No Breakthrough In Kazan
The penultimate game in the final of the Candidates matches in Kazan ended all square and the prospect of rapid playoffs to decide the next challenger looms ever closer.
Grischuk managed to achieve a satisfying space advantage against Gelfand in another QGD, and provoked a pawn weakness at e6 which Gelfand had to keep under close guard.
Then, as Grischuk tried to relocate his bishop to increase the pressure he overlooked a tactical shot from Gelfand which allowed the Israeli to play the crucial freeing break e5 and solve all his problems at a stroke.
Grischuk has had some very promising positions in the match but has failed to convert them into wins. Now Gelfand has the white pieces in the final game and another draw would mean rapid tiebreaks. Will Gelfand risk everything for a dramatic victory, or will he be more content to take on Grischuk at rapid chess?
The set up in the playing hall. The screen prevents the players receiving assistance from the audience
| Name | Nat | Elo | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Total |
| Grischuk, Alexander | RUS | 2747 | ½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | . | 2½ |
| Gelfand, Boris | ISR | 2733 | ½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | . | 2½ |
The final game starts on Wednesday 25 May at the usual time of 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.
Picture from the official event website.
