
Mark Taimanov at 85
For someone perhaps best known for spectacular failure – losing 6:0 to Bobby Fischer – Mark Taimanov has had the most successful of lives. A top Soviet grandmaster and a successful concert pianist, he’s now the happy octogenarian father of 6-year-old twins. He talks about his life and contemporary chess.

Birth of a Supernova: Vasiliev reports from Wijk aan Zee
Hikaru Nakamura’s tournament victory was described as “the birth of a supernova” by Yury Vasiliev in two final reports from the Tata Steel 2011 Tournament. The Russian journalist was on the ground in Wijk aan Zee to provide photo reports and comments from players and observers throughout the event.

Shipov’s live commentary on Tata Steel Chess 2011, Rd 12
When Sergey Shipov saw Nakamura – Kramnik was heading, as the Russians say, “for a drawing harbour”, he abandoned ship and started commentating on Anand – Giri instead. It proved the perfect choice, as 16-year-old Anish Giri played “the game of his life, but he couldn’t bring it to its logical conclusion”.

Shipov’s live commentary on Tata Steel Chess 2011, Rd 9
The encounter between the front-runners, Hikaru Nakamura and Vishy Anand, didn’t disappoint. Nakamura’s unorthodox opening play led to a dangerous position that Sergey Shipov, commentating for Crestbook, described as “beautiful”. Anand’s failure to exploit his advantage means we now have four leaders tied on +3!

Shipov’s live commentary on Tata Steel Chess 2011, Rd 7
Magnus Carlsen and Vishy Anand didn’t exactly set the world on fire in round 7. Their crossing of the tournament’s “equator” saw becalmed seas, despite Magnus’ “random opening generator” picking e4, and Vishy choosing the Sicilian, “a great opening for an adventure novel” (all the quotes are Shipov’s!).

Shipov’s live commentary on Tata Steel Chess 2011, Rd 2
With some dazzling opening preparation – Sergey Shipov called 14…Nxc5! the “cherry on the cake baked in Kramnik’s laboratory” – Vladimir achieved an effortless draw as Black against the World Champion, Vishy Anand. Shipov commentated live on the game in Round 2 of the Tata Steel Tournament.

Shipov’s live commentary on the London Classic, Rd 7
When Sergey Shipov, introducing his commentary of Anand – Kramnik in the last round of the London Chess Classic, said Sofia Rules would protect us from a “lifeless grandmasterly draw” there may have been an element of wishful thinking. The chess was a disappointment, but Shipov’s commentary was as lucid, witty and educational as ever.

Shipov’s live commentary on the London Classic, Rd 5
For his commentary on the fifth round of the London Chess Classic, GM Sergey Shipov chose the clash between the leaders, Vishy Anand and Luke McShane. Despite a position on the 11th move that Shipov noted was almost 150 years old, what followed sadly didn’t recall the Romantic chess of the 19th Century!
Shipov’s live commentary on Tata Steel Chess 2011, Rd 13
By mishanp on January 30, 2011
When Hikaru Nakamura took a draw against Wang Hao all eyes turned to Nepomniachtchi-Anand – could the World Champion find a win to snatch tournament victory? Despite the computer evaluations in his favour the answer turned out to be no, but Sergey Shipov’s live commentary captured the tension perfectly.
Posted in Live commentary, Russian | Tagged Anand, Crestbook, Nepomniachtchi, Shipov, Tata Steel 2011 | Leave a response