Gelfand Turns The Tide In Kazan

The bare facts about game three of the Candidates final in Kazan fail to tell the whole story.

A Grischuk draw with White in just 14 moves suggests that the Russian had reverted to his strategy in earlier rounds, but that was emphatically not the case.

Remarkably Gelfand uncorked a peach of an opening novelty with 9...b5!? in a Queen's Gambit sideline. A shocked Grischuk fell behind on the clock but managed to find a safe way to obtain a reasonable position before offering a draw at move 14 which Gelfand accepted.

After desperately struggling to hang on for draws in the first two games of the match, Gelfand's quick neutralisation of Grischuk's white pieces would have come as a welcome respite. It could also mark a turning point in the match if Gelfand can seize the initiative in the next game, but first the players will have a rest day.

Grischuk regrets walking into a Gelfand opening novelty

The adversaries discuss the game after agreeing a draw

Game 4 starts on Monday 23 May at 3pm in Kazan (11:00 UTC, 07:00 Eastern).  Live coverage is available at the official website, and live video of the games is available here.