2014-03-31

Anand finishes undefeated the Candidates tournament



Photo from official website


Today was held the last round of Candidates tournament. Anand was the clear winner in advance, and he will be meeting Carlsen for the Championship match in November.

Aronian who was closely following Anand throughout the tournament, lost his final game to Karjakin, and dropped to second-to-last place.

Commentary of earlier rounds by GM Alexander Delchev

Commentary of games from previous rounds

Results - round 14

SNo.NameFEDRes.NameFEDSNo.
7GMAronian LevonARM0-1GMKarjakin SergeyRUS2
6GMAnand ViswanathanIND½-½GMSvidler PeterRUS3
5GMMamedyarov ShakhriyarAZE½-½GMKramnik VladimirRUS4
8GMTopalov VeselinBUL½-½GMAndreikin DmitryRUS1

Final standings

NameFedFIDE EloPts.S-B
1Viswanathan AnandIND27708.557.25
2Sergey KarjakinRUS27667.551.75
3Vladimir KramnikRUS2787749.25
4Dmitry AndreikinRUS2709748.5
5Shakhriyar MamedyarovAZE2757748
6Peter SvidlerRUS27586.546
7Levon AronianARM28306.545
8Veselin TopalovBUL2785642.25



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Previous Candidates Tournaments: 2013 | 2011

Official page: FIDE World Candidates Tournament 2014

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2014-03-30

Anand is the new candidate for the World Championship 2014



Photo from official website


A round in advance, it is clear that the 5-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand is the winner of Candidates tournament leading with 8/13 points, +1.5 points ahead.

Commentary of earlier rounds by GM Alexander Delchev

Commentary of games from previous rounds

Results - round 13

SNo.NameFEDRes.NameFEDSNo.
1GMAndreikin DmitryRUS1-0GMAronian LevonARM7
2GMKarjakin SergeyRUS½-½GMAnand ViswanathanIND6
3GMSvidler PeterRUS½-½GMMamedyarov ShakhriyarAZE5
4GMKramnik VladimirRUS1-0GMTopalov VeselinBUL8

Standings

NameFedFIDE EloPts.S-B
1Viswanathan AnandIND2770850.25
2Dmitry AndreikinRUS27096.542.5
2Vladimir KramnikRUS27876.542.5
4Sergey KarjakinRUS27666.542
5Levon AronianARM28306.541.25
6Shakhriyar MamedyarovAZE27576.541.25
7Peter SvidlerRUS2758638.75
8Veselin TopalovBUL27855.536

Pairings for all rounds




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Official page: FIDE World Candidates Tournament 2014

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2014-03-28

Karpos Open Chess Tournament 2014



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Karpos Open Chess Tournament 2014

Organiser: Gambit Asseco



Karpos Open Chess Tournament will take place in Skopje, Macedonia, 29 March - 5 April 2014. It is organised by the municipality of Karpos in Skopje, in collaboration with Chess Club Gambit Asseco SEE.

Format: 9 Rounds Swiss-system.
Time control: 90 minutes for 40 moves and 30 minutes till the end of the game with 30 sec. for a move, timed from the first move.

GM Alexander DELCHEV who commented Candidates games for ChessBomb is taking part at Karpos Open. We wish him good luck!
Read Delchev's commentaries

Participants

No. NameFideIDFEDRtg
1GMBERKES Ferenc718572HUN2687
2GMGRANDA ZUNIGA Julio E3800024PER2680
3GMITURRIZAGA BONELLI Eduardo3901211VEN2645
4GMSMIRIN Ilia2801990ISR2644
5GMDELCHEV Aleksander2900394BUL2638
6GMROMANOV Evgeny4148843RUS2636
7GMIVANISEVIC Ivan912417SRB2633
8GMGEORGIEV Kiril2900017BUL2625
9GMROZENTALIS Eduardas12800023LTU2623
10GMTKACHIEV Vladislav618438FRA2623
11GMPERUNOVIC Milos921629SRB2617
12GMPERALTA Fernando105309ARG2613
13GMMARKUS Robert921637SRB2608
14GMPREDOJEVIC Borki930849BIH2607
15GMSALGADO LOPEZ Ivan2257327ESP2605
16GMVOVK Andrey14114470UKR2605
17GMMIROSHNICHENKO Evgenij14102595UKR2602
18GMGRANDELIUS Nils1710400SWE2600

Full list

Playing schedule

Round Day Date Time
Round 1 Saturday 29.03.2014 17:30
Round 2 Sunday 30.03.2014 9:00
Round 3 Sunday 30.03.2014 17:30
Round 4 Monday 31.03.2014 17:30
Round 5 Tuesday 01.04.2014 17:30
Round 6 Wednesday 02.04.2014 17:30
Round 7 Thursday 03.04.2014 17:30
Round 8 Friday 04.04.2014 17:30
Round 9 Saturday 05.04.2014 9:30

All times are CET (GMT + 1 hour).


Watch LIVE Karpos Open 2014 with computer analysis:
Karpos Open Chess Tournament 2014

Organiser: Gambit Asseco

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2014-03-27

Round 12 of Candidates 2014



Photo from official website


Today was the 12th round of Candidates 2014. Topalov defeated Svidler, and the other games finished in a draw. The only competition for Anand is Aronian.

Commentary by GM Alexander Delchev

Commentary of games from previous rounds

Results - round 12

SNo.NameFEDRes.NameFEDSNo.
6GMAnand ViswanathanIND½-½GMAndreikin DmitryRUS1
5GMMamedyarov ShakhriyarAZE½-½GMKarjakin SergeyRUS2
8GMTopalov VeselinBUL1-0GMSvidler PeterRUS3
7GMAronian LevonARM½-½GMKramnik VladimirRUS4

Standings

NameFedFIDE EloPts.S-B
1Viswanathan AnandIND27707.543.75
2Levon AronianARM28306.537.75
3Shakhriyar MamedyarovAZE2757635.5
4Sergey KarjakinRUS2766634.5
5Vladimir KramnikRUS27875.534.25
6Dmitry AndreikinRUS27095.533.5
7Veselin TopalovBUL27855.533.25
8Peter SvidlerRUS27585.532

Pairings for all rounds




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Official page: FIDE World Candidates Tournament 2014

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Four draws in round 11 of Candidates 2014



Photo from official website


Today's 11th round of Candidates 2014 finished with draws in all four games. Anand is keeping his leading position with 7/11 points and is the most likely candidate to meet Carlsen at the World Champion match. Three more rounds to go...

Commentary by GM Alexander Delchev

GM Delchev commented LIVE today on ChessBomb the game Kramnik-Anand. Kramnik-Anand (½-½)
With this game both players achieved their goals - Kramnik avoided the open fight, being in a very bad mood after his two consecutive losses. His novelty 10.Na3 was not that dangerous and was not a surprise that Anand managed in the best possible way... see game with commentary


Commentary of games from previous rounds

Results - round 11

SNo.NameFEDRes.NameFEDSNo.
1GMAndreikin DmitryRUS½-½GMMamedyarov ShakhriyarAZE5
8GMTopalov VeselinBUL½-GMKarjakin SergeyRUS2
3GMSvidler PeterRUS½-GMAronian LevonARM7
4GMKramnik VladimirRUS½-½GMAnand ViswanathanIND6

Standings

NameFedFIDE EloPts.S-B
1Viswanathan AnandIND2770737
2Levon AronianARM2830632.25
3Shakhriyar MamedyarovAZE27575.529.75
4Sergey KarjakinRUS27665.529
5Peter SvidlerRUS27585.528.75
6Vladimir KramnikRUS2787528.75
7Dmitry AndreikinRUS2709527
8Veselin TopalovBUL27854.525.5

Pairings for all rounds




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2014-03-26

Anand keeps his leading position after round 10 of Candidates 2014


Candidates 2014, round 11
26th March, 15:00 local time (GMT + 6 hours)

Watch LIVE GM Delchev's commentary of Kramnik-Anand game.

The tenth round of Candidates 2014 finished with three draws and Svidler's win over Kramnik. Anand is still in the lead with 6.5/10 points, and it becomes very likely to see Anand and Carlsen at the World Championship in November.

Photo taken from official website


Commentary by GM Alexander Delchev


Commentary of games from previous rounds

Results - round 10

SNo.NameFEDRes.NameFEDSNo.
2GMKarjakin SergeyRUS½-½GMAndreikin DmitryRUS1
4GMKramnik VladimirRUS0-1GMSvidler PeterRUS3
7GMAronian LevonARM½-½GMTopalov VeselinBUL8
6GMAnand ViswanathanIND½-½GMMamedyarov ShakhriyarAZE5

Standings

NameFedFIDE EloPts.S-B
1Viswanathan AnandIND27706.531.25
2Levon AronianARM28305.526.75
3Shakhriyar MamedyarovAZE2757524.75
4Sergey KarjakinRUS2766524.25
5Peter SvidlerRUS2758523.25
6Vladimir KramnikRUS27874.523
7Dmitry AndreikinRUS27094.522
8Veselin TopalovBUL2785420.75

Pairings for all rounds




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2014-03-25

Anand leading by a full point after round 9 of Candidates - results and commentary



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Photo taken from official website

Ninth round of Candidates 2014 finished with a whole point advance for Anand.

Commentary of Round 9 games by GM Alexander Delchev

Anand-Topalov (1-0)
Anand showed his wish to enter in an open fight, choosing the sharp line 6.h3 in Najdorf which theory is still in development. He already played it in 2013, so it was surely analysed by Topalov's team.... see game with commentary


Commentary of games from previous rounds

Results - round 9

SNo.NameFEDRes.NameFEDSNo.
2GMKarjakin SergeyRUS1-0GMKramnik VladimirRUS4
1GMAndreikin DmitryRUS½-½GMSvidler PeterRUS3
6GMAnand ViswanathanIND1-0GMTopalov VeselinBUL8
5GMMamedyarov ShakhriyarAZE1-0GMAronian LevonARM7

Standings

NameFedFIDE EloPts.S-B
1Viswanathan AnandIND2770625.75
2Levon AronianARM2830522
3Vladimir KramnikRUS27874.520.5
4Sergey KarjakinRUS27664.519.5
5Shakhriyar MamedyarovAZE27574.518.75
6Dmitry AndreikinRUS2709417.75
7Peter SvidlerRUS2758417
8Veselin TopalovBUL27853.516.75

Pairings for all rounds




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2014-03-22

A win for Karjakin and three draws in round 8 of Candidates 2014



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Photo taken from official website

The only win in the eight round of Candidates 2014 is that of Karjakin (blacks) over Svidler. All other games finished in draws, most notably the draw between Aronian and Anand in only 19 moves. Review the games with analysis at ChessBomb: Candidates Tournament 2014.

Commentary of Round 8 games by GM Alexander Delchev

Pre-game analysis Aronian-Anand in round 8 of Candidates 2014 by GM Alexander Delchev
This is the most important game of the 8-th round. The game between the two leading players (both have +2) promises full entertainment to chess fans. Everyone remembers the great Aronian-Anand game...


Commentary of games from previous rounds

Results - round 8

SNo.NameFEDRes.NameFEDSNo.
4GMKramnik VladimirRUS½-½GMAndreikin DmitryRUS1
3GMSvidler PeterRUS0-1GMKarjakin SergeyRUS2
8GMTopalov VeselinBUL½-½GMMamedyarov ShakhriyarAZE5
7GMAronian LevonARM½-½GMAnand ViswanathanIND6


Standings

NameFedFIDE EloPts.S-B
1Viswanathan AnandIND2770520.25
2Levon AronianARM2830518.75
3Vladimir KramnikRUS27874.517.25
5Veselin TopalovBUL27853.514.75
6Dmitry AndreikinRUS27093.514.75
4Peter SvidlerRUS27583.513.5
8Sergey KarjakinRUS27663.513
7Shakhriyar MamedyarovAZE27573.512.25

Pairings for all rounds




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Pre-game analysis Aronian-Anand in round 8 of Candidates 2014 by GM Alexander Delchev



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Previous Candidates Tournaments: 2013 | 2011




1.c4 This is the most important game of the 8-th round. The game between the two leading players (both have +2) promises full entertainment to chess fans. Everyone remembers the great Aronian-Anand game from the Wjik an Zee 2013 which became the evergreen game for Anand - and confirmed his huge theoretical knowledge.

So how can Aronian bother Anand? In their last encounter from 2014 at Zurich Chess Aronian surprised him with Reti opening which brought him full success. In his 6-th round game against Andrejkin Aronian opened up with 1.c4. So is it the most probable first move? Or will Aronian try to shake his renome as the theoretically best prepared player in the world? After all, many of the Armenian players are working on that subject.

Maybe we will have a look at what they found in another fine game as that one from 2013. Maybe this time Aronian will make his evergreen game.

Some interesting previous games:
Anand-Aronian in rd 1
Anand-Aronian Bilbao 2012
Anand-Aronian Bilbao 2011
Anand-Aronian Alekhine Memorial 2013
Anand-Aronian Norway Chess 2013

Prediction on ChessBomb

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2014-03-21

Anand and Aronian in the lead after round 7 of Candidates 2014



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Photo taken from official website

After the seventh round of Candidates 2014 Aronian caught up with Anand in the leading position with 4.5/7 points.

Commentary of Round 7 games by GM Alexander Delchev


Coming soon... see game with commentary

Commentary of games from previous rounds

Results - round 7

SNo.NameFEDRes.NameFEDSNo.
2GMKarjakin SergeyRUS0-1GMAronian LevonARM7
3GMSvidler PeterRUS½-½GMAnand ViswanathanIND6
4GMKramnik VladimirRUS1-0GMMamedyarov ShakhriyarAZE5
1GMAndreikin DmitryRUS1-0GMTopalov VeselinBUL8


Standings

NameFedFIDE EloPts.S-B
1Viswanathan AnandIND27704.515.5
2Levon AronianARM28304.514
3Vladimir KramnikRUS2787413.25
4Peter SvidlerRUS27583.511.5
5Veselin TopalovBUL2785311.25
6Dmitry AndreikinRUS2709310.75
7Shakhriyar MamedyarovAZE275739.25
8Sergey KarjakinRUS27662.58.5

Pairings for all rounds




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2014-03-20

Victory for Topalov and Mamedyarov in round 6 of Candidates 2014



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Photo taken from official website

Sixth round of Candidates 2014 finishes with victory for Topalov and Mamedyarov. Anand is still leading with 4.0/6 points.

Commentary of Round 6 games by GM Alexander Delchev

Topalov-Kramnik (1-0)
This game announces the big return for Topalov in the tournament. This is his first victory here in this tournament and his partial (at least psychological) revenge for the lost Championship match in 2006. Kramnik should be regretting missing the chance on move 10 to refute Topalov's opening experiment 8Be5... see game with commentary

Before the games analysis:
Topalov-Kramnik


Commentary of games from previous rounds

Results - round 6

SNo.NameFEDRes.NameFEDSNo.
7GMAronian LevonARM½-½GMAndreikin DmitryRUS1
6GMAnand ViswanathanIND½-½GMKarjakin SergeyRUS2
5GMMamedyarov ShakhriyarAZE1-0GMSvidler PeterRUS3
8GMTopalov VeselinBUL1-0GMKramnik VladimirRUS4


Standings

NameFedFIDE EloPts.S-B
1Viswanathan AnandIND2770411.75
2Levon AronianARM28303.510
3Veselin TopalovBUL278539.5
4Vladimir KramnikRUS278738.75
5Shakhriyar MamedyarovAZE275737.75
6Peter SvidlerRUS275837.75
7Sergey KarjakinRUS27662.57.5
8Dmitry AndreikinRUS270926.5

Pairings for all rounds




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2014-03-19

Pre-game analysis Topalov-Kramnik in round 6 of Chess Candidates 2014



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Today in the focus of the attention not only as for the journalists as for the chess fans will be the game Topalov-Kramnik. Since their sadly famous match in 2006 which brings back the World Champion title to Kramnik, the Chess world has been separated. From one side are the Supporters of Kramnik who keep the opinion that it was really unfair for Topalov (better to say Danailov) to start the psychological war, and from the other side Topalov's fans whose opinion is that his champion's title was stolen by Kramnik dishonestly.

Since 2006 they have meet only occasionally in classical tournaments. Obviously, the organizers of the top level events avoid the heavy clash between them. For this reason and also for the reason that they just avoid each other they played only twice in Wjik an Zee 2008 and 2007: Topalov-Kramnik, Wijk aan Zee, 2008 and Topalov-Kramnik, Wijk aan Zee, 2007. The first game is very famous as Topalov mercilessly dismanted Kramnik with his fantastic novelty 12 Nf7 (prepared by Cheparinov). The game from 2007 was very reach as well but it finishes in a draw. Topalov is performing much bellow the expectation and his own wishes.

But today's game could weak up the beast in himself. I expect that he will try all his best to put Kramnik under pressure as it is his last chance to rise back in the tournament table. Against 1 e4 Kramnik will respond with the Berlin so I suppose he would start with 1 d4 going for the main line if Kramnik chose again the Viena game ( 4.. dc as he did against Anand in the 4-rt round.

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bxc4 Nxe4 7. O-O

Is the principal option recently in the peak of its popularity? It is used by many white players who opt for the uncompromised battle Cheparinov and Mamedyarov are the promoters of, among others. Look at Cheparinov-Meier EU-chT 2011 how dangerous is Cheparinov's treatment of this line from the match Bulgaria- Germany at the European team championship 2011.

Prediction on ChessBomb

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2014-03-18

Svidler defeats Topalov, and three draws in round 5 of Candidates 2014



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Photo taken from official website

After the fifth round of Candidates 2014 with three draws and a win of Svidler over Topalov, Anand is still in the lead with 3.5/5 points.

Commentary of Round 5 games by GM Alexander Delchev

Kramnik-Aronian (½-½)
Very interesting and eventful game which brings an infinite entertainment to us - the kibitzers and the big joy for the analysers. Kramnik once again proved he is an unpleasant examiner for Aronian who did past the test but with a mediocre grade... see game with commentary

Before the games analyses:
Svidler-Topalov
Kramnik-Aronian


Commentary of games from previous rounds

Results - round 5

SNo.NameFEDRes.NameFEDSNo.
1GMAndreikin DmitryRUS½-½GMAnand ViswanathanIND6
2GMKarjakin SergeyRUS½-½GMMamedyarov ShakhriyarAZE5
3GMSvidler PeterRUS1-0GMTopalov VeselinBUL8
4GMKramnik VladimirRUS½-½GMAronian LevonARM7


Standings

NameFedFIDE EloPts.S-B
1Viswanathan AnandIND27703.58.25
2Levon AronianARM283037.5
3Vladimir KramnikRUS278737.5
4Peter SvidlerRUS275836
5Veselin TopalovBUL278525.25
6Sergey KarjakinRUS276624.25
7Shakhriyar MamedyarovAZE275723.5
8Dmitry AndreikinRUS27091.54.25

Pairings for all rounds




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Before the game Kramnik-Aronian - round 5 of Candidates 2014 (by GM Alexander Delchev)



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Despite losing in the first round undeservedly to Anand (have a look what black missed on move 13.), Aronian did not lose his confidence and the fighting spirit. Soon he came back with the entertaining combination against Mamedyarov. Yesterday he managed to beat a well performing up to this point Svidler. After that Aronian caught up with Kramnik on +1.

The game against Kramnik is going to decide who will be the main pursuer of Anand who is meeting Andrejkin. But today Aronian unfortunately has black pieces and in his last tree black games against Kramnik he had hard times. Kramnik proved to be a tough examinator playing tree different first moves. In his game from a Tal memorial he opted for 1.e4 and the modest line of the Scotch games occured. Nevertheless, soon Aronian had severe difficulties but somehow he managed to escape (Cramnik-Aronian, Tal Memorial 2012, round 4).

In the decisive match between Russian and Armenian team at the Istanbul Olympiad, Kramink opened with his main 1.d4. Soon in an only slightly worse position Aronian committed an error and was immediately punished in a highly instructive way - look (Kramnik-Aronian, Chess Olympiad 2012, round 6).

In his game from 2013 from London Candidates tournament Aronian again had a big problems after 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 but finally he passed the exam (Kramnik-Aronian, Candidates 2013). You can see that Kramnik avoids the theoretical dispute and enters in a modest side lines, which consists however a little venom. Nowadays this is the unpleasant treatment of the first move advantage. Especially when the opponent has a narrow repertoire. Then you can even guess what position would happen and to prepare some slight improvement. This will bring at least an advantage in time because the opponent has to solve the problems over the board.

So I expect today a line which will not be an unusual one but it will be deeply analysed by Kramnik and his team. Will Aronian pass the test? Lets see...

1.c4 ( 1.Nf3 )

Prediction on ChessBomb

Prediction of Svidler-Topalov game

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Prediction for Svidler-Topalov game in round 5 of Candidates 2014 (by GM Alexander Delchev)



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After Svidler missed his chance against Kramnik, yesterday he was punished by Aronian. Has he lost his confidence after that? Or will he take revenge on Topalov, who is still looking for his first victory?

The fight between them is always very tense. In 2013 both games where Svidler had white pieces finished draw. In a 21-category Norway chess tournament Svidler opened with 1.e4 but escaped from a theoretical battle in Sicilian with the modest Bb5+.

Only a couple of weeks later they played in Thessaloniki Fide GP where the opening was a classical Queen gambit declined. This time Svidler entered in a theoretical dispute and after an exchange combination managed to achieve a better endgame. Shortly afterwards he committed a slight error and the draw again was inevitable.

If Svidler repeats his 1.c4 like against Kramnik in the third round, then Topalov will surely respond with his main repertoire - the reversed dragon. In his round 4 game against Karjakin, where white adopted a classical treatment, Topalov got a good position and soon even looked for more than an equality.}

1. c4 e5 *

Prediction on ChessBomb

Prediction of Kramnik-Aronian game

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2014-03-17

Two wins for white and two draws in round 4 of Candidates 2014 - results



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Photo taken from official website

Round 4 of the Chess Candidates Tournament 2014 finished with two draws and two wins for white. Anand is still in the lead with 3.0/4 points, followed by Aronian and Kramnik with 2.5 points each.

Commentary of Round 4 games by GM Alexander Delchev

Karjakin-Topalov (½-½)
Karjakin's choice of the opening came as a surprise for Topalov, who managed to disguise his feelings. Just as if nothing happened, he repeated his earlier games without being afraid of ghosts... see game with commentary

Commentary of games from previous rounds

Results - round 4

SNo.NameFEDRes.NameFEDSNo.
5GMMamedyarov ShakhriyarAZE1-0GMAndreikin DmitryRUS1
2GMKarjakin SergeyRUS½-½GMTopalov VeselinBUL8
7GMAronian LevonARM1-0GMSvidler PeterRUS3
6GMAnand ViswanathanIND½-½GMKramnik VladimirRUS4


Standings

NameFedFIDE EloPts.S-B
1Viswanathan AnandIND277036.25
2Levon AronianARM28302.54.5
3Vladimir KramnikRUS27872.54.5
4Veselin TopalovBUL278524.25
5Peter SvidlerRUS275823
6Sergey KarjakinRUS27661.52.5
7Shakhriyar MamedyarovAZE27571.52
8Dmitry AndreikinRUS270912

Pairings for all rounds




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Prediction for Anand-Kramnik game in round 4 of Candidates 2014 (by GM Alexander Delchev)



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Today's game Anand-Kramnik is going to be a tough exam for Kramnik. It seems that in 2008 in his preparation for the championship match between them Anand managed to find the key to him. I found out that Kramnik never won with black against Anand in a classical game. The margin between them is the overwhelming +6 for Anand who is now in a great shape and is a sole leader in the tournament with 2.5/3 Kramnik is still in his footsteps with 2/3 after the miraculous escape against Svidler in the previous round.

What first move will choose Anand for this important game?

A win today will seriously increase his chances to meet Carlsen again in a match revenge. Kramnik had problems equalizing against Svidler so Anand could try 1.c4 because Kramink probably did not have time to repair. Anand used often this trick in previous tournaments. But the most probable first move is 1.e4.

In Zurich 2013 he defeated Kramnik in his beloved Berlin (Anand-Kramnik, Zurich 2013, round 6) and in Anand-Kramnik, Corus, 2010 Kramnik did not succeed - in his other drawing speciality - Berlin defence. Besides it brought him victory in the first round against Aronian - (Anand-Aronian, Candidates 2014, round 1).

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2014-03-16

Anand a sole leader after Round 3 of Candidates 2014 - results and commentary by GM Alexander Delchev



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Photo taken from official website

Anand is the sole leader with 2.5/3 points after the third round of the Chess Candidates Tournament 2014.

Commentary of Round 3 games by GM Alexander Delchev


Topalov-Aronian (½-½)
After so many years of competition between them, Topalov decides to open the game with e4 for the first time. Aronian did not look surprised at all - he shows again the same hand: Marshall Ruy Lopez. I can only admire the persistence he has in playing over and over one and the same line because recently it brought him many painful experiences... see game with commentary

Svidler-Kramnik (½-½)
For the first time against Kramnik, Svidler opens with 1.c4. In 2013 he played twice 1.d4 and in both games he couldn't take advantage - in London Candidates Kramnik played the Improved Tarrash and in Alekhine memorial - Nimzo-Indian defence. Svidler has a good score against Kramnik. In 2011 he managed to beat him twice in Reti opening... see game with commentary

Mamedyarov-Anand (0-1)
in the first round against Topalov, Mamedyarov experimented with the rare 4.Nbd2 g6 5.e3 Bg7 and after the first inaccuracy 6.Bd3 c5 the initiative already passed to black's hand. But his move 4.Qc2 is another story. Mamedyarov is playing regularly this side line achieving remarkable success... see game with commentary

Commentary of games from previous rounds

Results - round 3

SNo.NameFEDRes.NameFEDSNo.
1GMAndreikin DmitryRUS½-½GMKarjakin SergeyRUS2
3GMSvidler PeterRUS½-½GMKramnik VladimirRUS4
8GMTopalov VeselinBUL½-½GMAronian LevonARM7
5GMMamedyarov ShakhriyarAZE0-1GMAnand ViswanathanIND6


Standings

NameFedFIDE EloPts.S-B
1Viswanathan AnandIND27702.52.75
2Peter SvidlerRUS275822.5
3Vladimir KramnikRUS278722.5
4Veselin TopalovBUL27851.52.25
5Levon AronianARM28301.51.25
6Dmitry AndreikinRUS270911.5
7Sergey KarjakinRUS276611.5
8Shakhriyar MamedyarovAZE27570.50.75

Pairings for all rounds




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2014-03-15

Prediction for the opening of Topalov-Aronian game in round 3 of Candidates 2014 (by GM Alexander Delchev)



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(Photo from ChessBase)

Happy birthday and good luck to GM Veselin Topalov today!


Well, Topalov-Aronian another tough game for Topalov, who is going to play with white again. Yesterday he couldn't pose any problems to exceptionally well prepared Anand, who didn't leave his opening preparation to the very end. Aronian is a suitable opponent, considering the fact that Topalov never lost with white against him in a classical game.

However, his last win was far back in 2008 (Nanjing 2008), followed by a series of four draws. In their last encounter in 2013 from the First round of the European Team Championship, Topalov having white opted for 1.c4. Soon Aronian eliminated all white hopes for advantage and in the end he was even thinking about more. In the other game from 2013 was Nimzovich defence (4.e3). Topalov forced the issue with early break d4-d5 but got nothing after the new move by Aronian which gave him an equal endgame.

Aronian opening repertoire is narrow but very well worked. His Berlin defence is nearly unbreakable,but he lost twice in 2013 in Antimarshall lines Against 1.d4. he is playing Queen gambit declined and Slav defence. Interesting and slightly unusual is the fact that Topalov never played 1.e4 against Aronian. Maybe round 3 is the right time, considering that in the first Aronian lost against Anand exactly in Ruy Lopez. Aronian is coming back on track after his easy win against Mamedyarov. It is just enough to recover the fighting spirit and his self confidence.

But in my opinion Aronian will choose something solid tomorrow. 1.e4 e5 is less possible and it shouldn't worry too much Aronian who will most probably play his beloved Berlin. 1.d4 would be the choice of Topalov and I am curious to see what he prepared during his five months absence from the tournaments.


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2014-03-14

Round 2 of Candidates 2014 - results and commentary by GM Alexander Delchev



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There is only one draw in the second round of the Chess Candidates Tournament 2014 which finished with wins for Kramnik, Svidler and Aronian, and a draw between Topalov and Anand.

Commentary of Round 2 games by GM Alexander Delchev


Svidler-Andreikin (1-0)
Andrejkin has a wide opening repertoire against 1.e4. In his last game against Svidler in the Russian Championship he played Berlin, but was outplayed in a highly instructive way... see game with commentary

Topalov-Anand (½-½)
To some degree I was right that Topalov will not start with his queen pawn. I was expecting 1.e4 more, but I like his choice. I wrote in 2012 a book about how to build an original opening repertoire with 1.Nf3 against all that Queen gambit oriented openings... see game with commentary

Aronian-Mamedyarov (1-0)
Lately Mamedyarov had good results with black against Aronian - he managed to drew both their games in 2013. In the first round Aronian lost undeservedly to Anand, so he needs a quick comeback. In the opening he came up with an interesting novelty (11.f4) which should have brought him a pull... see game with commentary


Commentary of games from round 1

Results - round 2

SNo.NameFEDRes.NameFEDSNo.
4GMKramnik VladimirRUS1-0GMKarjakin SergeyRUS2
3GMSvidler PeterRUS1-0GMAndreikin DmitryRUS1
8GMTopalov VeselinBUL½-½GMAnand ViswanathanIND6
7GMAronian LevonARM1-0GMMamedyarov ShakhriyarAZE5


Standings

NameFedFIDE EloPts.S-B
1Viswanathan AnandIND27701.51.5
2Peter SvidlerRUS27581.50.75
3Vladimir KramnikRUS27871.50.75
4Veselin TopalovBUL278511
5Levon AronianARM283010.5
6Dmitry AndreikinRUS27090.50.75
7Sergey KarjakinRUS27660.50.75
8Shakhriyar MamedyarovAZE27570.50.5

Pairings for all rounds




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Candidates 2014: Game commentary by GM Alexander Delchev



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GM Alexander Delchev (Photo: Wikipedia)

GM Alexander Delchev (FIDE rating 2638) has kindly agreed to provide for ChessBomb analyses of selected games from the Candidates Tournament 2014.

GM Delchev's commentary of games from Round 1:
Anand-Aronian (1-0)
Karjakin-Svidler (½-½)
Commentary of games from Round 2:
Svidler-Andreikin (1-0)
Topalov-Anand (½-½)
Aronian-Mamedyarov (1-0)
Commentary of games from Round 3:
Topalov-Aronian (½-½)
Svidler-Kramnik (½-½)
Mamedyarov-Anand (0-1)
Commentary of games from Round 4:
Karjakin-Topalov (½-½)
Commentary of games from Round 5:
Kramnik-Aronian (½-½)
Commentary of games from Round 6:
Topalov-Kramnik (1-0)
Commentary of games from Round 9:
Anand-Topalov (1-0)
Commentary of games from Round 11:
Kramnik-Anand (½-½)


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2014-03-13

Only one decisive game in round 1 of Candidates 2014



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The first round of the Chess Candidates Tournament 2014 finished with one win of Anand over Aronian, and three draws.

Commentary of Round 1 games by GM Alexander Delchev:
Anand-Aronian (1-0)
Karjakin-Svidler (½-½)


Results - round 1

SNo.NameFEDRes.NameFEDSNo.
1GMAndreikin DmitryRUS½-½GMKramnik VladimirRUS4
2GMKarjakin SergeyRUS½-½GMSvidler PeterRUS3
5GMMamedyarov ShakhriyarAZE½-½GMTopalov VeselinBUL8
6GMAnand ViswanathanIND1-0GMAronian LevonARM7

Standings

NameFedFIDE EloPts.S-B
1Viswanathan AnandIND277010
2Dmitry AndreikinRUS27090.50.25
3Vladimir KramnikRUS27870.50.25
4Sergey KarjakinRUS27660.50.25
5Peter SvidlerRUS27580.50.25
6Shakhriyar MamedyarovAZE27570.50.25
7Veselin TopalovBUL27850.50.25
8Levon AronianARM283000

Pairings for all rounds




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Official page: FIDE World Candidates Tournament 2014

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