World Cup: Kamsky schakelt Carlsen uitWorld Cup: Kamsky eliminates Carlsen

For Magnus Carlsen the World Cup has now come to an end as well. He was defeated by Gata Kamsky today, who placed "a knight on the rim" with decisive effect. A very logical plan had put Magnus' heavy pieces on very unfortunate squares, as it turned out, when White's simple Qg4 threatened both Nf6+ and Nf4. The many Carlsen fans need not cry for too long, because one thing we know for sure: Magnus will be a world title candidate very soon again. (If only because the semi-finalists have already qualified for the new Grand Prix 2008-2009 series.) Karjakin-Shirov was another draw and so a tiebreak tomorrow has to decide who will be the other finalist.

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Before we really say goodbye to Carlsen, I'd like to mention his father's blog, where Magnus' ups and downs in his career are described in a nice, modest and honest way. But let's change the focus to the winner, because Gata Kamsky deserves it. In the meantime he won't have doubts anymore whether is comeback to the chess arena was a good move or not. We knew that he could play chess very well, but according to the critics his lack of knowledge of opening theory would prevent him from reaching the absolute top again. But in such a knockout tournament other skills, like concentration, fighting spirit and will power, are at least as important and that's exactly what the American possesses. Reaching the final is already a great achievement and I'd love to see him playing Shirov in the final, because Karjakin (just like Carlsen) will make it to the top anway!