Amazing game!
Aronian v Nakamura. Great game.
average duaration of games for amatures below 1000 -25 average amatures above 1000 30 non IM/GM 40 IM/GM 45 Elite (2700) 50+ thats what I've noticed over the years.
40...Qa4 was the blunder! Naka needed keep the pressure on the f2 pawn for a draw.
Did Naka think all he can play for from there is a draw? Houdini called the game level. And after Qa4 it gives Aronian less than half a pawn. Hard to call Qa4 a decisive blunder.
I doubt we'll see Carlsen in a world championship match, since he believes the world championship should be decided in a tournament.
I give the game without any commentary -- Naka plays a Dutch Defense Leningrad variation (g6) -- the game turns on Aronian's brilliant mid-game asymmetry...
Well -- what looked to me like Aronian's: "brilliant mid-game asymmetry," the Queen for R+B exchange -- turns out according to Lev's post-game statements to have been him playing rather dubiously -- this takes a little of the luster off the sac, but it certainly speaks well of his fighting spirit and creativity to turn it into a win!
Aronian vs Carlsen is a world championship match I expect to see someday, and the main question is who will be defending the title. This game, hot-off-the-tata-steel press, shows Aronian in deadly form. I give the game without any commentary -- Naka plays a Dutch Defense Leningrad variation (g6) -- the game turns on Aronian's brilliant mid-game asymmetry...