Bilbao Round 6
Another victorious day for Magnus yesterday and a very exciting game!
Aronian deviated from his normal lines and after 14 moves they had the position of Gelfand-Kramnik in the Mexico City World Championship 2007.
Yesterday was an extremely warm September day here in Bilbao and driving to the round we had 34oC and high humidity. The round was delayed due to the malfunctioning air condition, and when the round started 35 minutes late, is was still very hot in the cube.
Magnus spent many minutes contemplating the continuation. In the end he went for a second pawn sacrifice with 15.d5! despite being unable to fully calculate all lines properly in the heat.
It is difficult to see that white has anything concrete, but with the lead in development and the strong bishop diagonals black obviously has to defend very accurately, and the computers give white good compensation for the material.
After the game Aronian said that he did not think d5 was very good and that he later thought black was clearly better and he decided to play for a win.
In fact, maybe this slight tendency to become too optimistic with his own prospects is his only minor weakness. Commentaries and computers generally thought black at best could play for a draw, white was never worse during the game despite the material imbalance. Black on the other hand is in constant danger as his king is trapped in the centre.
In beginning time trouble Aronian probably went wrong with both 25.....h4 and 27....axb4? which simply loses on the spot. Magnus again checked the lines and thought Aronian might have missed 28.Ra1! with winning threats.
Anonian played on a rook down as long as his b-pawn was alive but gave up well before the time control.
Despite the heat, spectators gathered around the cube and my young photographers chose to shoot from a distance.
Topalov was clearly better against Radjabov but before the time control the latter improved his position and in the equal endgame black was the one trying to win. It ended in a draw.
Ivanchuk-Anand was a relatively early and not very inspired draw having traded all pieces except a rook before move 32.
Consequently Magnus is in the lead after 6 rounds with 11 points followed by Topalov at 10!
Aronian is still third at 6 points with the other three now at 5.
On the nice boat trip Sunday my daughters took some pictures of the famous steel bridge out in Portogalete and also the posh apartment area by the seaside outside the harbour.
We're planning to visit one of the beaches if the weather stays warm.
Today Magnus has another white and faces Ivanchuk.
Irrespective of the results in the final four rounds we should all be happy about Magnus' performance in Bilbao, but let's anyhow hope to see another interesting game today!
Henrik Carlsen
Bilbao, September 9th, 2008
Aronian deviated from his normal lines and after 14 moves they had the position of Gelfand-Kramnik in the Mexico City World Championship 2007.
Yesterday was an extremely warm September day here in Bilbao and driving to the round we had 34oC and high humidity. The round was delayed due to the malfunctioning air condition, and when the round started 35 minutes late, is was still very hot in the cube.
Magnus spent many minutes contemplating the continuation. In the end he went for a second pawn sacrifice with 15.d5! despite being unable to fully calculate all lines properly in the heat.
It is difficult to see that white has anything concrete, but with the lead in development and the strong bishop diagonals black obviously has to defend very accurately, and the computers give white good compensation for the material.
After the game Aronian said that he did not think d5 was very good and that he later thought black was clearly better and he decided to play for a win.
In fact, maybe this slight tendency to become too optimistic with his own prospects is his only minor weakness. Commentaries and computers generally thought black at best could play for a draw, white was never worse during the game despite the material imbalance. Black on the other hand is in constant danger as his king is trapped in the centre.
In beginning time trouble Aronian probably went wrong with both 25.....h4 and 27....axb4? which simply loses on the spot. Magnus again checked the lines and thought Aronian might have missed 28.Ra1! with winning threats.
Anonian played on a rook down as long as his b-pawn was alive but gave up well before the time control.
Despite the heat, spectators gathered around the cube and my young photographers chose to shoot from a distance.
Topalov was clearly better against Radjabov but before the time control the latter improved his position and in the equal endgame black was the one trying to win. It ended in a draw.
Ivanchuk-Anand was a relatively early and not very inspired draw having traded all pieces except a rook before move 32.
Consequently Magnus is in the lead after 6 rounds with 11 points followed by Topalov at 10!
Aronian is still third at 6 points with the other three now at 5.
On the nice boat trip Sunday my daughters took some pictures of the famous steel bridge out in Portogalete and also the posh apartment area by the seaside outside the harbour.
We're planning to visit one of the beaches if the weather stays warm.
Today Magnus has another white and faces Ivanchuk.
Irrespective of the results in the final four rounds we should all be happy about Magnus' performance in Bilbao, but let's anyhow hope to see another interesting game today!
Henrik Carlsen
Bilbao, September 9th, 2008
Comments:
Posted by: Sam
Hi Henrik,
as always thanks for the insightful updates. Congratulations to Magnus on his win against Aronian; commiserations on his loss against Ivanchuk today. The games have been exciting to watch so far nonetheless!
Thank your daughters for the photos. They will make good photographers if they ever decide to pursue it as a career one day!!
All the best,
Sam.
as always thanks for the insightful updates. Congratulations to Magnus on his win against Aronian; commiserations on his loss against Ivanchuk today. The games have been exciting to watch so far nonetheless!
Thank your daughters for the photos. They will make good photographers if they ever decide to pursue it as a career one day!!
All the best,
Sam.
Posted by: joco
Hiya Henrik,
Thank you so much for keeping us informed on the goings on around the chess as well as the games themselves.
I am so enjoying your writing and photos.
Bit of a hiccup yesterday, but as you say, a marvelous performance overal.
Thank you so much for keeping us informed on the goings on around the chess as well as the games themselves.
I am so enjoying your writing and photos.
Bit of a hiccup yesterday, but as you say, a marvelous performance overal.
Posted by: ytzhak
Hi Henrik,
Congratulations for Magnus playings in Bilbao,
My son who's 11 is asking what has Magnus in his bottle... Orangina ? fresh orange juice ?? else ???
Congratulations for Magnus playings in Bilbao,
My son who's 11 is asking what has Magnus in his bottle... Orangina ? fresh orange juice ?? else ???
Posted by: Tassilo
"My son who's 11 is asking what has Magnus in his bottle... Orangina ? fresh orange juice ?? else ???"
Panoramix knows! -> fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panoramix
Panoramix knows! -> fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panoramix
Posted by: Tony
Good luck for the last three games Magnus!
Posted by: Tassilo
I have a suspicion what Magnus might play today :)
Let's see!
Let's see!
Posted by: Zarathustra
Heisann!
Løft ditt hode du raske gutt, imorra er det nye sjanser med mer krutt!
Mvh
Zarathustra
Løft ditt hode du raske gutt, imorra er det nye sjanser med mer krutt!
Mvh
Zarathustra
Posted by: Ricardo
Hello, first time poster.
I must say, what a great feeling it must be for Magnus to have his family FULLY support him. It must feel great being rated among the top 5 in the world with your family there. Anyways, just wanted to say thank you for this blog, its a real treat for chess fans but most of all fans of Magnus. This can well be the greatest player the world will ever see... but let's not remind Magnus as he has a lot of work to do. Tough luck today Magnus, you win some you lose some, but when these guys were your age they could only DREAM of playing the level of competition that your playing. Keep your head up, you have a loyal fan in Los Angeles.
Thank You
Rick.
(Sergey has nothing on you)
I must say, what a great feeling it must be for Magnus to have his family FULLY support him. It must feel great being rated among the top 5 in the world with your family there. Anyways, just wanted to say thank you for this blog, its a real treat for chess fans but most of all fans of Magnus. This can well be the greatest player the world will ever see... but let's not remind Magnus as he has a lot of work to do. Tough luck today Magnus, you win some you lose some, but when these guys were your age they could only DREAM of playing the level of competition that your playing. Keep your head up, you have a loyal fan in Los Angeles.
Thank You
Rick.
(Sergey has nothing on you)
Posted by: Martin (Freiburg)
And even if you lost the rest two games - who cares...! You're a rough diamond, and as such you only have one job: To keep on enjoying playing chess... :) The rest will turn out by itself.
Posted by: Tassilo
it is admireable that Magnus is nearly always going for the sharpest play possible in the last time.
Posted by: Thun
Nice blog but there seems to be a tendency to not post unless Magnus wins.
See 3., waiting for 4.... now we waiting for 9? :)
See 3., waiting for 4.... now we waiting for 9? :)
Posted by: Martin (Freiburg)
Thun, your remark suggests that the interest in Magnus' performance depends on whether he wins or not. Although I could easily step on your side, having posted a comment "despite" his last two games, I don't think your approach is appropriate. Of course, the fans adore Magnus for his chess abilities that often result in wins. But the interest is definitely not so superficial that the fanship of all is merely driven by seeking identity with Magnus' status as a "winner" (this is not the right place to express in which ways the interest in Magnus goes far beyond that). I think the somewhat scarce reactions to losses in contrast to his wins is a quite natural phenomenon. It most likely should even be interpreted as a reaction of respect! Magnus is seen as so objective, mature, and psychologically "pure" that a lot of people will understandably think that he himself will know best how to deal with losses, how to consider what went wrong, how to evaluate the unusual event of losing (twice in a row). I understand all those who don't want to bother Magnus with soothing comments, if they can't be sure, or even can't believe that he will need such comments. Tones of pity may make angry, be insulting or offending, and appear ridiculous if they are addressed to someone who (like Magnus) is seen as someone who perhaps or probably doesn?t feel (or think) in a corresponding way. In case one isn?t sure about that, on decides on better staying mute.
Still, there is a spark of truth in what you say, Thun. As a fan you should want to show that your fanship doesn't depend on seeing your idol winning all the time. That was the reason why I tried to post a helpful comment. But I respect that after losses it is generally just very much harder to find words which you think are adequate ? for reasons I just mentioned. I definitely don't think there is a decline of interest in Magnus after he lost games, it's just a natural blockade on the fans? side of not exactly knowing what to say and how. Btw, did you yourself find words addressed to the meaning of the losses for Magnus?
Still, there is a spark of truth in what you say, Thun. As a fan you should want to show that your fanship doesn't depend on seeing your idol winning all the time. That was the reason why I tried to post a helpful comment. But I respect that after losses it is generally just very much harder to find words which you think are adequate ? for reasons I just mentioned. I definitely don't think there is a decline of interest in Magnus after he lost games, it's just a natural blockade on the fans? side of not exactly knowing what to say and how. Btw, did you yourself find words addressed to the meaning of the losses for Magnus?
Posted by: Thun
Sorry Martin, it may have come across a bit blunt and harsh - it wasn't meant to.
I'd like to have an update irrespective though I do appreciate it is difficult at times.
I'm sure Magnus will be the next world champ, when chance!
I'd like to have an update irrespective though I do appreciate it is difficult at times.
I'm sure Magnus will be the next world champ, when chance!
Posted by: Pablo
Obviously, when Magnus is experiencing a 'downcycle' in his play that restructures the focus his father has on this blog. Henrik's number one priority now is of course to get Magnus back on his feet, a job that requires approx. 100% dedication for both of them.
Posted by: Monty Python
Looks like Magnus took 2nd place. He's also rated 3rd on the Live Ratings. Despite two losses in the second part, I think Magnus has good reasons to be satisfied with this tournament. I for one think Magnus did an excellent job. Congratulations!
Posted by: Arcor
Congratulations for the 2nd place and ? 70.000 price money! Btw Henrik, did some of the players also receive appearance fees?
Posted by: Tero
Well, being 4 points behind the world's number 1 (perhaps by giving that place to him after losing a single game) is not a real downcycle to me! Magnus is still +11 points up from last Fide calculations so he is doing quite fine job. The real question to me is how long he has to wrestle with the top-5 before he surpasses them. It is also a wonderful opportunity to learn for magnus while Topalov, Anand and others are still in good shape and not retired because of the old age! :)
I think Magnus should enjoy this moment while he still can.
I think Magnus should enjoy this moment while he still can.
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