World Cup Baku 10 September to 4 October 2015

[JustinHorton]

Possibly the colloquialism "vegging out" is intended?

[Christopher Kreuzer]

If we are quoting from player reactions afterwards, let's include Nakamura's Facebook tip of the hat to Adams (from his Facebook page):

" There are many experiences I can share about Michael, but I will never forget watching him defeat Nick De Firmian in a spectacular Marshall Gambit in New York City in 1996. As a young kid who had just started playing chess, I found the game to be truly fascinating. There is something surreal about playing against people whom you once idolized.

While Michael might not be as strong as he once was, he still possesses a fantastic style and positional awareness which makes him a formidable competitor along with some of the older generation like Anand, Gelfand and Ivanchuk. "

https://www.facebook.com/GMHikaru/posts/482223505271569

The 1996 game Nakamura mentions should be this one:

http://chess-db.com/public/game.jsp?id= ... 8960.20240

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4 Bd6 13. Re2 Qh4 14. g3 Qh3 15. Nd2 Bf5 16. a4 Rae8 17. Rxe8 Rxe8 18. Nf1 h5 19. axb5 axb5 20. Ra6 Nc7 21. Ra7 h4 22. Ne3 hxg3 23. fxg3 Bxg3 24. hxg3 Rxe3 25. Bxe3 Qxg3+ 26. Kf1 Bh3+ 27. Ke2 Bg4+ 28. Kd2 Bxd1 29. Bxd1 Nd5 30. Ra8+ Kh7 31. Re8 f5 32. Ke2 Qh2+ 33. Kd3 Qxb2 {0-1}

[Tim Harding]

Giri crushes Wojtaszek in double quick time.
Chinese drew first game already.

[John McKenna]

My man Wojt played what seemed to be a plausible defence but it crumbled to dust.
I just cannot fathom how Giri does it. He seems to be blessed, but must have some weaknesses.

[LawrenceCooper]

Karjakin has won a messy game where Andreikin seemed to have very good practical chances after a piece sac, Jakovenko-Eljanov was a draw.

[Tim Harding]

My man Wojt played what seemed to be a plausible defence but it crumbled to dust.
I just cannot fathom how Giri does it. He seems to be blessed, but must have some weaknesses.

Second games began already. Wojtaszek and Andreikin have to win.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

I... forgot the games had started.

[John McKenna]

Yes, another of my men - Dimitri Andreikin - managed to blow it.
He had more time but seemed to have no plan and allowed exchanges that were to his detriment.
My men are playing just like I do.

Wake up Chris!

[John McKenna]

One Giri weakness may be an over reliance on the Slav defence!?

[Tim Harding]

Playing Slav is no weakness!
BUT
Giri did something naughty (Nakamura-like) and his opponent was given two extra minutes.

[John McKenna]

Thank for that, Tim.
There I was thinking that Giri could do no wrong.

Meanwhile Andreikin has tried to bamboozle Karjakin with the London?!
That has backfired and he's struggling now.

[Tim Harding]

Wojtaszek seems to have miscalculated at move 23. Looks like the cheeky Dutchman is going through.

Wei Yi is a bit better, so are Eljanov and Karkjakin.
Maybe no blitz today so Miroshnichenko may get his wish for half a day off.

[John McKenna]

If all that comes to pass then today it will be Chessbase four, me nil.

[Tim Harding]

Wei Yi seems to have gone wrong...

[John McKenna]

Yes, perhaps all is not lost - Ding and Wojtaszek are fighting back!