Who is Malakhov? Not listed in the world's Top Ten chess player..
He is the one who is closer than Wesley So to beat that streak and he is still a 27++ player, that what your topic is about, lol.
Ah I see...but let us also consider his opponents FIDE rating to be at 2600 and above chess players otherwise, malakhov can claimed even as high as 150 games being unbeaten if his opponents are kindergarten students of Kasspy...Lol
If Magnus wanted to draw and play it safe like Wesley does, I don't see how he could ever lose a game. Perhaps against some nutjobs like Topalov, maybe Aronian who sometimes outplays him, but he certainly wouldn't lose as often if he wouldn't be almost obliged to win every single game.
His opponents are obviously not as strong as So's, but there are still many GMs. And you consider players < 2600 kindergarden students, then Capablanca faced mainly kindergarden players in his legendary streak, damn. If you look at Tals opponents or Kramniks or Wang Yues who also had a 80+ game streak, none of them faced only top players and neither did So... Also 50+ games is too early to get hyped anyway.
His opponents are obviously not as strong as So's, but there are still many GMs. And you consider players < 2600 kindergarden students, then Capablanca faced mainly kindergarden players in his legendary streak, damn. If you look at Tals opponents or Kramniks or Wang Yues who also had a 80+ game streak, none of them faced only top players and neither did So... Also 50+ games is too early to get hyped anyway.
I have googled Malakhov's profile and he is indeed a promising chess player to be at the top GM level, however, So is age 23 and he is now the No.2 in the world. Your candidate I think he will not passed the requirements to join any super GM tournament in which the real test to surpass being unbeaten is to join any of this super GM tournaments....
Safe chess is also a merit to be considered. Brilliant defender can withstand opponent's who is playing white and a vicious attacker. Also, because of the modern age technology, GM are always equipped with tactical solution using cellphones or ipad to view anytime, therefore, when doing Tal's sacrifices, they are considered careless suicides today because often modern day chessplayers are constantly practicing what are the best move to counter such an effective sacrifices. Almost every hour of the day, Modern day GM's are constantly practicing and analyzing to find the best possible move to win in every tournament. Fortunately, USA players are highly well equipped with high-tech tactical tools to enhance their skills in chess.
Better be wise than to lose everything to a surprise counter of your opponent to tame your Tal's tactical sacrifices.
His opponents are obviously not as strong as So's, but there are still many GMs. And you consider players < 2600 kindergarden students, then Capablanca faced mainly kindergarden players in his legendary streak, damn. If you look at Tals opponents or Kramniks or Wang Yues who also had a 80+ game streak, none of them faced only top players and neither did So... Also 50+ games is too early to get hyped anyway.
I have googled Malakhov's profile and he is indeed a promising chess player to be at the top GM level, however, So is age 23 and he is now the No.2 in the world. Your candidate I think he will not passed the requirements to join any super GM tournament in which the real test to surpass being unbeaten is to join any of this super GM tournaments....
The record doesn't require FIDE cat. +20 tournament games only. That's your idea.
Besides, this thing of super tournaments only started with Kasparov and his demands. He was perfectly aware that him having a bad day, while an IM having the day of his life, could end in a resounding zero on the tournament table. It had been that way for all World Champions and top GMs prior to him. Thus he promoted the idea that only Super GMs could play Super Chess. Which isn't true.
The Logic here in this topics forum clearly shows to who are the list of your opponents to consider a chess player as the best being unbeatable at 100 chess matches...I am pretty sure it is so hard to withstand being active in most international tournaments with super GMs. and ends with a zero lose that even Magnus was surprised when he lose to Richard Rapport. Also, there are only few cases that a Super GM loses to IMs because of a terrible blunder and not to mention Wesley So's escape from a very bad position against R. Rapport...
@Reckoningcrew: A few cases? There are hundreds of cases. Tournaments weren't top only, but a mix of GMs, IMs and local masters. That changed with Kasparov. Your comments lead me to believe your knowledge covers the past 20 years only. You can check interzonals and olympiads results anyways.
About GMs training tactics all day long... where did you get that idea from?
In any case, the OP's question wasn't about diminishing others' achievements, which is what you're trying to do. If Malakhov gets 96 games, good for him, he gets the record. Simple.
Ok I stand corrected about the historical facts on GMs against IMs no. of win and loss records. However, in Malakov's case, I bet you if I am Malakov I will evade Super Tournaments with mostly world's top ten candidates not to blemish my record..Getting a 60 plus unbeaten record surely propel himself in the elite position to be invited in a Super GM Tournament considering he is active to participate in any international tournaments..
Regarding tactical tools, chess.com can provide you deep analysis with your on-line matches if you upgrade your membership....but with Wesley So and the rest of the US team, i do believe the computer engines used could provide hundreds or more variation considered accurate to provide you winning moves instantly..
Well, at 2715 FIDE Elo, I don't quite believe he plays 2400s all day long. See, there's this thing with chess pro players: They go where the money is. Records are cool, but don't pay bills.
About Malakhov's undefeated streak, well, I wasn't even aware of it, nor have I analyzed his games since 2009–2010. Nonetheless, at that level it applies what Kasparov said: At GM level, winning often is more about doing the unthinkable. In that sense, sure, you can tell So must be taking more risks since he's winning tournaments, top ones, mind you
Indeed, you can never be considered best if you don't play with the best...Chess has the best way to rank players...
I don't know what's all this nonsense about safe chess. From what I've seen Wesley So is brilliant at dynamic positional play. Sure he wont play bad nonsense to stir up trouble at the board, but when there's play Wesley exploits it beautifully. He's the only 2700 (well 2800 now) who can make me double take at his moves. Some of his pawn sacs for piece activity just blow my mind. Clearly you can't become #2 in the world just by playing it safe lol. If anything I'd say he's a slightly more aggressive Kramnik style wise.
Also Giri doesn't get worse positions out of the opening in most of his games, Karjakin is the one who can hold worse positions like a champ. Giri is just super prepped up so it's hard for anyone to get an advantage against him, but he can't finish people off, he misses crucial winning chances in the middlegame and endgame, hence all the draws.
I don't know what's all this nonsense about safe chess. From what I've seen Wesley So is brilliant at dynamic positional play. Sure he wont play bad nonsense to stir up trouble at the board, but when there's play Wesley exploits it beautifully. He's the only 2700 (well 2800 now) who can make me double take at his moves. Some of his pawn sacs for piece activity just blow my mind. Clearly you can't become #2 in the world just by playing it safe lol. If anything I'd say he's a slightly more aggressive Kramnik style wise.
Also Giri doesn't get worse positions out of the opening in most of his games, Karjakin is the one who can hold worse positions like a champ. Giri is just super prepped up so it's hard for anyone to get an advantage against him, but he can't finish people off, he misses crucial winning chances in the middlegame and endgame, hence all the draws.
Definitely, I agree with you....
Then you agree there's a thing called "not taking unnecessary risks" also known as playing it safe, or "safe chess". Then you do know.
What you don't agree is So playing safe. Should you have read the posts above, you may have noticed it was about his game with Carlsen in recent Tata Steel (post #31), and not about his playing style as a whole.
NM Roque has a point their because you can never tell a player if he just intentionally make such game just for being safe and they are indeed vicious in some ways like a spider crawling where to bite his prey...
He may be playing safe or not, Wesley So will put himself to a test if he can break Tal's record...
The bottom line here is at least you are playing with the World's best....
Tal was extremely strong at positional play and endgames and had many technical positional wins. I've seen many of his games, he wasn't some sort of one trick pony who always sacrificed his pieces, he had a complete game. There's a reason he was world champion and has that streak..
It seems Wesley is focus to break the record of Mikhail Tal and now that Wesley has achieved the 65 games of the legendary GM Cap...He is so serious about this and he is thinking beyond winning the world chess championship...He is so hot right now for not losing each of the classical game..
Who is Malakhov? Not listed in the world's Top Ten chess player..
He is the one who is closer than Wesley So to beat that streak and he is still a 27++ player, that what your topic is about, lol.