Matches

  • Daaim ShabazzMay 24, 2012
    2 9

    WCC2012-10: 25-move draw! Tiebreaks?

    There were lots of groans after the tenth game of the 2012 World Championship. Both Viswanathan Anand and Boris Gelfand agreed to a draw in 25 moves in a position that seemed to beg for more examination. Anand went back to 1.e4 and after 1…c5 2.Nf3 Nc6, he played the…

    Read More »
  • Daaim ShabazzMay 23, 2012
    4 1

    WCC2012-9: intense fight… still level

    The second half of the World Championship match started with two decisive results and today the world witnessed an elegant ebb and flow with white pressing for a win. In the end, the world champion set up an impenetrable fortress and a draw was agreed in 49 moves. Game 9…

    Read More »
  • Daaim ShabazzMay 22, 2012
    2 11

    WCC2012-8: Anand evens score!

    Wow. Six straight draws and now the second decisive game. With Boris Gelfand winning game seven, many felt he would play solidly and merely try to hold with black. Instead Gelfand went into a wild tactical line and made a huge oversight. Let’s recap. With the match running short and…

    Read More »
  • Daaim ShabazzMay 21, 2012
    0 4

    WCC2012-7: Gelfand breaks through!

    Boris Gelfand finally broke the spate of draws. The finish was impressive.Photo by Alexey Yushenkov. With six draws in a row, we are now pass the “feeling out” phase and now the fireworks should begin… and it did. Boris Gelfand got on the scoreboard for his first win in a…

    Read More »
  • Daaim ShabazzMay 21, 2012
    0 4

    WCC2012-6: Six Games… Six Draws

    Gelfand trying to find a way.Photo by Alexey Yushenkov. Not much in today’s game, but there was an interesting pawn sacrifice after 14…O-O 15. Nxd5 Bxd5 16. Bxd5 Nxd5 17. Rxd5. White immediately gave the pawn back after 17…Rac8 giving black adequate compensation. Gelfand stated that he did not attempt…

    Read More »
  • Daaim ShabazzMay 21, 2012
    0 17

    WCC2012-5: Drawish Sveshnikov?

    GM Evgeny Sveshnikov did not like Gelfand’s handling of the opening named for him. Photo by Alexey Yushenkov. Viswanthan Anand may have sensed the mood of the match and the environment and essayed his former life in 1.e4. Boris Gelfand countered with 1…c5 entered the combative Sveshnikov variation. This meant…

    Read More »
  • Daaim ShabazzMay 16, 2012
    0 3

    WCC2012-4: Players joust to 4th draw

    In this game, Gelfand nursed a “symbolic” advantage but was unable to make much of it. Right before the first rest day, Anand and Gelfand scored another draw and will try to come up with a strategy to create greater winning chances. The games have had their moments and tension,…

    Read More »
  • Daaim ShabazzMay 14, 2012
    0 3

    WCC2012-3: Near Miss for Anand

    Game three was certainly a crowd pleaser! After complaints of the first two games, this game showed that the “feeling out” process is over. Photo by Alexey Yushenkov. After weathering the storm of Boris Gelfand’s assault, World Champion Viswanathan Anand was pressing for the win with his extra pawn. Unfortunately,…

    Read More »
  • Daaim ShabazzMay 12, 2012
    0 1

    WCC2012-2: Tense struggle… still drawn

    Viswanathan Anand preparing for battle. Photos by Alexey Yushenkov. GM Yasser Seirawan, who is competing in the U.S. Championship, was asked by commentator WGM Jennifer Shahade his view of the World Championship. He stated that he hoped there would be more excitement and noted that both games were drawn and…

    Read More »
  • Daaim ShabazzMay 11, 2012
    0 9

    WCC2012-1: Match starts with Draw

    There certainly will be no personality clashes in this match since both Viswanathan Anand and Boris Gelfand share deep respect for one another and have been on friendly terms for more than a decade. However, expect hostilities on the board. Viswanathan Anand is about to face Boris Gelfand’s Grunfeld Defense.Photo…

    Read More »
Back to top button