The King of all games

[budd]

Yea, its over. Never heard of Nepo until this tournament, but he won the candidates tourney so he earned his shot, but does look a little overmatched. Carlsen took him into unfamiliar territory and he didn't seem to know what to do. He was asked about spending so much time away from the board, he replied he got used to playing like that during the covid restrictions, there's a big board on a big screen in the players rooms with couches.

[RFalvo69]

ORIGINAL: budd

Yea, its over. Never heard of Nepo until this tournament, but he won the candidates tourney so he earned his shot, but does look a little overmatched. Carlsen took him into unfamiliar territory and he didn't seem to know what to do. He was asked about spending so much time away from the board, he replied he got used to playing like that during the covid restrictions, there's a big board on a big screen in the players rooms with couches.

Nepo lost when he blundered away a pawn like a 800 level player. After that he lost interest, the will to fight and even composure. At least he admitted in the press conference that today's performance was below GM level.

Honestly I like Caruana much more. He is very humble and his analysis on the Chess.com channel is always interesting and on point. In 2018 he tied 6 - 6 with Carlsen, BTW, losing only after the "Rapid tie-breaker" - which I put on the same level of the penalty shoot-out in Soccer. I would have loved to see a rematch.

[OnWargaming]

Still 6 games to go but without a quick win by Nepo in the next two games I would say it is over too.

For the next match my bet would be Carlsen-Firouzja, this Iranian guy is really really good.

[RFalvo69]

So, Nepo blundered away both the game and the championship with a single move. Even Carlsen looked stunned. Even worse, Carlsen was under time pressure, Nepo wasn't. No need for him to rush. This only continued the trend of moving too fast.

Ironically, it was Carlsen that once said "The risk for a chess player is to sweat for five hours only to waste everything with a single mistake". For sure he does seem to follow his own advice. With this game Nepo demonstrated what happens when you don't.

Caruana once again was very entertaining and to the point on Chess.com. His "mate-combo" at the end was a thing of beauty. Of course Carlsen didn't need it but it would have been funny to see it on the board.

I don't know if the remaining matches are worth watching. For sure this Championship was quite disappointing...

[terje439]

ORIGINAL: RFalvo69

For sure this Championship was quite disappointing...

Not sure I agree as a norwegian, but I see your point.
That being said, atleast this time around there has been something happening, the last two championships were imo dull. remis-remis-remis-remis into shorter time games where Carlsen is an even bigger favorite.

If Carlsen win this one, and the next championship he will be tied for most times as champion, and further cement his position as one of the best chess players ever.

BUT. Carlsen 2021 is nowhere as sharp as he was when he first won the title (despite playing the "most precise game" against Nepo this time around).

Also, not sure the "most precise game" thing is a good thing for the championship, to me it shows how the game is now overanalyzed which leaves less blunders etc. It has now gotten to a point where they could almost say, "so I opened with Sicilian and you countered with Kings Indian, so we both now that at move 23 the positions will be like this, agree?".

[RFalvo69]

ORIGINAL: terje439
If Carlsen win this one, and the next championship he will be tied for most times as champion, and further cement his position as one of the best chess players ever.

I think that he already has. In yesterday's game he blundered with the King's Knight but this just showed his ability to recover. Ironically, Nepo's blunder in game 8 was smaller but he fell apart. Yesterday he gave away a piece but battled until the end.

BUT. Carlsen 2021 is nowhere as sharp as he was when he first won the title (despite playing the "most precise game" against Nepo this time around).

I didn't follow that Championship so I can't comment. However Carlsen, here, looks very mature and precise. I admire how, even when there is an obvious move to be played, he covers all the bases first and checks everything (not doing this is what is dooming Nepo, BTW).

Also, not sure the "most precise game" thing is a good thing for the championship, to me it shows how the game is now overanalyzed which leaves less blunders etc. It has now gotten to a point where they could almost say, "so I opened with Sicilian and you countered with Kings Indian, so we both now that at move 23 the positions will be like this, agree?".

I don't know. Everybody hates "engines", but engines are showing how previously not considered lines can actually lead to some strong result. From the games I'm seeing, usually by move 9-10 you see something new on the chessboard.

Re: "precision", I never delved into it but my guess is that it is tied to you opponent's level. I played games on Chess.com with 95+ "precision" and I'm 1000-1100.

[RangerJoe]

I have not played chess in years but it is an excellent game where young and old can play, no matter what their skills are.

[budd]

And it's over. Haven't had a chance to run through the game yet but Queen vs Rook ending.

[RFalvo69]

Game over. Nepo could have tried for a draw in game 11 but no need to prolong the agony.

Ah, well, at least "chess is in the air". Between "The Queen's Gambit", the pandemic (which boosted sites like Chess.com) and some intangibles, they are enjoying a peak in popularity.

I was thinking about a skitch where people "comment" on Advanced Squad Leader tournament games the way they commented this tournament on the Chess.com YT channel [:D]

[OnWargaming]

Yes, I think in the last game there was a semi-intentional blunder by Nepo, until the first loss they have been great games anyhow.

See you on summer '22 for the Candidates Tournament (my bet Alireza Firouzja).

[OnWargaming]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

I have not played chess in years but it is an excellent game where young and old can play, no matter what their skills are.

And usually the youngsters win pretty easily [:D]

[OnWargaming]

ORIGINAL: RFalvo69

I was thinking about a skitch where people "comment" on Advanced Squad Leader tournament games the way they commented this tournament on the Chess.com YT channel [:D]

Well, 50-60 years old men pushing counters...we need a couple of international star playing wargame [:D]

[RFalvo69]

ORIGINAL: OnWargaming

ORIGINAL: RFalvo69

I was thinking about a skitch where people "comment" on Advanced Squad Leader tournament games the way they commented this tournament on the Chess.com YT channel [:D]

Well, 50-60 years old men pushing counters...we need a couple of international star playing wargame [:D]

Nah, something for the forum crowd, like:

HESS: The Germans should do a fire group and Prep Fire from F6, G6 and H5. It is the only way to reach 16 FP on the IFT against H7.

(arrows appear on screen to illustrate the idea)

CARUANA: Yes, but then you lose the H5 move against I7. The Germans are in turn constraint; they need to clear I7 as fast as possible.

RENSCH: For the Americans distracting this southern group with their only M4A1 was a key move, even if it is now a wreck...

HESS: ...As we were saying. Keeping your AT gun fixed when you can have a tank in your sights seems a no brainer, but moving that 88 would have been so useful now...

(other arrows and a circle...)

HESS: ...Here. You see?

RENSCH: There will be some questions about that 88 in the press conference, no doubt...

[terje439]

Carlsen stated yesterday, that unless Firouzja wins the next candidates tournament, he will not defend the title next time around.