Chess

nitro · Nov 7, 2013

The main characteristic of modern chess over the classical players like Fischer (although Fischer is probably the first "modern player") etc is that, modern chess is full of tactical twists and turns, intense fight for the initiative, sacrifices for dynamic compensation, and mind-boggling complications in all phases of the game. Magnus is so strange in his chess style because he plays like an old fogy with extraordinary deep understanding of positional chess, at the same time being able to mix that with all that makes modern chess so pragmatic. So if this were a tenis match, it would be Djokovich (Anand) against some weird hybrid of Borg, Lendl, Federer and Connors (Carlsen).

Unfortunately, that is the one thing that few commentators give perspective on, how a modern player plays differently than even Kasparov did even as late and 2005.

nitro · Nov 7, 2013

Carlsen arrives at the World Championship. Already the psychological war is beginning. Anand discloses his trainers. Carlsen sees no need to disclose them.

Psychology plays a major role in chess. It is the equivalent of two boxers starring each other down trying to intimidate each other pre-fight. I always found it interesting that Mike Tyson mostly ignored this pre-fight bullshit then came out and destroyed his "intimidating" opponent.

nitro · Nov 7, 2013

nitro · Nov 7, 2013

If Carlsen wins, he still won't be able to afford this bra, valued at $10M USD. Win or lose, he needs to get a woman in his life.

nitro · Nov 8, 2013

Let'ssss geeeeettttt reeeeady to RUuuuuuummmbleeeee.

nitro · Nov 9, 2013

Skip about 8 minutes to start seeing the actual video. The beginning is just a graphic.

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Site after site was down as servers were overwhelmed with interest.

Lifeless first round draw. This is a psychological win for Anand. This match is only 12 games long, and each game is worth it's weight in gold, especially white games which is what Carlsen had first game.

Still, it has much historical perspective. The challenger is almost always nervous in what is the event of their life. Fischer blundered against Spassky in their first round game. Kasparov was taken to the cleaners against Karpov their first match for dozens of games. And so on. So this game was "shaking the nerves and steading them".

I have been thinking about this match and imo, Carlsen has to embrance the monster and do what no one is predicting he will do, engage Anand in complicated positions. This has precedent. Consider Fischer/Spassky. Up until their 1972 match, Spassky was considered a universal player, while Fischer played essentially his pet lines. Fischer stunned the world by playing openings he had never played before, showing a universaility in his chess he had never shown before.

Kasparov, in his book (I think in "The Test of Time") talks about how he had to become "a better Karpov than Karpov" in order to beat him. Well, I think Carlsen has to become a better Anand than Anand. This means heading for complications and away from dry positions that are relatively easy to draw. Thing is, this strategy has worked well for Carlsen for so long, squeezing wins from drawish positions, it is like a drug to him. Carlsen understands better than anyone what his strengths are, and no one gets to the top of anything without a deep understanding of the nuances of how to dominate a world class opponent. The problem I see is that this kind of experience of generality doesn't work well in matches, especially one as short as this. He needs to realize this sooner than later. In fact, maybe losing a game is the best thing that can happen to him. He can't "save anything for the swim back":

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nitro · Nov 11, 2013

Game 2 had promise of a fight due to opposite wing castling, but when the queens came off, it petered out fast. However, there are beginning to be signs that these guys are ready to engage the enemy head on.

I am hoping for a Kings Indian, a Dragon, or a Poisoned Pawn Najdorf. But we will lilkely see something more like a Grunfeld or a Nimzo or a Semi-Slav.

Rest day today.

nitro · Nov 12, 2013

Game 3 was the first fight we had. I can say that Carlsen appears to be responding to the Anands play, and seems to lack cohesion. He was clearly worse in today's game, although Anand did not choose the most aggressive variation letting Carlsen off the hook. Carlsen does not seem to be himself yet. I think he does not feel comfortable in the openings he is playing, and he needs to adjust.

Norwegian girls take their clothes off to support Carlsen:

nitro · Nov 14, 2013

Game four was a game that could only have been played by very top grandmasters. It was purely strategic, chess of the highest order.

Carlsen has woken up, and you could begin to see the difference in class between the players. All Anand could do was to try to save the game. He did so in very accurate play, but if Anand gets into these sorts of battles (endings with purely strategic themes) with Carlsen, he will probably end up on the losing side of them eventually, imo. If Anand were younger it would be a different story, but as they say, you can't teach old dogs new tricks. On the other hand, that Anand went in right into the teeth of the lion is sending a message that is audacious with the heart of a gladiator.

Rest day today after two intense games. Expectations very high for the next two games, as the players are now both in their element.

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nitro · Nov 14, 2013

Chess

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