Comments on: Three draws in round 3 Linares

By: Behnam Alizadeh

Behnam Alizadeh — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:27:39 +0000

I think Boris Gelfand is not prepared enough for this tournament. Just take a
look at his game with Vallejo. I’m sure he was surprised by 25…Nd5.
Is he tired of playing chess?!
I guess he will finish the tournament at the lowest rank.
By the way, where is Mamedyarov? He is really a good talent.
He would have been an appropriate alternative for Gelfand.

By: Castro

Castro — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 22:16:39 +0000

@VladimirOo

There is no NEED whatsoever for ANY draw limitations, and specially no real EFFECT, besides easy fakes and manouvers, and draw anyway.
That’s why that kind of rules are a most shameful hypocrite showoff, moreover in a game like chess. It’s either embarassing or laughable!
(Also, in my opinion about what chess is, and ethically, the draw by mutual agreement simply MUST be completely free for the players to have. Don’t mess with the “venerable” features of this game. If “you” don’t like it, go play or follow other activity, or don’t call it “chess”, if “you” insist in forcing that kind of nonsenses)
Organize tournaments properly (chose players, prizes, enough rounds — specially in Swiss tournaments —, etc.) and draws will NEVER be a problem.

By: Rini Luyks

Rini Luyks — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:23:52 +0000

Yesterday I liked very much the passionate on-line (verbal!) comment by Leontxo Garcia on the game of his fellow countryman Paco Vallejo against Boris Gelfand.
Vallejo played the opening like a kind of Don Quixote and Leontxo didn’t stop rebuking him about it. After Paco’s queen sacrifice Leontxo became sad and silent and left the game without comment until the surprising draw at the end, when his enthusiasm became abundant again.
Delicious! Worth while to learn Spanish just for this!

By: jussu

jussu — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:09:17 +0000

I adore the live broadcasting system they use in Linares. First moves in Gelfand-Topalov are 1. Qc4 Bc6, while Gashimov played 1. d5, putting Arnian into deep thought.

By: Bert de Bruut

Bert de Bruut — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 08:17:11 +0000

On the scale of climatechange, thirty years is a day, so Linares beware for tomorrow, or next week…. There is no denying that desertifaction already rears its ugly head in Spain, albeit that agriculture so far plays the main part in it.

By: VladimirOo

VladimirOo — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 08:01:12 +0000

Instead of Sofia rules, which gives the possibility to offer a draw within a certain quantity of moves, then independently from the quality of the position, why not saying that the player can ask for a draw to the arbiter who then may accord it if he juges that the position SHOWS its sterility ?

In other words, let’s suppose that the arbiter is not a 2700, then it should be to the players to prove to “weaker” people the vanity of continuing the game : that would be a tremendous mark of respect for the public.

It does not imply necessarily to play a lot, but just to reach certains positions where there some established and theoretical draws. Then, it would be very instructive for the viewer for the comprehension of chess. And its respectability.

I like quite much Grischuk and Aronian’s first round ask to the arbiter.

By: Castro

Castro — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 01:24:23 +0000

“The Sofia rules for offering a draw apply in Linares for the first time”

The ridicule is indeed contagious. Let’s hope for better times…

By: irina

irina — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:23:56 +0000

LEVON-JANNNNNNN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ALL TIFLISIAN ARMENIANS ARE WITH YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: David Boersma

David Boersma — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:53:18 +0000

I wonder if 29. … a6 would have been a good move for black (Gelfand – Vallejo Pons). The bishop cannot take the pawn, because then the rook falls. But also 30. Rxd8 Rxd8 31. Bxa6 Nxb4 seems bad for white, black wins a piece. But it wasn’t played, I guess I’m overlooking something…