Boris Gelfand: A completely happy man
After Boris Gelfand won the Candidates Matches in Kazan he gave numerous interviews that shed light on a player who, despite having been at the top of world chess for 20 years, is perhaps still something of a mystery to chess fans. It’s time for that to change, as an Anand-Gelfand World Championship match awaits!
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.
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 3
While Sergey Shipov is yet to commentate on a non-drawn game in the Candidates Matches it would be hard to get closer than yesterday’s “street brawl” between Gata Kamsky and Boris Gelfand. Both players missed clear wins in an enthralling and nerve-wracking encounter.
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 Candidates QF, Game 4
It had all looked so good for Veselin Topalov in his must-win game against Gata Kamsky. He unleashed not one, but two novelties, upped the pressure until his opponent cracked in time trouble, and then… and then a ‘real chess drama’, as GM Sergey Shipov described it, unfolded before our eyes.
Shipov’s live commentary on Candidates QF, Game 3
In his introduction to Gata Kamsky – Veselin Topalov, Sergey Shipov compared the American grandmaster to ex-World Champion Anatoly Karpov, who was also able to play a tournament immediately before a vital match. Karpov-like defensive qualities were also in evidence as Topalov failed to hit back.
Vassily Ivanchuk (2): “Flawed games are the most beautiful”
Here, as promised, is the concluding part of the recent long interview with Ivanchuk. As well as talking about women players, his favourite games, and when he might quit the game, his wife Oksana also joins the conversation. Few would disagree with her view that “Vassily’s easy to love.”
GM Ruslan Ponomariov answers your questions: Part I
Answering reader questions almost a decade after becoming FIDE World Champion as an 18-year-old, Ruslan Ponomariov provides both a revealing insight into the life of an elite player, and a damning indictment of the chess politics that saw his match against Garry Kasparov collapse.
Shipov’s live commentary on the Candidates SF, Game 4
By mishanp on May 15, 2011
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”.
Posted in Live commentary, Russian | Tagged Candidates Matches, Crestbook, Gelfand, Geller, Grischuk, Kamsky, Kramnik, Reshevsky, Shipov | 4 Responses