2015-01-24

Tata Steel 2015: Round 12 with commnetary by GM Delchev



Watch LIVE Tata Steel 2015 with computer analysis: MASTERS | CHALLENGERS

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Photo by Alina L'Ami: Official website


Our distinguished commentator GM Alexander Delchev provides live commentary on selected games of TATA STEEL Master 2015.

Round 12: Giri - So
So is having an almost perfect tournament so far, and I hope for a big clash today. His first move 1. c4 is an invitation to English opening, which So refused with 1... e6. The same he did against Carlsen in round 1 when the game later transposed to Nimzo-Indian defence ... See more

Round 6: Caruana - Carlsen
Game of the tournament! The World Champion meets his most advanced rival and Top 2 in the rating list Caruana, who is most probably one of the next contenders for the chess crown. Both players are in the group with +1 and it depends on this game who will challenge the sole leader Ivanchuk on +3. Carlsen is in a series of two consecutive wins, while Caruana lost yesterday against Wojtasek... See more

Round 4: Ivanchuk - Vachier-Lagrave
Today in round 4 we have two games in which the tournament leaders with score +2 Ivanchuk and Caruana are meeting the challengers with +1 Vachier-Lagrave and Wesley So. I chose to comment the game between Ivanchuk and Vachier, as I think Ivanchuk is showing interesting chess and this game will be the most exciting of today's games. In Ivanchuk's game yesterday against Van Wely, a white storm was trolling over the board. In Sicilian defence he as white chose the rare system with f4 and Qe2. Soon black lost control and Ivanchuk scored a nice victory with an amazing domination of white pieces over the whole board. Hope we enjoy another great performance of him today!?... See more

Round 3: Giri - Caruana
Giri had to play Carlsen, Aronian and Caruana in the first 3 rounds - quite a tough start. While against Carlsen he didn't get advantage and soon a draw was agreed, his game yesterday was quite hard - he managed to save the endgame with different colour bishop being two pawns down. I believe today his game against TOP 2 Caruana will be the most important and eventful game of the day... See more

Round 2: Carlsen - So
Today Carlsen will face another young star - the winner of the First Millionaire tournament who recently entered in TOP 10 - Wesley So, originally from Philipines. In his first round game of So against Wojtaczek, on the 57 move in a very sharp position both players blundered and So missed his chance to win. Actually, it is the first game between So and Carlsen, so lets see what approach Magnus will choose ... See more


Round 1: Giri - Carlsen
After a monstrous performance in Qatar (7 wins, 6 of which in a row ) and a solid + 1 in London, Giri moved to #7 in Top January List. He is fighting for first place here and his age of 20 is giving him slight advantage in this 13 round event. In the first round he catches Carlsen with white and it can be the perfect start for Anish. As I remember, in 2013 Giri prevailed against Carlsen in the last round, so naturally Magnus will be eager to take revenge. Anyway, the score between them is about equal in Classic... See more