Kramnik set to win London tournament
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
All Kramnik needs to do is draw tomorrow with the White pieces against Aronian and he will be mathematically uncatchable in the race for first prize. It does not even matter whether Carlsen wins with Black against Short…such is the tie break.
The tournament has been excellently organized and run. It has been a pleasure to follow it: the live games and the animated –and often colourful commentary–have worked miracles. John Saunders’ daily reports were both informative and entertaining. Well done, folks!
But whatever happens tomorrow, this tournament is a big disappointment for the english fans: Adams has been having the worse tournament of his life; Howell is learning that getting invited to super-tournaments is not always what it seems; and Nigel Short is just embarrassing himself! Simply put: Nigel should have remained the commentator instead of also moving the pieces….
SHORT: UNRECOGNIZABLE
Nigel’s failure has been, however, Luke McShane’s success. The youngster has been fighting for first prize and a win tomorrow will be enough to register the best result by an English GM in almost a decade.
The 7th round encounter between Nigel Short and Luke McShane featured a Kings Gambit that seemed to go wrong for White right from the beginning. I really enjoyed Korchnoi’s naked commentary on Nigel’s play in the this game (video below).
POSITION AFTER WHITE’S 7th MOVE (7.g3?!)
McShane
Short
”Nigel Short is playing like a beginner…”
Viktor Korchnoi, commenting on this move