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!
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.
Aronian: I’ve never considered myself a strong blitz player
Maria Fominykh’s final report on the Tal Memorial at ChessPro included interviews with two of the winners, Sergey Karjakin and Levon Aronian. Both players talked about the main event, but also the upcoming blitz.
Shipov on the Tal Memorial Rd 9
While the final round of the Tal Memorial provided all the human drama you could hope for, the chess itself at times perhaps left something to be desired. For instance, Shipov describes Grischuk – Nakamura as “a game of woefully poor quality”.
Shipov on the Tal Memorial Rd 8
The sensation of the eighth round was Sergey Karjakin’s crushing win over Vladimir Kramnik. Shipov’s report begins, “generational change is inevitable”. Other highlights include the awakening of the “lion” Shirov, and Nakamura and Gelfand paying tribute to Capablanca and Alekhine.
Shipov on the Tal Memorial Rd 7
An indication of how much Grandmaster Shipov is enjoying himself is the number of “translator’s notes” I need to add, and this report beat all records. Wang Hao has become “Ivan”, Nakamura scored a victory over Armenian chess, and Eljanov’s play provoked the comment: “Study theory, gentlemen!”
Shipov on the Tal Memorial Rd 6
While round 6 didn’t set any records for fighting chess, Grandmaster Shipov does a good job of explaining the opening subtleties that pass the average chess fan by. Highlights include an unfortunate “butterfly effect”, and Gelfand choosing a line that’s “not going to trouble giants”.
Shipov on the Tal Memorial Rd 5
Shipov’s impressions of Round 5 included holding back some analysis for his friend Boris, dismissing the “iron lumps” of computers and describing Shirov and Nakamura as players capable of “turning even a dry endgame into a fierce and ultra-complex thriller”.
Shipov on the Tal Memorial Rd 4
Despite all the games ending drawn, Sergey Shipov’s express report on round 4 pointed out that there could, and perhaps should, have been four white wins. There was certainly no lack of excitement.
Shipov’s live commentary on Candidates QF, Game 4
By mishanp on May 8, 2011
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.
Posted in Live commentary, Russian | Tagged Aronian, Candidates Matches, Crestbook, Gelfand, Grischuk, Kamsky, Kramnik, Mamedyarov, Radjabov, Shipov, Topalov | Leave a response