EPTJust hope the fight for top spot becomes closer.
The Chess Thread - Page 108
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RKC
2848 Posts
Just hope the fight for top spot becomes closer. | ||
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M3t4PhYzX
Poland4244 Posts
Shame that JKD collapsed so badly.. but anyway, the last 5 rounds should be fire! | ||
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sharkie
Austria18624 Posts
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Jockmcplop
United Kingdom9798 Posts
On June 28 2022 17:58 sharkie wrote: I think chess would profit so much if they made a draw worth less than half a win. e.g. 2points for a win, half a point for a draw Something needs to be done, that's for sure. I'm not sure how this solution would work with the white/black imbalance at top level. The way it works currently is absolutely fine for pretty much everyone below superGM level. I know Magnus wants more focus on rapid and online chess. I think that would be a shame, as OTB classical tournaments are the best way to play for anyone under 2650. | ||
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RKC
2848 Posts
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0x64
Finland4609 Posts
On June 28 2022 17:58 sharkie wrote: I think chess would profit so much if they made a draw worth less than half a win. e.g. 2points for a win, half a point for a draw The real issue of draws, is during the World Championship Match and draw can have whatever value you want, it doesn't change the outcome. During the candidate tournament, there are draws, but it does not mean that the game are not interesting. It is the result that is not interesting on paper. Of course, some of the draws are not interesting, but you can see quickly that the player do not intent to take any risk. In the end, you can see why chess is a sport, and as player grows tired, they start to make more mistakes, take more risks. Nepo could hold vs Carlsen up to one point and finally collapse. The same is happening in this tournament. As an example, I think Nakamura's loss yesterday is due to lack of shape in tournament. | ||
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Jockmcplop
United Kingdom9798 Posts
Hikaru? | ||
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0x64
Finland4609 Posts
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RKC
2848 Posts
But I'm just not feeling so hot about Nepo. Players just keep overextending and blundering as White against his Black. What I like about Nepo is his intuitive fast play which puts opponents into time trouble (which, to his credit, is a strategy that forces errors out of the opponent key to his success). But I really dislike his conservative strategy of going for fast draws, and playing safe once in the lead. His approach to the game is resembling more like Karjakin - which can be rather frustrating and disappointing to watch as a neutral fan. I wish him all the best in Championship. And maybe he'll be able to change up his style and shift to a higher gear. But right now, I just don't see him as a World Champion that the chess scene deserves. For all his idiosyncracies and bad behaviour, one thing that Magnus never compromises is his passion to play for the win every freaking game. He pushes and pushes even in a losing position and on tilt. Maybe that's why he rates Alireza so highly (really in poor shape and mental state in Candidates, but have to credit his courage to play fighting chess). My biggest takeaway from the Candidates is that Magnus was right in feeling that the future of chess lies with the younger generation. Seems like time is up for Fabi, Ding, Hikaru... P.S. I really wish Stockfish or some AI would break this Berlin nonsense. It's as cancerous as late game SC2 ZvP. Maybe Elon Musk should raise a bounty on this... | ||
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sharkie
Austria18624 Posts
Carlsen might really not defend his title | ||
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RKC
2848 Posts
On one hand, Magnus has less to prep to cover facing a known opponent. But that also means he'll be more easily bored going through the same motions. Still, there's a chance that Nepo will change his whole prep approach and mindset. Beating Magnus after being crushed in the last Championship run would make a good comeback narrative. And I'm sure commentators can make a lot chatter around the rematch and build the hype. But all still depends on Magnus showing up. Really hard to see him getting motivated for another rematch. He may even want to abdicate his throne and fight back his way through Canididates in the next cycle, just for kicks. Almost like hitting a hard reset. Knowing how principled and funny his mind works, that won't be at all surprising. | ||
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0x64
Finland4609 Posts
He will be negotiating with fide for the format and money he wants. Motivation is not the issue. If he wants something else than drawn games, he is welcome to select his lines accordingly. The level of chess has become incredibly high on the openings and early midgame. Somehow, the game always find a way to evolve and reset. There have always been a Tal, Fisher, Alekhine, to appear and stir up things. Is this Alireza? Or Praggnanandhaa? Magnus will fade out but he still has 5-10 good years, if he can keep the work. | ||
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RKC
2848 Posts
Is it so important to keep up the tradition of 1v1 match to decide the World Champion? If so, then we should have a BO20+ series like in the old days and not the shortened format (with blitz and rapid??) where whoever wins the first match will likely win the whole series (hence players are more defensive and keep a tight reportoire of openings). The current format just feels like one-game World Cup football final match (instead of a 7-game NBA final series). At the end of the day, Magnus just feels that it's a waste of time and energy to devote 6-9 months to prepare against a single opponent every 2-2.5 years in the current format (which is not even truly epic in the traditional sense). A lot of sacrifices have to be made, like missing out on tourneys and hiding openings. I'm not Magnus or a pro in any sports, but I can't imagine any sports pro would relish such an experience. And whilst that may seem rather arrogant of Magnus to be essentially saying "All you chobos ain't worth 6-9 months of my life except if you're Alireza, Ding, or some new kid on the block that I haven't beaten like 100x times before", that just shows his passion for the game and life (playing chess as freely and fun as possible while winning like a boss). | ||
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0x64
Finland4609 Posts
Magnus does not need to hide and prepare for 6-9 month. | ||
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sharkie
Austria18624 Posts
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Sbrubbles
Brazil5776 Posts
Man, that means Hikaru was *this* close to competing for the title. | ||
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Lysteria
France2280 Posts
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Jockmcplop
United Kingdom9798 Posts
On July 21 2022 17:36 Lysteria wrote: It's really not surprising considering even 10 years ago, he refused to compete for the World Championship (or was it to play the Candidates, it's been a long time) because of disagreements with the overall system. It's only with the next cycle that he accepted, qualified and beat Anand. It must kinda suck having to prepare half the year for a single match every single year. I'd love to see him play the candidates next year anyway. | ||
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Lysteria
France2280 Posts
It's pure speculation of course but my guess is that he probably wants chess to look more like the Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour, lots of events with different time formats. | ||
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RKC
2848 Posts
On July 21 2022 18:43 Lysteria wrote: It's every two years, and that was one of his initial problems with it, the process takes too long and the champion doesn't necessarly represents the strongest chess player. I'd absolutely see him play the Candidates though yeah, it fits him. It's pure speculation of course but my guess is that he probably wants chess to look more like the Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour, lots of events with different time formats. I'm a big fan of the chess tour. It's dynamic, and inclusive. Gives a lot of young and up-and-coming player to shine. So much for people accusing Magnus for playing mind games on the Candidates players or pressuring FIDE to accede to his demands. Magnus has always been rather transparent and blunt about his views. Not all his views are sound, but he's a man who sticks to his principles. Sad that Magnus is abdicating his throne. But definitely Ding v Nepo will be a more even and entertaining matchup than another Magnus v Nepo. Of course, Hikaru finishing second instead of Ding would've made up for the hype and revenue loss of Magnus. | ||
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