Shipov’s live commentary on the Candidates Final, Game 4
Another day, another draw, but if you look beyond the headlines it was still an intriguing battle. The only problem was most of us don’t understand chess at anywhere near the level required to follow what was happening – which was where GM Sergey Shipov stepped in with a free masterclass.
God created man, but the Queen’s Gambit made them equal
That was Alexander Grischuk’s view after the third game of the Candidates Final ended in a 14-move draw. In a press conference that mirrored the game – it was short but packed with memorable incident – Gelfand also explained how his first encounter with grandmasters ended in failure.
Gata Kamsky: I can’t play like Grischuk and Kramnik
As the press conference after the semifinals was only attended by the winners we didn’t get to hear from Gata Kamsky, but he later talked to a local newspaper. As well as discussing the games he described his approach to chess, the previous match he played against Topalov, and when he intends to retire.
Shipov’s live commentary on the Candidates Final, Game 3
Here I nearly fell off my chair – that was GM Sergey Shipov’s immediate reaction to Boris Gelfand’s 9…b5!! novelty. Alexander Grischuk recovered from the shock and responded well, but this was no short grandmaster draw. Shipov noted the game will be remembered for many years to come.
Shipov’s live commentary on the Candidates Final, Game 2
The second game of the Candidates Final saw Boris Gelfand and Alexander Grischuk engage in a hair-raising theoretical battle. When the dust cleared Grischuk had a near-winning edge in the endgame, but Gelfand found enough counterplay to hold on. Sergey Shipov explained an enthralling struggle.
Shipov’s live commentary on the Candidates Final, Game 1
The first game of the Candidates Final got off to a promising start, as Alexander Grischuk tried a new approach - playing for a win with the white pieces! Despite taking his time (Shipov wondered if he was trying to save Tal’s hippo, or waiting for his wife to fly in from Georgia) he couldn’t quite break through.
Gelfand and Grischuk’s press conference
After yesterday’s dramatic tie-breaks the two winners talked to the press. Although they both made short statements in English, the most interesting comments were in Russian. Grischuk, in particular, tried to explain his time trouble and match strategy, and defended the format of the event.
Shipov’s live commentary on the Candidates SF, Game 4
The final classical game between Vladimir Kramnik and Alexander Grischuk was a fantastic advert for chess. Spectators around the world watched in high resolution video as both players missed winning chances in time trouble. Sergey Shipov compared Grischuk to “his great predecessor, Harry Houdini”.
Shipov’s live commentary on the Candidates SF, Game 2
Grandmaster Sergey Shipov was perhaps a bit harsh on himself (“a known gravedigger for won positions”) when he took the blame for Boris Gelfand’s failure to beat Gata Kamsky in the second game of their semifinal! A fantastic struggle saw the American GM again demonstrate nerves of steel to hold the draw.
Shipov’s live commentary on the Candidates Final, Game 5
By mishanp on May 24, 2011
Sergey Shipov began today’s commentary by comparing the players to Greco-Roman Wrestlers who couldn’t throw their opponents, and ended comparing them to immortal Highlanders. Yes, the penultimate game was another draw, with Gelfand taking full advantage of Grischuk’s slip in a promising position.
Posted in Live commentary, Russian | Tagged Candidates Matches, Crestbook, Gelfand, Grischuk, Shipov | 17 Responses