Carlsen on the Candidates’ After Round 12

For the second time World Champion Magnus Carlsen has posted a video on his YouTube channel in which he gives his opinion on the Candidates’ Tournament, currently under way in Khanty-Mansiysk, Siberia. The video was uploaded today, eight days after his first video (posted here).

Carlsen talks about the current situation, with Vishy Anand still being a point ahead of Levon Aronian and Sergey Karjakin & Shakhriyar Mamedyarov having half a point less. Some quotes:

“It feels like several of the players have been trying hard to gain the initiative and when something goes wrong they don't defend very well. That's been a little bit disappointing, the level of tenacity in their games.”

“If Karjakin had won [either against Topalov or Mamedyarov], he could have won the tournament by beating Anand tomorrow. Now I'm not so optimistic on his behalf. I think Anand is just going to hold and win the whole thing.”

“Overall it's been an exciting tournament. The quality has been a bit up and down. I think it really shows, in the games of the players, that only first place counts but as I said, that's no reason to defend poorly and play too desperately [smiles]. I think you need to find a middle ground, find a balance. There's one player who has managed to do that so far: Anand. That's why I think he's going to win.”