Sinquefield Cup 2014

Anyway, it's blitz. It's not obvious to me how to promote the pawn although I'm taking a look as cursory as alejandro did. People get under pressure -- it happens. You have to look at the big picture -- for every one of these situations there are probably tons of times where it doesn't happen.

Yeah, and it's not as if I never screw up positions I technically should never screw up...

GMs are only human too... I guess the positive side of it is we all have hope

There's an old saying in Tennessee... I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee.   It says, fool me once... shame on.... shame on you.  Fool me...

Fool me can't get fooled again!  -- Former President Bush.

Oh and the nice thing about seeing GMs play is they play by the damn rules

Ok what I mean is that I encounter even masters that make their move before I hit the clock to finish my move; and also, they move the piece with one hand and hit the clock with the other which is against the rules. Then again, I used to do the latter as well inadvertendly -- but it's something people need to learn. I like how the GMs don't try to sneak in a "fast" move before the other guy hits the clock despite how fast they have to move, and the fact that they could probably get away with it. It's this strange feeling of gracefulness and respect despite such a chaotic time scramble.

I agree with some of the earlier post about Maurice Ashley interviews. I find that he is annoying and condescending to the player sometimes. He knows he will never be that strong. I also find some of the questions are just silly for instance are you going to play for a win. 

I’d just like to say a huge thank you to Yasser Seirawan, MauriceAshley, Jennifer Shahade and to all the people at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis for bringing such quality entertainment into my personal living space.

michael432000, I agree with you!

Reaching a miraculous 2/3 prediction score for round 9 it's time to end this with 3/3.

Caruana's drawing streak may continue with black against Aronian. The latter is having a terrible tournament but is white and good enough to just force a draw if he wants to, and Caruana will be happy to finish with a draw: 1/2-1/2

Nakamura vs MVL is a chance for Nakamura to finish this on a good note after last round's miracle save, and catch MVL in the tournament table. I think he will: 1-0

Topalov vs Carlsen feels like the game of the round, with two players that have improved their play towards the end of the tournament and will decide second place between them here. I don't think Topalov will get his first win against Carlsen in six years, but that Carlsen will get a slight advantage somewhere, not enough to win but enough for sole second: 1/2-1/2.

I do agree. There is two things which I think they should have done, but they got some time left to do.

First is, to talk about the upcoming (or not upcoming) World Championship Match.

Second is to talk about the upcoming (or not upcoming) Tal Memorial.

There must be some information circuiting around there with all these guys in St. Louis.

It just goes to show that the things amateurs like to spend time on aren't really all that necessary to become a chess master.   Stop reading 20 books a year and fooling yourself that you're getting better.  This is chess, not Jeopardy.

lol

I especially enjoy Maurice Ashley's commentary.

"This is good old-fashioned 'Take-him-behind-the-barnhouse-and-give-him-a-whoopin' chess here!"

That just cracked me up!

"Going wrong", had that been the character of the posts, would indeed not have been refuted.

""Going wrong", had that been the character of the posts, would indeed not have been refuted"

So what was the character of the posts?

What you said was:

8.5/9 :-)

...which was indeed refuted ;).  No biggie.  You like to poke at American players...not an uncommon stance.  I just thought you should have given both Aronian and Nakamura some credit, to be fair.

"What you said was:

8.5/9 :-)

...which was indeed refuted ;). No biggie. You like to poke at American players"

That was around when Caruana had his +15 position, that Nakamura mentioned in his tweet, and does show that it's easier to predict after the game :-) I always like to follow Nakamura in tournaments though, he may not be a nice guy of the same sort as Leko or Svidler, but I do like him considerably more as a chess player and hope he will get back to normal shape soon. 4-0 against Anand and 5-3 against Kramnik are numbers worthy of much respect, especially since he always is black against Anand and still has won the last three.

No do not get me wrong Maurice analysis and wit is funny but his questions when interviewing the players is what do not care for. Many GMs have bad tournaments. I think Naka will be fine, he is still a top 10 player.

They are saying Carlsen Topalov can't do a draw by repetition.  ??

edit:

Arbitor let them draw.  As he should. 

How did the games go?

Or how are they going?