World Cup Baku 10 September to 4 October 2015

[LawrenceCooper]

I popped out briefly and so missed the epic Karjakin-Eljanov game.

[MartinCarpenter]

Bit mean of them to leave the commentators to try and find interest in Svidler - Giri

[JustinHorton]

And that's Svidler in the final, and if I am not mistaken, in the Candidates too.

[LawrenceCooper]

Bit mean of them to leave the commentators to try and find interest in Svidler - Giri

Drawn after 51 moves so Svidler qualifies for the final.

[Mick Norris]

And that's Svidler in the final, and if I am not mistaken, in the Candidates too.

Yes, I have updated this in the other thread

[LawrenceCooper]

Eljanov-Karjakin tie-break games underway http://www.bakuworldcup2015.com/content/5

[LawrenceCooper]

A convincing win for Eljanov in game 1 so Karjakin will need to try rather harder with white to try and stay in the match.

[Roger de Coverly]

A convincing win for Eljanov in game 1 so Karjakin will need to try rather harder with white to try and stay in the match.

So what happened? A slow Kings Indian Attack/Closed Sicilian, after which Karjakin snatched a pawn (move 25) and dropped a piece (move 31) as a consequence?

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 Nc6 4. O-O e5 5. e4 Be7 6. Nc3 d6 7. d3 O-O 8. a4 Nb4 9. Nd2 h6 10. Nc4 Bg4 11. Qd2 Bd7 12. Nd1 Re8 13. Nde3 Bf8 14. c3 Nc6 15. f4 exf4 16. gxf4 Be6 17. Qf2 Bxc4 18. Nxc4 d5 19. exd5 Nxd5 20. Bd2 Nf6 21. Qf3 Na5 22. Ne5 Qb6 23. Rab1 Rad8 24. Kh1 Qb3 25. Be1 Qxa4 26. Bh4 Rd6 27. Ra1 Qb5 28. c4 Qa6 29. d4 Rxd4 30. Qc3 Ne4 31. Qxa5 Qxa5 32. Rxa5 Nd2 33. Rd1 Bd6 34. Bf2 Bxe5 35. fxe5 Nxc4 36. Bxd4 Nxa5 37. Bc3 Nc4 38. e6 Rxe6 39. Rd8+ Kh7 40. Bd5 1-0

[LawrenceCooper]

Karjakin has equalised by grinding Eljanov down from a position where my uneducated eyes saw very minimal winning chances.

[MartinCarpenter]

So what happened?

Loose pieces drop off

Interesting that they've near repeated the opening in the first quicker rate game.

[JustinHorton]

Four minutes' time difference is a lot at this speed.

[LawrenceCooper]

Four minutes' time difference is a lot at this speed.

Agreed and black looks dangerously passive (around move 40) after seemingly being okay prior to that.

[LawrenceCooper]

Four minutes' time difference is a lot at this speed.

Agreed and black looks dangerously passive (around move 40) after seemingly being okay prior to that.

Lol, erm just seen the position on move 43

[LawrenceCooper]

Four minutes' time difference is a lot at this speed.

Agreed and black looks dangerously passive (around move 40) after seemingly being okay prior to that.

Lol, erm just seen the position on move 43

After the blunder on move 43 Karjakin wins to go 2-1 up with a white to come.

[LawrenceCooper]

Eljanov seems to stand well in game 4 where he needs to win but I made a similar assessment in game 3 and he promptly blundered.