is it live only, or can you watch it later?

[Eoin Devane]

Is it live only, or can you watch it later?

With the help of Google Translation I have discovered that "Чемпионат Мира по Блицу" on the right hand side of the video page means "World Blitz Championship" and the three links under that heading are the dates of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Clicking on each of them lets you watch the coverage from that day. So you can watch the coverage later. This is good news, as I'm out most of tomorrow afternoon, so won't be able to watch it live.

[Alex Holowczak]

Nakamura just lost a horrible game v Caruana. He was a pawn up after a blunder on move 9, was materially better throughout, but Caruana improved his position and ended up winning.

[Eoin Devane]

Aronian's beginning to build a healthy lead. Shakh, Carlsen and Naka all lost in that round, while Kramnik only drew, so Aronian is now two whole points clear of the field. A long way to go, though.