No big surprises in World Cup R2 tiebreaks; Ivanchuk says he’ll ‘leave professional chess’
26 November 2009, 22.48 CET | Last modified: 9:40 | By Peter Doggers | Filed under: Reports | Tags: World Cup
In the World Cup in Khanty-Mansiysk, many of the higher-rated players went through to the third round in today’s tiebreaks of round 2. Leinier Dominguez however was eliminated by Fabiano Caruana. But the biggest news might be Ivanchuk’s declaration yesterday that he’ll leave professional chess.
The FIDE World Chess Cup takes place November 20th-December 15th inn Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. It’s a seven-round knockout with six rounds of matches comprising two games per round. The final seventh round consists of four games.
| Round 1 (November 21-23): 128 players | Round 5 (December 3-5): 8 players |
| Round 2 (November 24-26): 64 players | Round 6 (December 6-8): 4 players |
| Round 3 (November 27-29): 32 players | Round 7 (December 10-14): 2 players |
| Round 4 (November 30-December 2): 16 players |
The time control is 90 minutes for the first 40 moves followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game with an addition of 30 seconds per move from move one. Games start at 15:00h local time (11:00 CET).
Tiebreak results round 2
Tiebreaks round 2
After a loss and a win in the regular games, Svidler easily set aside Nyback by scoring two smooth wins with White in the Ruy Lopez, and a draw in a Grünfeld. Ponomariov won two and drew two against Akobian; especially the first game with White was very impressive play by the Ukrainian.
Ruslan Ponomariov, without mouth mask, through to round 3
His compatriot Eljanov, who started his second round with a loss on Tuesday, eventually reached the third round today thanks to one victory with Black. This game unfortunately doesn’t seem to have been recorded till the end.
Also staying in Khanty-Mansiysk a bit longer: Pavel Eljanov
Like his former compatriot, Karjakin reached the next round with three draws and one win. In game 2, a Bb5 Sicilian, he won the bishop pair thanks to a trick known from the 8.d4 Ruy Lopez and subsequently outplayed his opponent nicely. Interestingly, where half a point was enough, Karjakin played game 4 in very sharp style, following the unwritten rule ‘if you want a draw, play for a win’.
Sergey Karjakin, now one of the many Russians to go through
American Italian Caruana and Cuban Dominguez continued their interesting theoretical discussion in the current main line of the Exchange Grünfeld, which Dominguez kept drawing in this minimatch. The match was decided in game 2 in which Caruana used the Archangelsk Ruy Lopez to win with Black; the same variation used by Shirov. After what looked like an unnecessary loss yesterday, today the Spanish Latvian made clear who was the strongest in his match with Fedorchuk, winning three games in a row (the last in just 14 moves!).
Strong rapid chess by Alexei Shirov
Another very tight match was Vachier-Lagrave-Meier. After three draws, a very interesting King’s Indian in game 4 should also have ended in a draw, but Meier decided to continue with 35.Re2? which was just losing. Alekseev won two games and drew one against Fressinet while Tomashevsky defeated Khalifman by winning one White game.
'El Khalif', Alexander Khalifman, is out
Viktor Bologan was the slight favourite in his match against Cheparinov, and indeed defeated the Bulgarian. He was 1.5-0.5 down after two rapid games, but then won the last two. Polgar needed four rapid games and two blitz games to beat Nisipeanu.
Judit Polgar beats Nisipeanu in the blitz
Navara won two games against Shabalov and then got tricked in the opening to lose the third, but then the Czech held the draw with Black to qualify.
A funny and helpful advice - David Navara and his coach Vlastimil Jansa
On the tournament website already a number of interesting interviews have been published so far, but today a disturbing one was added. At yesterday’s press conference, apparently Ivanchuk announced that he’ll quit (professional) chess:
It has nothing to do with the number of games! Unlucky days started when I could not win Vladimir Kramnik in the finals of Memorial Tal. But I could. The real tragedy started then. I was so much unlucky at the Moscow blitz, as I have never been unlucky in my life. I blundered all possible pieces: queen, rooks, and pawns. At that blitz tournament I was as if I was thrown out of a saddle. And plus, I was losing.
To my mind I should leave the professional chess now. Chess becomes hobby for me from now on. As for the signed contracts, yes, I will play in all tournaments where I have to. Perhaps I will even participate in a tournament before the New Year. I should win SOMETHING! And that will be the end. No serious plans, no professional goals.
After the disappointing course of events in Moscow and Khanty-Mansyisk, it’s understandable that Ivanchuk suffers some sort of chess depression right now. And hey, he’s human too – finally fed up with chess for a moment. Let’s hope he’ll quickly take back his words and will play for many years more, because the chess world wouldn’t be the same without our beloved Chuky.
All photos by Galina Popova | courtesy of FIDE
Tiebreak games round 3
Game viewer by ChessTempo
Peter Svidler and Alexander Shabalov between games
Ray Robson, still in Khanty-Mansiysk, enjoying the tiebreaks
Erwin l'Ami is also still there; here with Aleksander Delchev
FIDE World Cup – Pairings & results rounds 2-7
Players in bold have reached the third round; players in italics have been eliminated.
| Round 2 |
Round 3
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Round 4
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Round 5
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Round 6
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Round 7
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| Shabalov (2606) | |||||
| Navara (2707) | |||||
| Navara (2707) | |||||
| Karjakin (2723) | |||||
| Karjakin (2723) | |||||
| Timofeev (2651) | |||||
| Sakaev (2626) | |||||
| Sakaev (2626) | |||||
| Radjabov (2748) | |||||
| Vitiugov (2694) | |||||
| Vitiugov (2694) | |||||
| Milos (2603) | |||||
| Cheparinov (2671) | |||||
| Bologan (2692) | |||||
| Bologan (2692) | |||||
| Morozevich (2750) | |||||
| Laznicka (2637) | |||||
| Laznicka (2637) | |||||
| Milov (2652) | |||||
| Mamedyarov (2719) | |||||
| Mamedyarov (2719) | |||||
| Wang Hao (2708) | |||||
| Wang Hao (2708) | |||||
| Ganguly (2654) | |||||
| Meier (2653) | |||||
| Vachier-Lagrave (2718) | |||||
| Vachier-Lagrave (2718) | |||||
| Yu Yangyi (2527) | |||||
| Yu Yangyi (2527) | |||||
| Bartel (2618) | |||||
| Amonatov (2631) | |||||
| Gelfand (2758) | |||||
| Gelfand (2758) | |||||
| Polgar (2680) | |||||
| Polgar (2680) | |||||
| Nisipeanu (2677) | |||||
| Iturrizaga (2605) | |||||
| Jobava (2696) | |||||
| Jobava (2696) | |||||
| Grischuk (2736) | |||||
| Grischuk (2736) | |||||
| Tkachiev (2642) | |||||
| Sandipan (2623) | |||||
| Jakovenko (2736) | |||||
| Jakovenko (2736) | |||||
| Rublevsky (2697) | |||||
| Areshchenko (2664) | |||||
| Areshchenko (2664) | |||||
| Sasikiran (2664) | |||||
| Bacrot (2700) | |||||
| Bacrot (2700) | |||||
| Wang Yue (2734) | |||||
| Wang Yue (2734) | |||||
| Savchenko (2644) | |||||
| Akobian (2624) | |||||
| Ponomariov (2739) | |||||
| Ponomariov (2739) | |||||
| Motylev (2695) | |||||
| Motylev (2695) | |||||
| Najer (2695 | |||||
| Li Chao (2596) | |||||
| Li Chao (2596) | |||||
| Pelletier (2589) | |||||
| Gashimov (2758) | |||||
| Gashimov (2758) | |||||
| Zhou Jianchao (2629 | |||||
| Caruana (2652) | |||||
| Caruana (2652) | |||||
| Dominguez (2719) | |||||
| Alekseev (2715) | |||||
| Alekseev (2715) | |||||
| Fressinet (2653) | |||||
| Khalifman (2612) | |||||
| Tomashevsky (2708) | |||||
| Tomashevsky (2708) | |||||
| Shirov (2719) | |||||
| Shirov (2719) | |||||
| Fedorchuk (2619) | |||||
| Nyback (2628) | |||||
| Svidler (2754) | |||||
| Svidler (2754) | |||||
| Naiditsch (2689) | |||||
| Naiditsch (2689) | |||||
| Onischuk (2672) | |||||
| Zhou Weiqi (2603) | |||||
| Kamsky (2695) | |||||
| Kamsky (2695) | |||||
| Ivanchuk (2739) | |||||
| So (2640) | |||||
| So (2640) | |||||
| Inarkiev (2645) | |||||
| Eljanov (2729) | |||||
| Eljanov (2729) | |||||
| Malakhov (2706) | |||||
| Malakhov (2706) | |||||
| Smirin (2662) |
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Ivanchuk quits??? Nooooooooooooh
1) Smooth win by Svidler? Nybäck declined repeating moves in the first rapid.
2) Cheparinov beat Bologan once – it must be wrong both on the official homepage and on Chessvibes.
“No big surprises in World Cup R2 tiebreaks; Ivanchuk says he’ll ‘leave professional chess”
Yeah right. If Chuky quits pro chess forever, Polgar will beat Gelfand in the 3rd round. Neither one is going happen.
Yes there are discrepancies between game scores and official reults.
In my opinion Bologan beat Cheparinov 3.5-2.5, not 4-2 as the 2nd rapid game was won by Cheparinov.
Also in Caruana-Dominguez their 2nd rapid games was supposed to be drawn and 4th won by Caruana. I think it was the other way around! Look at the positions.
So’s not even top 100. He can’t beat Kamsky. If Chuky quits pro chess forever, So will beat Kamsky and Polgar will beat Gelfand in the 3rd round. Neither one is going happen.
- Ivanchuk said at the press conference:
“It was not just a match, it was a crucial match. I am sure, from now on I should forget about any serious aims in chess (And) now chess is killing me. Chess is playing against me! Chess is destroying me! I would take it easy if my opponent would be much stronger than me, or he will be better prepared. But my loss was so stupid, it is a destiny sign, which screams: – Vasya, leave it, it is not your business.”
:’( I’m crying again.
Please don’t leave us Ivanchuk! ! !
Kamsky fan, of course your guy is the favorite in the next round. But given that Yu Yangyi (2527) beat Movsesian (2718), how can you be “so” sure that a rating difference of 55 points (2640 and growing vs. 2695) means it’s mission impossible for Wesley?
If your causal chain also works the other way, I keep my fingers crossed that So and Polgar win, and Ivanchuk continues as a professional chess player (maybe after taking a break of a few months).
Don’t quit Ivanchuk – you’re my favorite top-level GM!
Of course So can beat Kamsky and Polgar can beat Gelfand!
Go Gata!! Go Judith!!
Kamsky – Polgar is precisely the final match I’m rooting for, at this moment!
BTW, these two are the only matches (in 16) not involving players from Russia, China or Checz Republic.
Peter: Chess Journalism Oscar for this chart. I’ve been all over the English speaking chess news world, and while much good reporting exists, you *alas* are the ONLY one to show ELO’s, really powerful visual. Thank you for your labor of love.
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Daily I always never fail to visit you site.
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Best to all readers, and for any American readers, Happy Thanksgiving and safe travel for you and your families and loved ones. warmly, dk
In my opinion , it would be a real loss to the chess world if Ivanchuk retires…
I very much liked the bit that Pam quoted, where Ivanchuk says that chess is killing him. He´s just a genius, he´s so addicted to chess, he speaks about chess like a man platonically in love with a woman
But the official site is terribly translated, the last sentence in that part of the interview wasn´t “it´s not your business”, what he said would be translated as “Vasya, leave it, this is not for you”. I love Ivanchuk! I hope he wasn´t serious about retiring, he´s still playing some awesome games.
I have just read Ivanchuk’s interview on the official website. I think it was a bit discourteous of him to say: “In the second game I was trying to make a balance, but I missed something. My opponent, by the way, played very badly.” (unless the english translation is at fault). It seems he is saying, Wesley So did not win and did nothing to win. I, the great Ivanchuk, lost is all. Humbug!!! Yes, I know he is depressed and all but sheeeesh! grow up! and learn to be polite and gracious in defeat!
In my opinion, Ivanchuk underperformed only because he’s playing all the time. If he took a break for a half a year (as all top GMs do), he would definitely become one of the world top 5, where he truly belongs. It is not so hard to study your opponent for a long period of time and beat him in one game, as So did. But it’s another thing to play Tal memorial in the highest possible competition, finish second, play blitz world championship, move to Siberia and challenge one of the most talented young players.
In one of his recent interviews, Kasparob mentioned Ivanchuk as one of the players – alongside Anand, Kramnik and Carlsen – who truly understand chess. Without his presence, chess world would really lose one of its modern axioms. I hope his announcement is just an expression of a temporary bitternes, and not a final decision …
I hope Chuky will behave like all people madly in love who say they have to leave because their love is killing them- they end up calling their love again and telling him/her they are more in love than ever and that he/she should forget about the stupid things they said.
With other words:
I hope Chuky will call his girl chess again.
…in anyway retiring from PROFESSIONAL chess wouldn’t be enough, Chuky. You always claimed that titles and rating doesn’t have importance for you, so what difference would “chess as a hobby” make? If you’d do a blunder in a “hobby game” you would still run out kicking a wall out of pain, “professional” or not doesn’t matter.
You are a passionate person in everything you do, the occasional pain you feel is the price for this burning passion you have, it would turn out the same in other fields than chess (so even dropping chess completely wouldn’t work…you’d find something else to burn for).
Guys, my prediction:
Chuky will be in depression for now.
He says “I will only play the tournaments I signed a contract for anymore”.
He will win one of those tournaments with a tremendous result like 8/10.
…and this will make him go on again. He’ll say
“You know, I had a really bad year then and had made many blunders, so I felt really frustrated. But then I relaxed a bit, I had time to read poetry and when I played Corus I really was having fun. So I told myself I can go on for a while.”
the only thing sadder than seeing Ivanchuk get knocked out by So was reading that interview stating the heart breaking words I quit!” You’re no quitter Ivanchuk! You’re my hero! This format just isn’t your style! Please come back… second in Tal Memorial on +2 =7 with result in doubt even to the last moments of the last game with Kramnik!! 2008 Mtel Winner 2007&2008 Tal Memorial Champion. Continue to honor us with your games sir!!! We love you! Depression is normal… and I think anyone can agree the 2 game elimination is not your style. I have no doubt in a true match that So would be crushed and few players here at this World Cup could do better.
Anyways, of those left Go Shirov! Go Kamsky! With Ivanchuk gone… have to root for who remains!
I understand Ivanchuk’s disappointment – victory was within his grasp at Moscow and he faltered, he played badly in the World Blitz, and he should have been a favorite to at least make the finals at the World Cup with a chance at a $120,000 payday. Instead he loses to a kid (was it on time at move 39?) and goes home with $12,000. That has to be a blow to the pride of a guy who has been among the world’s elite players for nearly two decades.
Especially after Ivanchuk’s late-year swoon last year, where he dropped to barely 2700 and #30 in the world, and his great comeback in 2009, returning strongly to the top 10 and showing there is no one in the world who can dominate him, these three late-year setbacks again must be quite disheartening.
He’s had a frantic schedule for more than 2 years now; perhaps he will benefit from a break. But he’s not the type of guy to spend a huge amount of time worrying about what his opponents might do in the opening (which probably accounts for his worse results in matches), he is discovering his own new ideas (which also makes him virtually impossible to prepare for).
I think ChessGirl is right: Ivanchuk has devoted his life to his love of Chess, seeking sublime beauty over practical results for his whole career. It surely must seem to him as if his love has been unfaithful lately. I hope he changes his mind.
Forgive her, Vasily! You know in your heart she’s the only girl for you!
Ivanchuk, don’t quit chess!
We have a saying in French: “Ce sont toujours les meilleurs qui s’en vont.” (It’s always the best ones who go first), but I sure hope it’s not true. First Kasparov, then Ivanchuk… This is so unfair. Man, why can’t we have Danailov quit chess instead?
OK Ivanchuk, now that you leave pro-chess, you can take on another game like Chinese chess or poker, peut-etre you’ll be also a genius there. Or why not something more scientific? With your concentration you could be a mathematician or physics top guy, Ivanchuk’s next nobel prize. Goooo Chuckster rules!
I am with everyone who voiced their admiration for the great Ivanchuk. His love of chess has been a great inspiration for everyone who loves this game. He has been showing us why we ever continue to play this game. I agree that he just needs a break. I mean, how many games he has been playing past few years or so? I recall a nice picture from this site, Ivanchuk discussing chess with Anish Giri; he was in pure delight that expresses his love for chess. This man cannot go. He is frustrated by what he has a glimpse of but not quite capture, but he should know that he is loved by chess. He probably knows it himself; he just have to rest and remember it.
Let’s turn this thread into a petition to ask Ivanchuk to keep on playing, maybe after a bit of rest!!
Is this Chess Vibes or RomeoandJuliet.com?
What else could we expect from a Real Madrid supporter who usually plays chess dressed with a Real Madrid “beautiful” sweater !! On Sunday, he’ll be even more depressed because we’ll beat them 4-0. Please don’t criticize me too much, I know it’s not about football here, I was just joking ….
@Hippo, Muadhib
Thx, results and game scores corrected now.
Chuky wants to retire and he’s #9 in the live ratings!
“Sergey Karjakin, now one of the many Russians to go through [..]”
Karjakin represents Ukraine. How serious was his intention to change federations and was there any at all is still unclear. Some Russian journalists used to claim he will do it, while I’ve also seen Karjakins interview on some Ukrainian website where he claims that he has no such plans (it might be BS). But so far he hasn’t changed it and doesn’t seem to be eager to do it.
Ivanchuk is the Ronnie O’Sullivan of chess
@ Amos: I think you have missed some articles on the subject over the last six months, for example
http://www.chessvibes.com/reports/sergei-karjakin-i-need-to-train-with-good-coaches/
Amos:
The “interview” you’re referring to is just a very short article published on a ukrainian website, it is untrustworthy since Karjakin himself in a video interview with chessvibes stated he would play for russia in the future.
His second Motylev (captain of the russian team!) confirmed this in a recent interview to be found on the website of the actual world cup.
It’s all a bit confusing since in Bilbao earlier this year Karjakin played under the Russian flag, whereas now in K-M he plays under the Ukrainian flag.
I think the reason is : the world cup is an official Fide competition and there’s some strict regulation regarding the change of federation and representing one’s new country in official Fide competitions.
See http://www.fide.com/fide/handbook?id=19&view=category
So after Arne this is the second hero of mine who says he never will be world champion
So after Arne this is the second hero of mine who says he never will be world champion this week.
(offcourse it was a joke, but not such a good one it deserves to be posted twice, I hate those small netbooks)
@ siow, weng nian
Yeah, that´s not the translation´s fault, those ARE Ivanchuk´s words. He actually used the word “uzhasno”, which means “terrible”
‘Well, a certain Garry Kasparov retired when he was #1 in the ratings … might be interesting to compare the quantity and “quality” of emotional reactions between both cases.
BTW, if Ivanchuk should win the last GP tournament he still has a fairly realistic chance to qualify for the candidates event – all else it would take is Radjabov finishing no better than shared third. Would the candidates event then be another (the very last) contractual obligation?
The final GP tournament is “tentatively” scheduled for April 2010 – IF Ivanchuk is still serious about quitting professional chess at that moment he may not be able to motivate himself.
@Peter
You will need to correct once more
We were right that Bologan beat Cheparinov 3,5-2,5, and we were right that Caruana won the 2nd rapid game, but it turned out that he nevertheless won the 4th one too! So it was 4-2 at the end for him. At least thats what the official site says now.
But I’m still sceptic how Dominguez managed to run out of time with 10 second increment in such a simple position in 4th game. Thats beyond strange. It’s still just 3.5-2.5 to me.
In fact the game score says Dominguez still had one second in the final position, so for the moment I’ll leave it at this.
Many of us would miss the chess of GM Ivanchuck. However, if he feels like chess is “killing him” we should respect his need to quit.
As you think it over Mr. Ivanchuck please contemplate the following quote from Jeremy Silman: “If these well-intentioned but unimaginative people would unclench their buttocks for a moment, they might find that chess offers something else to it’s devotees other than the quasi-religious fervor that they grasp so desperately – these “extra benefits” are relaxation, fun and a chance to laugh at one’s own stupidity”.
Perhaps a little absence would make your heart grow fonder…
The only reasonable explanation I can find is frustration. Seeing that he is eliminated Dominguez might have let the clock run out or even resign. In a match situation a draw or a loss was one and the same for him.
Thats the only explanation why it could be 0-1 instead of 1/2-1/2
That’s for Ivanchuk is a sad news.
(((
amos check this out:
http://players.chessdom.com/sergey-karjakin/karjakin-chess-russia
Wow Mamedyarov is ON FIRE! If it weren´t for the fact that when he starts losing normally he just can´t stop, I´d think he would win this World Cup.
I hadn’t missed the news of his intentions to change the federation, but, as I said, I had also seen a contradictory information (though, I did have suspicions regarding its factual correctness. Steven is probably right – that article, despite claiming to cite Karjakin himself, was BS). I had also seen the document that grants Russian citizenship to Karjakin. But, quite some time has passed since then, and he still plays under the Ukrainian flag. This seems a bit strange to me. Besides, one can be a Russian citizen and still represent Ukraine.
Seems I had missed he played under the Russian flag in Bilbao. Are there photos of this?
Is Mamedyarov the person who lost a game in a few moves and complained the opponent getting help from computer?
picture of Karjakin with Russian flag :
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2422/3913200386_07aa8e710a.jpg
yes leigh against Kursnov
@Poek
you said it!, when Chucky (likr the Rocket) is ‘on’ he is the best player in the world without a doubt
but when hes not journeymen players like SoWhat can beat him…. and they are both characters in the game….unlike drones like Lego, Karayawn, Wang Dang You among many many more.
Suddenly it became somewhat clowdy over my dream finale Kamsky – Polgar!
Nice combination by Maxime V-L ! (After an equaly nice strategic lesson)
Ponomariov is taking steps… Watch out!
Go Gata!!
@ChessGirl – still a few rounds to go, but we might get the following scenario: all of Mamedyarov (World Cup winner), Radjabov (second in the GP) and Gashimov (organizer wildcard) playing the candidates tournament. And one of them would have to play against Aronian … .
Not Kursnov, Daniel, it was Kurnosov (Russian names can be tricky to remember sometimes
)
So beat Kamsky.
Re: Wesley So: You have to admire him for his play and also his honesty. He confirms what Ivanchuck said about his playing badly. And now he took down Kamsky. Increduble that he has no coach to speak of.
Great reporting Peter and the rest of the crew….I always check with Vibes first!